The Nihon Teria is an extremely rare breed, even in Japan, where it was first developed. It is small, lively, affectionate and loyal, making it a popular choice as a pet.
You may find him lounging on the sofa, but he needs exercise to keep his mind and body active. A 30-minute walk is all it takes to keep the Japanese Terrier happy.
His sensitive nature makes him well suited to singles, couples and families with older children. Noisy children may frighten him, so this type of environment is not recommended.
The Japanese Terrier is a balanced dog, with a square appearance, smooth and short coat. His head is always black with a white body which has small black spots.
It keeps its ears erect and its tail is docked in Japan. In countries where tail docking is not allowed, the tail is slightly curved and tapered at the end. Also, it tends to tolerate heat better than cold and will need a jumper or coat if you live in a cold climate.
Nihon Teria breed history
The origin of the Nihon Teria, also known as the Great Japanese Dog, is believed to date back to the 1600s. Dogs such as the Smooth Fox Terrier and the German Pinscher were brought to the Japanese port of Nagasaki by Dutch and British sailors. These Smooth Fox Terriers and German Pinschers were bred with local Japanese dog breeds and resulted in small terrier-type dogs that became very popular in the Nagasaki area. Their popularity spread beyond Nagasaki and soon they were found all over Japan.
It is not known whether these terrier-type dogs were used solely as companion or lap dogs or whether they were also used to hunt small vermin. The Japanese Terrier has been exclusively a companion dog for decades. In the 1920s, Nihon Teria breeders began trying to standardise the breed and the Kobe Terrier was added to the gene pool.
Consistent breeding practices successfully established a small Japanese dog breed that was uniform in appearance and personality. The breed standard was written and then recognised by the Japanese Kennel Club in 1930.
World War II brought dog breeding to an almost complete halt and Japanese Terrier numbers declined drastically. After World War II, the breed recovered slightly.
Today, the Nihon Teria is still considered a rare breed in Japan and is virtually unknown anywhere else in the world. There are a few Japanese Terriers that have been documented in the United Kingdom and other parts of Europe. A few are even believed to live in the United States and Canada.
Husbandry of the Nihon Teria
The Japanese Terrier is a low maintenance dog and only requires a quick weekly brushing. He will shed moderately all year and there will be hair all over your house unless you brush him daily. When brushing him, use a soft brush.
You can also wipe his coat with a damp cloth daily to help remove dirt or loose hairs and keep him clean. Check his ears weekly and give them a quick clean if they look dirty to prevent infections from starting.
His coat should be naturally shiny and sleek, so don’t over bathe him, causing the natural oils in his skin and coat to be stripped away. He should only need to be bathed a few times a year. Use a mild shampoo that has been approved by a vet. You should also check his nails every few weeks to make sure they don’t overgrow and cause paw problems.
Temperament of the Nihon Teria Dog Breed
The Nihon Teria is a lively and intelligent breed that is very loving and affectionate with its family. It will be somewhat reserved with strangers and will bark if someone it does not know comes near your house. His main purpose in life is to be a lap dog and he expects a lot of attention and petting from his family.
Be prepared to spend a lot of time holding him on your lap for much of the day. He is a jealous dog and will show his displeasure towards you by barking when you ignore him for another pet or person.
It is a sensitive dog and will become nervous or frightened when it senses stress in the home. Being a terrier, he is active and will need time to run and play to wear him out. Because he is such a small dog, flat life will work for him as long as his family spends time playing with him and takes him on daily walks around the neighbourhood.
Activity requirements of the Nihon Teria
Although the Nihon Teria is a small dog, he is very active and lively. Because of its small size, it does not require a large yard or a lot of space for exercise. He will do well in flats and small yards as long as he can walk daily and play with toys that stimulate his mind and keep his body moving.
He can be sensitive in new situations, so keep his exercise regime simple and don’t introduce too many new things. He may not do well in dog parks due to his size and unwillingness to share his owners’ attention.
Health of the Nihon Teria dog breed
In general, the Japanese Terrier is a fairly healthy dog with a lifespan of 10 to 12 years. There are a few conditions that it can suffer from, including patellar luxation, eye problems, small injuries and ear infections.
To have a healthy dog, you should buy from a breeder who is reliable and can show you parental health clearances. Keep in mind that a dog of such a small size will need more care and attention than other dogs of a larger size.
It is worth mentioning that Japanese Terriers do not do well with allergy sufferers as it is possible for them to cause a reaction of this type.
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