The Japanese Spitz is a cheerful, playful and friendly companion, characterized by an almost absence of barking. His intelligence, teachability and sensitivity make him a great partner for any family. He accepts commands with ease but requires regular mental stimulation and entertainment. His temperamental nature and occasional stubbornness add a distinctive touch to his character.
Completely dependent on his family, he finds separation difficult to bear. He gets on well with children and enjoys taking part in their games. Relationships with other dogs require a sensitive approach due to his jealousy and sensitivity. He usually has no problem with other pets if he was introduced to them when he was young.
Reserved but not aggressive, he still displays his original guarding instincts, although he rarely barks. Although he has a dense coat, which allows him to be outdoors, his happiness lies in the company of his family and therefore he is not suitable for permanent outdoor living. His beautiful, long white coat requires careful grooming, and as he sheds twice a year, it is advisable to brush it gently at that time. It also requires special care when bathing to maintain its coat quality.
Management of this breed requires a steady hand and consistent rules, but it is easily and quickly trained. Rewarding good behaviour is much more effective than punishing bad behaviour. Its enthusiasm for exercise makes it a great companion for dog sports, from agility to dogdancing.
JAPANESE SPITZ (Nihon Supittsu)
ORIGIN : Japan.
DATE OF PUBLICATION OF THE ORIGINAL VALID STANDARD : 1987.
UTILIZATION : Companion dog.
CLASSIFICATION F.C.I. : Group 5 Spitz and primitive type.
Section 5 Asian Spitz and related breeds.
Without working trial.
BRIEF HISTORICAL SUMMARY : The origin of the Japanese Spitz is said to be the large-sized white German Spitz brought to Japan around 1920 via the continent of Siberia and northeast part of China. Around the year 1921 the breed was first exhibited at a dog show in Tokyo.
Subsequently, in 1925, two pairs of white Spitz were imported from Canada, and until around 1936, imports came from Canada, the U.S., Australia and China. Eventually their offspring were crossbred to produce a better breed. After the 2nd World War, the unified breed standard was established by the Japan Kennel Club in 1948 to be valid to the present.
GENERAL APPEARANCE : Covered with profuse pure white coat, with pointed muzzle, triangular pricked ears, and feathering tail over back. The constitution tough and the whole well balanced, its harmonious beauty causing spirit and dignity peculiar to this breed, and expressing elegance.
IMPORTANT PROPORTION : The ratio of height at withers to length of body is 10 : 11.
BEHAVIOUR / TEMPERAMENT : Intelligent, cheerful, keen in sense. Noisy not permitted.
HEAD : Size in balance to body, moderately broad and rounded.
CRANIAL REGION :
Skull : Forehead moderately developed. Rear part of skull broadest.
Stop : Defined.
FACIAL REGION :
Nose : Small, round and black.
Muzzle : Pointed, the tip slightly round, and well balanced. Lips tight and preferably black.
Jaws/Teeth : Teeth white and strong with scissor bite.
Eyes : Moderately large, almond-shaped, set slightly oblique, dark in colour. Black eyerims.
Ears : Set on high, small, triangular, pricked, facing forward, and not too far apart.
NECK : Moderately long, muscles well developed.
BODY :
Withers : High.
Back : Straight and short.
Loins : Broad.
Chest : Wide and deep, ribs well sprung.
Belly : Well tucked up.
TAIL : Set on high, moderately long, carried over back.
LIMBS
FOREQUARTERS : Shoulders well sloping, forearms straight, elbows tight.
HINDQUARTERS : Muscular, stifle and hock moderately bent.
FEET : Cat-feet. Pads thick, and desirably black as well as the nails.
GAIT/MOVEMENT : Quick and active.
COAT
HAIR : Outer coat straight and stand-off. Undercoat short, soft and dense. The foreface, ears, front of forearms and part below hocks are short haired, and the rest covered with abundant long coat, especially from neck to shoulders and forechest covered with beautiful frill, and the tail also has long profuse feathering.
COLOUR : Pure white.
SIZE :
Height at withers : Dogs 30-38 cm.
Bitches slightly smaller than dogs.
FAULTS : Any departure from the foregoing points should be considered a fault and the seriousness with which the fault should be regarded should be in exact proportion to its degree and its effect upon the health and welfare of the dog.
• Overshot or undershot mouth.
• Strongly curled tail.
• Shyness; noisiness.
ELIMINATING FAULTS :
• Aggresive or overly shy.
• Drop ears.
• Tail not carried on back.
Any dog clearly showing physical or behavioural abnormalities shall be disqualified.
N.B. : Male animals should have two apparently normal testicles fully descended into the scrotum.