Common Japanese Spitz questions and answers
How do I find a breeder with Japanese Spitz for sale including Japanese Spitz puppies for sale?
There are a number of different methods to find the Japanese Spitz puppy that would suit your family from newspaper advertisements to going to dog shows and speaking to the Japanese Spitz breeders there but the best way is to click on the find a Japanese Spitz puppy link on this page and leave your email address. This will place you on the Japanese Spitz puppy notification list so that you can be told as soon as any of the Japanese Spitz breeders listed with us have a litter available. This will give you access to many different breeders rather than going on a waiting list with a breeder that may take some years to have a puppy available.
What is the price of a Japanese Spitz and how much does a Japanese Spitz cost to keep?
The average cost of a Japanese Spitz puppy in Australia is about $1200 – $1800 depending on the quality of the Japanese Spitz puppy and taking in the differences between Japanese Spitz breeders. Japanese Spitz puppies can be found for a cheaper price but they would usually be of lesser quality. Some Japanese Spitz breeders may have ex show dogs or retired breeding dogs that they may be for sale at a reduced price to loving pet homes but these are harder to come by. Also due to the Japanese Spitz having a low dumpage rate, they rarely turn up in shelters. The cost to keep a Japanese Spitz is about $10 to $15 Australian dollars per week on average.
Are there many Japanese Spitz breeders?
At the moment the Japanese Spitz is still a fairly rare dog breed but their popularity is rising rapidly around the world and in particularly in Australia. Even in Australia the number of active Japanese Spitz breeders is estimated to be less than 100.
How much work is involved in looking after the coat of a Japanese Spitz?
Surprisingly little work is required to look after the beautiful coat of a Japanese Spitz. This is thanks to their Teflon like coat that lets the dirt dry and fall off as well as the Japanese Spitz cat-like habit of cleaning themselves. They would require a bath a couple of times a year and a 10 minute brush a couple of times a week will normally be enough to maintain a Japanese Spitz coat. Japanese Spitz do not need any clipping or plucking.
Are Japanese Spitz good with children?
Japanese Spitz are fantastic with kids and really do seem to enjoy the antics of children. They also seem to bond stronger with children who ply them with attention than with most adults.
Are Japanese Spitz suitable for older people?
Being a relatively small dog breed that has a light build, they are easily handled by older members of the community and would not normally be able to knock over frail people.
Do Japanese Spitz make good watch dogs?
Yes, Japanese Spitz make great little watch dogs as they are an alert and naturally inquisitive breed, but they are a poor guard dog as they are not very intimidating nor will they bite intruders.
Are Japanese Spitz good with other pets such as cats, birds and also other dogs?
Japanese Spitz are a highly sociable dog breed that love the company of other dogs and will get along well with other pets, especially if they are introduced to your other pets while they are still puppies.
How much exercise does a Japanese Spitz need?
While Japanese Spitz love to go out on walks for the socialisation exercise, this is not a critical need for them on a daily basis as they do entertain themselves especially if they have another dog to play with. A walk once or twice a week is generally enough but if you like to go for walks, a Japanese Spitz will accompany you as often as you would like to go!
Are Japanese Spitz easy to train and also toilet train?
Japanese Spitz are a highly intelligent dog breed and like to please so training a Japanese Spitz is quite easy using positive reinforcement methods. Japanese Spitz are naturally clean dogs that usually prefer to go toilet away from where they sleep and eat and your job is to show them where you want them to go. The length of time this takes individual puppies to learn does vary but once they learn where they should go to the toilet they very rarely have any accidents.
Is the Japanese Spitz a Mini Samoyed?
Even though Japanese Spitz look like a mini Samoyed and are often mistaken for miniature Samoyeds (which don’t exist) they are a breed onto themselves.
Being a white dog breed, do Japanese Spitz have any skin problems or issues with sunburn?
Japanese Spitz with skin problems are a very rare occurrence aside from some pups having some ‘cradle cap’ that they grow out of. Sunburn is not normally an issue for Japanese Spitz as they have a black nose and lips and are smart enough to get out of the sun and into the shade on a hot day!
Is a Japanese Spitz cross better than a pure Japanese Spitz?
We would not recommend a Japanese Spitz cross over a pure Japanese Spitz as with a cross most of the unique features that make a Japanese Spitz what it is may or may not be present.