The Japanese Terrier, also known the Nippon or Nihon Terrier, is a small breed of dog. The breed has been known since the 17th century when it was brought to Japan from Netherlands. Although it is the descendant of the Fox Terrier, this fellow is no samurai, but a wonderful companion dog. People must search for it carefully for it is very rare even in Japan.
The Japanese Terrier is a little dog with a tender aspect. Its body is supple and gracious and its gait is swift and lively. Its head is small with a flat skull. The stop is well defined and the muzzle is narrow and moderately long. The forehead is wide with prominent eyebrows. The eyes, normal in size, have an almond shape and a kind look. The eyes and the nose are black. The ears are set high on the head. They tend to fold over. The neck is quite long, thick and muscular. The back is straight and long and the chest is deep, but delicate. The legs are long and muscular. Its tail is usually docked.
This breed of dog usually has a short coat, which is predominantly smooth and glossy. The colour of the coat is white with black patches on the head and tan touches on the muzzle, trunk and legs. The males and females look alike. They usually are 8 to 13 inches tall and they weigh from 5 to 9 pounds.
This little dog is not only a wonderful lap dog, but it is also a playful and alert dog. It adores being the centre of attention. It is very affectionate and loyal to its owner and tends to be overprotective. As with many smaller breeds, it is not aware of its dimunitive size and it would do anything to keep its master safe. Make sure you do not leave this Japanese alone too much, because it needs human company and does not handle isolation well. Prone to barking, this little breed is often very vocal in communicating with its owners. Although it is smaller, it needs to be trained like the other dogs. The owner must be patient and calm, without showing a violent temper because he will do nothing more than scare and stress it. It is ideal for a city life and can live very comfortably in an apartment. If you have a large yard, try to keep an eye on it so that it does not to escape or hurt itself. The breed usually tolerates other animals or pets and it is suitable for older children. As with all terrier breeds, these little dogs need to be exercised daily and must be kept on a leash when not in controlled areas, as they are prone to chasing rodents and other small creatures as a matter of instinct.
It does not tolerate cold weather, but if you do live in a place with lower temperature make sure you dress it. The grooming is extremely simple, you must brush it occasionally and keep its ears clean. The Japanese Terrier is a lovely and lively dog which longs for a patient and attentive owner who can play with it, love it and cuddle it.
