If you are considering getting a Japanese Spitz for the first time, you will need to know about their traits and personalities. You will also need to know what care they require. This is important whether it is your first dog or you have had dogs before but not a Japanese Spitz.
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Are Japanese Spitz good for first time owners
Japanese Spitz make excellent pets for the right first time owner. They are a very smart and active dog and require an owner that can provide the exercise and mental stimulation they need.
The Japanese Spitz is also very people orientated and do require a fair amount of attention and affection. This loving nature makes them an excellent family dog and they are very good with children.
Japanese Spitz can also be a little mischievous and at times naughty. They require an owner that can provide good leadership, training, and socialization. Failure to do so can result in behavior issues such as nuisance barking, and destructive behavior.
We will take a deeper look into the temperament and personality of the Japanese Spitz to enable you to decide if they are the right breed for you. It is also important to beware of their needs and care required to determine if you are willing to commit to providing these.
Japanese Spitz Temperament and Personality
What makes a Japanese Spitz such a wonderful pet is that they crave human attention and will smother you with love. They love to be involved in anything the family is doing and will not be content just sitting back and watching.
As a result of this need for attention and human contact, they tend to not like being left alone. For more on this see leaving a Japanese Spitz home alone. With a little training and providing ways to occupy them when you are out they soon learn to accept this alone time.
The Japanese Spitz is a good family dog and does well with children. See Japanese Spitz and kids to learn more. They are also good with other pets in the home. Japanese Spitz gets along with other dogs and is not aggressive towards cats. They may want to chase a cat at first, but with training, this can be managed.
Japanese Spitz can also make good watchdogs and will bark to alert you to any stranger approaching. However, they are not likely to do much about it. They will more than likely befriend the stranger.
Are Japanese Spitz easy to train
Japanese Spitz have a true willingness to please and are very smart. This makes them relatively easy to train as long as you focus their attention. The key is to start training young and be consistent.
It is also important to ensure that the rules and boundaries of the household are established and maintained. This little dog is not beyond being a little naughty and mischievous if the opportunity presents itself.
Japanese Spitz can have a strong chase instinct and many can not be completely trusted off leash. Often if they are distracted they may not listen when called. It is a good idea to keep them on a retractable lead when off the property.
With some Japanese Spitz, potty training can be difficult and time consuming. It is important to to be consistent and patient and not give up. Otherwise, toileting in the house will become an ongoing problem.
The Japanese Spitz can be a little independent and stubborn at times. With the right consistent training they are in general an obedient dog.
Japanese Spitz behavior problems
The Japanese Spitz can become prone to behavior issues if not given the correct training and provided sufficient exercise to release pent up energy. They like to be occupied and kept busy and can become bored easily.
Boredom is one of the main causes of behavior issues in dogs. A bored Japanese Spitz can often resort to behaviors like destructive chewing, nuisance barking, and digging. They may even look to escape to find their own adventures.
Japanese Spitz care and maintenance needs
Japanese Spitz are a relatively low maintenance breed when compared to many breeds. The tasks that will require the most time and effort are exercise and grooming.
Things you will need for a new dog
There are many things you need to buy when you get a new dog. This brief list will give you an idea of some of your new Japanese Spitz needs.
- Bedding
- Food and water bowl
- Leash, collar, harness
- Toys (see best toys for Japanese Spitz here.)
- Crate
- Potty training pads
- Brushes and grooming equipment
- etc
Japanese Spitz exercise needs
The Japanese Spitz is active, playful and smart. They enjoy being busy and love to be outdoors.
They are fairly high energy and also very intelligent and require 60 to 90 minutes of exercise and activity a day but would be more than happy to go for much longer. Plenty of mental stimulation and enrichment is also needed.
Daily exercise is crucial for them to keep them healthy, release pent up energy and to prevent boredom. Without the opportunity to release all that pent up energy and to challenge their minds they can develop behavior problems. This can include barking, digging, destructive behavior and escaping to explore on their own.
For a full guide to Japanese Spitz exercise see here.
Japanese Spitz grooming needs
The main grooming requirement of the Japanese Spitz is regular brushing. This helps to remove dead undercoat and prevent matting. They require brushing at least once a week. They do drop or shed coat twice a year depending upon the climate and lasts for around a week or so. During this period they will need to be brushed most days.
Japanese Spitz are not a smelly breed and don’t need to be bathed too often. At most, they will need bathing every two months. Over bathing a Japanese Spitz will dry out their coat and can lead to skin irritations.
Japanese Spitz health issues
Overall, the Japanese Spitz is a healthy breed and doesn’t tend to have many of the health issues common in many breeds. They have a life expectancy of 10 to 16 making them relatively long-lived. With a healthy quality diet and daily exercise they often live longer.
The most common health issue that can affect a Japanese Spitz is patellar luxation. This is a genetic issue with the rear leg knee joint and can be corrected with surgery if required.
They can also be prone to tear staining around the eyes. this is often caused by allergies and can be easily treated.
It is a good idea to find a good vet when you get a new dog. Other health-related considerations include:-
- Vaccinations
- Flea and tick treatment
- Worming
- Desexing
- Quality nutrition
Summary – Japanese Spitz first time owners
The Japanese Spitz is an excellent dog for a first time dog owner. However, they require an owner that can give them the attention they require. They are very people orientated and do need you to spend time with them.
In addition, they require daily exercise and a reasonable amount of grooming and brushing. Training and being kept occupied is essential to prevent any potential behavior issues from developing.
Getting a dog is a serious commitment and responsibility. If you are able to provide to the needs and care of a Japanese Spitz they will reward you with a life time of love and fun.
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