Very popular because it has a "fluffy" white fur, rolled tail and pointed ears, the Japanese spitz is characterized by being among the best-known breeds of recent times. And if you continue reading, you will have the opportunity to learn everything you need about these dogs. Do you dare?
This breed comes from Japan, and although the most accepted theory indicates that it is descended from the breeds of white spitz originating in North America and northern Europe, such as the German and Russian Spitz, as well as the Samoyed of the Siberian Samoyed , it It is true that there is no real certainty, especially considering its small size.
Breed history
In its beginnings, the breed that emerged from these dogs was subdivided into a couple of categories of different sizes: the big one was called samo, while the little one was called spitz, the latter being the one that managed to become a common pet within Japan, and then spread to Sweden before reaching the other countries of Europe and the rest of the world.
The first time this breed was exhibited, took place within a dog show held in Tokyo in 1921; Not long after, between 1925-1936 it was crossed with other specimens of white spitzs in order to perfect the breed.
After World War II, the person in charge of establishing the unified standard for this breed, which is maintained to this day, was the Japanese Kennel Club. And although today the number of specimens that exist in Japan has been reduced, compared to its tips throughout the decade of the 50-60's, currently it has managed to become a fairly well-known breed within the United States. , Canada, Australia and all of Europe.
Characteristics of the Japanese Spitz
The Japanese spitz is characterized by being a can of small height, which normally does not weigh more than 10kg; It has a sharp snout, a broad, rounded head, along with not very large, triangular ears.
In general, your body has a very compact appearance and although it is not usually long enough, it is a bit wide; but despite the fact that they are small dogs, they have quite agile legs.
In the same way, it should be mentioned that the most peculiar characteristic that the Japanese spitz has is its fur, since it is usually really dense, fluffy, smooth and totally white. What's more, under the visible coat has a tighter and shorter undercoat. Its tail is shaped like a feather and is completely covered by dense fur.
Personality
At the beginning, the specimens of this breed tend to be a bit reserved in front of strangers, however they are characterized by having a very affectionate, attentive, obedient and faithful personality towards their caregivers. They are also usually very active and attentive, so they enjoy taking care of both the home and their garden, barking whenever something unusual can catch their attention.
In addition, they tend to get along very well with the smallest members of the family with whom they are extremely docile and patient, as well as with other pets; Although being in front of strangers is not usually the same since, in fact, they are dogs a little distrustful so you can be sure that it will warn of the presence of any strange and / or unusual noise.
However, in order to prevent them from developing excessive barking behavior, a consequence of their guardian nature, it is convenient that they have a consistent and firm leader who is in charge of set limits while allowing them to feel safe.
Although they love to play and spend time with their family, they are also usually somewhat independent dogs; and it is precisely due to that vigilant and noble character that they possess, that it is often said that it is a large dog within the body of a small one.
They have great intelligence and can learn in a very short time, so they usually enjoy not only games, but also agility tests; And as long as they are properly exercised, they will not be too nervous when they are indoors, making them an extraordinary pet for any family.
"Salud"
Generally, consist of dogs that are in very good healthAlthough, like other small dog breeds, they have a certain predisposition to present patella luxations, that is, temporary displacement of the patella. Similarly, it can be noted that they are not known to suffer from specific congenital diseases, although it is advisable to keep checking their fur, eyes and ears in order to avoid the development of possible infections.
Care
Being a small dog, the Japanese spitz is an ideal pet for those who live in apartments, as long as they are allowed to go out several times a day to play and exercise; It must be borne in mind that, apart from physical exercise, these dogs also tend to enjoy mental exercise to a great extent, so it is advisable to take the time to play, teach them new things, perform intelligence exercises, etc.
Although its training is relatively simple, it requires both consistency and perseverance, since by not paying enough attention to its education it is possible that it ends developing uncontrollable behavior. And taking into account his mistrust and suspicion towards strangers, it is necessary to socialize him properly with people and other pets, especially when not wanting to encourage his vigilant instinct.
Finally, the main care that Japanese spitz require is directly linked to their coat, since it is usually prone to developing knots and / or accumulating a lot of dirt, especially when going for a walk on a regular basis. So by not brushing it several times throughout the week, its coat will eventually become tangled and it will lose its distinctive fluffy appearance.
La spitz dog breed requires about 60 minutes of exercise each day, and although its white fur ended up getting very dirty during the rainy days, the truth is that when it dries it will be possible to get rid of the mud through brushing, thus allowing the hair to be as clean as it was previously.
Small dogs are usually characterized by having a fast metabolism, which means that their body manages to burn energy at a higher rate; That is why it is essential that, having a small stomach, eat small portions but do so frequently.
In this sense, the foods that are aimed at small dogs stand out for being specifically made with the appropriate key nutrient ratios, as with smaller feed grains which manage to adapt to the mouth of these animals. In this way, not only chewing is stimulated, but the digestion process is also optimized.