The Japanese Spitz

 
The Japanese Spitz is a small family companion with the heart of a large watchdog. This breed may look similar to American Eskimo Dogs, white Pomeranians, or small Samoyeds, but Japanese Spitz dogs have their own lineages and hail from, as you might guess, Japan. Although this breed is not recognized by the American Kennel Club, it is accepted by many other kennel clubs around the world.
 
Japanese Spitz dogs are also intelligent, easy to train, low-maintenance, and great with children. They make good apartment dogs, so long as owners meet their exercise needs, and they have fairly low grooming needs, despite the appearance of their gorgeous, white fur. Dogs of this breed are protective of their human families, even though they are small in stature, and they are known to bark when strangers enter their territory without backing down. If you want a dog that will be a dedicated family member with spirit and personality that far exceed their physical size, the Japanese Spitz might be the pooch for you.