Question by Poms: Japanese Spitz vs American Eskimo?
What are the differences in temperament, health, noise levels between American Eskimo and Japanese Spitz?
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Answers and Views:
Answer by Michael Aiello
We think our Girl is a miniature American Eskimo, that’s what the breeder said and the papers claim. But my god, she looks exactly like a Japanese Spitz too. She’s super affectionate with me and my wife, but my daughter wishes our Eske/ J Spitz was more cuddly with her. But Yes she is the yappiest dog I have ever had and she’s a bit of an over-reactor around other dogs.
But let’s be clear, we love the bejesus out of her!! Despite her over enthusiastic or anxious meetings, she eventually settles down and is a fantastic companion and a highly intelligent unique individual. She’s a great dog, and if we ever get her to calm down with the yapping alarm when there’s visiting, she’ll be the best dog on the planet. :)
Answer by Sandgroper
The American Eskimo is a small to medium-size Nordic-type dog, which looks like a miniature Samoyed. There are three varieties: the toy, miniature, and standard. They are an affectionate, loving dog, hardy and playful, they are excellent with children. Because of the dog's high intelligence and their willingness to please, they are easy to train.
Toy 9-12 inches 6-10 pounds
Miniature: 12 to 15 inches 10-20 pounds
Standard: 15 to 19 inches 18-35 pounds
Prone to hip dysplasia and progressive retinal atrophy. Pay close attention to the eyes and tear ducts. Some are allergic to fleas. This breed can gain weight easily if it does not get enough exercise and or they are overfed. They do need regular exercise and training when young as they can be a bit overprotective if not socialized. Needs regular brushing!
The Japanese Spitz
A small to medium dog with a white "off-standing" coat and expressive dark eyes, their head reaches a little below knee height, If you want them to run in the park with you they will gladly do so. However, they like a cuddle and being loving and companionable, are more than happy to sit with you while you watch T.V. or do the gardening. Independent but can bond very closely to a few people. As pups need to be trained constantly, will be yappy if you can't find an appropriate method to stop this, very fast learners but you will need to constantly stimulate them so they don't yap for fun or become less close with you
Can be dominant over other dogs and people, heel nippers and bark and bigger dogs (a slight little dog complex). Need to be brushed regularly, 3 times a week.
A very sound dog medically, Luxating patellas have been found in some lines, and this can be aggravated by obesity, now due to the careful breeding and bringing in imported dogs and bitches, this problem is not anywhere the problem it was.
- How much does a Japanese Spitz puppy cost now?
- Is the American Eskimo dog and the Samoyed dog similar?
- How short can you cut an American Eskimo dogs' hair?
So, they are both intelligent dogs, love being with their owners, the American Eskimo needs a little more exercise, and the Japanese Spitz is probably a bit gentler. The Japanese Spitz has less inherited conditions, both live to approx 15 years. They both need training when young, as both are intelligent and if untrained with become dominant and stubborn. The American Eskimo is probably a little less yappy.
If your interested in these breeds, try to find a breeder nearby and ask if you can come and visit their adult dogs, I am sure they can give you a better idea of the faults in their dogs.
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Martina says
There are many Spitz type dogs. The following Spitz breeds are what I call the look a like Spitz. The German Spitz, Pomeranians, Japanese Spitz, Finnish Spitz, Keeshond, Samoyed, and Italian Spitz, aka Volpino Italiano. There are more Spitz type breeds, but the above dog breeds have very similar characteristics in looks and personality. Their main characteristic is there face. It has a wolf or fox like shape and their smiles are to die for. Nothing is better than a Spitz smile and their soft thick fur. If you look up these breeds individually you will find varying backgrounds. However, the German Spitz dog seems to be the oldest Spitz recorded as far back as ancient times. The German spitz comes in many colors and the White Spitz or American Eskimo was bred for the white coloring. When Americans came back with this beautiful breed during WWII they changed their name to American Eskimo because of anti German sentiment. I am sure there are similar stories for some of the other Spitz breeds as well. Other differences can be found in breeding for specific traits of each Spitz type breed. For example, specialized colors, sizes, along with differing ear widths in some Spitz may be closer or farther apart. Having said all this, I encourage you to do your own research if you want to know more about your specific Spitz.
I have had both the German Spitz and the White Spitz Eskie for my Service Dogs. The German Spitz BartaKiss was my first Service Dog. He was amazing. He could walk by any person and know if they were hurt, had cancer, or if someone had died, etc. He would find these people at my son’s football games and sit next to them. I would then start up a conversion with them, and learn about why BartaKiss picked them. It was an amazing gift he had. He truly made people happy wherever we went. My new Service Dog is an American Eskimo, named Massimo. He is 9 months old and is in training. They were both easy to train and very loyal. However, beware of the American Eskimo they like to play tricks on you. Mine is quite a character at home, but all business when he gets his vest on and we walk out the door. Once at the airport a young woman walked up to me and asked if she could hug my dog. I don’t usually let people do that with my Service Dog, but I new my dog could handle it. After giving him a big hug she smiled and looked up at me and said, “you don’t know how much I needed that.” So, if you have a Spitz and care about people, think about training you dog to be a therapy dog.
Speaking of training, TRAIN your dog! If you don’t you will not like your Spitz or any other dog you may have.
I hope you found this information and stories about my dogs helpful.
As far as the type of Spitz you have, I say forget the breed name and call your dog the “Happy Spitz”!
RussianDog says
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Michael Aiello says
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WhiteWolf says
I was told my dog was a Japanese Spitz but people here in Virginia say he’s an Eskie One website said there is no difference in the two breeds. They are the same dog only the name was changed during WW2 after the U.S. had been attacked by the Japanese at Pearl Harbor. I’ve noticed that Eskies have squarer snouts and are bigger in size. My Spitz is quiet and rarely barks.
Martina says
You probably saw a standard American Eskimo which are much larger. Temperament is part of the breed, but like humans there are some that are louder than others. The breeders breed for specific traits so there will be some differences there as well. Because of their ancestry many of the Spitz look a like. Do more research or just say have a Japanese Spitz. If you got your dog at a reputable breeder they can probably tell you the differences bu explaining what they breed for. I hope this is helpful.
Jeffery says
My 3-month-old American Eskimo is really cute, but he’s incredibly stubborn and yappy. Also not to mention he bites alot.
Raelyn says
My 3 month old Japanese spitz doesn’t make a peep. She’s very quiet, almost too quiet.
Megan says
Train! They can become biters, especially of strangers (had lawsuit) if not trained or if trained by force. They learn very quickly with positive reinforcement.