Overview
The Japanese Terrier descends from Smooth Fox Terriers and small native dogs that met in the Nagasaki trading port in the eighteenth century. It is a small, smooth-coated terrier with a black, tan and white head and a mostly white body, a short back and fine legs. Numbers are low even in Japan, and in Britain the breed is almost unheard of.
Those who know the breed describe it as cheerful, alert and attached to its people, less combative than many terriers and quite sensitive to tone. It is a companion dog more than a worker, and it does best with people who are gentle and consistent.
Exercise and walking needs
Forty-five minutes a day across two outings is plenty. They like a brisk walk and a game, and they are quick and agile in play, but the thin coat and small frame mean they feel the cold and the wet far more than a British terrier would.
A coat in winter and a shorter route on raw days are sensible.
On the walk
- Cold: The coat is very short with little undercoat. Expect shivering in winter and plan accordingly.
- Recall: Terrier interest in small animals is still there. Lead on near roads and a long line while you test it.
- Other dogs: Generally friendly and playful but easily knocked about. Choose gentle companions.
- Lead: Light on the lead; a harness protects a delicate neck and prevents slipping out.
Tips for professional walkers
- Pick sheltered routes in winter and keep the dog moving.
- Carry a small towel; a white coat shows every splash of mud.
- Use soft, upbeat handling; a harsh voice shuts this dog down.
- Keep an eye out for grass seeds in the ears and between toes in summer.
What to ask the owner
- Does the dog wear a coat and at what temperature?
- How does it react to other dogs and to being handled by new people?
- Is there anything about its history or breeding that affects how it should be walked?