The Japanese Spitz is a very healthy dog breed
Overall the Japanese Spitz is a very healthy breed with few genetic issues. Life expectancy for a Japanese Spitz is between 12 to 16 years and just like people, dogs kept at a healthy weight will generally live longer and healthier than those allowed to become obese. This is important to remember if you own a Japanese Spitz as they are generally not fussy eaters and many will also eat some cooked vegetables. It is also important to remember that the Japanese Spitz is a very intelligent breed of dog that will learn to become fussy if they are encouraged to be fussy, so do not let your Japanese Spitz dictate what he or she wants to eat or like toddlers they will only want what tastes good and this may not be the most nutritious diet!
The healthy body shape of the Japanese Spitz
Japanese Spitz have a fairly natural body shape resembling a heavier version of an Arctic Fox with a slightly shorter body length and this natural shape does help to prevent many of the health issues associated with many breeds that have diverged from the natural shape. Examples of some of the divergences include the flat faced or brachycephalic breeds such as the Pug or Bulldog that have many breathing and eye issues and also the giant breeds such as the St Bernard or Bernese Mountain Dogs that have major problems with hip dysplasia.
Patella Luxation in the Japanese Spitz
A very small portion of Japanese Spitz can suffer from a knee problem called Patellar Luxation or which is known in layman’s terms as “slipping kneecaps”. Basically the condition is caused by the knee caps on the hind legs of a Japanese Spitz having too much movement available to them and moves out of its proper location. This can happen in one or both knee caps. This condition can be found amongst virtually all the small and miniature dog breeds. Patellar Luxation in Japanese Spitz is believed to have a genetic component but a number of other factors can come into play in determining how this condition develops such as weight and the possibility of trauma or other damage to the knee area particularly while the puppy is growing. There is no blood or genetic test for Luxating Patella and a diagnosis is made by the vet’s own opinion as to whether the amount of movement is acceptable or not. Japanese Spitz breeders so take care in selecting the dogs they will use as part of their breeding program to reduce the chance of producing Japanese Spitz puppies that may have this condition by having their veterinarian physically check their dogs before breeding their dogs and also desexing dogs that have had pups with Patellar Luxation. Fortunately Japanese Spitz have a very low incidence of Patella Luxation compared to many other small breeds.
Japanese Spitz and eye or tear staining
Being a white dog breed, most Japanese Spitz will have some form of tear staining around their eyes, especially as puppies. This is the red to brown stains that appear around the eyes of Japanese Spitz and all other white dogs or any dog that has white fur around their eyes. The tear staining usually reduces once a Japanese Spitz puppy goes through the teething stage and then usually fades completely as the puppy gets older. Some dogs though will be more prone to it than other dogs and again the reason for this is not completely known but small tear ducts are suspected to play a part in this but many other factors such as diet, dust, hay or even a particular dog having rounder eyes. Tear staining in Japanese Spitz is rarely a health issue or caused by any serious eye defect, but more of a simple cosmetic issue that most pet owners tend to live with while it is there. Show breeders on the other hand want their Japanese Spitz pups to look their best so take measures to remove the stains and some of these methods can be found in the Japanese Spitz Care section of this site.