Japanese Spitz Grooming Tips & Styles

Understanding the grooming needs of your dog is essential to its well-being. Some dog breeds require regular brushing, bathing, and haircuts, while others will be much easier to maintain. Thankfully, the Japanese Spitz falls into the latter category and is relatively low maintenance regarding grooming needs. That being said, as with all dogs, there will still be some grooming involved.

This article will take you through everything you need to know about grooming a Japanese Spitz.

Do Japanese Spitz Need Haircuts?

Despite its fluffy appearance, you won’t need to cut or trim the fur on the Japanese Spitz breed. Some minor maintenance may be required and the hair around the paw pads might need to be clipped occasionally, but the coat will not grow back if trimmed so should be left alone.

How often do Japanese Spitz need a haircut?

The coat of the Japanese Spitz will not need to be cut or trimmed around the body and only occasionally trimmed around the paws. If the hair is abundant around the paw pads, it can be trimmed as and when it is needed.

Japanese Spitz haircut styles

The Japanese Spitz dog breed has a thick double coat that gives it a lovely, fluffy appearance. The dog’s coat should not be trimmed as the dog’s top coat and undercoat won’t grow back and will stay at the same length rather than having a natural layered appearance.
 

How Do You Groom A Japanese Spitz At Home?

Grooming a Japanese Spitz can be surprisingly straightforward for anyone who wants to do it at home. The bright white, fluffy coat can be deceiving and is one of the easier dog coats to deal with.

The following advice will help you brush and bathe your Japanese Spitz at home.

1. Prepare the coat to be brushed

Preparing the coat of your Japanese Spitz before brushing it is important. Lightly spray the dog’s coat with a solution made up of water and a little conditioner so the hair doesn’t split or break when you brush it.

2. Brush the dog

You can use a pin brush to start by brushing the dog’s coat from the tail towards the head. A slicker brush can be used to brush the hair to the undercoat.

Brushing your dog two to three times a week should be enough to remove any of the dead coat or dirt and keep the coat looking great.

Brush the hair in rows, moving gradually from the tail to the head as you go. Don’t neglect the dog’s belly – it should be brushed all over.

3. Wash your dog

You won’t need to wash your dog every time you brush it, but you should brush it before every wash.

This low-maintenance dog won’t need to be bathed too often, and once a month should be enough to keep the coat looking bright and healthy.

4. Soak your dog

Ensure your dog is comfortable in the bath, and don’t fill it too high – 5 or 6cm should be enough. Using a rubber mat so the dog’s feet don’t slip can make it feel more comfortable.

Gently soak the coat from the neck down, and be careful to avoid getting water on the dog’s face.

5. Shampoo and condition

Use a high-quality dog shampoo and conditioner that is suitable for your breed. Ensure you completely rinse the soap from the coat, as leftover shampoo residue can cause skin conditions or scratching.

6. Dry your dog

Always have a towel to hand when bathing your dog; otherwise, they will shake and soak the entire room!

Double-coat dogs like the Japanese Spitz need to be thoroughly dried, so you should use a towel and blow dry it. It can take them some time to get used to a blow dryer, so don’t force it all at once.

Washing and drying your dog can be quite time-consuming, so you might want to consider a professional groomer, especially during shedding season when it can be more challenging.
 

Japanese Spitz Additional Grooming Requirements

Brushing and washing your dog is essential for most dog breeds, but other things should be incorporated into your dog grooming regime.

You might not need to do these as often, but taking the time to check whether they need to be done anytime you brush or wash your dog will help to keep it looking great and minimise the risk of issues developing.

Clipping your dog’s nails

Clipping your dog’s nails is an important part of their grooming and should be done as and when it is needed.

How to do it

You should let your dog get used to the tools you use to clip its nails from a young age. Constant reassurance and positive reinforcement using treats can turn this from something that causes the dog anxiety to something it looks forward to.

You should always take your time and choose somewhere your dog won’t be distracted. Try to locate the quick and trim gently and carefully before moving on to the next nail.

How often does it need to be done?

If your dog is walked on concrete, its nails can be worn down naturally. That being said, they may still need to be trimmed occasionally. Checking a couple of times a month and trimming when they start to get a bit long is advised.

Brushing your dog’s teeth

Nobody expects their dog’s breath to smell great all the time, but good dental hygiene can help to protect your dog from expensive problems down the line.

How to do it

Using specially designed dog toothbrushes and toothpaste should make the job easier. Start brushing your dog’s teeth from a young age to get them used to it will help. If your dog starts biting the toothbrush or playing, stop and calm the dog down before starting again.

How often does it need to be done?

You should brush your dog’s teeth at least three times a week, and you can even brush them twice a day.

Cleaning your dog’s ears and eyes

Cleaning your dog’s ears helps to keep them free from infection. Cleaning their eyes will also help to stop staining.

How to do it

Using cotton wool and warm water to clean the dog’s eyes and ears is a gentle way to do it without bothering them. Try not to leave your ears wet.

How often does it need to be done?

Monthly ear cleaning should be adequate, and keeping an eye out for when your dog’s eyes need a wipe is advised.
 

FAQs

When should you first groom a Japanese Spitz?

You can groom your Japanese Spitz as soon as you get it so it gets used to grooming. This is a good idea with double-coated breeds because you will need to regularly brush them to minimise shedding,

How often should I bathe my Japanese Spitz?

With double-coated dogs, the coat only needs to be bathed around once a month as it doesn’t tend to smell, and you won’t want to wash away its natural oils.

Do Japanese Spitz require professional grooming?

Professional grooming is not essential for a Japanese Spitz, but it can be an option if you find it too difficult or time-consuming.

Should I shave my Japanese Spitz for summer?

You should not shave an adult Japanese Spitz for summer, or any Spitz breeds, as their coats will be shed before summer and shaving them can damage the coat.
 

Final Thoughts on Japanese Spitz Grooming

This beautiful double-coated dog is surprisingly easy to care for. Gently brush it regularly to remove dead hair and small knots, and bathe it monthly to keep the white coat clean and fluffy.