Japanese Spitz vs Polish Lowland Sheepdog: Breeds Comparison
Japanese Spitz vs Polish Lowland Sheepdog: Breeds Comparison
Trying to decide between the Japanese Spitz and the Polish Lowland Sheepdog? Both of these dogs can be similar in some ways but are quite different in many others. Read on and find out which of these popular breeds is the perfect pup for your lifestyle!
Before getting a puppy, you should be sure that the breed you're doing to buy or rescue is a good fit for your lifestyle and home.
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While Japanese Spitz is a member of the Companion Group, Polish Lowland Sheepdog belongs to the group of Herding Dogs.
Despite these breeds aren't members of the same breed groups, they have some similarities and not only differences so keep reading to learn more.
Japanese Spitz vs Polish Lowland Sheepdog Size Comparison
Polish Lowland Sheepdogs are larger, with a typical height of 17 to 20 inches and weight of 35 to 55 pounds, while the typical height of Japanese Spitz is 10 to 16 inches and they usually weigh 11 to 20 pounds.
We know that these numbers might be too abstract, so we made a tool to help you visualize these numbers.
The following chart compares the average breeds height with the average height of an American man and woman.
According to Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) data, the average height of a man is 69 inches, and the height of a woman is 63.5 inches.
Dog size comparison to a human. From left, average heights of Japanese Spitz, Polish Lowland Sheepdog, American female, and American male.
Japanese Spitz vs Polish Lowland Sheepdog lifespan
No doubt, the quality of care provided to the dog is one of the main factors when it comes to canines life longevity, however, there are also other factors, especially the dog's breed.
With a life expectancy of 10 to 16 years, Japanese Spitzs usually live longer than Polish Lowland Sheepdogs.
Polish Lowland Sheepdogs' lifespan is 10 to 12 years.
Read on to the following sections to better understand in detail how Japanese Spitz and Polish Lowland Sheepdog compare and hopefully end up with enough arguments to decide which one is better for you.
Japanese Spitz vs Polish Lowland Sheepdog adaptability
When we say "dog adaptability", most people think about apartment living adaptability, so let's start with that.
All dogs are great — but not all dogs are great for or geared toward apartment living. A dog may be considered the worst dog breed for apartments for a few reasons including size, energy level, noise, smell, shedding...
Luckily, Japanese Spitzs and Polish Lowland Sheepdogs are considered to be good apartment living dogs.
While most dogs can be left home alone for 6 to 8 hours, some will do better. Check the table below to see how Japanese Spitzs and Polish Lowland Sheepdogs tolerate being left alone.
Depending on where you live, you should choose a dog that tolerates hot or cold weather well.
Speaking of Japanese Spitz and Polish Lowland Sheepdog, these breeds tolerate hot weather well, but you still need to be cautious when it's hot.
During warm weather, be sure to provide shade and water and head out in the morning or late evening when it's cooler. Also, avoid pavements - if the ground is too hot to touch for your hand for a few seconds, it's too hot for paws.
Cold temperatures are not a problem for most dogs until they fall below 45° F, at which point some cold-averse dogs might begin to feel uncomfortable. When temperatures fall below 32° F, owners of small breed dogs, dogs with thin coats, and/or very young, old, or sick dogs should pay close attention to their pet’s well-being.
Once temperatures drop under 20° F, all owners need to be aware that their dogs could potentially develop cold-associated health problems like hypothermia and frostbite.
Luckily, both breeds tolarate cold weather well, so while you stick to the rules mentioned above, they should be fine and probably enjoy the cold weather.
Japanese Spitz vs Polish Lowland Sheepdog temperament
It's always hard to make a general statement about the whole breed's temperament. Each dog has a different temperament, and there are a lot of factors that affect its behavior.
Looking for a perfect family dog?
If you're looking for a companion dog, you won't go wrong with Japanese Spitz and Polish Lowland Sheepdog. Their outgoing and friendly personality makes them a great choice for families. Both are highly affectionate with family, they will immediately become a family member.
When it comes to behavior around children, Japanese Spitz simply tends to do better.
Both Japanese Spitz and Polish Lowland Sheepdog love children - they are usually gentle and patient with kids, but as we mentioned, temperaments can vary based on the individual dog.
Dog guarding behavior is welcome for some owners, while others prefer a dog that's friendly towards strangers.
Japanese Spitzs and Polish Lowland Sheepdogs are naturally suspicious toward strangers, so you can expect they will act protective.
All-Around Friendliness
Japanese Spitz
Polish Lowland Sheepdog
Affectionate With Family
Kid-Friendly
Dog Friendly
Friendly Toward Strangers
Health And Grooming Needs
The best way to optimize your pup’s health is to research reputable breeders, and then when you meet them ask to see the parents and their health certificates as described above and to see the conditions in which all the dogs are living.
Check the table below to see the general health rating for these two canines, and read full breed profile articles to read in-depth information on their health.
Also, some breeds are prone to obesity, which could cause other health conditions. Be sure to check that information as well, if the breed is prone to obesity, keep a close eye on labels and feed your dog according to the food labels.
For example, hip dysplasia is hereditary and is especially common in larger dogs. Factors such as excessive growth rate, types of exercise, and improper weight and nutrition can magnify this genetic predisposition.
What about shedding?
One of the bad parts of having a dog is definitely shedding. So be sure to take this into your consideration when choosing the right breed for you. Click here to learn how to minimize the shedding.
Japanese Spitz shed less than Polish Lowland Sheepdog do, but don't forget - preventing shedding is impossible, but regular brushing is necessary.
Well, we have good news. These breeds have low drooling potential.
Health And Grooming Needs
Japanese Spitz
Polish Lowland Sheepdog
Amount Of Shedding
Drooling Potential
Easy To Groom
General Health
Potential For Weight Gain
Size
Japanese Spitz vs Polish Lowland Sheepdog trainability
Each dog needs some kind of obedience training, but some of them are easier to train, while others are more stubborn.
These breeds are relatively easy to train and they aren't very stubborn, but you have to be patient. persistence, and consistency play a huge role in successfully training your dog.
Trainability
Japanese Spitz
Polish Lowland Sheepdog
Easy To Train
Intelligence
Potential For Mouthiness
Prey Drive
Tendency To Bark Or Howl
Wanderlust Potential
Do Japanese Spitz and Polish Lowland Sheepdog need a lot of physical activity?
To keep your dog healthy, calm, and happy, you have to provide it with enough physical activities. Not only your dog will be healthier and happier when it's active, but you'll also reduce or completely eliminate destructive behavior.
Some people don't think about this when selecting a breed, so we have dedicated a whole chapter to physical needs.
Japanese Spitzs have a medium level of exercise needs, while Polish Lowland Sheepdogs require a high intensity of exercise.
Physical Needs
Japanese Spitz
Polish Lowland Sheepdog
Energy Level
Intensity
Exercise Needs
Potential For Playfulness
Japanese Spitz or Polish Lowland Sheepdog: The bottom line
In this article, we tried to give you an idea of what you can expect from Japanese Spitzs and Polish Lowland Sheepdogs.
To further explore their personality, overall health, temperament, and much more, read their full breed profile.
Or, use the tool below to read the next comparison.
Note: Barking Royalty isn’t a veterinary provider. Always relay any questions you have regarding your pet’s medical condition to your veterinarian, local animal hospital or other qualified veterinary provider.