Early History of the Japanese Spitz
The Japanese Spitz is a relatively new breed that has been developed as a companion dog breed in the last century. The origins of the Japanese Spitz breed date back to about 500AD when the Spitz-type dogs that were without doubt prized by their owners and breeders as companion dogs for their families found their way into Asia and of course Japan. Although the Japanese Spitz does resemble a miniature Samoyed, they are of different lineages and the Japanese Spitz breed was not developed from dwarf or small sized Samoyeds even though they are often mistaken by people not familiar with the breed as “mini Samoyeds” or puppy Samoyeds.
Japanese Spitz breeders before World War II
The first serious and continuous effort to develop the Japanese Spitz breed seems to have started inJapanin the 1920’s and 1930’s. They started out with a number of different Spitz breed dogs and there is some debate as to the exact percentage and even the breeds used but the American Eskimo Dog, white Russian Spitz and German Spitz are generally accepted as adding to the genetic make up of the Japanese Spitz breed we have today. These early Japanese Spitz breeders crossed these breeds with the goal of an improved breed and their effort seems to have worked as the Japanese Spitz has very few health concerns today compared to most other purebred dog breeds and other dogs in general. One could argue that the Japanese Spitz is an early and successful designer dog breed that had the focus on health and temperament.
The modern Japanese Spitz breed
The Japanese Spitz breed did suffer from some crossbreeding with similar breeds such as the German Spitz, American Eskimo Dog and Samoyeds in the aftermath of World War 2 but the Japanese Spitz breeders did manage to retain the genetic and temperament characteristics of the breed without much dilution and the Japanese Kennel Club recognised the breed in 1954 and developed the standard that has been adapted for use around the word today. The American Kennel Club, AKC, does not recognise the breed today due to the similarities that exist between the Japanese Spitz and the American developed breed, the American Eskimo Dog but the United Kennel Club in the USA does recognise the Japanese Spitz in its Northern Breeds Group.
The Japanese Spitz makes its way around the world
In the early 1950’s Japanese Spitz were exported to Sweden where their stunning good looks and loyalty and intelligence made them a highly sought after breed although still being very rare in its new country. The Japanese Spitz quickly made its way to England were it remained quite an unknown breed until its versatility and excellent demeanour with children became better known. The Japanese Spitz was then exported around the world and can now be found in almost any country. While they are still considered a fairly rare breed, they are quickly growing in popularity as they seem to make fans of just about anyone they meet!