Japanese Spitz vs Belgian Shepherd Dog (Groenendael) - Breed Comparison

Japanese Spitz vs Belgian Shepherd Dog (Groenendael) - Breed ComparisonJapanese Spitz is originated from Japan but Belgian Shepherd Dog (Groenendael) is originated from Belgium. Japanese Spitz may grow 32 cm / 12 inches shorter than Belgian Shepherd Dog (Groenendael). Japanese Spitz may weigh 20 kg / 44 pounds lesser than Belgian Shepherd Dog (Groenendael). Both Japanese Spitz and Belgian Shepherd Dog (Groenendael) has almost same life span. Japanese Spitz may have less litter size than Belgian Shepherd Dog (Groenendael). Japanese Spitz requires Low maintenance. But Belgian Shepherd Dog (Groenendael) requires High maintenance

History

japanese spitz - historySpitz 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.

belgian shepherd dog groenendael - historyLooking much like a pitch black German Shepherd dog, the Belgian Shepherd is a beautiful looking dog. Their roots go back to the 1800s to Groenendael, Belgium. This is where they were bred by a certain Nicolas Rose in 1910. The Groenendael is one of four different Belgian Sheepdog varieties but the Groenendael is sometimes treated as a distinct breed.

They have always been used for their intelligence, serving for instance in the police force and being message carriers in war situations. Originally, Belgian Shepherds were used to herd livestock. It was in 1911 that the Groenendael was registered in the United States, and not much later the first Belgian Sheepdog Club of America formed. The breed was recognized by the American Kennel Club (AKC) in 1912.

Description

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.

Large, Strong and Well Proportioned

belgian shepherd dog groenendael puppy - descriptionWith his alert, bright brown eyes, the Groenendael, referred to often as the Belgian Sheepdog, has erect ears with a long, feathered tail. The straight, strong legs are also feathered. He is well proportioned, athletic and strong. He has a dense double coat, and this working dog’s coat is black, but you sometimes find some small white markings around his paws and muzzle. The size of the Groenendael is roughly 60-66cm at the withers with the females sometimes being slightly smaller. The weight of the dog is roughly 25–30 kilograms.

He’s a Social Dog who Craves Companionship

The Groenendael is an active, intelligent breed and training and socializing will be necessary to ensure he knows how to behave around his human family. He is a big, social dog and won’t do well when left alone day after day in the back yard. In fact he may even show signs of separation anxiety if you leave him indefinitely. He makes for an excellent family dog, just loving their companionship and he becomes very protective of them.

An Intelligent, Alert Breed

He is used to making use of his intelligence and therefore he will need mental stimulation as opposed to lying around all day. He gets on well with adults, children and other pets, but he needs to grow up with children and not be put among children when he is already an adult. He is loyal and loving to his human family, forming a deep bond, especially with just one member of the family.

Characteristics

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.

belgian shepherd dog groenendael dog - characteristicsYour Belgian Shepherd is an intelligent, active, loyal companion for you. He is highly intelligent too, and will need the right owner who can meet his energetic needs. He therefore wouldn’t do well with in a small place where the owners are couch potatoes. He is a working dog and will require being kept busy.

Provide him with good food, look after that thick, lustrous coat of his, provide him with a warm, dry place to sleep and plenty of exercise, love and attention and he will turn out to be the wonderful pet that makes him such a popular breed.

Health Problems

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.

belgian shepherd dog groenendael puppies - health problemsThe Belgian Groenendael is a healthy, strong breed with no major health problems and with an average lifespan of 12-14 years.

As with every dog breed, there will be some health issues to be aware of. Skin allergies, epilepsy, eye problems and hip- and joint dysplasia are some areas to look out for

Dental disease for instance, is a common problem with pets, and your Belgian Shepherd can have serious problems with their teeth. Tartar build-up on the teeth ca take you down a trail of infections and gum disease. If you don’t want to make use of a special canine toothbrush and toothpaste, your vet will do it for you.

Your Groenendael will also be susceptible to ticks, fleas and bacterial and viral infections. As a puppy of 6 – 8 weeks, vaccinations for parvo, rabies, and distemper will be necessary. You’ll also need to be generally watching your pet’s health and to get him to the vet when he shows signs of being run-down and ill.

Caring The Pet

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.

belgian shepherd dog groenendael dogs - caringThe Groenendael has a double coat and because it is also fairly long, his black coat may well be high maintenance and brushing every 2nd day will be necessary to keep the coat unmatted and to also get rid of those loose hairs. In fact, heavy shedding is part of this breed’s life and while heavy shedding happens twice a year, light shedding continues throughout the year. Sometimes is may be necessary to send him to a dog grooming parlour to snip his hair and to wash it.

Other care routines to watch for -

A healthy, quality diet it absolutely imperative. Speak to your vet about the best kind of wet- or dry food suited to an energetic breed like this and appropriate to his age. You need to include raw meat into your pets diet every day now and then to avoid skin problems. Always ensure a bowl of clean, cool water is available, The bowl will need to be washed out every other day.

make sure his ears are cleaned. Once again you have to be careful when prodding in a dog’s ear and your veterinarian will show you how.

keep him well exercised with long walks and ball games.

Basic Information

Group:
Companion dog
Working dog
Origin:
Japan
Belgium
Height Male:
25 - 34 cm
9 - 14 inches
60 - 66 cm
23 - 26 inches
Height Female:
25 - 34 cm
9 - 14 inches
56 - 62 cm
22 - 25 inches
Weight Male:
5 - 10 kg
11 - 23 pounds
25 - 30 kg
55 - 67 pounds
Weight Female:
5 - 10 kg
11 - 23 pounds
23 - 30 kg
50 - 67 pounds
Life Span:
10 - 16 Years
12 - 14 Years
Litter Size:
1 - 6
6 - 10
Size:
Small dog
Large dog
Other Names:
Nihon Supittsu
Belgian Groenendael, Belgian Shepherd, AKC: Belgian Sheepdog
Colors Available:
White
Black
Coat:
Longish and fluffy
Dense double coat
Shedding:
Moderate
Constant, Seasonal
Temperament:
Affectionate, Alert, Cheerful, Courageous, Curious, Energetic, Friendly, Gentle, Independent, Intelligent, Lively, Loving, Loyal, Outgoing, Playful, Protective, Responsive, Social, Stubborn, Sweet, Territorial
Affectionate, Alert, Cheerful, Courageous, Curious, Energetic, Friendly, Gentle, Independent, Intelligent, Lively, Loving, Loyal, Outgoing, Playful, Protective, Quiet, Responsive, Social, Sweet, Territorial
Grooming:
Low maintenance
High maintenance
Trainability:
Easy
Easy
Hypoallergenic:
No
No
Kids Friendly:
Yes
Yes
New Owners Friendly:
Yes
Yes

Comparison with other breeds

  1. Mal-Shi vs Japanese Spitz - Breed Comparison
  2. Japanese Spitz vs Bichon Frise - Breed Comparison
  3. Japanese Spitz vs Alaskan Klee Kai - Breed Comparison
  4. Japanese Spitz vs Coton De Tulear - Breed Comparison
  5. Japanese Spitz vs Fruggle - Breed Comparison
  6. Malti-Pom vs Japanese Spitz - Breed Comparison
  7. PekePoo vs Japanese Spitz - Breed Comparison
  8. Schipperke vs Japanese Spitz - Breed Comparison
  9. Schweenie vs Japanese Spitz - Breed Comparison
  10. Lhasapoo vs Japanese Spitz - Breed Comparison
  11. Meliteo Kinidio vs Japanese Spitz - Breed Comparison
  12. Hawaiian Poi Dog vs Japanese Spitz - Breed Comparison
  13. Prazsky Krysarik vs Japanese Spitz - Breed Comparison
  14. Pugalier vs Japanese Spitz - Breed Comparison
  15. Kyi-Leo vs Japanese Spitz - Breed Comparison
  16. Tsvetnaya Bolonka vs Japanese Spitz - Breed Comparison
  17. Muggin vs Japanese Spitz - Breed Comparison
  18. Pomeranian vs Japanese Spitz - Breed Comparison
  19. Maltese vs Japanese Spitz - Breed Comparison
  20. Pug vs Japanese Spitz - Breed Comparison
  21. Maltipoo vs Japanese Spitz - Breed Comparison
  22. Miniature Schnauzer vs Japanese Spitz - Breed Comparison
  23. Papillon vs Japanese Spitz - Breed Comparison
  24. Miniature Australian Shepherd vs Japanese Spitz - Breed Comparison
  25. Samoyed vs Belgian Shepherd Dog (Groenendael) - Breed Comparison
  26. Alaskan Malamute vs Belgian Shepherd Dog (Groenendael) - Breed Comparison
  27. Bullmastiff vs Belgian Shepherd Dog (Groenendael) - Breed Comparison
  28. Great Pyrenees vs Belgian Shepherd Dog (Groenendael) - Breed Comparison
  29. Boerboel vs Belgian Shepherd Dog (Groenendael) - Breed Comparison
  30. Presa Canario vs Belgian Shepherd Dog (Groenendael) - Breed Comparison
  31. Labrador Husky vs Belgian Shepherd Dog (Groenendael) - Breed Comparison
  32. Argentine Dogo vs Belgian Shepherd Dog (Groenendael) - Breed Comparison
  33. Giant Schnauzer vs Belgian Shepherd Dog (Groenendael) - Breed Comparison
  34. Goldador vs Belgian Shepherd Dog (Groenendael) - Breed Comparison
  35. Belgian Shepherd Dog (Groenendael) vs Siberian Husky - Breed Comparison
  36. Belgian Shepherd Dog (Groenendael) vs Rottweiler - Breed Comparison
  37. Belgian Shepherd Dog (Groenendael) vs Boxer - Breed Comparison
  38. Belgian Shepherd Dog (Groenendael) vs Akita - Breed Comparison
  39. Belgian Shepherd Dog (Groenendael) vs Doberman Pinscher - Breed Comparison
  40. Belgian Shepherd Dog (Groenendael) vs Alapaha Blue Blood Bulldog - Breed Comparison
  41. Belgian Shepherd Dog (Groenendael) vs Africanis - Breed Comparison
  42. Belgian Shepherd Dog (Groenendael) vs Belgian Shepherd - Breed Comparison
  43. Belgian Shepherd Dog (Groenendael) vs Bandog - Breed Comparison
  44. Belgian Shepherd Dog (Groenendael) vs Beauceron - Breed Comparison
  45. Belgian Shepherd Dog (Groenendael) vs Alano Espanol - Breed Comparison
  46. Belgian Shepherd Dog (Groenendael) vs Antebellum Bulldog - Breed Comparison
  47. Dogo Cubano vs Belgian Shepherd Dog (Groenendael) - Breed Comparison
  48. Dogo Sardesco vs Belgian Shepherd Dog (Groenendael) - Breed Comparison
  49. Central Asian Shepherd vs Belgian Shepherd Dog (Groenendael) - Breed Comparison

View/Compare Breeds

Popular Dog Breeds