Dog
Japanese Terrier Champions
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Pronunciation:
jap-uh-neez ter-ee-er
Breed Description:
The Japanese Terrier breed of dog is a small breed that is agile and graceful. It should have the appearance of a functional dog that is streamline and compact with a muscular build and a leggy gait. The body should be square in proportion and there should be a well-defined tuck up. The tail is medium in length and is usually docked. The ears on the thin and slightly flat skull should be v-shaped and folded forward. They should also be set high on the head.
The coat of the Japanese Terrier should be short and smooth and it should cover the dog completely. The texture should be slightly rough and it should have a noticeable sheen to it. The color of the Japanese Terrier is primarily white with any of the following colors; black spots, black markings, tan markings or black and tan markings.
Temperament:
The Japanese Terrier breed of dog is a very cheerful breed that is affectionate and playful. They love being with their family, especially when their family is involved in play. They tend to be very loyal and become very attached to their family. They usually get along with other dog and while they can be trained to live with cats, their strong prey drive can make them unsuitable for smaller household pets. They are exceptional with children and make excellent family dogs.
Height:
The average height of the Japanese Terrier is between 12 to 13 inches.
Weight:
The average weight of a Japanese Terrier is between 5 to 9 pounds.
Health Problems:
The Japanese Terrier breed of dog has no known health problems, however, it is still important to research both the breed and the breeder before you choose a puppy.
Living Conditions:
The Japanese Terrier breed of dog can reside in apartments if they are properly exercised but the ideal is a home with a fenced yard. They do have a strong prey drive so it is important to have a fenced yard and to keep them on lead when you are out of the yard. The Japanese Terrier is susceptible to cold so it is important to keep them bundled up in cooler temperatures.
Exercise:
The Japanese Terrier breed of dog are an active breed and do well with 20 to 30 minutes of exercise each day. One or two walks are a must at the minimum but a Japanese Terrier will be much happier if they have time to play fetch and other games off lead.
Life Expectancy:
9 to 11 years
Grooming:
The Japanese Terrier breed of dog does not require a large amount of grooming and can be kept tidy with only one brushing a week. In addition, they only need to be bathed when it is absolutely necessary and they can be kept clean simply by wiping them down with a wet cloth in between baths.
Origin:
The Japanese Terrier breed of dog was developed in Japan during the 17th century and was used as ratters before they became more commonly used as companion dogs. While evidence indicated that several pointers and indigenous Japanese breeds went into the development of the Japanese Terrier, it was the terrier breeds, specifically a fox terrier, that were brought to Japan by Dutch merchant ships, that can be credited with the creation of the breed.
Despite their long history, the Japanese Terrier did not gain in popularity and it wasn't until the 1920's that selective breeding was initiated. After the 1920's, efforts were made to gain recognition for the breed and this was achieved in 1930 when the breed was recognized by the Japanese Kennel Club. However, the second World War led to the near extinction of the breed and it was only through the dedication of a handful of breeders that the breed survived.
Today the Japanese Terrier is a rare breed and while they are not recognized in the United States, they were officially recognized by the United Kennel Club in 2006. Comments
The standards for all the breeds accepted to the AKC are used here for breed information, and those not part of the AKC are resourced from FCI standard information, where it is written and coded into the club rules for those breeds.
