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Perfume
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I would love to own either a Japanese Spitz or a Shetland Sheepdog. I live on 14 acres of which they would have 3 safely enclosed acres to roam around in. They would be indoor/outdoor dogs but spend a considerable amount of time with me as I'm home most of the time. I cannot, for the life of me, make up my mind which of the two I should choose. I don't want a dog that is everybody's friend. I want an alert and intelligent dog, one that is easily trained. Both appeal to my sense of taste.

I would love the opinion of both SS and JS owners/former owners.

Thank you.

Edited by Perfume
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Tough call between them- I know many lovely examples of the two!

From what i have seen the shelties are the slightly easier to train of the two. However can be more skittish. But other than that they are very similar.

I am sure someone with more helpful information will pop in soon.

In the meantime, when you do get your puppy, we expect lots of photos! :D

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Similar in size, grooming needs, general appearance and exercise needs but quite different in the way they tend to interact with people and other dogs - so temperamentally different in their breed temperament. Also due to some unfortunate popularity issues, BYB has left some shelties with easily upset temperaments. I cannot speak for Jap spitzes, but many of the spitz breeds need firm guidance when young to become good family pets,

Your best bet is to attend a few all breeds shows where both of these breeds will be present to get an idea of the ideal temperament in each breed - spitz outlook on life is VERY diiferent to herding breed outlook! smile.gif - and, once you've settled on the breed that matches you best in that way, then start the process of finding a good breeder.

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You've picked two very different breeds in regards to temperament. I can only echo what RuralPug has said, go to a show and meet both breeds and speak to breeders about what would suit you more.

Edited by Bjelkier
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I'm pretty sure I'd want a short coat dog if I lived on rural acres - cos it makes removing grass seeds easier.

And if I lived in an area with ticks - even more want short short haired dog.

I don't own either breed but the shelties are extremely popular with the train-your-dog obsessed people - even more than border collies (maybe because you can pick them up and walk away from trouble if you need).

There are a couple of keeshond doing obedience successfully but I've not seen any Japanese spitz.

Doesn't mean they cant do that - it just might mean the shelties take to that kind of training better.

Shelties will also round up your ducks or chooks for you if you want. Not sure spitz would do that.

They are both adorable to look at. Which ever you do get - make sure you meet the parent dogs (or at least the mum) at their home - see how they are with strangers and with their people, that you're happy with the environment the puppies will be raised in and that you sight the relevant health check documents for both parent dogs.

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They are very different in temperament. A sheltie is a soft gentle dog that bonds closely with their family and is reserved with strangers. They are happy to just be with and please their family and can be happy with a short walk but are also happy to go all day. Not suitable as an outside dog. A JS is more outgoing but I would think has the spitz nature which is more independent and less of a working nature

Of course as a sheltie breeder I am naturally biased.

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If you want easy to train, go with the Sheltie that has the typical will to please of working dogs. If you have a sense of humour, want a challenge and plenty of entertainment get a Jap Spitz. The JS are very easy to house train as they are very clean but they are not an easy breed to train otherwise as they are very independent and like to do what they want to do, more like a cat. They are in fact very cat like in nature. They learn anything that benefits them, very quickly and are pedantic about routines which you can use to advantage. On the up side, their coat sheds dirt so they rarely look dirty whereas a Sheltie will stay dirty until washed. Both breeds are similar size and weight and have similar grooming requirements but are very different in nature.

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Thank you so much for each of your responses, much appreciated. I totally love the look of both breeds but especially the JS, the white coat mesmerises me. The sheltie is a close second. From the sounds of things I'd prefer a dog that is a little more responsive so I think the Sheltie would suit me a little more.

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another vote for sheltie given your preference for a trainable dog that is not interested in strangers :)

shelties are very trainable and soft natured. correct temperament is aloof or reserved with strangers and intensely loyal to family. some shelties are nervous/flighty around strangers (incorrect temperament) so it is worth meeting parents and cousins of the line you are looking at - naturally it comes down to good socialising too with all these things.

from what I understand spitz breeds are much more head strong and thus less biddable. I am sure they would still be very fun to train and good at what they do - but if you are comparing the two I think shelties will win that particular race.

I may or may not be just a little biased in my preference ;)

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I would never get a short haired breed even with the threat of ticks, don't like the look or feel of them. as long as you run your hands through the coat and check regularly you should be fine.

Both of my JS have excellent recall, It depends on the training you do. They also rather stick close to me than go galavanting off. Also depends on tje temperament, my female is super easy to train, male is harder but just wants to please. They definitely adore their chosen 'human', but I dont find them nervous or skittish around strangers, just indifferent and approach them in their own time.

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I have a 5 year old JS.She is a wonderful companion ,although they tend to be a one person dog and quite with anyone else.She has wonderful recall ,is intensly tuned-in to you generally.They have Teflon coats...come in dirty,covered in mud ,the following morning are pure white again.I groom her once a week and proffessional. groom every 8 weeks.She is the 5th Spitz I have had ,Keeshond my favorite! My. male who passed 2years ago was very much more affectionate...Lulu adores my husband,they are inseparable ! I have recently bought a German Spitz White also,so will post some photos soon. Good Luck with whichever you decide on. :)

Edited by Aleksandra 157
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I would never get a short haired breed even with the threat of ticks, don't like the look or feel of them. as long as you run your hands through the coat and check regularly you should be fine.

Both of my JS have excellent recall, It depends on the training you do. They also rather stick close to me than go galavanting off. Also depends on tje temperament, my female is super easy to train, male is harder but just wants to please. They definitely adore their chosen 'human', but I dont find them nervous or skittish around strangers, just indifferent and approach them in their own time.

They are all so different. My JS is very hyperactive, not the slightest bit nervous, loves everyone and loves to run as far and fast as he can. His recall is pretty good now a 3 years old but hopeless with the distraction of any person or dog as he always wants to rush up to say hello. Far too friendly for his own safety. He is much harder to train than most as he isn't a foodie and treats cannot compete with his excitement of being out and about. It took me until he was 8 months to get any sense out of him on a lead. My Border Collies on the other hand were all perfectly lead trained and totally focused on training and pleasing me, in any environment by 10-12 weeks. I love my JS and he provides endless entertainment with his antics but he is so different to a BC that they are like a different species.

Edited by dancinbcs
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Totally agree with you ,Dancinbnc.Every dog is different,even when the same breed .I really think the gene pool in some of the more uncommon breeds ,in a small country makes a difference .Suki ,my male JS was from different lineage ,but still similar traits to Lulu .I didn't mean to imply she is not good with strangers ,just disinterested .I'm in bed sick today ,and feel really guilty...there's two white bundles of fluff cuddled into me ...She is amazing in that ,having a chronic illness I'm often in pain .She always knows and does not leave me until I'm up and about again! That's what I meant about being very tuned in to you. Having said all that I love the Shelties.I love what DDD said...one of each. :)

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As suggested i think u really need to go to a show and meet some of each.

Then go to a agility trial and see those shelties ..A breeder mentioned soft quiet dogs.some are but in agility i see a lot that are great dogs for agility but more like bc's.

I only know three Jap S and all three are well trained and one does onefience. One is really dog friendly and one is in love with me when i see it at training.

And i think one diference is the habit of barking.guess who tends to be noisy of the two?

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