Japanese Terrier

Behavior

The Japanese Terrier is a very happy, smart dog that can be trained quite easily. The behavior of this dog makes it a wonderful companion dog. They are noted for being very cheerful and for being just as happy to curl up in a person’s lap as they are to run around play outside. They are known for being a very gentle breed, however they are also quite cautious in nature and are very sensitive, a very common trait among small breed dogs. For this reason, loud households and those with very young children may not be the perfect setting for this type of dog.

They are also not known for being great with other pets. The Japanese Terrier thrives in a home where it is the only pet to lavish attention on and will be very devoted to its owner. They love to be at home and relax, but they also need their play time to run off their energy. It is a great companion dog that is known to be very loyal and will always stand by you.

Appearance

A Japanese Terrier, like other types of terriers, is very small in size. They normally weigh between six and nine pounds when fully grown, making them very small. They only grow to be between eleven and thirteen inches tall as well. What they are most known for in their appearance is that they have a very striking black head that is in great contrast to the rest of their bodies, which is normally all white in color. They are very muscular and strong even though they have a very small frame and stature. Japanese Terriers have a very wide forehead and dark eyes and their ears are noted for standing up when the dog is on the alert for something. The white coat is short and silky and is smooth to look at and to touch.

Grooming

Grooming for a Japanese Terrier is very similar to that of other short-haired dogs. You want to be sure that you do regular brushing, but because they are short-haired you do not need to brush them every day. Occasional brushing is usually more than sufficient to help remove any debris or avoid any tangles from occurring. Bathing is also not needed very often and should only be done when it is necessary so you can avoid any skin problems from bathing too often. This particular dog, since its hair is so short, thrives well in warmer climates.

History

The Japanese Terrier is a direct descendant of the Fox Terrier. When fox terriers were initially brought to Japan in the 1800s they were often bred with small breeds of Pointers and with other small dogs. This led to the development of the Japanese Terrier. History seems to indicate that the dog was not bred for any particular purpose other than to be a pet and companion, which is unlike the Fox Terrier and other breeds of terrier which are particularly bred for hunting small animals. Also referred to as the Nippon Terrier or the Nihon Terrier, it remains a very popular breed in Japan and has grown in popularity across Europe and in North America.