ABOUT US
Andreja Grahek
Breeder
The Japanese Spitz (Nihon Supittsu) have a kind character, are quick learners, devoted to their owner and are very grateful. They must live with their family in the house or apartment, otherwise they suffer.
Their fur needs very little care, weekly nourishment is sufficient as fur is covered with Teflon like matter, so the dirt falls off without washing. They do not need bathing, only on special occasions when prepared for some special events. Ears are triangle-shaped and turned up; tail is curved on top of the back. Its eyes are dark almond-like shape.
Shiro joined us in 2013 as a puppy from kennel "Japonska" and its breeder Silvana Pavlin. Ayame is a puppy from our first litter in 2016, she is, therefore, Shiro's daughter.
We do not participate in exhibitions very often despite reasonable success. I'd rather think an exhibition as an opportunity to form new acquaintances and possibly friendships. Incidentally, it was at one of those exhibitions that we met Anka in Jože, who own a beautiful - both in appearance and character - male Japanese spitz by the name Goho.
My first motivation for breeding was the notion that this would have a positive effect on the health of my dog. I began to explore the proper ways to breed, the conditions and rules for puppies to get a pedigree and so on. The rules and legislation are updated all the time so those need to be followed closely too.
Soon enough, Shiro became the mother of three beauties, two little female and a male puppy as her first litter. The whelping was easy, she knew everything instinctively, and she looked after the puppies very well. We handed out two puppies while Ayame stayed with us. Following these beautiful experiences, I decided to register a kennel and so, here we are.
ABOUT OUR DOGS
Dogs are family members and as such we wish only the best for them. Before making a decision about taking in a dog we should, therefore, consider the following facts.
A dog should not be given as a gift. Not for holidays, not for a birthday. Even when a person is heard fantasizing about owning a dog; there is a long way between making a wish and actually taking responsibility.
Only an adult can care for a dog. Dogs are great and grateful kid companions, always ready to play. However, children can not carry out the responsibilities and obligations of education, nutrition, and care for a dog's health. A dog needs regular, disciplined attention, walks and play, visits to a veterinarian.
A dog brings changes. In a family that did not have a dog member before, a dog will turn the daily routine upside down. Nothing will be the same as before. A dog requires at least three walks per day to relieve itself and stretch its legs. A dog will also take its space in your home and will inevitably leave a trace of its presence.
We do not take in a dog if it's going to be a burden. Our dog should be our joy and happiness. We should look forward to every walk. Our dog should not take our free time, but rather be a part of our free time, just as our whole family is. A dog will incur costs because it needs to be fed, nurtured and its health needs to be taken care of. All this should be out of our joy, for we love our dog as a family member and it returns its love for us unconditionally and a thousandfold.
For these reasons and inclinations, I am looking forward to working with you closely through our journey towards your new family member. I am ready to answer your questions and believe me, the more you ask, the more it will make me happy and assured that the puppy will be cared for well. The commitments of this journey are also defined in the puppy contract. I pledge myself and my availability to you not only during gestation and litter care before hand-over but also after you receive your puppy, for questions and advice in relation to our dogs. In the event of any trouble or doubt you might encounter I will be here working with you to find a solution. I will be very happy to stay in touch even if it's only to keep track of how well our canine progeny is doing.
WHAT TO EXPECT WHEN EXPECTING
Our puppies are bred according to the rules of the Slovenian Cynology Association and the FCI. Both females have a pedigree and a breeding permit class A which means the required gene tests have been performed. Their breeding mates are selected carefully - as they should be - and they are both checked for proper genetic compatibility.
10 days after the start of the estrus phase, a blood test is first performed and the progesterone level is measured. Based on the results and consultation with the veterinarian a decision is made whether the bitch is ready for inception, or that the blood test should be repeated in two days. We attempt mating twice, two days apart. The jump (mating) must be reported to authorities regardless of the outcome.
28 days later an ultrasound examination is performed. We find out if the dog is pregnant. At this point we can only estimate the number of puppies. In this breed, the number of puppies may range from two to five, and most often times there are three.
​
The gestation period is 2 months. The nest needs to be ready for at least one week before parturition in order to let the female familiarize itself with it and give it a "personal" touch. Usually this means rearranging or even tearing the blanket in a "satisfactory" way. A week before parturition we begin measuring the body temperature. Two days before the calculated day of parturition, we visit the veterinarian again for an ultrasound. This time counting puppies is easier although not entirely accurate still, but it helps to know what to expect. Twenty-four hours before labour the dog's body temperature drops, which is a sign that the time is up and the midwives need to get into standby.
Each newborn puppy is weighted and marked. In the following days we monitor progress with daily weighing. After a week they are examined by a licensed breeding consultant from the Cynological Association, then again at seven weeks of age. In the eighth week the puppies are vaccinated against infectious diseases and chipping is performed. Each puppy receives its passport, and a couple of months later the Association releases a pedigree certificate, based on the report of the breeding consultant and both parent's licenses and certificates.
Puppies must remain with the litter for two months at least. During this period they develop basic socialization skills for a healthy attitude towards other dogs they encounter later in life and for successful integration into their new loving human family.
SHIRO
Conforming with the FCI standards with breeding grade A, she is a smaller specimen of the breed.
​
She is non-confrontational, calm, in all dog encounters she is submissive, cautious towards humans at first, but very soon she exposes her belly for petting.
AYAME
Conforming with the FCI standard with breeding grade A, junior champion. She is also a smaller specimen.
In encounters with dogs, she wants to win respect. She will not submit, but she withdraws if the opponent is big enough. At home she is the top amongst the resident animals. She is very friendly and sparkling in interaction with humans, partial to shenanigans too.
LINKS
Our kennel is a member of the Slovenian club for spitz and primitive breeds "Klub 5".
Our kennel is registered with the Cynological Association Slovenia and the Fédération Cynologique Internationale under the official designation (FCI kennel name) SHIROIYOROKOBI.