Japanese Spitz

The Japanese Spitz is a fairly new breed of companion dog, developed less than a hundred years ago in Japan, but their ancestry is still heavily debated. Although most experts have concluded that these little white spitz-type dogs are a descendant of the German Spitz crossed with other spitz-type dogs such as the American Eskimo dog and the Russian Spitz, a few aficionados maintain that these dogs are actually Siberian Samoyed dogs that have been bred down to a much smaller size. It wasn’t until after World War II that a breed standard was able to be drawn up for these little white dogs and they were recognized by the Japanese Kennel Club in 1948. Exports of this breed from Japan to England and to Sweden became highly sought after for not only their stunning appearance, but also for their loyalty, intelligence, and cheerful demeanor, gaining them a great deal more popularity outside of Japan as well. Since that time, this happy little dog breed has grown in popularity throughout the world and has been recognized by almost all of the kennel clubs of the world, with the notable exception of the American Kennel Club. The official website of the Japanese Spitz Club of the USA lists only four breeders in the country, making them still a relatively rare breed in the United States, but they have been recognized by the American Rare Breeds Association and the Japanese Spitz Club of the USA is striving for recognition by the AKC as well.