The Japanese Spitz is fast becoming popular here in the UK, although these charming little dogs have been around in their native Japan since the early 20th century. They are small in stature, lively by nature and yet very undemanding, which together with their charming appearance and bright white coat makes for a lovely dog to have in your home.
Read our Japanese Spitz Buying Advice page for information on this dog breed.
Japanese Spitz dogs have several downsides including heavy shedding due to their thick double coat which requires regular grooming, and they are not hypoallergenic. They can suffer from health issues such as patellar luxation (kneecap dislocation), arthritis, eye problems like cataracts and glaucoma, and other conditions like runny eyes and cancer. Behaviourally, they may experience separation anxiety leading to destructive behaviour if left alone too long, and they tend to be quite vocal, barking frequently which requires training to manage effectively.