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Nihon Supittsu Breed Description

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Breed Organization

United Kennel Club (UKC)

Native Country
Japan

Other Names
Japanese Spitz, Spitz Japonais, Spitz Japones

Life Expectancy
Approximately 10-16 Years

Litter Size
No Information Available

Breed Group
FCI Spitz and Primitive Types

General Description

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. The large oval 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.

They share a common resemblance with the white Pomeranian, Samoyed and American Eskimo Dog.


Breed Standard

Head: Moderately wide and rounded. Distinct stop. Pointed muzzle. Small nose. Tight, preferably black lips.
Ears: Set on high, small, triangular. Held erect and turned forward.
Eyes: Moderately large, almond shape, set slightly obliquely in the skull. Dark color. Black rims.
Body: Sturdy construction. Muscular neck. Pronounced withers. Broad chest is well let down. Ribs well sprung. Belly well tucked up.
Tail: Set high, moderately long. Carried over the back.
Hair: Straight, stand-off. Short on the face, ears, and front of the legs. Long and abundant on the rest of the body. Apron on the forechest and plume on the tail. Soft, dense undercoat.
Coat: Pure white.
Size: Dog: 30 to 38 cm.Bitch: 30 to 35 cm.
Weight: Approx. 10 kg.

History

Dog 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. 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. 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. The final Standard for the breed was written after World War II, and accepted by the Japan Kennel Club. 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. The Japanese Spitz has spread around the world including to India, Australia, and the United States 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.

Behavior

Active, loyal, and bright, the Japanese Spitz are known for their great courage, affection, devotion and amiability making them great watchdogs and ideal companions for older people and small children. Most Japanese Spitz are good watch dogs, despite their relatively small size, and they have a tendency to bark to warn of 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 known as very loyal dogs. They enjoy being active and love to be in the outdoors. They are intelligent, playful, alert, and obedient, and particularly excellent and loving toward children.

Japanese Spitz can tolerate cold weather but, as it was bred as a companion dog, prefers to live in the house with the warmth of its human family. Though they can live in apartments, they need some time running around outside off-leash in a safe environment.

Due to the texture of their coat, mud and dirt falls off or can be brushed out very easily. However, due to the breed's thick coat, regular brushing is essential.

The Japanese Spitz's coat is relatively dry as compared to other breeds. 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.

Function

Pet.

Health

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.


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