A Breed Profile - The Japanese Spitz

The Japanese Spitz is a loving bundle of fluff on legs that is bold, smart and full of personality.

Strider - the stunning Japanese Spitz and our July 2026 Dog of the Month.

🇯🇵 The Starting Point of the Japanese Spitz

The exact origin of the Japanese Spitz is not completely known, though many believe they have descended from the Siberian Samoyed. Another theory is that the breed was developed in Japan in the 1920s and 1930s by crossbreeding different existing white Spitz breeds together. Historical records indicate that white German Spitz were among the dogs that contributed to the development of the breed.

Their popularity grew quickly as a companion dog and family pet, and they were bred primarily as companion dogs rather than for a specific working role.

🐾 Get to Know the Japanese Spitz

Don’t be fooled by their size, the Japanese Spitz is a big personality in a small package. They are a smart and happy little breed of dog that thrives with good structure and training and can be very obedient when their needs are met. Without enough physical and mental enrichment, they can become bored and develop unwanted behaviours.

They enjoy a daily walk and, with this, can happily live indoors or within an apartment. They are happy to be active indoors as well as snuggle up on your lap for a cuddle too.
They are a very playful breed that loves to be involved with the family and keep busy. They will happily fetch and play with toys and, if well socialised, can enjoy playing with other dogs and household animals too.

❤️ Happy Healthy Spitz

The Japanese Spitz is generally considered a healthy breed, although, like all breeds, they can be prone to certain health conditions. Patellar luxation, or a slipping kneecap, is one of the more recognised health concerns, while some inherited eye conditions have also been identified.

They are a long-lived breed, with commonly reported lifespans of around 12 to 16 years.

☁️ A Marshmallow on Legs

The stunning Japanese Spitz is a small breed of dog draped in a thick, long coat of white fur. Their undercoat, the thicker of their two coats, is soft and dense, while their outer coat is longer and stands away from the body. The coat around the lower half of their legs is naturally shorter, with feathering around their feet.

Grooming is an important task for this breed, requiring regular brushing all over to avoid matting and knots, focusing particularly underneath and in their armpits. Special attention should be given to their undercoat during the times of year they shed, as the loose coat can mat more quickly.

🏡 The Perfect Home

The ideal home for a Japanese Spitz is one that has people who have time for them, who will play and interact with them every day. They are a breed that likes to be with the family and can become stressed and destructive if left outside and alone all the time.
They love to get out and explore and need regular daily exercise, along with an owner who has the time and understanding for their grooming needs.