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Japanese Spitz are stunning dogs that have a head-turning white coat. These loyal and affectionate dogs originated from Japan but have become popular pets in many areas of the world. They aren’t commonly found at shelters, so if you want one, you may have to do some research. If you’re looking for a small, playful, and great companion, adding a Japanese Spitz to your home is a wonderful idea. This breed is known to be gentle and friendly with children, which makes them a great dog breed to have before or while starting a family. They’re even fantastic with other dogs and will likely play with them often. You may be wondering, though: ‘do Japanese Spitz shed?’
These dogs sound like a beautiful addition to any home due to their personality. But many people have concerns when adding any pet to their home because shedding almost always happens at least a little bit. Do you have to worry about shedding when adding a Japanese Spitz to your home?
So, Do Japanese Spitz Shed?
The short answer is yes, your Japanese Spitz sheds. There’s no way you’ll be able to completely avoid this breed shedding. But, there’s much more to this breed’s shedding story than a simple yes, they shed. The Japanese Spitz has a very thick and long white coat. Not only do they have a thick and long coat, but they also have a double coat. They have their topcoat and undercoat. Undercoats tend to be the thickest and where tangles and mats can form if not properly cared for.
Throughout the year, your Japanese Spitz will shed minimally except for once or twice. Once or twice a year, your Japanese Spitz will completely shed their undercoat in a span of about three weeks. During this time of the year, you’ll need to brush their fur every day. Brushing them every day will help remove as much of the fur as possible. You cannot wholly avoid getting their long hair all over your home, but daily brushing will help reduce the amount of fur at least. During this time of year, they will shed a lot.
Whether your Japanese Spitz ultimately sheds their undercoat once or twice a year is dependent on one factor. If you have a male, they’ll do this major shedding once, and females will shed twice.
While dealing with their significant shedding once or twice a year can be tedious, these long-haired dogs require minimal maintenance the rest of the year. At least, a lot less maintenance than you probably think. You can get away with brushing their coat once a week unless they have been rolling around outside or are developing tangles. When you’re brushing through your Japanese Spitz’s gorgeous fur, you’ll want to make sure you’re using the best brush for them.
What Time of Year Do Japanese Spitz Shed?
Generally, this dog breed will completely shed its undercoat either in the Spring or Fall. Most Japanese Spitz will begin shedding their undercoat at the start of the Spring or Fall season and last for two to three weeks. If you have a female Japanese Spitz, you may see them shedding in both seasons. But keep in mind, this is their significant shedding period. Your new furry friend will shed throughout the year, but it should be manageable with regular grooming.
Are Japanese Spitz Hypoallergenic?
If you or someone you live with suffers from allergies to dogs, this may be heartbreaking news. The Japanese Spitz is not a hypoallergenic dog. In fact, there is no such thing as a hypoallergenic dog. There are plenty of dog breeds that are considered to be more hypoallergenic than others, though. Them not being hypoallergenic may not be a surprise since they have such long and voluminous fur. But depending on how severe your or your housemate’s allergies are, there are several things you can do to combat those allergies while owning these affectionate dogs.
Brush Your Japanese Spitz Often
One of the best ways to keep your furry friend’s shedding under control is to brush their thick coats regularly. As mentioned before, you should brush them at least once a week for most of the year and a few times during their major shedding weeks. Brushing through their hair will remove any loose hair that can potentially fall onto your floor or furniture. Plus, it’s a great way to spend time with your dog because, let us face it. Dogs love being pet by their humans. It’s also great for keeping their fur tangle and mat-free.
Give Your Japanese Spitz A Bath
Another great way to reduce the amount your dog sheds is by bathing them every so often. You don’t need to wash your dog as often as we humans do, but giving them a bath every few months is perfect. Bathing them too often can strip their skin and hair from natural oils, which can actually make them shed more. It’s recommended that you only bathe them once a season, so about four times a year.
Of course, if your Japanese Spitz has gotten dirty from being outside, you should bathe them. When you’re going to give them a bath, you’ll want to make sure you’re using a high-quality shampoo that is perfect for their fur. There are several great products that are some of the best shampoos for Japanese Spitz. Using a shampoo that is geared towards dogs that shed is a great idea.
Do Your Best to Keep Your Japanese Spitz Off the Furniture
This may not be a favorite suggestion to keep your own allergies at bay, but it’s worth the mention. Since you can’t stop your dog from shedding, keeping them off your furniture can help reduce the number of allergy attacks you experience.
Many people enjoy cuddling up to their furry companion on the couch after a long day, but letting them onto the furniture can cause more of their hair to land on the cushions. If you don’t like this idea, you can always let them onto the furniture in the living room but not let them onto your bed. This way, they’re not laying on your pillow where you lay your head.
Changing Your Japanese Spitz’s Food
Since this breed shouldn’t be excessively shedding for most of the year, if you notice that your dog is shedding a lot, it could be a sign their food isn’t sitting well with them. What you feed your dog is crucial to their overall health. The simplest way to find out if your dog has an allergy to something in their food is to take them to the vet. They can perform an allergy test, and you can swap their food to something that sits better with them.
But if you don’t have the time or money to spend on an allergy test, you can try to figure it out yourself. You’ll want to take a look at all the ingredients in your dog’s current food and start them on a very plain diet like plain white rice and pumpkin. You can begin trying other dog foods to see if they have any reactions. The most common allergies that dogs have are dairy, wheat, and beef. Every dog is different, but feeding your Japanese Spitz the best food for them can not only improve their health but keep your allergies at bay.
Vacuuming Often
Vacuuming and sweeping your dog’s fur every day can get frustrating. Even if you brush them often, hair will ultimately end up on your floor. Investing in an automatic vacuum such as iRobot or another brand can keep the fur from piling up in your home.
Watch Out for Fleas and Other Pests
No one wants fleas on their dog more than the dog. These tiny pests can cause frustration for you as the dog’s owner and cause irritation and stress on your dog. If you don’t treat your furry friend for fleas and ticks, these can actually cause your dog to shed more. Since fleas make your furry friend very itchy, they’re going to be scratching more. The more they scratch, the more they’re going to shed. In addition to scratching their own fur off, a bad infestation can cause hair loss which will add to the shedding.
The good news is that many vets recommend and provide preventative flea treatment for dogs. You can give them a monthly tablet that will ward off fleas. Sometimes fleas appear even when you are treating your dog monthly. So, monitoring your pet after they’ve been outside or around another dog with fleas means you can catch an infestation early and prevent excessive shedding and discomfort.
Conclusion
Owning a Japanese Spitz can be an exciting and fulfilling experience. These animals love to play, and they’re intelligent and incredibly affectionate to those they love. Shedding is inevitable with almost every animal, including this breed. You shouldn’t have to worry about excessive shedding from your Japanese Spitz except for once or twice a year. There will be minimal shedding the rest of the year, but overall, these long-haired dogs are relatively low maintenance compared to other long-haired breeds.
About the Author
Hey there! I'm Jeremy and I’m the brains behind Pet Care Project, a website chock-full of pet-care know-how. I've got the experience and knowledge to help you keep your furry friends happy and healthy. And let's not forget about my own little fluffball, Lunar, my Ragdoll cat who keeps me on my toes.
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