Looking for a puppy

Congratulations!

You’ve settled and decided a Japanese Spitz is for you, but where to start? Researching a dog can be overwhelming but vital towards your lifestyle and the health of your future family member.

The following information is to aid and help in the best manner of finding and researching breeders to approach in the UK.

1. Research the correct breeders (for you)

2. Credentials (and what matters to you)

1. Researching breeders

Luckily we are a small breed and there are a handful of breeders here in the UK. Granted with the unprecedented increase in puppy purchases due to Covid, we are seeing a growing portion of puppy mills & farmers of the breed.

*We do NOT recommend purchasing a puppy off Pets4Homes, Facebook Marketplace, NextDoor, or any other online selling site.

We do recommend visiting our events and starting by talking to other Japanese Spitz owners, each breeder in the UK will have preferences from things such as coat to temperament and you want to seek a breeder whose aims for the breed also align with your need/lifestyle. Seeing the breed in person can also show you the variety between size, appearance, personality, and gender.

• Consider whether you are looking for a Show Breeder or a Pet Breeder

• Go to official sources such as - ChampDogs, Kennel Club Accredited, or via Breed Societies & Clubs (they will list breeders clearly and litters due)

• Ask - Ask other owners, the Japanese Spitz London group has an unbiased but knowledgeable view and experience of breeders in the UK

• Look - Visiting one of our events and meeting our owners in person is imperative to getting to know the breed and its variations

• Wait - The breed is small and rare and expects to place your name on a waiting list, if a puppy becomes available instantly - be cautious and ask why this is. Most breeders of the breed usually have long waiting lists and homes in mind for puppies.

2. Credentials

Be cautious, many listings of puppy sales are created to scam you out of your money and time. On top of this many Puppy Mills will and can present themselves as ethical breeders - a puppy from these sources can sometimes be unwell, have long-term health issues, or not prove to be a Spitz breed at all.

• Always ask for credentials (this should include but not be limited to)

  • Animal welfare License number (as registered by the local council)

  • Kennel Club paperwork for the puppy & its parents

  • Breeders Affix & registration number at KC - You can go further & see the history of a Show Breeders’ success and awards

  • A contract - most breeders will want a return of their puppy (no questions asked) and won’t expect you to resell

  • History of breeding - how long has this person been breeding? What is their knowledge of puppy culture, environment, and training

  • Registered address - per Kennel Club/paperwork (puppy mills will move around hosting houses & avoid official documents)

We recommend attending one of our many meet ups to talk and view Japanese Spitz or attending

Discover Dogs/Crufts and talking to Breeders there