The short answer
The Japanese Spitz is one of the healthiest small breeds, with a long lifespan of roughly 12 to 16 years and few serious breed problems. The most common issue is a luxating patella, a kneecap that slips, which you notice as an occasional skip or hop on a back leg. Runny eyes and tear staining are common but usually cosmetic, and dental care matters in a small crowded mouth. A few conditions, some eye problems, a congenital heart defect and epilepsy, occur occasionally rather than widely. Keep the dog lean, care for the teeth and coat, and stay on year-round paralysis tick prevention. Serious emergencies are uncommon in this robust breed, but every owner should know the red flags below.
A genuinely healthy breed: the good news first
It is worth saying plainly, because it is true and because it is rare. The Japanese Spitz is widely regarded as one of the healthier small breeds. It tends to live a long life, commonly around 12 to 16 years, and it carries far fewer serious inherited problems than many toy and small dogs. If you have read a lot of small-breed health guides that read like a warning label, this one is different. Most Japanese Spitz stay well with good routine care.
That does not mean there is nothing to know. Every breed has a short list, and the value of a health guide is telling you honestly what is on it and what is not. For the Japanese Spitz the list is genuinely short. The most common issue is a slipping kneecap. Runny eyes and tear staining come up often but are usually cosmetic. Dental care and weight matter, as they do in any small dog. A handful of eye and heart conditions occur occasionally. Knowing that lets you focus your attention where it counts rather than worry about a long list of problems the breed mostly does not have.
Luxating patella: the one to know
If there is a signature health issue in the Japanese Spitz, it is the luxating patella, which simply means a kneecap that slips out of its normal groove. It is common across small breeds and is the thing most likely to come up in a Japanese Spitz. The classic sign is a dog that suddenly skips or hops on a back leg for a few strides, then carries on as if nothing happened once the kneecap slots back into place. You often see it as an intermittent little hitch in the walk rather than a constant limp.
Cases range widely. Some dogs do this now and then and are never troubled by it, while more significant cases cause ongoing limping, stiffness and, over the years, arthritis in the joint. If you notice the skipping gait, mention it to your vet, who can feel the knee and grade how loose it is. Mild cases are usually managed by keeping the dog lean and fit, since every extra gram loads the joint, along with sensible exercise. More severe cases sometimes need surgery. Keeping your Japanese Spitz at a healthy weight is the single most effective thing you can do for its knees. Some lines also see hip issues occasionally, and the same lean-and-fit approach supports the joints in general. The RSPCA Australia Knowledgebase has general guidance on maintaining a healthy weight and body condition that supports this.
Runny eyes, tear staining and eye health
Tear staining and epiphora. Runny eyes, known as epiphora, and the reddish-brown tear stains they leave are very common in the Japanese Spitz. On that bright white coat the staining shows clearly, running from the inner corner of the eye down the face. It happens when tears overflow onto the fur instead of draining away, and a pigment in the tears stains the pale hair. The shape of the face, narrow tear ducts, allergies and mild irritation can all play a part. In most Japanese Spitz this is a cosmetic matter, managed with gentle daily wiping using a clean damp cloth and keeping the hair around the eyes tidy. The full cleaning routine sits with grooming, and our Japanese Spitz coat and care guide for Sydney covers it in detail.
It is worth a vet check, though, when runny eyes are more than cosmetic. See your vet if the eyes are persistently runny or irritated, if one eye looks red or sore, or if there is squinting or thick discharge. Those can point to a blocked tear duct, to entropion where the eyelid rolls inward and the lashes rub the eye, or to another irritation that needs treatment rather than just cleaning. A quick assessment sorts out the difference between a cosmetic stain and a problem.
Cataracts and progressive retinal atrophy. A few inherited eye conditions occur in the breed, though they are not widespread. Progressive retinal atrophy is a gradual loss of the retina that leads to fading vision, and cataracts are a clouding of the lens. If you notice a cloudy or bluish look to the eye, hesitation on stairs or in dim light, or a dog bumping into things, have your vet check the eyes. Some causes are treatable and early assessment gives the best outcome, so routine vet visits should always include a look at the eyes.
Dental disease in a small mouth
Small dogs like the Japanese Spitz are prone to dental disease, because a full set of teeth is packed into a little jaw and the crowding traps plaque and food where it is hard to clean. Left alone, tartar and gum disease cause pain, bad breath, tooth loss and infection that can affect the whole body over time. This is not breed-specific bad luck, it is simply the maths of a small mouth, and it applies to almost every small breed.
The good news is that dental disease is one of the easiest problems to stay ahead of. Daily or regular tooth brushing is the gold standard, backed up by dental chews and professional cleans when your vet advises. Get into the habit while the dog is young if you can, and check the mouth now and then for red gums, a build-up of brown tartar, or reluctance to chew on one side. Good teeth are worth real effort, and in a long-lived breed they add up to a healthier, more comfortable dog across many years.
Weight management, and the rare conditions to be aware of
Weight. Because the fluffy coat hides the body, it is easy to let a Japanese Spitz quietly gain weight without noticing. Extra weight loads the knees, worsens any patella trouble, and shortens a dog's comfortable life. Feed to a healthy body condition rather than to the bowl, run your hands over the ribs regularly to check you can feel them under the coat, and adjust portions as the dog ages. A lean Japanese Spitz is doing its joints a real favour.
Heart and seizures, kept in proportion. A small number of Japanese Spitz lines can carry patent ductus arteriosus, a congenital heart defect where a blood vessel that should close after birth stays open. It is usually picked up as a heart murmur when a puppy is first examined, which is one more reason a vet check matters early. Epilepsy also turns up occasionally in the breed. Both of these are uncommon rather than widespread, and neither should shape how you feel about the breed. They are worth being aware of so that a murmur flagged at a check-up, or a first seizure, is something you understand and act on rather than panic over.
Emergency signs every small-dog owner should know
The Japanese Spitz is a robust breed with no single signature emergency, and true emergencies are uncommon. Even so, every owner should know the general small-dog red flags. Get to a vet immediately, day or night, if your dog has a seizure lasting more than about five minutes, or several seizures one after another without recovering in between, or if it suddenly collapses, cannot stand, or is in severe breathing distress. Any of these means get help now, not in the morning. Phone ahead so the team is ready, and if it is out of hours head to a 24/7 hospital such as SASH, which offers round-the-clock emergency care in Sydney. When in doubt, call. A vet would far rather hear from you early.
Why adopting a Japanese Spitz is not a health disadvantage
People sometimes worry that a rescue dog is a health gamble next to a breeder puppy. For a healthy breed like the Japanese Spitz the picture is even more reassuring. A Japanese Spitz adopted through a reputable Sydney rescue arrives desexed, vaccinated, microchipped, treated for parasites and vet-checked, with all of it included in the fee. You are not taking on an unassessed animal, and the breed itself brings a short problem list to start with.
Adopting also means the few things that matter in this breed are often known upfront. Because so many rescue dogs live in foster care, a carer who has shared a home with the dog can tell you how it moves, whether the knees ever skip, how the teeth and eyes look, and how it is day to day. That is exactly the sort of detail you want, and a puppy cannot offer it. If you are weighing it up, our Japanese Spitz adoption guide for Sydney covers where to look and what it costs. Sydney rescues worth watching include RSPCA NSW, AWL NSW, Sydney Dogs and Cats Home, Monika's Doggie Rescue and Maggie's Rescue.
Keeping a Japanese Spitz healthy: the checklist
Most of what keeps a Japanese Spitz well is simple routine. For a breed with so few serious problems, these habits do almost all the heavy lifting.
- Keep the dog lean. A lean weight protects the slip-prone knees and the joints in general, and the coat hides weight gain, so feel the ribs regularly.
- Watch the knees. Note any skipping or hopping gait and mention it to your vet, who can grade the knee and advise.
- Look after the teeth. Daily or regular tooth brushing and dental checks prevent painful disease in a small crowded mouth.
- Groom the coat consistently. Regular brushing keeps the double coat healthy and makes skin, eye and tick checks much easier.
- Wipe and watch the eyes. Gentle daily cleaning manages tear staining, and persistent runny, red or squinting eyes get a vet look.
- Book regular vet checks. Annually while adult, then twice yearly for a senior, with the knees, teeth, eyes and heart checked each time.
- Stay on year-round tick prevention. Use a vet-recommended product every month without a gap, because the paralysis tick on the NSW coast is a fatal risk.
- Know the emergency signs. Learn the general small-dog red flags above so you can act fast in the rare event something serious happens.
The Sydney paralysis tick point
One health risk has nothing to do with the breed and everything to do with where you live. The paralysis tick is native to the east coast of Australia, including the coastal and bushland areas around Sydney, and its bite releases a toxin that causes an ascending paralysis which is fatal without veterinary treatment. It is a year-round risk here, not just a summer one. Sydney summer heat brings its own separate danger, so walk your Japanese Spitz in the cooler hours and carry water, especially given the thick coat.
The response is straightforward. Keep your dog on a vet-recommended tick prevention product every single month with no gaps, and after any walk through bush or long grass run your hands slowly over the whole dog, feeling for a lump. The thick white Japanese Spitz coat hides ticks well, so you cannot rely on seeing one. Part the hair and check carefully by hand, especially around the face, under and inside the ear flaps, under the collar, in the armpits and between the toes. Regular grooming that keeps the coat from matting makes these checks far easier. If your dog develops a wobbly back end, a changed or weak bark, gagging or heavy breathing, treat it as an emergency and get to a vet at once. Your own vet can advise on the right prevention product for your dog.
Browse adoptable Japanese Spitz in Sydney
Adopting an adult lets you learn how a dog moves and any known knee, teeth or eye history directly, with a vet check already done, in a breed that starts with few health worries. Browse live NSW listings and set an alert so you hear the moment a Japanese Spitz comes in.
See Available Japanese Spitz →When to see the vet urgently
Most Japanese Spitz health issues are managed at a normal appointment. A few need a faster response. Get to a vet immediately, including out of hours, if you see any of these:
- A seizure lasting more than about five minutes, or repeated seizures one after another without recovery between them.
- A sudden collapse, an inability to stand, or severe breathing distress.
- A wobbly back end together with a changed or weak bark, gagging or heavy breathing (possible paralysis tick).
- A suddenly red, sore or cloudy eye, or squinting with discharge (possible eye emergency).
For the everyday things, such as an intermittent skipping gait, tear staining that has changed, ongoing runny eyes, or a build-up of tartar, book a normal vet visit soon rather than waiting. Catching those early gives your Japanese Spitz the best outcome. When in doubt, phone your vet or a 24/7 hospital and describe what you are seeing. They would far rather you called and it was nothing than the other way around. To find a local vet, the Australian Veterinary Association can help, and you can browse the full Sydney adoption resources hub for more breed guides.
Frequently Asked Questions
Are Japanese Spitz a healthy breed?
Yes. The Japanese Spitz is widely regarded as one of the healthier small breeds, with a long lifespan and relatively few serious breed problems compared with many toy and small dogs. That is genuinely good news, and it is one of the reasons the breed suits families who want a small companion without a long list of medical worries. The most common issue to plan for is a luxating patella, which is a kneecap that slips out of place. Beyond that, runny eyes and tear staining are common but usually cosmetic, dental care matters in a small mouth, and a few conditions such as some eye problems, a congenital heart defect and epilepsy turn up occasionally rather than widely. Keep the dog lean, look after the teeth, stay on year-round paralysis tick prevention, and most Japanese Spitz live a long comfortable life.
Why does my Japanese Spitz have runny eyes and tear stains?
Runny eyes and reddish-brown tear stains are very common in the Japanese Spitz, and on that bright white coat they show up clearly. They happen when tears overflow onto the fur instead of draining away, and a pigment in the tears stains the pale hair around the inner corner of the eye. The shape of the face, narrow tear ducts, allergies and mild irritation can all contribute. In most Japanese Spitz this is a cosmetic issue rather than a health problem, managed with gentle daily wiping using a clean damp cloth and keeping the hair around the eyes tidy. It is worth a vet check though if the eyes are persistently runny or irritated, if one eye looks red or sore, or if there is squinting or thick discharge, since that can point to a blocked tear duct, entropion where the eyelid rolls inward, or another eye problem that needs treatment rather than just cleaning. The everyday cleaning routine sits with grooming, which our coat and care guide covers.
Do Japanese Spitz have knee problems?
Yes, a luxating patella is the most common health issue in the Japanese Spitz. It means the kneecap slips out of its normal groove, which happens in many small breeds. The classic sign is a dog that suddenly skips or hops on a back leg for a few strides, then carries on as normal once the kneecap slots back into place. Some dogs do it now and then and are never troubled, while more significant cases cause limping, stiffness and, over time, arthritis. If you notice the skipping gait, mention it to your vet, who can feel the knee and grade how loose it is. Mild cases are usually managed by keeping the dog lean and fit, since extra weight loads the joint, while more severe cases sometimes need surgery. A little care about weight and sensible exercise goes a long way for the knees.
How long do Japanese Spitz live?
Japanese Spitz commonly live around 12 to 16 years, a long span even for a small breed and a sign of how robust they generally are. Much of keeping them well over that time is about routine care rather than fighting off breed diseases. A Japanese Spitz kept lean to protect the knees, with teeth cleaned regularly, eyes wiped and checked, on year-round paralysis tick prevention and seeing the vet each year, has a strong chance of a long healthy life. The thick double coat needs consistent grooming to stay healthy, which is part of the deal with the breed. Ask about knees, teeth and any eye history when you adopt, and learn the general small-dog emergency signs so you can act fast in the rare event something serious happens.
What health problems do Japanese Spitz have?
The Japanese Spitz is a healthy breed overall, so the list is short. The most common issue is a luxating patella, a kneecap that slips, which ranges from a mild occasional skip to a case that needs surgery. Runny eyes and tear staining are very common but usually cosmetic. Dental disease matters because a full set of teeth is packed into a small mouth, and weight management protects the joints. Less often, some eye conditions such as progressive retinal atrophy and cataracts occur, and a small number of lines can carry patent ductus arteriosus, a congenital heart defect picked up as a puppy, or epilepsy. Those last few are uncommon rather than widespread. Good routine care, a lean weight and regular vet checks keep most Japanese Spitz well for a long time.
Do Japanese Spitz need a lot of dental care?
Yes, dental care matters in a Japanese Spitz because, like other small breeds, they fit a full set of teeth into a little jaw, and the crowding traps plaque where it is hard to clean. Left alone, tartar and gum disease cause pain, bad breath, tooth loss and infection that can affect the whole body over time. The good news is that dental disease is one of the easiest problems to stay ahead of. Daily or regular tooth brushing is the gold standard, backed up by dental chews and professional cleans when your vet advises. Get into the habit while the dog is young if you can, and check the mouth now and then for red gums, brown tartar build-up or reluctance to chew on one side. Good teeth add up to a healthier, more comfortable dog across a long life.
Do rescue Japanese Spitz come health checked?
Yes. A Japanese Spitz adopted through a reputable Sydney rescue arrives desexed, vaccinated, microchipped, treated for worms and fleas, and given a vet check before it is listed, with all of that included in the fee. A good rescue also notes any known issues, which for this breed might be a knee that slips, any dental work already done, or an eye that needs watching. Many rescue dogs are in foster care, so a carer who has lived with the dog can tell you how it moves, whether its knees seem sound, how its teeth and eyes look, and how it is day to day. That is a real advantage, because you adopt knowing the dog rather than guessing, and for a generally healthy breed like the Japanese Spitz there is usually little to flag beyond routine care.
How do I keep my Japanese Spitz healthy?
Keep the dog lean, look after the teeth, groom the coat regularly, wipe and watch the eyes, and stay on top of vet care and paralysis tick prevention. A lean weight is the single best thing you can do for the slip-prone knees, so feed to a healthy body condition and keep exercise sensible. Daily or regular tooth brushing protects a small crowded mouth. The thick double coat needs consistent brushing to stay healthy and to make tick checks and skin checks easier, and gentle daily wiping of the eye area manages tear staining. Book annual vet checks that become twice-yearly for a senior, with the knees, teeth and eyes checked each time, keep up year-round paralysis tick prevention with a vet-recommended product, and learn the general small-dog emergency signs so you can act quickly if the rare serious problem ever happens.
Keep reading
Adoptable Japanese Spitz in Sydney
Live listings of Japanese Spitz across Sydney and NSW rescues.
Japanese Spitz Adoption in Sydney
Where to adopt a Japanese Spitz, why they end up in rescue, and what adoption costs against a breeder.
Japanese Spitz Coat & Care
The coat, eye and skin routine that keeps a Japanese Spitz clean, white and comfortable in Sydney.
All Sydney Adoption Guides
Browse every breed and how-to guide for adopting a rescue dog in Sydney.