Breed library

Japanese Spitz

Japanese Spitz photograph.
BIR Grupp 5- JAPANSK SPETS, Chezzay’s Nice N’Easy (23938629860).jpg - Svenska Mässan from Sweden. CC BY 2.0. Source: https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:BIR_Grupp_5-_JAPANSK_SPETS,_Chezzay%E2%80%99s_Nice_N%E2%80%99Easy_(23938629860).jpg. License: https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/2.0. License: CC BY 2.0.

Breed overview

The is a Japanese small to medium breed of dog of the Spitz type. There are varying standards around the world as to the ideal size of the breed, but they are always larger than their smaller cousins, the Pomeranian. They were developed in Japan in the 1920s and 1930s by breeding a number of other Spitz type dog breeds together, and are also one of the smallest native breeds, along with the Shiba Inu. They are recognized by the vast majority of the major kennel clubs, and while they are a relatively new breed, they are becoming widely popular due to their favorable temperament and other features. The major health concern is patellar luxation, and a minor recurring concern is that the breed can be prone to runny eyes. They can act as reliable watchdogs, but are a type of companion dog and prefer to be an active part of the family. Although they might appear fluffy, they are a low maintenance breed as dirt does not stick to the coat.

  • Breed type: dog breedBreed reference breed kind.
  • Country of origin: JapanBreed reference country of origin.

Breed facts

  • 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.

Size and appearance

Description of the ideal size of the breed varies. In New Zealand (New Zealand Kennel Club), the ideal size is 30 - 40 cm for males, 25 - 35 cm for females. Minor kennel clubs and other organizations may use any of these ideal sizes or create their own. Japanese Spitzes are generally considered larger than their cousin, the Pomeranian.

  • Height reference: 30 cm or moreBreed reference height. minimum.
  • Height reference: Up to 38 cmBreed reference height. maximum.
  • Coat layers: double
  • Coat length: long
  • Coat texture: curly
  • Height category: short
  • Height category: medium

Personality and 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.

Exercise and activities

Care planning: build a weekly routine with walks, play and time to explore. Enter the minutes and sessions that work for your dog, then compare the weekly total with your available time. Keep notes about the activities your dog enjoys and adjust the routine together.

Training and enrichment

Care planning: choose one everyday skill to practice and keep a record of each session. Note the cue, the reward your dog enjoys and what went well. Rotate familiar games and new activities, and use your notes to choose the next small step.

Coat and grooming

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.

  • Coat layers: double
  • Coat length: long
  • Coat texture: curly

Health and lifespan

Care planning: keep your dog's veterinary records, health-check dates and agreed care plan together. Add reminders for appointments and record changes you want to discuss at the next visit. Use the linked breed organizations and original references to explore their current health resources.

Living with this breed

Care planning: compare this profile's adult dimensions, coat care and available activity information with your household's routine. Make a shortlist, plan who will handle daily care and save the questions you want to ask a breed club, rescue or breeder.

Compare breeds

Compare supported adult height and weight ranges, matching research measures and sourced coat and care categories.

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Breed 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.

Clubs and further reading

Sources

  1. Wikidata structured breed dataWikimedia contributors Retrieved 2026-10-14.License: CC0 1.0. Wikidata contributors (CC0).
  2. National C-BARQ breed and all-breed means from USA.PLOS ONE / Figshare Retrieved 2026-10-14.License: CC BY 4.0. Bohland, Kyle R.; Lilly, Meghan Leanne; Herron, Meghan E.; Arruda, Andréia G.; O’Quin, Jeanette M. (2023). National C-BARQ breed and all-breed means from USA.. PLOS ONE. Dataset. https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0289356.s003 CC BY 4.0. Selected rows and field names adapted; values unchanged.
  3. File:BIR Grupp 5- JAPANSK SPETS, Chezzay’s Nice N’Easy (23938629860).jpgWikimedia Commons Retrieved 2026-10-14.License: CC BY 2.0. BIR Grupp 5- JAPANSK SPETS, Chezzay’s Nice N’Easy (23938629860).jpg - Svenska Mässan from Sweden. CC BY 2.0. Source: https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:BIR_Grupp_5-_JAPANSK_SPETS,_Chezzay%E2%80%99s_Nice_N%E2%80%99Easy_(23938629860).jpg. License: https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/2.0.
  4. Japanese Spitz - WikipediaWikipedia contributors Retrieved 2026-10-14.License: CC BY-SA 4.0. Adapted excerpts from Wikipedia contributors, Japanese Spitz, revision 1368882330. CC BY-SA 4.0. Formatting, citations and selection changed. Source history: https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Japanese_Spitz&action=history
  5. Palipaws everyday care planningPalipaws Retrieved 2026-10-14.License: Palipaws original factual summaries. Palipaws. Original care-planning text, separate from breed measurements and licensed article summaries.