Last Updated: May 01, 2022
Quick Links: Table of Contents
- Collie Versus Japanese Spitz: Introduction
- Collie versus Japanese Spitz: Overview
- Collie versus Japanese Spitz: Comparison Table
- The Similarities Between the Collie and the Japanese Spitz
- Size Comparison of the Collie versus Japanese Spitz
- Lifespan of Collie versus Japanese Spitz
- Price of Collie versus Price of Japanese Spitz
- Tolerates Being Alone: Collie versus Japanese Spitz
- Do Collies shed more than Japanese Spitzs?
- Which is Easier to Groom, the Collie or the Japanese Spitz?
- Which Dog Breed is more Dog-Friendly, the Collie or the Japanese Spitz?
- Are Collies good family dogs? What about Japanese Spitzs?
- Is the Collie Easier to Train than the Japanese Spitz?
- Which one drools more, the Collie or the Japanese Spitz
- How Kid-friendly are Collies and Japanese Spitzs?
- Does the Collie Have a Higher Prey Drive than the Japanese Spitz?
- Do Collies Bark and Howl? What about Japanese Spitzs?
- Can Collies Tolerate Cold Weather? And can Japanese Spitzs Tolerate Cold Weather?
- Wanderlust Potential: Collie vs. Japanese Spitz
- Can Collies Tolerate Hot Weather? Can Japanese Spitzs Tolerate Hot Weather?
- Collie Versus Other Dog Breeds
- Conclusion: Collie versus Japanese Spitz. Which One is a Better Pet?
Collie Versus Japanese Spitz: Introduction
Are you thinking of getting a new pet dog, and you have narrowed down your choices to the Collie and the Japanese Spitz? 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 Collie 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 Collie and the Japanese Spitz.
Furthermore, we will let you know which one of the Collie 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 Collie 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 with more insight into deciding which pet to get between the Collie 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 Collie or the Japanese Spitz.
Note that the Collie breed comes in two varieties based on coat texture. There is the smooth collie and the rough collie. Read our article on rough collie versus smooth collie.
Furthermore, the border collie dog breed is very different from the collie dog breed. Learn about the differences between these two dog breeds in our border collie versus collie article.
See this article that compares the Border Collie to the Japanese Spitz.
Finally, just like the collie, the border collie also comes in two varieties. There is the rough border collie and the smooth border collie. To learn about the differences and similarities between them, check out our article on rough-coat border collie versus smooth-coat border collie.
Collie versus Japanese Spitz: Overview
A very important difference between the Collie and the Japanese Spitz is the size difference between the two dog breeds. The Collie is a medium-sized dog while the Japanese Spitz is a small-sized dog.
Furthermore, the Collie belongs to the Herding Dogs group. Herding Dogs were bred for moving livestock, including sheep, cattle, and even reindeer. Herding dogs work closely with their human shepherds, and their natural intelligence and responsiveness make them highly trainable. They have high levels of energy, which needs to be channeled properly to prevent destructive behavior. Herding breeds are protective of their people and property and make excellent watchdogs. Their intelligence, agility, and activity level make them well suited to dog sports.
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.
Collie versus Japanese Spitz: Comparison Table
The table below compares the Collie 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.
Later in this article, we will further explain each factor as it applies to the Collie and the Japanese Spitz
| Factor | Collie | Japanese Spitz |
|---|---|---|
| Does NOT Drool | 5/5 | 5/5 |
| Tendency NOT to Wander | 5/5 | 4/5 |
| Life Span | 10 to 14 years | 10 to 16 years |
| Tolerates Being Alone | 2/5 | 2/5 |
| Easy To Groom | 2/5 | 4/5 |
| Calmness/ Low Vigor | 4/5 | 4/5 |
| Height | 22 to 26 inches all at the shoulder | 10 to 16 inches |
| Adapts Well To Apartment Living | 3/5 | 4/5 |
| Tolerates Hot Weather | 3/5 | 3/5 |
| General Health | 3/5 | 3/5 |
| Potential NOT to Gain Weight | 3/5 | 4/5 |
| Does NOT chew on things | 3/5 | 4/5 |
| NOT Rambunctious | 3/5 | 3/5 |
| Minimal Exercise Needs | 3/5 | 3/5 |
| Good For Novice Owners | 4/5 | 4/5 |
| Tolerates Cold Weather | 4/5 | 4/5 |
| Dog Friendly | 4/5 | 4/5 |
| Friendly Toward Strangers | 4/5 | 2/5 |
| Easy To Train | 4/5 | 4/5 |
| Intelligence | 4/5 | 4/5 |
| Low Prey Drive | 2/5 | 4/5 |
| Does NOT Bark or Howl | 2/5 | 2/5 |
| Potential For Playfulness | 4/5 | 4/5 |
| Easygoing | 1/5 | 3/5 |
| Affectionate With Family | 5/5 | 4/5 |
| Kid-Friendly | 5/5 | 5/5 |
| Does NOT Shed | 1/5 | 3/5 |
| Weight | 50 to 70 pounds | 11 to 20 pounds |
| Average Lifespan | 12.0 years | 13.0 years |
| Average Price | $1480 | $1740 |
| Price Range | $1000 – $1800 | $1500 – $2150 |
| Common Health Problems and Recommended Health Tests | No Data |
Next, we added the scores of the factors that can be added together for the Collie 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 the Collie is 83 out of 125 while the Better-Pet score for the Japanese Spitz is 90 out of 125.
Despite the higher Better-Pet score of the Japanese Spitz, we still believe that the Collie is a better pet than the Japanese Spitz.
This is because Collies are much cuter but you cannot put a score on cuteness. If you could put a score on cuteness, then the Collie will come out on top.
Also, we are biased in favor of the Collie :-). We are for the Collie. So get a Collie!
The Similarities Between the Collie and the Japanese Spitz
The Collie and the Japanese Spitz are very similar in certain aspects. Below is the list of where the Collie and the Japanese Spitz are most similar:
Size Comparison of the Collie versus Japanese Spitz
Now, let us discuss the difference in size between the Collie and the Japanese Spitz.
The Collie weighs 50 to 70 pounds when fully grown. The Collie is 22 to 26 inches all at the shoulder when fully grown.
On the other hand, the Japanese Spitz weighs 11 to 20 pounds when fully grown. The Japanese Spitz is 10 to 16 inches when fully grown.
Lifespan of Collie versus Japanese Spitz
The lifespan of the Collie is between 10 to 14 years. The average lifespan of the Collie is 12.0 years.
The lifespan of the Japanese Spitz is between 10 to 16 years. The average lifespan of the Japanese Spitz is 13.0 years.
The Japanese Spitz live longer than the Collie.
Price of Collie versus Price of Japanese Spitz
The average price of the Collie puppy is $1480. The price of the Collie typically ranges from $1000 – $1800. However, the price of a Collie can be as low as $300 and as high as $15000. We obtained this price information by reviewing the prices of 356 Collie puppies listed for sale from various sources.
The average price of the Japanese Spitz puppy is $1740. The price of the Japanese Spitz typically ranges from $1500 – $2150. However, the price of the Japanese Spitz can be as low as $800 and as high as $2400. We obtained this price information by collecting and reviewing the prices of 6 Japanese Spitz puppies listed for sale from various sources.
The Japanese Spitz is more expensive than the Collie.
| Collie | Japanese Spitz | |
|---|---|---|
| Average Price | $1480 | $1740 |
| Price Range | $1000 to $1800 | $1500 to $2150 |
The charts below show the price distribution for the Collie and Japanese Spitz. For different price points, the charts show how many Collie puppies or how many Japanese Spitz puppies are listed for sale at those price points.
A breakdown of the prices of Collies. 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 Collie 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 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.
Check out our list of best Collie breeders here
Tolerates Being Alone: Collie versus Japanese Spitz
Collies do not like to be left alone.
Japanese Spitzs do not like to be left alone.
Do Collies shed more than Japanese Spitzs?
Collies shed. They are not recommended for people with dog allergies.
Japanese Spitzs shed moderately.
Which is Easier to Groom, the Collie or the Japanese Spitz?
Collies require a lot of grooming and they are not very easy to groom.
Japanese Spitzs are very easy to groom.
Which Dog Breed is more Dog-Friendly, the Collie or the Japanese Spitz?
Collies get along very well with other dogs.
Japanese Spitzs get along very well with other dogs.
Are Collies good family dogs? What about Japanese Spitzs?
Collies are great family dogs. They are very affectionate with family.
Japanese Spitzs are great family dogs. They are very affectionate with family.
Is the Collie Easier to Train than the Japanese Spitz?
Collies are very easy to train.
Japanese Spitzs are very easy to train.
Which one drools more, the Collie or the Japanese Spitz
Collies do have a very low tendency to drool.
Japanese Spitzs do have a very low tendency to drool.
How Kid-friendly are Collies and Japanese Spitzs?
Collies get along well with kids. They are kid-friendly.
Japanese Spitzs get along well with kids. They are kid-friendly.
Does the Collie Have a Higher Prey Drive than the Japanese Spitz?
Collies have a high prey drive. They have the tendency to chase after smaller animals and pets. They do not get along well with other 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.
Do Collies Bark and Howl? What about Japanese Spitzs?
Collies are highly vocal. They have the tendency to bark and howl.
Japanese Spitzs are highly vocal. They have the tendency to bark and howl.
Can Collies Tolerate Cold Weather? And can Japanese Spitzs Tolerate Cold Weather?
Collies can very well tolerate cold weather.
Japanese Spitzs can very well tolerate cold weather.
Wanderlust Potential: Collie vs. Japanese Spitz
Collies do not have the potential to wander after things that capture their attention. They tend to stay around where you leave them.
Japanese Spitzs do not have the potential to wander after things that capture their attention. They tend to stay around where you leave them.
Can Collies Tolerate Hot Weather? Can Japanese Spitzs Tolerate Hot Weather?
Collies can tolerate hot weather as long as the weather is not too hot.
Japanese Spitzs can tolerate hot weather as long as the weather is not too hot.
Is the Collie Better for Apartment Owners than the Japanese Spitz?
Collies adapt moderately well to apartment living.
Japanese Spitzs adapt very well to apartment living.
Which is Better for New Dog Owners, the Collie or the Japanese Spitz?
Collies are very good for new dog owners.
Japanese Spitzs are very good for new dog owners.
Collie Versus Other Dog Breeds
You may also be interested in how the Collie compares to other breeds aside from the Japanese Spitz. So, see below the links to the comparison of the Collie to other breeds:
Collie versus Newfoundland Collie versus Pug Collie versus German Longhaired Pointer Collie versus Pomchi Collie versus Shih Tzu Collie versus Bull Terrier Collie versus Toy Fox Terrier Collie versus Kai Ken Collie versus Mountain Cur Collie versus Sealyham Terrier Collie versus Glen of Imaal Terrier Collie versus Redbone Coonhound Collie versus Akita Chow Collie versus Saint Bernard Collie versus Spinone Italiano Collie versus Doberman Pinscher Collie versus SloughiConclusion: Collie 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 Collie and the Japanese Spitz better suits you and your family.
