Japanese Spitz

The Japanese Spitz is a tiny cute dog with a square body containing a deep chest and a white coat that is thick and pure. Bred as a pet and for companionship reasons, they grow up to a full height of 13 inches only. They have a pure white double coat; the outer coat is completely different compare to the soft coat which is thick and soft. The fur is a little shorter on the ears, muzzle and the legs. A small patch of longer hair is found on the neck of the dog. The tail lies on the dogs back.

These dogs have a pointed muzzle and ears which are small and triangular in shape. They have a long curled tail which is covered with thick long fur. They have small black pads with black nails. This is a very nice contrast to the white fur. They have a black nose and dark oval eyes. These dogs are very healthy are faced only with a few health problems. One of the major concerns is Patellar luxation. The kneecap gets dislocated in this condition. They are also prone to eye problems such as runny eyes. This is due to the fact that they have such small tear ducts.

The Japanese Spitz can be very good watch or guard dogs. They bark a lot and they use this in informing the owner of a stranger nearing the house. They are mainly companion dogs and they crave for attention and contact from their owners. They love to be a member of the family they are adopted into. They are very lively and love to play. This also makes them patient and very affectionate towards children. They are also obedient, loyal and alert. They are very intelligent animals and have a good instinct.

The Japanese dogs are of low maintenance even though they have a thick white coat. They are clean and don have a bad odour. The dirt which falls on the coat easily falls off due to the smooth texture of the coat. They need to be given a bath only once in a few months if they are kept healthy and well groomed. Their coat sheds heavily once in a year. They need to be brushed once in a few days. Their coat is drier than other dogs. Bathing them too frequently can rob the coat of their natural oils and moisture.

They are an intelligent breed and learn very quickly when trained properly at a young age. If they are given treats and positive remarks they strive to perform and learn faster. Harsh treatment must not be given to these dogs as they can be sensitive and this treatment will be met strongly with resistance. When they are socialised at a young age, they are very friendly towards people and other animals as they grow up. They also appear to tolerate loud noises. They become confident and well mannered when they mature. They love to please their owner and are very loyal.