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Are the Japanese Terriers good with other dogs?
A well socialized and trained Japanese Terrier should have no problem with other dogs and should not have any sorts of dog or same-sex aggressions. They should be friendly and/or neutral around most dogs, and be capable of coexisting around them. All of my dogs live together with no issue, and there are a number of them living in a multi-dog household with no problem.
Do the Japanese Terriers make good family dogs?
It depends on each household. They're smart dogs and will take advantage of people they know won't do anything. Setting clear boundaries is important. It's also important to make sure children are respectful of their space, and be taught to appropriately interact with them. A well socialized and trained Japanese Terrier will have no issue around respectful kids and play and enjoy being around them.
Do the Japanese Terriers shed? Amount of grooming?
Yes, they shed. I've seen a couple websites claiming them to be hypoallergenic or non shedding dogs but this is NOT true! They are not a hypoallergenic breed and not a good choice for people with allergies. Their coat is very short at 1~5mm and it may be hard to see the hair, but they shed a good amount year-round. Grooming is easy and with a wash and wear coat and they do not require professional grooming. I usually wash mine once every 3~4 weeks or whenever they get dirty. The only thing to keep an eye on are the nails. Many tend to have fast growing nails, and it's important to keep them short to prevent any damage.
Can the Japanese Terriers be apartment dogs?
Yes, as long as they are getting enough mental and physical exercises. They are typically not a vocal breed and only bark when needed. They have nice off switch and know how to calm down. There are a number of them living in apartments in Japan just fine.
Are the Japanese Terriers off-leash reliable?
They can definitely be trained to, but won't be as easy as many breeds. Generally speaking they do whatever they want when they feel like it, so unless they have a reason to want to stay around you like treats and toys they have the tendency to run off or play the "catch me if you can" game. I hike off leash with mine all the time, but I always carry high value food with me.
Are the Japanese Terriers good in the heat and cold?
Yes, with supervision and the right gears. In the heat, they may need sunscreen or SPF clothes to protect their skin from getting sunburnt. With their very short coat the sun can easily burn their skin if out for a long time. In the winter, they will need clothes for warmth. We live in Utah and often visit the beach in California. With the use of sunscreen/SPF clothes and winter coats none have trouble living in these climates.
Are Japanese Terriers a docked breed? What are the tapes on their ears?
This breed is originally docked, mainly for cosmetic reasons, but nowadays they are rarely docked. This is mostly due to the recent importation to Europe where docking is illegal. I plan on leaving the tails on my dogs, unless they come from a specific line where gay/curled tails are common. The tapes on the ears help set the ears to a nice "V-shaped" ears as their breed standard calls for. Most Japanese Terriers require tapes/glues when they are puppies or the ears will stand upright. I use a specific brand of tapes where there's a built in weight on them to keep the ears down that is only available in Japan. All my puppies will come with a set of these tapes.
What is it like showing a rare/FSS breed? How does conformation titles work?
This is probably the biggest question I get, especially from folks who already show or are interested in getting into the show world. As an AKC-FSS breed they can only show at AKC Open Shows. When searching for AKC shows , you must make sure the show says "Open Show" or you will not be able to enter this breed!
Open Shows run different than normal dog shows, where dogs compete for the Certificate of Merit (CM) title which is the equivalent of a Champion (CH) title that fully recognized breeds show for. A total of 15 points is required for the CM title. In addition, all FSS breeds compete against each other so if your Japanese Terrier gets Best of Breed (BOB) and head to group they compete against other FSS breeds like the Kishu Ken, Czechoslovakian Vlcak, Jindo, etc instead of with the Terrier only group.
The Japanese Terriers can also show with the United Kennel Club (UKC) where they are fully recognized so they compete with the other Terrier breeds instead. To receive a Champion title with UKC, a dog must get at least 100 points under a minimum of three judges.
If you’re the only Japanese Terrier entered, you will most likely get BOB unless the dog has major faults and is excused by the judge. Once you get BOB you’re automatically headed to the group competition.
As a rare breed with most likely the only Japanese Terrier entered in shows, you will not be able to receive points even if you get Best of Male/Bitches and Best of Breed without breed competition. The only way for you to get points is by “beating” other dogs in the FSS/Terrier group. Placing in groups is a great accomplishment, and can be challenging for a breed that is practically unknown. Chances are, it’s the first time for the judges to see a Japanese Terrier in person and most will not know the breed standard. Most of my experiences showing this breed has been answering questions from the judges and telling the judge how I think of my dogs. Unlike showing “normally” as you would with a more common breed, I like to consider showing the Japanese Terriers as a more educational thing for the judges and exposing the breed to as many people as possible.
When it comes to breeding I do not expect the parents to have their CM or UKC CH titles, and also don’t expect puppy buyers to have those titles. If you do get these titles, that is an amazing accomplishment and you should most definitely be proud of yourself! It’s not an easy title to get for any breed, let alone a practically unknown breed in the show ring!
This breed can also show in smaller venues like the International All Breed Canine Association (IABCA), American Rare Breed Association (ARBA), and International Canine Events (ICE). The Japanese Terriers are all recognized with these associations and can show normally. These are more informal and relaxed than AKC and UKC shows and an easy “intro” show for those that are just getting in to the show world. I don’t have experience with ARBA and ICE but highly recommend IABCA. The judges are very open and welcoming to newbies and take their time to teach you and make sure you’re doing what you’re suppose to. Each judge writes a written report on the dog and really work with each individuals. You can see an example of the report on Kenzo’s page. It’s also pretty easy to get a National or International title in just one weekend.
A well socialized and trained Japanese Terrier should have no problem with other dogs and should not have any sorts of dog or same-sex aggressions. They should be friendly and/or neutral around most dogs, and be capable of coexisting around them. All of my dogs live together with no issue, and there are a number of them living in a multi-dog household with no problem.
Do the Japanese Terriers make good family dogs?
It depends on each household. They're smart dogs and will take advantage of people they know won't do anything. Setting clear boundaries is important. It's also important to make sure children are respectful of their space, and be taught to appropriately interact with them. A well socialized and trained Japanese Terrier will have no issue around respectful kids and play and enjoy being around them.
Do the Japanese Terriers shed? Amount of grooming?
Yes, they shed. I've seen a couple websites claiming them to be hypoallergenic or non shedding dogs but this is NOT true! They are not a hypoallergenic breed and not a good choice for people with allergies. Their coat is very short at 1~5mm and it may be hard to see the hair, but they shed a good amount year-round. Grooming is easy and with a wash and wear coat and they do not require professional grooming. I usually wash mine once every 3~4 weeks or whenever they get dirty. The only thing to keep an eye on are the nails. Many tend to have fast growing nails, and it's important to keep them short to prevent any damage.
Can the Japanese Terriers be apartment dogs?
Yes, as long as they are getting enough mental and physical exercises. They are typically not a vocal breed and only bark when needed. They have nice off switch and know how to calm down. There are a number of them living in apartments in Japan just fine.
Are the Japanese Terriers off-leash reliable?
They can definitely be trained to, but won't be as easy as many breeds. Generally speaking they do whatever they want when they feel like it, so unless they have a reason to want to stay around you like treats and toys they have the tendency to run off or play the "catch me if you can" game. I hike off leash with mine all the time, but I always carry high value food with me.
Are the Japanese Terriers good in the heat and cold?
Yes, with supervision and the right gears. In the heat, they may need sunscreen or SPF clothes to protect their skin from getting sunburnt. With their very short coat the sun can easily burn their skin if out for a long time. In the winter, they will need clothes for warmth. We live in Utah and often visit the beach in California. With the use of sunscreen/SPF clothes and winter coats none have trouble living in these climates.
Are Japanese Terriers a docked breed? What are the tapes on their ears?
This breed is originally docked, mainly for cosmetic reasons, but nowadays they are rarely docked. This is mostly due to the recent importation to Europe where docking is illegal. I plan on leaving the tails on my dogs, unless they come from a specific line where gay/curled tails are common. The tapes on the ears help set the ears to a nice "V-shaped" ears as their breed standard calls for. Most Japanese Terriers require tapes/glues when they are puppies or the ears will stand upright. I use a specific brand of tapes where there's a built in weight on them to keep the ears down that is only available in Japan. All my puppies will come with a set of these tapes.
What is it like showing a rare/FSS breed? How does conformation titles work?
This is probably the biggest question I get, especially from folks who already show or are interested in getting into the show world. As an AKC-FSS breed they can only show at AKC Open Shows. When searching for AKC shows , you must make sure the show says "Open Show" or you will not be able to enter this breed!
Open Shows run different than normal dog shows, where dogs compete for the Certificate of Merit (CM) title which is the equivalent of a Champion (CH) title that fully recognized breeds show for. A total of 15 points is required for the CM title. In addition, all FSS breeds compete against each other so if your Japanese Terrier gets Best of Breed (BOB) and head to group they compete against other FSS breeds like the Kishu Ken, Czechoslovakian Vlcak, Jindo, etc instead of with the Terrier only group.
The Japanese Terriers can also show with the United Kennel Club (UKC) where they are fully recognized so they compete with the other Terrier breeds instead. To receive a Champion title with UKC, a dog must get at least 100 points under a minimum of three judges.
If you’re the only Japanese Terrier entered, you will most likely get BOB unless the dog has major faults and is excused by the judge. Once you get BOB you’re automatically headed to the group competition.
As a rare breed with most likely the only Japanese Terrier entered in shows, you will not be able to receive points even if you get Best of Male/Bitches and Best of Breed without breed competition. The only way for you to get points is by “beating” other dogs in the FSS/Terrier group. Placing in groups is a great accomplishment, and can be challenging for a breed that is practically unknown. Chances are, it’s the first time for the judges to see a Japanese Terrier in person and most will not know the breed standard. Most of my experiences showing this breed has been answering questions from the judges and telling the judge how I think of my dogs. Unlike showing “normally” as you would with a more common breed, I like to consider showing the Japanese Terriers as a more educational thing for the judges and exposing the breed to as many people as possible.
When it comes to breeding I do not expect the parents to have their CM or UKC CH titles, and also don’t expect puppy buyers to have those titles. If you do get these titles, that is an amazing accomplishment and you should most definitely be proud of yourself! It’s not an easy title to get for any breed, let alone a practically unknown breed in the show ring!
This breed can also show in smaller venues like the International All Breed Canine Association (IABCA), American Rare Breed Association (ARBA), and International Canine Events (ICE). The Japanese Terriers are all recognized with these associations and can show normally. These are more informal and relaxed than AKC and UKC shows and an easy “intro” show for those that are just getting in to the show world. I don’t have experience with ARBA and ICE but highly recommend IABCA. The judges are very open and welcoming to newbies and take their time to teach you and make sure you’re doing what you’re suppose to. Each judge writes a written report on the dog and really work with each individuals. You can see an example of the report on Kenzo’s page. It’s also pretty easy to get a National or International title in just one weekend.