Maremma Sheepdog vs Hokkaido Dog vs Japanese Spitz – Which one is a better dog breed for you?

"Find similarities and differences between Maremma Sheepdog vs Hokkaido Dog vs Japanese Spitz" Compare Maremma Sheepdog and Hokkaido Dog. Which is better: Maremma Sheepdog or Hokkaido Dog or Japanese Spitz?

General Appearance Hair & Care Characteristics Good With Health Factors Reproducibility Show differences only

Name	Maremma Sheepdog	Hokkaido Dog	Japanese Spitz
Origins	Italy	Japan	Japan
All Dog Breeds By Country Of Origin
Group	Pastoral Dogs (Herding Dogs)	Working Dogs	Companion Dogs
Popularity Rank	398	414	229
Reviews	2	0	4
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Other Names	Cane da Pastore, Maremmano-Abruzzese, Pastore Abruzzese, Pastore Maremmano, Abruzzo Sheepdog, Abruzzese Sheepdog, Maremma, Maremmano	Ainu dog, Dō-ken, Ainu-ken, Seta	Nihon Supittsu
Breed Type	Purebred	Purebred	Purebred
AKC Group	Not recognized by the American Kennel Club.	Not recognized by the American Kennel Club.	Not recognized by the American Kennel Club.
FCI Group	Recognized by FCI in the Sheepdogs and Cattledogs (except Swiss Cattledogs) group, in the Sheepdogs section.	Not recognized by FCI.	Recognized by FCI in the Spitz and primitive types group, in the Asian Spitz and related breeds section.
Breed Recognition	American Canine Registry America's Pet Registry Continental Kennel Club Dog Registry of America Inc. Federation Cynologique Internationale Kennel Club of Great Britain National Kennel Club New Zealand Kennel Club United Kennel Club	America's Pet Registry Continental Kennel Club Dog Registry of America Inc. Federation Cynologique Internationale Foundation Stock Service American Canine Association, Inc.	American Canine Registry America's Pet Registry Continental Kennel Club Dog Registry of America Inc. Federation Cynologique Internationale Kennel Club of Great Britain National Kennel Club American Canine Association, Inc.
Price	$600-$800	$300-$500	$500-$800

General Appearance - Maremma Sheepdog vs Hokkaido Dog vs Japanese Spitz

Size	Large	Large	Small
Weight	Male: 80 - 95 pounds (36 - 43 kg), Female: 70 - 85 pounds (32 - 38 kg)	45-65 pounds (20-30 kg)	11-20 pounds (5-10 kg)
Avg. Weight	Male: 85 pounds (38.5 kg), Female: 70 pounds (31.5 kg)	55 pounds (25 kg)	15.5 pounds (7.5 kg)
Height	24-29 inches (60-73 cm)	18-22 inches (46-56 cm)	12-15 inches (30-38 cm)
Avg. Height	26.5 inches (66.5 cm)	20 inches (49 cm)	13.5 inches (34 cm)

Hair & Care - Maremma Sheepdog vs Hokkaido Dog vs Japanese Spitz

Coat	Rough Thick Double	Thick	Thick
Colors	White Yellow	Black Black & Tan Brindle White	White
Grooming	Average: The Maremma Sheepdog requires average grooming effort.	Advanced: The Hokkaido Dog requires a lot of grooming.	Advanced: The Japanese Spitz requires a lot of grooming.
Shedding Level	Maremma Sheepdogs shed moderately.	Hokkaido Dogs shed moderately.	Japanese Spitzs shed moderately.

Characteristics - Maremma Sheepdog vs Hokkaido Dog vs Japanese Spitz

Temperament	Alert Dignified Intelligent Determined Friendly Loyal	Alert Docile Brave Courageous Faithful	Affectionate Proud Intelligent Companionable Playful Loyal
Intelligent Rank	Low to average: This canine intelligence is not the brightest one.	Average: Hokkaido Dog's has average obedience intelligence.	Average: Japanese Spitz's has average obedience intelligence.
Trainability	Maremma Sheepdogs are quite easy to train.	Hokkaido Dogs are quite easy to train.	Japanese Spitzs are quite easy to train.
Playfulness	Maremma Sheepdogs, like any other dog breed, like playing.	Hokkaido Dogs, like any other dog breed, like playing.	The Japanese Spitz is a highly playful breed.
Sensitivity Level	They are a little bit more sensitive than other dog breeds.	They are a little bit more sensitive than other dog breeds.	Japanese Spitzs have an average emotional level and are not the most sensitive dog breed.
Affection Level	Maremma Sheepdogs are genuinely loyal, soft and gentle, loving and affectionate dogs toward their handlers.	Hokkaido Dogs are genuinely loyal, soft and gentle, loving and affectionate dogs toward their handlers.	Japanese Spitzs are genuinely loyal, soft and gentle, loving and affectionate dogs toward their handlers.
Social Needs	Maremma Sheepdogs are a social breed.	Hokkaido Dogs are a social breed.	Japanese Spitzs need a lot of social interaction.
Barking	Low to Average: The Maremma Sheepdog rarely barks.	Average: The Hokkaido Dog barks occasionally.	High: The Japanese Spitz is a very vocal breed.
Watchdog Ability	Maremma Sheepdogs are good watchdogs.	Hokkaido Dogs are good watchdogs.	Japanese Spitzs are average watchdogs.
Territorial	Maremma Sheepdogs strongly protect their territory.	Hokkaido Dogs are extremely protective guard dogs.	Japanese Spitzs are extremely protective guard dogs.
Biting Potential	Low The Maremma Sheepdog has a low chance of biting somebody.	Low The Hokkaido Dog has a low chance of biting somebody.	Low The Japanese Spitz has a low chance of biting somebody.
Mouthiness	Maremma Sheepdogs have lower than average tendency to nip, chew, play-bite, or herd people.	Hokkaido Dogs have an average tendency to nip, chew, play-bite, or herd people.	Japanese Spitzs have lower than average tendency to nip, chew, play-bite, or herd people.
Impulse to Wander or Roam	Maremma Sheepdogs are not the biggest explorers.	Hokkaido Dogs have average wanderlust potential.	Japanese Spitzs tend to escape less than other breeds.
Prey Drive	Maremma Sheepdogs don't have an impulse to catch or chase small animals.	Hokkaido Dogs have an average prey drive, which means that they don't have a high impulse to chase and catch something like a cat or any other small aminals, but it might happen.	Japanese Spitzs have low to an average impulse to chase and catch something like a cat or any other small aminals.
Apartment Friendly	Maremma Sheepdogs are not the best choice for an apartment lifestyle, but they don't mind being inside if you walk them several times every day.	Hokkaido Dogs are not apartment-friendly dogs.	Japanese Spitzs are very apartment-friendly dogs.
Adaptability	Maremma Sheepdogs adapt to lifestyle changes and different living environments quite okay usually.	Hokkaido Dogs adapt to lifestyle changes and different living environments quite okay usually.	Japanese Spitzs adapt well to lifestyle changes and different living environments.
Tolerates Being Left Alone	Maremma Sheepdogs do best when a family member is at home during the day or if their workplace is dog-friendly so they can take the dog at work.	Hokkaido Dogs do best when a family member is at home during the day or if their workplace is dog-friendly so they can take the dog at work.	Japanese Spitzs tend to have separation anxiety when their owners left them alone at home because they bond very closely with them.
Fighting Dog	Not really In history, this breed was not really used for combat dog.	Not really In history, this breed was not really used for combat dog.	Not really In history, this breed was not really used for combat dog.

Good With - Maremma Sheepdog vs Hokkaido Dog vs Japanese Spitz

Stranger Friendly	Maremma Sheepdogs are average friendly towards strangers.	Hokkaido Dogs are average friendly towards strangers.	Japanese Spitzs are average friendly towards strangers.
Child Friendly	Maremma Sheepdogs are kid-friendly dogs.	Hokkaido Dogs are kid-friendly dogs.	Japanese Spitzs are very kid-friendly dogs.
Cat Friendly	Maremma Sheepdogs are cat-friendly dogs.	Hokkaido Dogs are average friendly towards cats.	Japanese Spitzs are cat-friendly dogs.
Dog Friendly	Maremma Sheepdogs are average friendly towards other dogs.	Hokkaido Dogs are dog-friendly dogs.	Japanese Spitzs are dog-friendly dogs.
Office Friendly	No Maremma Sheepdog is not the best dog breed for office environment.	No Hokkaido Dog is not the best dog breed for office environment.	No Japanese Spitz is not the best dog breed for office environment.
Senior Citizens Friendly	Maremma Sheepdogs are usually recommended for elderly people.	Hokkaido Dogs are usually recommended for elderly people.	Japanese Spitzs are one of the best breeds for elderly people.
Pet Friendly	Maremma Sheepdogs are usually friendly towards other pets.	Hokkaido Dogs are generally with other pets.	Japanese Spitzs are usually friendly towards other pets.
Good For First Time Owners	No Maremma Sheepdogs are not good for novice owners, due to their stubborn personality.	No Hokkaido Dogs are not good for novice owners, due to their stubborn personality.	Yes Japanese Spitzs are good for novice owners, due to their easy-going personality.
Service Dog	Not really This breed generally not used as a service dog.	Not really This breed generally not used as a service dog.	Not really This breed generally not used as a service dog.
Therapy Dog	Not really This breed generally not used as a therapy dog.	Not really This breed generally not used as a therapy dog.	Not really This breed generally not used as a therapy dog.
Detection Dog or Sniffer Dog	Not really A detection dog or sniffer dog is a dog that is trained to use its senses (mostly its smell) to detect substances such as explosives, illegal drugs, wildlife scat, currency, blood, and contraband electronics such as illicit mobile phones.	Not really A detection dog or sniffer dog is a dog that is trained to use its senses (mostly its smell) to detect substances such as explosives, illegal drugs, wildlife scat, currency, blood, and contraband electronics such as illicit mobile phones.	Not really A detection dog or sniffer dog is a dog that is trained to use its senses (mostly its smell) to detect substances such as explosives, illegal drugs, wildlife scat, currency, blood, and contraband electronics such as illicit mobile phones.
Search and Rescue Dog (SAR)	Not really The use of dogs in search and rescue (SAR) is a valuable component in wilderness tracking, natural disasters, mass casualty events, and in locating missing people.	Not really The use of dogs in search and rescue (SAR) is a valuable component in wilderness tracking, natural disasters, mass casualty events, and in locating missing people.	Not really The use of dogs in search and rescue (SAR) is a valuable component in wilderness tracking, natural disasters, mass casualty events, and in locating missing people.
Boat Dog	Not really Maremma Sheepdog breed usually doesn't like being on a boat.	Not really Hokkaido Dog breed usually doesn't like being on a boat.	Not really Japanese Spitz breed usually doesn't like being on a boat.
Cart Pulling or Drafting Dog	Yes A drafting dog or draft dog is a dog bred and used for cart pulling.	Not really A drafting dog or draft dog is a dog bred and used for cart pulling.	Not really A drafting dog or draft dog is a dog bred and used for cart pulling.

Health Factors - Maremma Sheepdog vs Hokkaido Dog vs Japanese Spitz

Health Issues	The Maremma Sheepdog is a healthy breed, but there are certain health issues that you should check with your vet regularly.	The Hokkaido Dog is a healthy breed, but there are certain health issues that you should check with your vet regularly.	The Japanese Spitz is a healthy breed, but there are certain health issues that you should check with your vet regularly.
Health Problems	Bloat Drug Sensitivity Hip Dysplasia Obesity Vaccination Sensitivity	Allergies Blocked Tear Ducts Collie Eye Anomaly Cryptorchidism Heart Murmurs Hypodontia	Patellar Luxation Runny Eyes
Life Expectancy	11-13 years	12-13 years	10-16 years
Calculate dog years to human years by breed here
Hypoallergenic	No	No	No
Energy Level	Maremma Sheepdogs have an average energy level, so if you live a semi-active life, this breed can be a good choice for you.	Hokkaido Dogs have an average energy level, so if you live a semi-active life, this breed can be a good choice for you.	Japanese Spitzs have an average energy level, so if you live a semi-active life, this breed can be a good choice for you.
Exercise Need	Maremma Sheepdogs have an average exercise need.	Hokkaido Dogs have an average exercise need.	Japanese Spitzs have an average exercise need.
Sleeping Need	Maremma Sheepdogs sleep 12-14 hours a day as an average dog and they're not considered as a lazy breed.	Hokkaido Dogs sleep 12-14 hours a day as an average dog and they're not considered as a lazy breed.	Japanese Spitzs sleep 12-14 hours a day as an average dog and they're not considered as a lazy breed.
Avg. daily food consumption	3 to 4 cups of high-quality dry food a day, divided into two meals.	2 to 3 cups of high-quality dry food a day, divided into two meals.	1/2 to 1 cup dry food a day.
Weight Gain Potential	High: The Maremma Sheepdog breed has a strong tendency to overweight.	Average.	Low to Average.
Weather & Climate	Tolerates warm and cold weather.	Prefers cold weather The Hokkaido Dog can adapt well to harsh weather conditions, and also can be a good mountain dog.	Prefers average to cold weather conditions The Japanese Spitz can adapt to well to cold weather conditions, some dogs even can be a good mountain dog.
Stinkiness	Medium The Maremma Sheepdog has an average chance of bad smell.	Medium The Hokkaido Dog has an average chance of bad smell.	Medium The Japanese Spitz has an average chance of bad smell.
Drooling tendency	The Maremma Sheepdog is an average drooler.	The Hokkaido Dog is an average drooler.	The Japanese Spitz is a perfect example for very low drooling tendency.

Reproducibility - Maremma Sheepdog vs Hokkaido Dog vs Japanese Spitz

Gestation Length	60-64 days	60-64 days	60-64 days
How often can the have a litter?	Once a year. More frequent breeding is not healthy.	Once a year. More frequent breeding is not healthy.	Once a year. More frequent breeding is not healthy.
Litter Size	5-9 puppies	3-7 puppies	1-6 puppies
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