A Detailed Comparison of the Japanese Spitz and the Vizsla.

Quick Links: Table of Contents

Japanese Spitz Versus Vizsla: Introduction

Are you thinking of getting a new pet dog, and you have narrowed down your choices to the Japanese Spitz and the Vizsla? Well, you have come to the right place. Because in this article, we will provide you with a detailed comparison of these two dog breeds to help you decide which of the Japanese Spitz and the Vizsla 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 Japanese Spitz and the Vizsla.

Furthermore, we will let you know which one of the Japanese Spitz and the Vizsla 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 Japanese Spitz and for the Vizsla. The dog breed with the higher Better-Pet score is the `better` pet. We hope that these Better-Pet Scores will provide you with more insight into deciding which pet to get between the Japanese Spitz and the Vizsla.

Our only goal here is to help you make a well-thought-out decision on your next long-term companion, be it the Japanese Spitz or the Vizsla.

Japanese Spitz versus Vizsla

Japanese Spitz versus Vizsla: Overview

A very important difference between the Japanese Spitz and the Vizsla is the size difference between the two dog breeds. The Japanese Spitz is a small-sized dog while the Vizsla is a medium-sized dog.

Furthermore, 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.

On the other hand, the Vizsla 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.

Japanese Spitz versus Vizsla: Comparison Table

The table below compares the Japanese Spitz to the Vizsla 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.

Later in this article, we will further explain each factor as it applies to the Japanese Spitz and the Vizsla

Factor Japanese Spitz Vizsla
Does NOT Drool 5/5 5/5
Height 10 to 16 inches 21 to 24 inches tall at the shoulder
Life Span 10 to 16 years 10 to 14 years
Weight 11 to 20 pounds 45 to 65 pounds
Tolerates Being Alone 2/5 1/5
Friendly Toward Strangers 2/5 5/5
Potential NOT to Gain Weight 4/5 4/5
Does NOT chew on things 4/5 2/5
Low Prey Drive 4/5 4/5
Tendency NOT to Wander 4/5 1/5
Calmness/ Low Vigor 4/5 2/5
Easygoing 3/5 1/5
Tolerates Hot Weather 3/5 4/5
Does NOT Shed 3/5 4/5
General Health 3/5 4/5
NOT Rambunctious 3/5 1/5
Minimal Exercise Needs 3/5 1/5
Adapts Well To Apartment Living 4/5 1/5
Good For Novice Owners 4/5 3/5
Tolerates Cold Weather 4/5 1/5
Affectionate With Family 4/5 5/5
Dog Friendly 4/5 5/5
Easy To Groom 4/5 5/5
Easy To Train 4/5 5/5
Intelligence 4/5 4/5
Does NOT Bark or Howl 2/5 1/5
Potential For Playfulness 4/5 5/5
Kid-Friendly 5/5 5/5
Average Lifespan 13.0 years 12.0 years
Average Price $1600 $1590
Price Range $1500 – $2000 $1200 – $1800
Common Health Problems and Recommended Health Tests No Data
  • Autoimmune thyroiditis
  • Cardiac Evaluation
  • click here
  • Elbow Dysplasia
  • Eye Examination
  • Hip Dysplasia
  • Sebaceous Adenitis
  • Next, we added the scores of the factors that can be added together for the Japanese Spitz 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 Vizsla. 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 the Japanese Spitz is 90 out of 125 while the Better-Pet score for the Vizsla is 79 out of 125.

    Based on their Better-Pet scores, the Japanese Spitz is a better pet than the Vizsla. 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 Japanese Spitz and the Vizsla so that you can make your own well-informed decision on which pet to get.

    Japanese Spitz versus Vizsla

    The Most Remarkable Differences Between the Japanese Spitz and the Vizsla

    Below is a list of where the Japanese Spitz and the Vizsla are most different:

  • Japanese Spitzs are not very friendly towards strangers. However, Vizslas are very friendly towards strangers.
  • Japanese Spitzs do not have the potential to wander after things that capture their attention. They tend to stay around where you leave them. However, Vizslas have a high tendency to wander. They are easily distracted by other animals or objects.
  • Japanese Spitzs adapt well to apartment living. However, Vizslas do not adapt well to apartment living.
  • Japanese Spitzs can tolerate cold weather. However, Vizslas cannot tolerate cold weather. They are vulnerable to the cold.
  • The Similarities Between the Japanese Spitz and the Vizsla

    The Japanese Spitz and the Vizsla are very similar in certain aspects. Below is the list of where the Japanese Spitz and the Vizsla are most similar:

  • Both the Japanese Spitz and the Vizsla do not have the tendency to drool.
  • Both the Japanese Spitz and the Vizsla do not like to be left alone.
  • Both the Japanese Spitz and the Vizsla are not prone to gaining weight easily.
  • Both the Japanese Spitz and the Vizsla have a very low prey drive. This means they get along well with other pets.
  • Both the Japanese Spitz and the Vizsla are good for new dog owners.
  • Both the Japanese Spitz and the Vizsla are great family dogs. They are very affectionate with family.
  • Both the Japanese Spitz and the Vizsla get along well with other dogs.
  • Both the Japanese Spitz and the Vizsla are very easy to groom.
  • Both the Japanese Spitz and the Vizsla are very easy to train.
  • Both the Japanese Spitz and the Vizsla are highly intelligent.
  • Both the Japanese Spitz and the Vizsla are highly vocal. They have the tendency to bark and howl.
  • Both the Japanese Spitz and the Vizsla are very playful.
  • Both the Japanese Spitz and the Vizsla get along well with kids. They are kid-friendly.
  • Size (Weight and Height) of Japanese Spitz versus Vizsla

    Now, let us discuss the difference in size between the Japanese Spitz and the Vizsla.

    Japanese Spitzs weigh 11 to 20 pounds when fully grown. Japanese Spitzs are 10 to 16 inches when fully grown.

    On the other hand, Vizslas weigh 45 to 65 pounds when fully grown. Vizslas are 21 to 24 inches tall at the shoulder when fully grown.

    Lifespan of Japanese Spitz versus Vizsla

    The lifespan of Japanese Spitzs is between 10 to 16 years. The average lifespan of Japanese Spitzs is 13.0 years.

    The lifespan of Vizslas is between 10 to 14 years. The average lifespan of Vizslas is 12.0 years.

    Japanese Spitzs live longer than Vizslas.

    Japanese Spitz versus Vizsla

    Price of Japanese Spitz versus Price of Vizsla

    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 reviewing the prices of 5 Japanese Spitz puppies listed for sale from various sources.

    The average price of the Vizsla puppy is $1590. The price of the Vizsla typically ranges from $1200 – $1800. However, the price of the Vizsla can be as low as $350 and as high as $4800. We obtained this price information by collecting and reviewing the prices of 114 Vizsla puppies listed for sale from various sources.

    The Japanese Spitz is more expensive than the Vizsla.

    Japanese Spitz Vizsla
    Average Price $1600 $1590
    Price Range $1500 to $2000 $1200 to $1800

    The charts below show the price distribution for the Japanese Spitz and Vizsla. For different price points, the charts show how many Japanese Spitz puppies or how many Vizsla puppies are listed for sale at those price points.

    A breakdown of the prices of Japanese Spitzs. The typical price range is shaded Green.

    A breakdown of the prices of Japanese Spitzs. The typical price range is shaded Green.

    A breakdown of the prices of Vizslas

    A breakdown of the prices of Vizslas

    Note that a lot of factors determine how much you can expect to pay for the Japanese Spitz puppy or the Vizsla 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 to buy 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 a puppy mill. Puppy mills mass-produce puppies in bad living conditions for maximum profit.

    You may also consider adopting a dog instead of buying a dog.

    Japanese Spitz versus Vizsla

    Tolerates Being Alone: Japanese Spitz versus Vizsla

    Japanese Spitzs do not like to be left alone.

    Vizslas do not like to be left alone.

    Do Japanese Spitzs shed more than Vizslas?

    Japanese Spitzs shed moderately.

    Vizslas do not shed a lot. They are good for people with dog allergies.

    Which one drools more, the Japanese Spitz or the Vizsla

    Japanese Spitzs do have a very low tendency to drool.

    Vizslas do have a very low tendency to drool.

    Which is Easier to Groom, the Japanese Spitz or the Vizsla?

    Japanese Spitzs are very easy to groom.

    Vizslas are very easy to groom.

    Does the Japanese Spitz Have a Higher Prey Drive than the Vizsla?

    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.

    Vizslas 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.

    Do Japanese Spitzs Bark and Howl? What about Vizslas?

    Japanese Spitzs are highly vocal. They have the tendency to bark and howl.

    Vizslas are highly vocal. They have the tendency to bark and howl.

    Can Japanese Spitzs Tolerate Cold Weather? And can Vizslas Tolerate Cold Weather?

    Japanese Spitzs can very well tolerate cold weather.

    Vizslas cannot tolerate cold weather. They are vulnerable to the cold.

    Wanderlust Potential: Japanese Spitz vs. Vizsla

    Japanese Spitzs do not have the potential to wander after things that capture their attention. They tend to stay around where you leave them.

    Vizslas have a high tendency to wander. They are easily distracted by other animals or objects.

    Can Japanese Spitzs Tolerate Hot Weather? Can Vizslas Tolerate Hot Weather?

    Japanese Spitzs can tolerate hot weather as long as the weather is not too hot.

    Vizslas can tolerate hot weather.

    Which Dog Breed is more Dog-Friendly, the Japanese Spitz or the Vizsla?

    Japanese Spitzs get along very well with other dogs.

    Vizslas get along very well with other dogs.

    Are Japanese Spitzs good family dogs? What about Vizslas?

    Japanese Spitzs are great family dogs. They are very affectionate with family.

    Vizslas are great family dogs. They are very affectionate with family.

    How Kid-friendly are Japanese Spitzs and Vizslas?

    Japanese Spitzs get along well with kids. They are kid-friendly.

    Vizslas get along well with kids. They are kid-friendly.

    Is the Japanese Spitz Easier to Train than the Vizsla?

    Japanese Spitzs are very easy to train.

    Vizslas are very easy to train.

    Is the Japanese Spitz Better for Apartment Owners than the Vizsla?

    Japanese Spitzs adapt very well to apartment living.

    Vizslas do not adapt well to apartment living.

    Which is Better for New Dog Owners, the Japanese Spitz or the Vizsla?

    Japanese Spitzs are very good for new dog owners.

    Vizslas are OK for new dog owners.

    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:

  • Bergamasco Sheepdog (79 percent match with Japanese Spitz). Here is our comparison of the Vizsla vs Bergamasco Sheepdog.
  • Bordoodle (81 percent match with Japanese Spitz). Here is our comparison of the Vizsla vs Bordoodle.
  • Dutch Shepherd (79 percent match with Japanese Spitz). Here is our comparison of the Vizsla vs Dutch Shepherd.
  • Other Dog Breeds That are Similar to the Vizsla

    Furthermore, there are other dog breeds that are very similar to the Vizsla 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 Vizsla:

  • German Shorthaired Pointer (75 percent match with Vizsla). Here is our comparison of the Japanese Spitz vs German Shorthaired Pointer.
  • Flat-Coated Retriever (76 percent match with Vizsla). Here is our comparison of the Japanese Spitz vs Flat-Coated Retriever.
  • Pointer (74 percent match with Vizsla). Here is our comparison of the Japanese Spitz vs Pointer.
  • Other Breed Comparisons that Might Interest You

    You may also be interested in how the Japanese Spitz and how the Vizsla compares to other breeds. So, see below the comparison of the Japanese Spitz and of the Vizsla to other breeds:

    Japanese Spitz Versus Other Dog Breeds

    Japanese Spitz versus Black Russian Terrier     Japanese Spitz versus Barbet     Japanese Spitz versus Karelian Bear Dog     Japanese Spitz versus Treeing Walker Coonhound     Japanese Spitz versus Shiba Inu     Japanese Spitz versus Bergamasco Sheepdog     Japanese Spitz versus Chinese Shar-Pei     Japanese Spitz versus Carolina Dog     Japanese Spitz versus Bull Terrier     Japanese Spitz versus Cavachon     Japanese Spitz versus Bearded Collie     Japanese Spitz versus Belgian Malinois     Japanese Spitz versus Great Dane     Japanese Spitz versus Australian Shepherd     Japanese Spitz versus Black Russian Terrier     Japanese Spitz versus Central Asian Shepherd Dog     Japanese Spitz versus Afghan Hound     Japanese Spitz versus Braque du Bourbonnais     Japanese Spitz versus Black Russian Terrier     Japanese Spitz versus Plott     Japanese Spitz versus Black Russian Terrier     Japanese Spitz versus Morkie     Japanese Spitz versus Akita Chow     Japanese Spitz versus Welsh Springer Spaniel     Japanese Spitz versus Silky Terrier     

    Vizsla Versus Other Dog Breeds

    Vizsla versus Tibetan Spaniel     Vizsla versus Dalmatian     Vizsla versus Bulldog     Vizsla versus Irish Terrier     Vizsla versus Alaskan Malamute     Vizsla versus Carolina Dog     Vizsla versus Norfolk Terrier     Vizsla versus Labradoodle     Vizsla versus Bich Poo     Vizsla versus Silky Terrier     Vizsla versus Puli     Vizsla versus Cairn Terrier     Vizsla versus Kooikerhondje     Vizsla versus Golden Retriever     Vizsla versus Mudi     Vizsla versus Cairn Terrier     Vizsla versus Australian Shepherd     Vizsla versus Berger Picard     Vizsla versus Mastiff     Vizsla versus Staffordshire Bull Terrier     Vizsla versus Irish Terrier     Vizsla versus Great Pyrenees     Vizsla versus Anatolian Shepherd Dog     Vizsla versus Morkie     Vizsla versus Pomsky     

    Conclusion: Japanese Spitz versus Vizsla. 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 Japanese Spitz and the Vizsla better suits you and your family.