A great deal of thought,  studying of pedigrees and a review of each litter when they are adults,  mixed with many an educated guess and a dash of luck, all go into the genetic melting pot that results in the birth of a litter of pups.  Then they have to be skilfully, conscientiously and painstakingly  reared, so as to be healthy and adjusted when they go to their carefully chosen, new owners. 
My name is Hilary Stephen. I began my "apprenticeship" in 1963. During my many years with Border Collies I founded the LINDENBRAE  line, and was involved in showing, obedience and breeding  these wonderful dogs. Later, I decided that I should have slightly smaller dogs, as  competing in the show-ring with Border Collies required too much fast running for me.  After much research and investigation, the then, newly arrived in Australia, Japanese Spitz captured my head and my heart. They are such a delight to live with, these healthy, good natured, fun-loving, easy to care for dogs.
Little did I know that I was going to be adopted by such a wonderful breed !
Fortunately, I was able to obtain (as my foundation bitch) a 4 month old female, "Kiko", from the first pair of Japanese Spitz to be brought into Australia. As a consequence, I have been involved with the breed almost from its start in this country. 

 Kiko’s descendants have made the ABASEIKO name what it is today.

Our pups are raised in the house for the first five weeks. In their fourth week they spend time in  the garden for ever increasing periods during the day, and by the age of six weeks they are spending the night outside in a sheltered area.

 Our Vet. gives the pups a full check at birth, and then again at six weeks of age, when they are vaccinated against distemper, hepatitis, parvovirus and kennel cough.

The pups are wormed four times during the nine or so weeks that they are with us.
They are, of course, registered with the Victorian Canine Association, and have papers.

 Weaning starts at about four weeks of age and is a gradual process, with the pups being fully independent of their mother (as far as food is concerned) by the time they are six weeks old.    However, she still spends time with them for "play sessions", during which she teaches them   how to behave in a "pack" situation. Sometimes this "pack" consists of adult dogs, sometimes other animals and sometimes the "pack"  includes humans. 

At four weeks of age, the pups are introduced to grooming sessions and to wearing a soft  collar.  Some very basic lead and house training is gently worked into their routine and we take them for short car trips to accustom them to travel.

The period between three and twenty weeks is a critical one for the pups' confidence and  the development of its adult temperament. To this end, we carefully and gently introduce them to new experiences and environments.