Japanese Spitz vs Belgian Griffon - Breed Comparison

Japanese Spitz vs Belgian Griffon - Breed ComparisonBelgian Griffon is originated from Belgium but Japanese Spitz is originated from Japan. Belgian Griffon may grow 14 cm / 5 inches shorter than Japanese Spitz. Both Belgian Griffon and Japanese Spitz are having almost same weight. Both Belgian Griffon and Japanese Spitz has almost same life span. Belgian Griffon may have less litter size than Japanese Spitz. Belgian Griffon requires Moderate Maintenance. But Japanese Spitz requires Low Maintenance

Basic Information

Group:
Toy dog
Companion dog
undefined
Belgium
Japan
Height Male:
18 - 20 cm
7 - 8 inches
25 - 34 cm
9 - 14 inches
Height Female:
16 - 20 cm
6 - 8 inches
25 - 34 cm
9 - 14 inches
Weight Male:
2 - 6 kg
4 - 14 pounds
5 - 10 kg
11 - 23 pounds
Weight Female:
2 - 6 kg
4 - 14 pounds
5 - 10 kg
11 - 23 pounds
Life Span:
10 - 15 Years
10 - 16 Years
Litter Size:
1 - 3
1 - 6
Size:
Small
Small
Other Names:
Brussels Griffon, Griffon Belge, Griffon Bruxellois Petit Brabançon
Nihon Supittsu
Colors Available:
red, tan or black
White
Coat:
2 types - soft or wiry
Longish and fluffy
Shedding:
Minimal, Seasonal
Moderate
Temperament:
Affectionate, Alert, Cheerful, Curious, Energetic, Friendly, Independent, Intelligent, Lively, Loving, Loyal, Outgoing, Playful, Responsive, Social, Sweet
Affectionate, Alert, Cheerful, Courageous, Curious, Energetic, Friendly, Gentle, Independent, Intelligent, Lively, Loving, Loyal, Outgoing, Playful, Protective, Responsive, Social, Stubborn, Sweet, Territorial
Grooming:
Moderate Maintenance
Low Maintenance
Trainability:
Moderate
Easy
Hypoallergenic:
Yes
No
Kids Friendly:
Yes
Yes
New Owners Friendly:
Yes
Yes

History

belgian griffonThe Belgian Griffon isn’t your most attractive dog, but maybe its his quirky, gremlin looks that makes him such an adored pet for many. There are different varieties of Griffon, and the Belgian- and Brussels Griffon are one and the same. All small Belgian dogs have the same breed standards, with the Belgian having a rough coat The dog hails from Belguim and its ancestors were no doubt a mix of the Belgian street dog, the Stable Griffon and the Affenpinscher.

Later on in the 1800s, this combination was then crossed with the Pug, giving the dog the brachycephalic or flat faced look.

Unfortunately no written records were kept about the precise origin of this breed, but there is also the idea that the King Charles- and English Toy Spaniel were also involved in its development. These small dogs were bred to catch rats in the barns of European estates.

japanese spitzSpitz dogs include quite a few dog breeds and these dogs all have similar characteristics – pointed, erect ears, slanted type eyes with thick fur.

The Japanese Spitz was developed by Japanese breeders at the time of the 1920s, and bringing in quite a number of dog breeds to do so. The breeders started with the white German Spitz dogs but later other white Spitz breeds were imported and crossed into this developing breed.

The final standard for the breed after World War 11 was accepted by the Japan Kennel Club. The dog became recognized by other kennel clubs of the world.

Description

Small but Full of Attitude

belgian griffon puppy - descriptionThere are different variations of this dog to give it its distinctive look and size. This quaint looking little Griffon canine comes with two different coat types - soft or wiry. With the Belgian Griffon, his wiry coat of red, tan or black will need to be brushed at least twice a week. Shedding with this dog is seasonal.

He has a compact, sturdy little body, and he trots around with attitude. With his sharp pointed ears and whiskers, he has been given the nickname ‘bearded dog’. His dark black eyes are alert. He is self-confident, intelligent and curious breed, a great family pet and good with children if he has grown up with them in the home. He is good with other pets. The fact that this is a small breed and that he doesn’t have excessive energy levels, means he is adaptable to city- and country living.

japanese spitz puppy - descriptionThe Japanese Spitz is a small to medium sized dog, being somewhat larger than the Pomeranian. The dog stands at 25 – 38cm, both male and female and weighs anything between 5 to 10kg.

The double coat of the dog is thick and white and the puppies look like large snowball.s He has a pointed muzzle with erect ears and a tail that curls up over the back.

Temperament:

The pure-bred Japanese Spitz, just like other Spitz dogs are smart, inquisitive dogs who show loyalty to their owners, getting on well with children in the home and making a good family pet.

They can be quite stubborn, so training and socialization becomes important if you want him to be obedient. Training is easy as he is an intelligent, bright little dog.

They’re able to adapt to life in the city or in the country, but if you live in the city, you will need to meet his exercise needs.

He can tolerate cold weather quite well but as a companion dog, he prefers being indoors with his human family.

Even though they are small dogs, they are protective and make good watchdogs. They were bred to be companion dogs and they take this role seriously, being loyal, entertaining, fun, friendly and loving with their human family.

It is why they are becoming such a popular breed as they have an amicable nature, getting on well with other pets as well as children.

Characteristics

belgian griffon dog - characteristicsThe Belgian Griffon is an affectionate pet and often establishes a strong bond with one member of the family. You’ll have your Griffon with you for about 15 years so make sure he is trained and a pleasure to have around.They are difficult to train, being somewhat stubborn so they are going to require patience. They’re sensitive too, and they won’t respond well to aggressive treatment.

They’re much more indoor dogs than outdoor dogs because they’re also vulnerable to heat stroke. They just want to come indoors and be with their human family, and when you do that for them, they’ll become a wonderful friend and companion to you.

japanese spitz dog - characteristicsYour Japanese Spitz is going to make you a superb companion and you want to ensure that you are well prepared for him when he arrives. He is feisty, charming, social, bright, alert, active, loyal and loving and you want to be sure that he has everything laid on as a 4-legged family member.

He isn't a high maintenance dog, he isn't demanding and if you love and care for him, you'll find that he fills a vacancy in your life that you'll never want to be without again.

Health Problems

belgian griffon puppies - health problemsWhen you get your Griffon from a reputable breeder, you always have a better chance that he’ll be healthy. As it is, the Belgian Griffon has few hereditary health issues. However his dark eyes will have some genetic problems to contend with and he could suffer with progressive retinal atrophy. This is an illness which can lead to blindness

Other health issues to look out for are -

Syringomyelia – this is a neurological condition – an abnormality of the spinal cord – a disease which occurs more frequently in small breeds. It can cause your pet to endure a lot of pain.

Birthing Issues - these little dogs often have problems with giving birth, and a vet often has to intervene and perform a cesarean.

japanese spitz puppies - health problemsLife expectancy for the Japanese Spitz is about 10–16 years. They are a healthy breed with few genetic problems. Nothing is set in stone though, and your healthy dog can fall prey to some of the many common dog illnesses there are.

They're so sweet, you're tempted to feed him treats all the time, but obesity is a common Japanese Spitz health issue and obesity can lead to many problems with the heart, kidney, diabetes and even joint pain.

Also, eye problems such as ingrown eyelashes and a lower eyelid that rolls inward are problems that are known to trouble these Spitz type dogs. It leads to terrible irritation and damage to the eye. It's definitely time to see the vet to avoid infections and injury.

Caring The Pet

Food and Water

belgian griffon dogs - caringThe Belgian Griffon will do well if you invest in high quality foods. You can make your own, but if you’re concerned about his health, it would be best to check what ingredients should go into his home-prepared meals to ensure he gets all the vitamins and minerals he needs.

If you want to go with commercially manufactured dog foods, check with your vet about wet- and dry foods. Your vet will help with choosing a food appropriate to his size and age. Always ensure that there is clean, fresh water available to your pet.

Exercise

Even though he is a small breed, he is fairly active and he will need his fair share of exercise like ball games and walks. Training and socialization are a must for him. You’ll notice that training isn’t particularly easy with this breed, and first time dog owners might not have the patience with him.

Exercise:

japanese spitz dogs - caringThe Japanese Spitz is an active dog and he will require at least one walk a day to keep him happy. He is full of beans and wants to go with you on all your outings.

Diet:

The diet of your Japanese Spitz is basic to his good health. If you feed him low quality foods deplete of vitamins and minerals, you'll end up with a sick dog who is always at the vet. Puppies need 4 small meals a day while an adult dog can have 1 or 2 meals a day.

He can benefit from the top quality commercially manufactured foods and sometimes you can add in some cooked chicken, rice and vegetables into his dry kibble. Add in a little bit of raw meat too from time to time and ensure that he can always reach his bowl of fresh, cool water.

Grooming:

The beautiful white fur of your Japanese Spitz will need to be brushed at least twice a week to keep it free from loose hair and to keep the fur bright and vibrant.

Check his nails and avoid them getting too long as they can hook on things and cause injury. Check his ears inside and out, keeping them clean and free of debris. Very importantly, keep his teeth clean as dental disease can play havoc with a dog's health.

Comparison with other breeds

  1. Belgian Griffon vs English Bulldog - Breed Comparison
  2. Belgian Griffon vs German Shepherd - Breed Comparison
  3. Belgian Griffon vs Golden Retriever - Breed Comparison
  4. Belgian Griffon vs Labrador Retriever - Breed Comparison
  5. Belgian Griffon vs West Highland White Terrier - Breed Comparison
  6. Belgian Griffon vs French Bulldog - Breed Comparison
  7. Belgian Griffon vs Beagle - Breed Comparison
  8. Belgian Griffon vs Yorkshire Terrier - Breed Comparison
  9. Belgian Griffon vs Poodle - Breed Comparison
  10. Belgian Griffon vs Rottweiler - Breed Comparison
  11. Belgian Griffon vs Boxer - Breed Comparison
  12. Belgian Griffon vs English Pointer - Breed Comparison
  13. Belgian Griffon vs Siberian Husky - Breed Comparison
  14. Belgian Griffon vs Doberman Pinscher - Breed Comparison
  15. Belgian Griffon vs American Bully - Breed Comparison
  16. Belgian Griffon vs Abruzzenhund - Breed Comparison
  17. Belgian Griffon vs Affenpinscher - Breed Comparison
  18. Belgian Griffon vs Afghan Hound - Breed Comparison
  19. Belgian Griffon vs Aidi - Breed Comparison
  20. Belgian Griffon vs Airedale Terrier - Breed Comparison
  21. Belgian Griffon vs Akbash Dog - Breed Comparison
  22. Belgian Griffon vs Akita - Breed Comparison
  23. Belgian Griffon vs Africanis - Breed Comparison
  24. Belgian Griffon vs Askal - Breed Comparison
  25. Belgian Griffon vs Atlas Terrier - Breed Comparison
  26. Japanese Spitz vs English Bulldog - Breed Comparison
  27. Japanese Spitz vs German Shepherd - Breed Comparison
  28. Japanese Spitz vs Golden Retriever - Breed Comparison
  29. Japanese Spitz vs Labrador Retriever - Breed Comparison
  30. Japanese Spitz vs West Highland White Terrier - Breed Comparison
  31. Japanese Spitz vs French Bulldog - Breed Comparison
  32. Japanese Spitz vs Beagle - Breed Comparison
  33. Japanese Spitz vs Yorkshire Terrier - Breed Comparison
  34. Japanese Spitz vs Poodle - Breed Comparison
  35. Japanese Spitz vs Rottweiler - Breed Comparison
  36. Japanese Spitz vs Boxer - Breed Comparison
  37. Japanese Spitz vs English Pointer - Breed Comparison
  38. Japanese Spitz vs Siberian Husky - Breed Comparison
  39. Japanese Spitz vs Doberman Pinscher - Breed Comparison
  40. Japanese Spitz vs American Bully - Breed Comparison
  41. Japanese Spitz vs Abruzzenhund - Breed Comparison
  42. Japanese Spitz vs Affenpinscher - Breed Comparison
  43. Japanese Spitz vs Afghan Hound - Breed Comparison
  44. Japanese Spitz vs Aidi - Breed Comparison
  45. Japanese Spitz vs Airedale Terrier - Breed Comparison
  46. Japanese Spitz vs Akbash Dog - Breed Comparison
  47. Japanese Spitz vs Akita - Breed Comparison
  48. Japanese Spitz vs Africanis - Breed Comparison
  49. Japanese Spitz vs Askal - Breed Comparison
  50. Japanese Spitz vs Atlas Terrier - Breed Comparison