Many people have trouble telling the Japanese Spitz and the Samoyed apart. They really do look very similar, especially when they are still puppies under two months old. Today we will look at the main differences between the two breeds.
Size Difference
The Samoyed is a medium sized dog. Males are usually about 53.3 to 59.7 centimeters tall, while females are usually about 48.3 to 53.3 centimeters tall. The Japanese Spitz is smaller, with an adult height of around 35 centimeters and a weight of about 8 kilograms. So while a large puppy is not necessarily a Samoyed, a small puppy is very likely to be a Japanese Spitz.
Temperament Difference
The Samoyed is smart, active, playful, and willing to interact with people. The Japanese Spitz comes from a mix involving white German Spitz type dogs and Japanese dogs. It depends heavily on its owner, is more sensitive, and tends to bark when the owner leaves or when there is movement nearby. Overall, the Japanese Spitz is more timid, while the Samoyed is more lively.
Muzzle Difference
The biggest difference is the muzzle. The Samoyed has a wider and shorter muzzle, with flesh on the sides that looks thicker than the Japanese Spitz.
Tail Difference
The Samoyed never has a tightly curled tail. It is usually carried over the back or to one side of the body rather than hanging down or curling into a ring.
Eye Difference
The Samoyed has the classic almond shaped eye, while the Japanese Spitz has smaller and rounder eyes. Some Samoyed puppies may also have a slightly bluish white area in the whites of the eyes when young, which disappears as they grow older. That is normal and nothing to worry about.
Face Shape Difference
The two breeds also differ in facial shape. The Samoyed has a deeper and more obvious stop, with a broad forehead and a larger angle between the face and the bridge of the nose. The Japanese Spitz has a less obvious stop and a smaller angle.
Ear Difference
The Samoyeds ears are generally thicker, while the Japanese Spitz has thinner ears. A very young dog with upright ears is more likely to be a Japanese Spitz, because a Samoyed usually does not stand its ears until about two months to one hundred days old, by which time it is already much larger.
Coat Difference
The Samoyed has softer and fuller fur. The Japanese Spitz coat is harder in texture, a bit like an imperfect Pomeranian, and does not feel as smooth or soft as a Samoyed coat.
Paw Difference
The Samoyeds paws are shaped somewhat like a Husky paw, while the Japanese Spitz paw is more like a Pomeranian paw.