Are Japanese Spitz Hypoallergenic?
Is the Japanese Spitz hypoallergenic? No. The Japanese Spitz isn’t hypoallergenic. This alert, medium-sized, fluffy white dog sheds quite a bit — particularly at certain times of the year.
Japanese Spitz Quick Facts
The truth is, pure hypoallergenic dogs are a myth — no dog is truly allergy-friendly. However, many dog breeds shed so little, they won’t irritate your allergies. It’s these canines that we call hypoallergenic.
Not only do these pooches shed minimally but also don’t drool much, making them more appealing to many potential dog owners.
Check out our What Is a Hypoallergenic Dog guide for more information.
Do Japanese Spitz shed a lot? Even though they’re moderate shedders, it’s not something that happens continuously.
The Japanese Spitz tends to blow (shed) their undercoat twice yearly. It takes around two to three weeks for this process to complete. During this time, their entire undercoat falls out, meaning you’ll find a lot of hair on your floor and furniture!
The truth is that no matter what you do, you can’t stop a dog from shedding, especially if they’re not hypoallergenic, and the Japanese Spitz is no exception. However, there are tricks you can use to lessen the fur fallout.
1. Frequent Brushing — Give Your Spitz a Spritz
For most of the year, weekly brushing will be sufficient to catch those stray hairs. However, during the heavy-shedding period, daily brushing is advisable.
As the Japanese Spitz has a double coat, use a specialized brush or grooming tool, such as a pin or slicker brush. This can be beneficial as they’re designed to remove any hair that’s shedding.
2. Boost Your Spitz With Supplements
Supplements are not only beneficial to humans but can also be beneficial for your four-legged friend. A boost of nutrients ensures your Japanese is in tip-top condition from the inside, which will reflect on the outside.
Supplements like salmon oil, containing omega 3 can assist in keeping your dog’s skin healthy, as well as attempting to minimize shedding. What’s more, it can also be beneficial in other areas of their health.
Learn more about supplements in our dog health and nutrition section.
3. Provide Great Nutrition
As the adage goes — you are what you eat. This applies to canines too. An unbalanced or poor diet will have an impact on shedding.
If you choose store-bought food, ensure the kibble/wet food is a complete meal — as in, it contains all the necessary vitamins and minerals required. If you prefer to prepare meals yourself — animal proteins, such as turkey, beef, fish, etc., will help balance your dog’s diet and assist in minimizing shedding to an extent.
4. Visit Your Vet
If you feel your Japanese Spitz’s shedding is becoming a concern — take a trip to your vet. Excessive shedding could be a symptom of an underlying health condition you may not be aware of. Many things could be causing your Japanese Spitz to be shedding an extreme amount of fur — from cancer to skin irritation, to bug bites.
The Japanese Spitz doesn’t appear prone to certain genetic health issues like some purebreds. However, conditions like dog allergies can develop without warning in any canine, or fleas could even be the offender.
So, follow the — if in doubt, get it checked out ethos.
An examination by your vet will help diagnose any possible issues and minimize your dog’s shedding.
Samoyed’s are a brilliant alternative to the Japanese Spitz. Not only do they look similar, but they also share many characteristics, such as being amazing for families and super adaptable, to name but a few.
This pooch also tolerates other dogs well, which is perfect for prospective multi-dog households. If you’re not, this quality can make your walks much more sociable and enjoyable.
In terms of allergies — Sammies don’t drool, they can’t, so that’s one tick in the box. However, they do shed, but this breed is known for its low dander levels, so gets another tick for being a hypoallergenic canine.
Poodles are adorable and a perfect hypoallergenic alternative for the Japanese Spitz. These dogs are also incredibly easy-going and very affectionate with family and other people. They’re super patient with younger children, making them a solid contender for a family environment. They even get on well with other dogs.
Smart, highly active, but a pleasure to train, the Poodle loves to play.
As for grooming, they’re higher maintenance than the Spitz. You’ll need to commit to daily brushing with this breed — unless you choose to clip them short. Yet, the trade-off is that they’re a super-low-shedding breed, and they don’t drool either. In fact, the Poodle is the original ‘hypoallergenic’ canine.
Bolognese
The Bolognese is an all-white family dog that’s affectionate and also suitable for homes with young children. Plus, they’re big social butterflies, even very open to strangers, and also highly adaptable, just like the Spitz.
Eager to please is another quality the Bolognese shares with the Spitz, so training should be easy for first-time and seasoned doggy parents. But, these dogs are far more likely to be a little couch potato than the Spitz.
And, with low drooling and shedding, the allergy-friendly Bolognese dog’s grooming frequency mirrors that of the Spitz.
Another exclusively white breed — the woof-tastic Westie. It’s pretty hard to say no to these gorgeous dogs who seem happy all the time! They’re very playful and very affectionate with family and young children. They can also be extremely protective of their family, making them loyal dogs.
West Highland White Terriers are relatively easy to train, but can be very vocal when it comes to barking. You’ll find them to be quite energetic — Westies love walkies — but they also need some sort of activity to prevent boredom from kicking in.
Conclusion
Even if you have allergies, as we’ve seen, it is possible to live with a woof woof. And, while the Japanese Spitz isn’t likely to be a good fit, there are hypoallergenic hounds to fill the gap. This white fluffy breed has many qualities shared across many hypoallergenic dogs.
So, are Japanese Spitz hypoallergenic? To our dismay, they aren’t, but many breeds won’t affect your allergies.
Are Japanese Spitz Suitable for First Time Owners?
Yes. The Japanese Spitz would be a suitable option for you. These dogs are quite low maintenance and keeping them happy isn’t too much of a task. All you need is a daily walk and maybe a little bit of playtime!
Can Japanese Spitz Be Aggressive?
At the end of the day, most dogs can be aggressive depending on the situation, especially when threatened or in distress. The Japanese Spitz tends to be less aggressive and isn’t renowned for being so. However, like many other dogs, when this breed barks it’s most likely a warning call to notify you of something important or possible harm.
Is the Japanese Spitz a Good Pet?
The Japanese Spitz is an intelligent dog that’s easy to train. They aren’t very high maintenance, and they get along well with children, making them easy to add to your household. If you reach the Japanese Spitz’s exercise needs, it can be a dog that can live in an apartment, even if it’s small. They also don’t require much grooming, which may surprise you a little at first glance!
How Much Do Japanese Spitz Cost?
These dogs can be expensive and can range from $1000 to $2500. This cost can be much higher if you choose a puppy bred by competition-winning parents!
Does Japanese Spitz Bark a Lot?
The Japanese Spitz are moderate barkers, yet with some early training they shouldn’t be a problem..
