Description
The Japanese Terrier is a friendly, trusting, and playful dog, forming a deep devotion to its family. True to its FCI standard, it is a cheerful and lighthearted breed.
It generally gets along well with children, though its delicate build requires careful supervision to ensure play remains gentle and does not accidentally harm the dog.
It does not typically seek out the company of other dogs but can coexist or cooperate with them when necessary. It may be somewhat vocal or confrontational towards larger breeds. While friendly and trusting with strangers, it is not suited for the role of a guard dog.
This terrier enjoys hunting mice and other small prey, a task it performs with great enthusiasm. Beyond these small creatures, it usually pays little attention to other animals.
FCI Standard
FCI-Standard N° 259 / 20. 01. 1998 / GB
JAPANESE TERRIER (Nihon Teria)
ORIGIN : Japan.
DATE OF PUBLICATION OF THE ORIGINAL VALID STANDARD : 05.06.1995.
UTILIZATION : Toy dog.
FCI CLASSIFICATION : Group 3 Terriers
Section 2 Small sized Terriers
Without working trial.
BRIEF HISTORICAL SUMMARY : This breed was created by mating smooth-haired Fox Terriers, exported to Nagasaki from the Netherlands in the 17th century, to small-sized pointers or small-sized native dogs. Japanese Terriers were kept mainly as lap-dogs in ports such as Kobe and Yokohama.
The Japanese Terrier has a lively and cheerful character. Its planned
breeding started around 1920, and it was not until about 1930 that its
type became fixed.
GENERAL APPEARANCE : Small-sized dog of smart appearance with a clear-cut and compact outline. The coat is very short, being about 2 mm in length.
IMPORTANT PROPORTIONS : The ratio of height at withers to length of body is 1 : 1. The nasal bridge and the skull are equal in length.
BEHAVIOUR/TEMPERAMENT : The Japanese Terrier is swift and lively in temperament.
HEAD
CRANIAL REGION :
Skull : Flat and moderately narrow.
Stop : Not too defined.
FACIAL REGION :
Nose : Black with a straight nasal bridge.
Lips : Thin and tight.
Teeth : Strong and white, with a scissor bite.
Cheeks : Lean and free from fullness.
Eyes : Moderately sized, oval in shape and dark in colour.
Ears : Set on high, moderately small, thin, V-shaped and dropping
forward. But carried folded and standing out from sides of the skull
permitted.
NECK : Moderately long, strong, gradually thicker towards the
shoulders and free from throatiness.
BODY :
Withers : High.
Back : Short and firm.
Loins and croup : Slightly arched and powerful.
Chest : Deep, but forechest no too broad. Ribs well sprung.
Belly : Well tucked up.
TAIL : Moderately thin; docked at the third or fourth joint.
LIMBS
FOREQUARTERS :
Shoulders : Sloping gently.
Forearms : Straight, bones not too heavy.
HINDQUARTERS :
Thighs : Long.
Stifle joint : Moderately angulated.
Hock joint : Moderately angulated.
Hock : Vertical.
FEET : Tightly closed, pads elastic; nails hard and preferably dark in
colour .
GAIT / MOVEMENT : Light and agile.
COAT
Hair : Short, smooth, dense and glossy.
Colour : Tricolour with black, tan and white head; white with black
spots, black markings or tan markings on body.
SIZE : Height for both dogs and bitches : approximately 30 - 33 cm.
FAULTS :
Any departure from the foregoing points should be considered as a
fault and the seriousness with which the fault should be regarded
should be in exact proportion to its degree and its effect upon the health and welfare of the dog.
• Slightly overshot or undershot bite.
• Bicolour.
DISQUALIFYING FAULTS :
• Aggresive or overly shy.
• Long hair.
• Extremely overshot or undershot bite.
Any dog clearly showing physical or behavioural abnormalities shall be disqualified.
N.B. : Male animals should have two apparently normal testicles fully descended into the scrotum.