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27-418: The major health concern is patellar luxation , and a minor recurring concern is that the breed can be prone to runny eyes. They can act as reliable watchdogs, but are a type of companion dog and prefer to be an active part of the family. Although they might appear fluffy, they are a low maintenance breed as dirt does not stick to the coat. The Japanese Spitz is a small dog, around 33 cm (13 in)s) at

54-644: A trick knee , is a condition in which the patella , or kneecap, dislocates or moves out of its normal location. It can be associated with damage to the anterior cruciate ligament . Patellar luxation is a common condition in dogs , particularly small and miniature breeds. The condition usually becomes evident between the ages of 4 and 6 months. It can occur in cats , as well, especially domestic short-haired cats . There have been several reports of patella luxation in other species such as miniature pigs, alpacas, llamas, cattle and goats. Rarely, it can be caused by some form of blunt trauma , but most frequently, it

81-644: A trick knee , is a condition in which the patella , or kneecap, dislocates or moves out of its normal location. It can be associated with damage to the anterior cruciate ligament . Patellar luxation is a common condition in dogs , particularly small and miniature breeds. The condition usually becomes evident between the ages of 4 and 6 months. It can occur in cats , as well, especially domestic short-haired cats . There have been several reports of patella luxation in other species such as miniature pigs, alpacas, llamas, cattle and goats. Rarely, it can be caused by some form of blunt trauma , but most frequently, it

108-649: A common resemblance with the white Pomeranian , Samoyed and American Eskimo Dog . Description of the ideal size of the breed varies. In Japan, the ideal size for males are described as 30–38 cm at the withers , with females somewhat smaller; (the Japanese standard is the one published by the Fédération Cynologique Internationale for international dog competitions.) In the UK, the Kennel Club describes

135-445: A tendency to bark to warn of arriving strangers. The Japanese Spitz is first and foremost a companion dog and thrives on human contact and attention, preferring to be a member of the family. They are known as very loyal dogs. They enjoy being active and love to be in the outdoors. They are intelligent, playful, alert, and obedient, and particularly excellent and loving toward children. Japanese Spitz can tolerate cold weather but, as it

162-419: Is a developmental, congenital defect. In congenital cases, it is frequently bilateral. The condition can also be inherited through genetics. This can also be caused by obesity. Diagnosis is made through palpation of the knee, to see whether it slips inside the joint more than would normally be expected. Often, a dog owner might be told that his or her pet has "loose knee", but this is not a medical term, and it

189-419: Is a developmental, congenital defect. In congenital cases, it is frequently bilateral. The condition can also be inherited through genetics. This can also be caused by obesity. Diagnosis is made through palpation of the knee, to see whether it slips inside the joint more than would normally be expected. Often, a dog owner might be told that his or her pet has "loose knee", but this is not a medical term, and it

216-458: Is long, heavily covered with long fur, and is carried curled over and lying on the dog's back. The white coat contrasts with the black pads and nails of the feet, the black nose, and the dark eyes. The large oval (akin to a ginkgo seed) eyes are dark and slightly slanted with white eyelashes, and the nose and lips and eye rims are black. The face of the Japanese Spitz is wedge-shaped. They share

243-638: Is not correct to use it interchangeably with luxating patella. Luxating patella cannot be present without the knee being loose, but a loose knee is not necessarily slipping out of the joint. Even with luxating patella, symptoms such as intermittent limping in the rear leg might be mild or absent. Physical examination and manual manipulation are the preferred methods for diagnosis. More extreme cases can result in severe lameness. Osteoarthritis typically develops secondarily. The four recognized diagnostic grades of patellar luxation include, in order of severity: Grades II, III, and IV require surgery to correct, if

270-638: Is not correct to use it interchangeably with luxating patella. Luxating patella cannot be present without the knee being loose, but a loose knee is not necessarily slipping out of the joint. Even with luxating patella, symptoms such as intermittent limping in the rear leg might be mild or absent. Physical examination and manual manipulation are the preferred methods for diagnosis. More extreme cases can result in severe lameness. Osteoarthritis typically develops secondarily. The four recognized diagnostic grades of patellar luxation include, in order of severity: Grades II, III, and IV require surgery to correct, if

297-479: Is rarely caused by any serious eye defect. A 2024 UK study found a life expectancy of 13 years for the breed compared to an average of 12.7 for purebreeds and 12 for crossbreeds . Active, loyal, and bright, the Japanese Spitz are known for their great courage, affection, devotion and amiability making them great watchdogs and ideal companions for older people and small children. Most Japanese Spitz are good watch dogs, despite their relatively small size, and they have

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324-974: Is recognized by most of the major kennel clubs in the English speaking world; by the Canadian Kennel Club in Group 6, Non-Sporting , by the New Zealand Kennel Club (Non-Sporting Group), by the Australian National Kennel Council in Group 7 (Non Sporting), and by the United Kennel Club (U.S.) in the Northern Breeds Group . In April 2019, the American Kennel Club added Japanese Spitz breed to Foundation Stock Service that means

351-400: Is relatively dry as compared to other breeds. Their coat should be groomed twice a week using a pin brush that reaches to the undercoat, preventing formation of knots. Grooming this breed is relatively easy in contrast to other dog breeds. Their white fur coat has a non-stick texture often described as being similar to Teflon . Patellar luxation A luxating patella , sometimes called

378-508: Is yet to be recognized by the AKC. The breed is also recognized by minor registries and clubs. They are a healthy breed with very few genetic problems. The main health concern for Japanese Spitz is the development of Patellar luxation , a condition in which the kneecap dislocates out of its normal position. They can also be prone to runny eyes, which is most commonly due to having tear ducts that are too small, or an allergy to long grass or stress. It

405-502: The United Kennel Club in the U.S. describes the ideal size as 12 to 15 in (30 to 38 cm) for males and 12 to 14 in (30 to 36 cm) for females. Minor kennel clubs and other organizations may use any of these ideal sizes or create their own. Japanese Spitzes are generally considered larger than their cousin, the Pomeranian . Dog breeders in Japan in the 1920s and 1930s created

432-413: The withers , with a somewhat square body, deep chest, and a very thick, pure white double coat . The coat consists of an outer coat that stands off from the soft inner coat, with fur shorter on the muzzle and ears as well as the fronts of the forelegs and the hindlegs. A ruff of longer fur is around the dog's neck. It has a pointed muzzle and small, triangular shape prick ears (ears that stand up). The tail

459-511: The Japanese Spitz by crossbreeding a number of other Spitz breeds to develop the Japanese Spitz. Breeders began with white German Spitz dogs, originally brought over from northeastern China to Japan; they were first exhibited at a dog show in Tokyo in 1921. Between 1925 and 1936 various small white Spitz breeds were imported from around the world and crossed into the developing breed, with the goal of producing an improved breed. The final Standard for

486-559: The Labrador retriever seems particularly predisposed. Patellar luxation is less common in cats than in dogs. Predisposed breeds include the Devon Rex and the Abyssinian . Although the specific cause of patellar luxation is unknown in these cases, a defect in hind limb conformation is generally agreed to be the underlying cause. Patellar luxation A luxating patella , sometimes called

513-460: The animal has difficulty walking. The surgery required is governed by the type of abnormality present, but often involves a sulcoplasty , a deepening of the trochlear sulcus where the patella sits, a realignment of the attachment of the patella tendon on the tibia, and tightening or releasing of the capsule on either side of the patella, according to which side the patella is slipping. Some grade IV conditions may require more involved surgery to realign

540-460: The animal has difficulty walking. The surgery required is governed by the type of abnormality present, but often involves a sulcoplasty , a deepening of the trochlear sulcus where the patella sits, a realignment of the attachment of the patella tendon on the tibia, and tightening or releasing of the capsule on either side of the patella, according to which side the patella is slipping. Some grade IV conditions may require more involved surgery to realign

567-633: The breed was written after World War II, and accepted by the Japan Kennel Club . The breed gained popularity in Japan in the 1950s, and was exported to Sweden in the early 1950s. From there the breed went to England , and the Kennel Club recognized the Japanese Spitz in 1977 in the Utility Group . The Japanese Spitz has spread around the world including to Australia , India , and the United States and

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594-399: The femur and/or tibia. A therapeutic dosage of glucosamine can be used as a preliminary treatment to strengthen ligaments and the surrounding tissues of the joint and can delay or prevent surgery. Additional help can be given with the use of pet ramps, stairs, or steps. These can help the animal travel from one place to another, especially up and down, without adding any pain or damage to

621-399: The femur and/or tibia. A therapeutic dosage of glucosamine can be used as a preliminary treatment to strengthen ligaments and the surrounding tissues of the joint and can delay or prevent surgery. Additional help can be given with the use of pet ramps, stairs, or steps. These can help the animal travel from one place to another, especially up and down, without adding any pain or damage to

648-513: The patella. Most cases of patellar luxation are medial, and this is frequently a congenital problem in toy- and miniature-breed dogs. Breeds showing a predisposition for medial patellar luxation include miniature and toy Poodles , Maltese , Jack Russell Terriers , Yorkshire Terriers , Pomeranians , Pekingese , Patterdale Terriers, Chihuahuas , Cavalier King Charles Spaniels , Papillons , Boston Terriers , Plummer Terriers and Teddy Roosevelt Terriers . Large-breed dogs are also affected, and

675-513: The patella. Most cases of patellar luxation are medial, and this is frequently a congenital problem in toy- and miniature-breed dogs. Breeds showing a predisposition for medial patellar luxation include miniature and toy Poodles , Maltese , Jack Russell Terriers , Yorkshire Terriers , Pomeranians , Pekingese , Patterdale Terriers, Chihuahuas , Cavalier King Charles Spaniels , Papillons , Boston Terriers , Plummer Terriers and Teddy Roosevelt Terriers . Large-breed dogs are also affected, and

702-433: The size as 34–37 cm (13–15 in) at the withers with females 30–34 cm (12–13 in), which is the same for the Australian National Kennel Council . In New Zealand ( New Zealand Kennel Club ), the ideal size is 30–40 cm (12–16 in) for males, 25–35 cm (9.8–13.8 in) for females. The Canadian Kennel Club states that the size for dogs is 12 inches (30 cm) with females slightly smaller, and

729-399: Was bred as a companion dog, prefers to live in the house with the warmth of its human family. Though they can live in apartments, they need some time running around outside off-leash in a safe environment. Due to the texture of their coat, mud and dirt falls off or can be brushed out very easily. However, due to the breed's thick coat, regular brushing is essential. The Japanese Spitz's coat

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