Quick Links: Table of Contents
- Flat-Coated Retriever Versus Japanese Spitz: Introduction
- Flat-Coated Retriever versus Japanese Spitz: Overview
- Flat-Coated Retriever versus Japanese Spitz: Comparison Table
- The Most Remarkable Differences Between the Flat-Coated Retriever and the Japanese Spitz
- The Similarities Between the Flat-Coated Retriever and the Japanese Spitz
- Size (Weight and Height) of Flat-Coated Retriever versus Japanese Spitz
- Price of Flat-Coated Retriever versus Price of Japanese Spitz
- Tolerates Being Alone: Flat-Coated Retriever versus Japanese Spitz
- Which one drools more, the Flat-Coated Retriever or the Japanese Spitz
- Do Flat-Coated Retrievers shed more than Japanese Spitzs?
- Does the Flat-Coated Retriever Have a Higher Prey Drive than the Japanese Spitz?
- Can Flat-Coated Retrievers Tolerate Cold Weather? And can Japanese Spitzs Tolerate Cold Weather?
- Can Flat-Coated Retrievers Tolerate Hot Weather? Can Japanese Spitzs Tolerate Hot Weather?
- Which is Easier to Groom, the Flat-Coated Retriever or the Japanese Spitz?
- Is the Flat-Coated Retriever Easier to Train than the Japanese Spitz?
- Do Flat-Coated Retrievers Bark and Howl? What about Japanese Spitzs?
- Wanderlust Potential: Flat-Coated Retriever vs. Japanese Spitz
- Are Flat-Coated Retrievers good family dogs? What about Japanese Spitzs?
- How Kid-friendly are Flat-Coated Retrievers and Japanese Spitzs?
- Which Dog Breed is more Dog-Friendly, the Flat-Coated Retriever or the Japanese Spitz?
- Other Dog Breeds That are Similar to the Flat-Coated Retriever
- Other Dog Breeds That are Similar to the Japanese Spitz
- Other Breed Comparisons that Might Interest You
- Conclusion: Flat-Coated Retriever versus Japanese Spitz. Which One is a Better Pet?
Flat-Coated Retriever Versus Japanese Spitz: Introduction
Are you thinking of getting a new pet dog, and you have narrowed down your choices to the Flat-Coated Retriever and the Japanese Spitz? Well, you have come to the right place. In this article, we will provide you a detailed comparison of these two dog breeds to help you decide which of the Flat-Coated Retriever and the Japanese Spitz better suits you.
We will provide you a detailed discussion and comparison of dog attributes such as intelligence, price, general health, friendliness, etc, for both the Flat-Coated Retriever and the Japanese Spitz.
Furthermore, we will let you know which one of the Flat-Coated Retriever and the Japanese Spitz is better suited for new dog owners, for owners with kids, for owners that live in apartments, for owners with dog allergies, etc.
Importantly, we did some analysis and calculation and we obtained a number that we call the Better-Pet Score™ for both the Flat-Coated Retriever and for the Japanese Spitz. The dog breed with the higher Better-Pet score is the `better` pet. We hope that these Better-Pet Scores will provide you more insight into deciding which pet to get between the Flat-Coated Retriever and the Japanese Spitz.
Our only goal here is to help you make a well-thought-out decision on your next long-term companion, be it the Flat-Coated Retriever or the Japanese Spitz
Flat-Coated Retriever versus Japanese Spitz: Overview
A very important difference between the Flat-Coated Retriever and the Japanese Spitz is the size difference between the two dog breeds. The Flat-Coated Retriever is a medium-sized dog while the Japanese Spitz is a small-sized dog.
Furthermore, the Flat-Coated Retriever belongs to the Sporting Dogs group. Sporting Dogs were bred to help hunters catch and retrieve feathered game. Some sporting dog breeds such as Retrievers, which were built for swimming, were bred to hunt waterfowl in water. Whereas sporting dog breeds like setters, spaniels, and pointing breeds were bred to hunt quail, pheasant, and other game birds nest on grasslands. Many Sporting Group breeds have thick, water-repellent coats that protect them from harsh hunting conditions.
On the other hand, the Japanese Spitz belongs to the Companion Dogs group. Companion Dogs were bred to be companions for humans. Their main goal in life is to be with people, and they will be very sad if left to themselves for long hours day after day.
Flat-Coated Retriever versus Japanese Spitz: Comparison Table
The table below compares the Flat-Coated Retriever to the Japanese Spitz based on different important factors such as Price, Health, Kid-friendliness, etc.
When a dog breed scores higher for a factor than the other dog breed, the box of the breed that scores higher is shaded green and the box of the breed that scores lower is shaded red. When there is no difference between the breeds for a particular factor then the box is shaded gray for both pets. Also, when the factor is not important in picking a pet, or when the factor cannot be compared between two pets, the box for the factor is shaded gray for both pets
Most of the factors in the table for each dog breed are ranked on a scale of 1 to 5. “1” means “worst”, and “5” means “best”.
However, some factors such as “Price”, “Average Lifespan”, etc. cannot be on a scale of 1 to 5, so they are not on a scale of 1 to 5 in the comparison table.
| Factor | Flat-Coated Retriever | Japanese Spitz |
|---|---|---|
| Adapts Well To Apartment Living | 1/5 | 4/5 |
| Tolerates Being Alone | 1/5 | 2/5 |
| Height | 1 foot, 10 inches to 2 feet tall at the shoulder | 10 to 16 inches |
| Life Span | 10 to 12 years | 10 to 16 years |
| Good For Novice Owners | 2/5 | 4/5 |
| Does NOT Drool | 4/5 | 5/5 |
| Does NOT Shed | 3/5 | 3/5 |
| Does NOT chew on things | 3/5 | 4/5 |
| Low Prey Drive | 3/5 | 4/5 |
| Tolerates Cold Weather | 4/5 | 4/5 |
| Tolerates Hot Weather | 4/5 | 3/5 |
| Easy To Groom | 4/5 | 4/5 |
| General Health | 4/5 | 3/5 |
| Potential NOT to Gain Weight | 2/5 | 4/5 |
| Easy To Train | 4/5 | 4/5 |
| Does NOT Bark or Howl | 2/5 | 2/5 |
| Tendency NOT to Wander | 2/5 | 4/5 |
| Calmness/ Low Vigor | 2/5 | 4/5 |
| Easygoing | 1/5 | 3/5 |
| Affectionate With Family | 5/5 | 4/5 |
| Kid-Friendly | 5/5 | 5/5 |
| Dog Friendly | 5/5 | 4/5 |
| Friendly Toward Strangers | 5/5 | 2/5 |
| Intelligence | 5/5 | 4/5 |
| NOT Rambunctious | 1/5 | 3/5 |
| Minimal Exercise Needs | 1/5 | 3/5 |
| Potential For Playfulness | 5/5 | 4/5 |
| Weight | 55 to 70 pounds | 11 to 20 pounds |
| Average Lifespan | 11.0 years | 13.0 years |
| Average Price | $1350 | $1600 |
| Price Range | $1150 – $1800 | $1500 – $2000 |
| Common Health Problems and Recommended Health Tests |
|
No Data |
*Data from dogtime.com, OFA.org (The Orthopedic Foundation for Animals), petcalculator.com, wikipedia.org, ATTS.org (the American Temperament Test Society)
Next, we added the scores of the factors that can be added together for the Flat-Coated Retriever in the table (that is, `Ease of Grooming` score + `General Health` score + `Calmness` score + …etc) and we compared it to the corresponding total score for the Japanese Spitz. We call these total scores the Better-Pet Scores, as we mentioned earlier. We called this score the Better-Pet score because the better dog breed will have a higher score. This is because the pet will the higher score will have minimal needs and be easier to have as a pet.
The Better-Pet score for a Flat-Coated Retriever is 78 out of 125 while the Better-Pet score for a Japanese Spitz is 90 out of 125.
Based on their Better-Pet scores, the Japanese Spitz is a better pet than the Flat-Coated Retriever. So, you should get the Japanese Spitz!
Although we have done our best to analyze these two dog breeds in a very unbiased way, however, we will like to let you know that there are some dog attributes that cannot be assigned a number for comparison. We cannot put a number on how cute a dog breed is, for example. Beauty is in the eye of the beholder.
Also, the dog breed that best suits you will depend on your peculiar lifestyle, your taste, and your priorities, which we do not know. So, for you to decide on which breed is right for you, read through the rest of the article to further understand both the Flat-Coated Retriever and the Japanese Spitz so that you can make your own well-informed decision on which pet to get.
The Most Remarkable Differences Between the Flat-Coated Retriever and the Japanese Spitz
Below is a list of where the Flat-Coated Retriever and the Japanese Spitz are most different:
The Similarities Between the Flat-Coated Retriever and the Japanese Spitz
The Flat-Coated Retriever and the Japanese Spitz are very similar in certain aspects. Below is the list of where the Flat-Coated Retriever and the Japanese Spitz are most similar:
Size (Weight and Height) of Flat-Coated Retriever versus Japanese Spitz
Now, let us discuss the difference in size between the Flat-Coated Retriever and the Japanese Spitz.
Flat-Coated Retrievers weigh 55 to 70 pounds when fully grown. Flat-Coated Retrievers are 1 foot, 10 inches to 2 feet tall at the shoulder when fully grown.
On the other hand, Japanese Spitzs weigh 11 to 20 pounds when fully grown. Japanese Spitzs are 10 to 16 inches when fully grown.
Price of Flat-Coated Retriever versus Price of Japanese Spitz
The average price of the Flat-Coated Retriever puppy is $1350. The price of the Flat-Coated Retriever typically ranges from $1150 – $1800. However, the price of a Flat-Coated Retriever can be as low as $100 and as high as $2500. We obtained this price information by reviewing the prices of 8 Flat-Coated Retriever puppies listed for sale from various sources.
The average price of the Japanese Spitz puppy is $1600. The price of the Japanese Spitz typically ranges from $1500 – $2000. However, the price of a Japanese Spitz can be as low as $800 and as high as $2200. We obtained this price information by collecting and reviewing the prices of 5 Japanese Spitz puppies listed for sale from various sources.
The Japanese Spitz is more expensive than the Flat-Coated Retriever.
| Flat-Coated Retriever | Japanese Spitz | |
|---|---|---|
| Average Price | $1350 | $1600 |
| Price Range | $1150 to $1800 | $1500 to $2000 |
The charts below show the price distribution for the Flat-Coated Retriever and Japanese Spitz. For different price points, the charts show how many Flat-Coated Retriever puppies or how many Japanese Spitz puppies are listed for sale at those price points.
A breakdown of the prices of Flat-Coated Retrievers. The typical price range is shaded Green.
A breakdown of the prices of Japanese Spitzs
Note that a lot of factors determine how much you can expect to pay for the Flat-Coated Retriever puppy or the Japanese Spitz puppy. This includes if health screening tests have been performed on the puppy, if the puppy is from a famous pedigree, the US State where the puppy is bred, etc.
Nevertheless, when looking from a puppy, look at buying a puppy only from well-established breeders that breed puppies primarily for the love of dogs, and secondarily for profit. Do not buy a puppy from one of those puppy mills that mass-produce puppies in bad living conditions for maximum profit.
You may also consider adopting a dog instead of buying a dog.
Is the Flat-Coated Retriever Better for Apartment Owners than the Japanese Spitz?
Flat-Coated Retrievers do not adapt well to apartment living.
Japanese Spitzs adapt very well to apartment living.
Tolerates Being Alone: Flat-Coated Retriever versus Japanese Spitz
Flat-Coated Retrievers do not like to be left alone.
Japanese Spitzs do not like to be left alone.
Which is Better for New Dog Owners, the Flat-Coated Retriever or the Japanese Spitz?
Flat-Coated Retrievers are not the best dogs for new dog owners.
Japanese Spitzs are very good for new dog owners.
Which one drools more, the Flat-Coated Retriever or the Japanese Spitz
Flat-Coated Retrievers do have a very low tendency to drool.
Japanese Spitzs do have a very low tendency to drool.
Do Flat-Coated Retrievers shed more than Japanese Spitzs?
Flat-Coated Retrievers shed moderately.
Japanese Spitzs shed moderately.
Does the Flat-Coated Retriever Have a Higher Prey Drive than the Japanese Spitz?
Flat-Coated Retrievers have a moderate prey drive. They can sometimes chase after smaller animals and pets.
Japanese Spitzs have a very low prey drive. This means they get won`t chase after smaller pets. They tend to get along well with other pets.
Can Flat-Coated Retrievers Tolerate Cold Weather? And can Japanese Spitzs Tolerate Cold Weather?
Flat-Coated Retrievers can very well tolerate cold weather.
Japanese Spitzs can very well tolerate cold weather.
Can Flat-Coated Retrievers Tolerate Hot Weather? Can Japanese Spitzs Tolerate Hot Weather?
Flat-Coated Retrievers can tolerate hot weather.
Japanese Spitzs can tolerate hot weather as long as the weather is not too hot.
Which is Easier to Groom, the Flat-Coated Retriever or the Japanese Spitz?
Flat-Coated Retrievers are very easy to groom.
Japanese Spitzs are very easy to groom.
Is the Flat-Coated Retriever Easier to Train than the Japanese Spitz?
Flat-Coated Retrievers are very easy to train.
Japanese Spitzs are very easy to train.
Do Flat-Coated Retrievers Bark and Howl? What about Japanese Spitzs?
Flat-Coated Retrievers are highly vocal. They have the tendency to bark and howl.
Japanese Spitzs are highly vocal. They have the tendency to bark and howl.
Wanderlust Potential: Flat-Coated Retriever vs. Japanese Spitz
Flat-Coated Retrievers have a high tendency to wander. They are easily distracted by other animals or objects.
Japanese Spitzs do not have the potential to wander after things that capture their attention. They tend to stay around where you leave them.
Are Flat-Coated Retrievers good family dogs? What about Japanese Spitzs?
Flat-Coated Retrievers are great family dogs. They are very affectionate with family.
Japanese Spitzs are great family dogs. They are very affectionate with family.
How Kid-friendly are Flat-Coated Retrievers and Japanese Spitzs?
Flat-Coated Retrievers get along well with kids. They are kid-friendly.
Japanese Spitzs get along well with kids. They are kid-friendly.
Which Dog Breed is more Dog-Friendly, the Flat-Coated Retriever or the Japanese Spitz?
Flat-Coated Retrievers get along very well with other dogs.
Japanese Spitzs get along very well with other dogs.
Other Dog Breeds That are Similar to the Flat-Coated Retriever
Furthermore, there are other dog breeds that are very similar to the Flat-Coated Retriever that you can consider on your quest to get the best pet.
We crunched the numbers and found that the following dog breeds have similar personality and temperament as the Flat-Coated Retriever:
Other Dog Breeds That are Similar to the Japanese Spitz
Furthermore, there are other dog breeds that are very similar to the Japanese Spitz that you can consider on your quest to get the best pet.
We crunched the numbers and found that the following dog breeds have similar personality and temperament as the Japanese Spitz:
Other Breed Comparisons that Might Interest You
You may also be interested in how the Flat-Coated Retriever and how the Japanese Spitz compares to other breeds. So, see below the comparison of the Flat-Coated Retriever and of the Japanese Spitz to other breeds:
Flat-Coated Retriever Versus Other Dog Breeds
Flat-Coated Retriever versus Bearded Collie Flat-Coated Retriever versus Labradoodle Flat-Coated Retriever versus Karelian Bear Dog Flat-Coated Retriever versus French Bulldog Flat-Coated Retriever versus Welsh Springer Spaniel Flat-Coated Retriever versus Rhodesian Ridgeback Flat-Coated Retriever versus Sealyham Terrier Flat-Coated Retriever versus Neapolitan Mastiff Flat-Coated Retriever versus Boxer Flat-Coated Retriever versus Rottweiler
Japanese Spitz Versus Other Dog Breeds
Japanese Spitz versus Whoodle Japanese Spitz versus Pug Japanese Spitz versus Tibetan Mastiff Japanese Spitz versus Fila Brasileiro Japanese Spitz versus Affenpinscher Japanese Spitz versus Biewer Terrier Japanese Spitz versus Miniature Pinscher Japanese Spitz versus Chinese Shar-Pei Japanese Spitz versus Welsh Terrier Japanese Spitz versus Caucasian Shepherd Dog
Conclusion: Flat-Coated Retriever versus Japanese Spitz. Which One is a Better Pet?
In summary, there is nothing like a better dog breed or a worse dog breed. The important question to ask is which dog breed better matches your interests and lifestyle. We hope our discussion above will help you in deciding which dog breed between the Flat-Coated Retriever and the Japanese Spitz better suits you and your family.