Welcome to the Spitz (German/Japanese) Breed Information blog

This is a blog devoted to the lovely Spitz breed. We will try to provide information for all spitz family, Japanese Spitz, German Spitz, Finnish Spitz, Pomeranian. Feel free to contact us to send us your dog pictures.

Thursday, October 15, 2009

Japanese Spitz

The Japanese Spitz (日本スピッツ, Nihon Supittsu?) is a small breed of dog of the Spitz type, developed in Japan. The Japanese Spitz is a companion dog and pet.


Appearance


The Japanese Spitz is a small dog, around 33 cm (13 ins) at the withers, with a somewhat square body, deep chest, and a very thick, pure white double coat. The coat consists of an outer coat that stands off from the soft inner coat, with fur shorter on the muzzle and ears as well as the fronts of the forelegs and the hindlegs. A ruff of longer fur is around the dog's neck. It has a pointed muzzle and small, triangular shape prick ears (ears that stand up.) The tail is long, heavily covered with long fur, and is carried curled over and lying on the dog's back. The white coat contrasts with the black pads and nails of the feet, the black nose, and the dark eyes.[1] The large oval (akin to a ginko seed) eyes are dark and slightly slanted with white eyelashes, and the nose and lips and eye rims are black. The face of the Japanese Spitz is wedge-shaped.[2]

Size variations

Male Japanese Spitz (UK)Description of the ideal size of the breed varies. In Japan, the ideal size for dogs (males) is described as 30-38 cm at the withers, with females somewhat smaller; (the Japanese standard is the one published by the Fédération Cynologique Internationale for international dog competitions.) [3] In the UK, the Kennel Club describes the size as 34–37 cm (13.5–14.5 in) at the withers with females 30–34 cm (12–13.5 in), which is the same for the Australian National Kennel Council. In New Zealand (New Zealand Kennel Club, the ideal size is 30–40 cm (12–16 in) for males, 25–35 cm (10–14 in) for females. The Canadian Kennel Club states that the size for dogs is 12 inches (30 cm) with females slightly smaller, and the United Kennel Club in the U.S. describes the ideal size as 12 to 15 ins (30.5–38.1 cm) for males and 12 to 14 ins (30.5–35.6 cm) for females. Minor kennel clubs and other organizations may use any of these ideal sizes or create their own.

History

A four year old female Japanese SpitzDog breeders in Japan in the 1920s and 1930s created the Japanese Spitz by crossbreeding a number of other Spitz breeds to develop the Japanese Spitz.[4] Breeders began with white German Spitz dogs, originally brought over from northeastern China to Japan; they were first exhibited at a dog show in Tokyo in 1921.[5] Between 1925 and 1936 various small white Spitz breeds were imported from around the world and crossed into the developing breed, with the goal of producing an improved breed.[5] The final Standard for the breed was written after World War II, and accepted by the Japanese Kennel Club.[5] The breed gained popularity in Japan in the 1950s, and was exported to Sweden in the early 1950s. From there the breed went to England, and the Kennel Club recognized the Japanese Spitz in 1977 in the Utility Group.[1] The Japanese Spitz has spread around the world and is recognized by most of the major kennel clubs in the English speaking world; by the Canadian Kennel Club in Group 6, Non-Sporting, by the New Zealand Kennel Club (Non-Sporting Group), by the Australian National Kennel Council in Group 7 (Non Sporting), and by the United Kennel Club (U.S.) in the Northern Breeds Group. The American Kennel Club does not recognize the Japanese Spitz due to its being close in appearance to a U.S. developed Spitz breed, the American Eskimo Dog. The breed is also recognized by minor registries and clubs and is a popular pet.

Health

A Japanese Spitz puppy.They are a healthy breed with very few genetic problems. The main health concern for Japanese Spitz is the development of Patellar luxation, a condition in which the kneecap dislocates out of its normal position. They can also be prone to runny eyes, which is most commonly due to having tear ducts that are too small, or an allergy to long grass or stress. It is rarely caused by any serious eye defect.[6]

Mortality

Life expectancy is estimated at 12 years.

Temperament

Most Japanese Spitz are good watch dogs, as they have a tendency to bark a lot, especially to warn off arriving strangers. The Japanese Spitz is first and foremost a companion dog and thrives on human contact and attention, preferring to be a member of the family. They are intelligent, playful, alert, and obedient, excellent with children.

Care

Japanese Spitz can tolerate cold weather, but as it was bred as a companion dog, prefers to live in the house with its humans.

Grooming

Despite the appearance of the Japanese Spitz’ pure white coat they are in fact a low maintenance breed. They are a very clean dog and do not have a doggy odor, due to the texture of their coat mud and dirt fall off or can be brushed out very easily. Provided they are kept well groomed, they should only require a bath every couple of months (common sense prevailing). They have a major coat shed once a year, but like most dogs shed minimum all year round.

Some Love to swim and in which case regular baths are not necessary. You will find yourself washing your dog after a swim- sure the sand and dirt will dry and fall out but Japanese Spitz are an inside dog and hate to be locked away (in order to dry).

The Japanese Spitz's coat is relatively dry compared to other breeds. While it is optimum to bathe them once every few months, they should not be bathed more frequently than once every two months, as bathing and shampoo strips the natural oil and moisture from their coat. This can cause skin sensitivity and itchiness. Their coat should be groomed twice a week using a pin brush that reaches to the undercoat, preventing formation of knots. Grooming this breed is relatively easy in contrast to other dog breeds. Their white fur coat has a non-stick texture often described as being similar to Teflon.

Training

Basic obedience training for all breeds of dog should be commenced at a young age to provide mental stimulation. The Japanese Spitz is an intelligent breed and will quickly learn what is required of them if consistency is applied. Positive reinforcement of treats and praise will bring out their eagerness to learn and their willingness to please. Harsh handling and strong verbal discipline are unnecessary and may be met with resistance. Socialization at a very early age can introduce the puppy to various people, places, noises, situations and other animals. An adequately socialized puppy Japanese Spitz will mature into a friendly, confident, well mannered adult.

Similar Breeds

A Japanese Spitz in the sunAs the Spitz are a very ancient dog type, many smaller types of Spitz resemble each other. Medium to small sized breeds similar in appearance from various places in the world include the Wolfsspitz (Keeshond), Großspitz, Mittelspitz, Kleinspitz, Zwergspitz (Pomeranian), Samoyed (dog), Schipperke, Norwegian Elkhound, Volpino Italiano (Italian Spitz), Laika (Russian Spitz), Finnish Spitz, Indian Spitz and Japanese Spitz.

Types of German Spitz

Pomeranian (dog)
American Eskimo Dog
Keeshond

Related breeds

Samoyed (dog)
Schipperke
Norwegian Elkhound
Volpino Italiano (Italian Spitz)
Laika (Russian Spitz)
Finnish Spitz
Indian Spitz
Japanese Spitz

2 comments:

  1. Lovely dogs. We have just got one and I've started a blog

    http://diaryofajapanesespitz.blogspot.co.uk/

    ReplyDelete
  2. Hi! Thank you for the share this information. This is very useful information for online blog review readers. Keep it up such a nice posting like this.
    Hotel for Dogs | Dog Grooming | Pet Training | Pet Boarding Services

    ReplyDelete