Japanese Spitz

Size
Small (under 11kg)
Exercise
20 min/day
Training
Puppy school only
Time at home
Mostly home
Grooming
Frequent
Barking preference
Low
Personality
Independent + affectionate

Breeder List

Breeder - Ms Kate Pinker (MAEMUKI)

katepinker@gmail.com
See Details
Breeder - Mrs Debbie King (Mannerking)

debbiek9@outlook.com
See Details

GROUP 7 - NON SPORTING

History

The Japanese make claim to the origins of the Japanese Spitz, however there is evidence of white Spitz-type dogs in other countries dating back hundreds of years. There were many medium sized Spitz breeds in Europe, especially Germany and Russia, and these were predominantly white.

During the late 1800s this type of dog began making its way to America. During the early 1900s, white Spitz appeared in Japan, possibly due to the movements of armed forces and their families and pets in and out of Japan, China and Russia from America and Canada.

Today’s Japanese Spitz was developed in Japan between 1920 and 1950. The breed arrived relatively quickly in Australia. The first exports from Japan arrived in Sweden in 1973, and then the first imports into England arrived from Sweden in 1977. Breed fanciers in Australia were fortunate enough to import progeny of those early arrivals in England and as a result the breed arrived on our shores in 1979. The first litter in Australia was born in 1981.

SHANSPITZ Shannon Watherston QLD. Da Vinci Large 1

Appearance

The Japanese Spitz is an attractive dog with a profuse off-standing coat of the purest white, contrasted by black eye rims, lips and nose, and dark expressive eyes. It has an alert appearance with pointed ears, pointed muzzle, triangular shaped head and well plumed tail carried proudly over their back. They possess a firm, strong body that is full of flexibility. It is a sturdy dog with no toyishness.

The ideal height is between 34 and 35 centimetres for males and between 30 and 31 centimetres for females. The Japanese Spitz is quick and cheerful in its motion – it is light and nimble, active and energetic.

Temperament and Suitability

The Japanese Spitz is a family dog. It’s an intelligent breed and, having been developed purely as a companion dog, it is always eager to please. It enjoys living both indoors and outdoors, in fact it enjoys being wherever you are, thriving on human companionship.

Maintenance

Despite its long white coat, the Japanese Spitz is a relatively low maintenance breed. Contrary to most peoples’ expectations, its coat is easy to look after. Due to the coat’s soft texture, mud and dirt will fall off, or can be easily brushed out. While the Japanese Spitz may love to play in the dirt, this is a fastidious dog that will lick itself clean, like a cat. It does shed its coat, once a year for males and twice a year for females. With regular grooming, you will be rewarded with wonderfully attractive dog with a sparkling white coat.

Health

The Japanese Spitz is an extremely healthy breed, and the only problem they may suffer from is Patella Luxation (slipping kneecaps). This fault is easily assessed by a veterinarian in both puppies and adults, and registered breeders are conscious of this and should strive to eliminate this weakness from their breeding programs.

Some Japanese Spitz may also suffer from tear staining. This can be caused by a number of issues, from blocked tear ducts to a rounder eye shape.

Words: Amanda Huggins

Conclusion

Now you know a little about the Japanese Spitz and have decided this is the dog for you, or you would like more information, please make contact with the breed club or your State controlling body for purebred dogs. They will be able to give you information about available puppies and also suggest dog shows where you can see the breed and speak to breeders. In this way you will gain a better perspective of the Japanese Spitz and its needs and whether this breed would suit your lifestyle.

Official breed standard as recognized by Dogs NSW (Last Updated: 24 Jan 2009)

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A breed standard is the guideline which describes the ideal characteristics, temperament, and appearance of a breed and ensures that the breed is fit for function with soundness essential. Breeders and judges should at all times be mindful of features which could be detrimental in any way to the health, welfare or soundness of this breed.

General Appearance

Profuse, pure white, stand-off coat. Overall quality of body firm and strong. Pointed muzzle, triangular shaped ears standing erect. Well plumed tail carried over back. Ratio of height to length, 10:11.

Characteristics

Affectionate, companionable. Slightly chary at first meeting with strangers.

Temperament

Alert, intelligent, bold and lively.

Physical Standards

Head and Skull	Head medium size without coarseness. Wedge shaped when viewed from above. Moderately broad. Slightly rounded skull, broadest at occiput. Well defined stop, forehead not protruding. Muzzle in proportion to the head, tapering to a small, black, round nose. Lips black, firm and tight.
Eyes	Dark, moderate size, oval shaped, set rather obliquely and not too wide apart; black eye rims.
Ears	Small, triangular, standing erect. Set high, facing forward, not too wide apart.
Mouth	Jaws strong with perfect, regular and complete scissor bite, i.e. the upper teeth closely overlapping the lower teeth and set square to the jaws.
Neck	Strong, arched and of moderate length.
Forequarters	Moderately sloping shoulder, upper arm of sufficient length to ensure elbow is vertically below point of withers. Forelegs straight, elbows firm and tight, pasterns slightly sloping.
Body	Length from point of shoulder to point of buttock slightly greater than height at withers. Chest broad and deep. Ribs well sprung, belly firm with moderate tuck-up. Back straight and short, full of flexibility. Loins broad and firm, with a slight rise. Level croup with high set tail.
Hindquarters	Well proportioned and balanced. Muscular, moderately angulated. Hind legs parallel to each other viewed from rear.
Feet	Small round, cat-like and well cushioned. Pads black, nails preferably dark.
Tail	Moderate length, well plumed, high set, carried curved over the back.
Gait/Movement	Light, nimble, active, energetic and very smooth.
Coat	Outer coat straight and stand-off. Profuse, short, dense undercoat, soft in texture. Shorter on face, ears, front of fore and hind legs and below hocks. Remainder of body covered with long coat. Mane on neck and shoulders reaching down to brisket. Tail profusely covered with long hair.
Colour	Pure white.
Size	Height at shoulders:Dogs 34-37 cms (13.5 - 14.5 ins)Bitches 30-34 cms (12 - 13.5 ins)

Faults

Any departure from the foregoing points should be considered a fault and the seriousness with which the fault should be regarded should be in exact proportion to its degree and its effect upon the health and welfare of the dog.