Monday, October 13, 2008

Japanese Spitz

The Japanese Spitz dog is small and completely white breed of dog. This breed is thought to have been bred from the Siberian Samoyed for smallness beginning in the late 19th century in Japan. The Japanese Spitz dog breed were introduced to the United States in the 1950s. It is very similar to the American Eskimo Dog and German Spitz in size, overall appearance, and temperament.

A typical Japanese Spitz usually weigh around 15 to 20 lb (7-9 kg), fully grown, and stand 11 to 13 inches (30 cm with a tolerance of 3cm either way) off of the ground at the withers. They have a thick under-layer coat that is always pure white. The tail of a Japanese Spitz is covered with long hair and is carried curled over the back. The coat is short on the bottom half of the legs and feathering on the forelegs.

Japanese SpitzGrooming a Japanese Spitz is actually easier than what new owners may think. Many new pet owners concerned about the white fur coat of Japanese Spitz because it looks hard to look after but actually when they get muddy once the mud dries it will just flick off leaving the coat looking as good as new again. This breed have small and pointed upright ears and the muzzle tapers slightly. Another notable feature of this breed are the large oval eyes are dark and slightly slanted, and the nose and lips are black. The face of the Japanese Spitz is wedge-shaped.

The Japanese Spitz is intelligent, playful, alert, and obedient. They make good watchdogs, and they’re fairly easy to train as long as the owner is consistent. They’re quick learners. They’re excellent with children and have the patience for toddlers. They are able to easily get along with other dogs and pets. Proud, affectionate, and very protective of their masters, most Japanese Spitz are suspicious of strangers and will not hesitate to bark at new people until they get to know them.

Japanese Spitz typically live from 10 to 12 years if well cared for; in rare cases they might live as long as 16 years. Find a good breeder, otherwise they can be born with diseases or abnormalities. Before buying a Japanese Spitz try to find out when the last litter of pups were