Standard
Draft for the AKC Official Standard of the Japanese Terrier
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General Appearance: The Japanese Terrier is a bright dog that is alert and active. He is a small square dog with a neat and slender appearance with muscles that give him a well-dried impression. The facial expression is delicate and dignified, but his movements are agile and can be delightful and lightweight. Cowardice, weakness, lifelessness, lack of vitality, heavy appearance, and imbalance are detrimental to the general traits of a Japanese Terrier.
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Size, Proportion and Substance: Size - At least 11 inches, not to exceed 14 inches. Proportion - The Japanese Terrier is square, with height being approximately equal to length; with the height measured from withers to ground and length measured from point of shoulder to buttocks. Substance - Bone must be strong, but not excessive, and always in proportion to size. Overall balance is important. Disqualifications - Any dog six months of age or older measuring less than 11 inches and over 14 inches.
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Head: The head is proportionate to the size of the body. The Expression is delicate, dignified, and captures the feelings of the owner. The Eyes are almond-shaped, moderately sized, and dark brown. The skin around the eyes is black. Together, they create a lively and gentle look. Never bulging, with an intelligent expression. The ears are high above the skull, V-shaped, and hang down forward, moderately small and thin, and the tips of the ears during tension are higher due to the position of the skull. Rosebud ears are also allowed. In the case of rosebud ears, they hang down on both sides, but the base of the ears is low though it should not be on the side of the skull. Disqualification - Erect ears on any dog over six months of age. When viewed from above, the skull is wedge-shaped and gradually narrows from the skull to the snout. The skull is flat and reasonably narrow. The stop is not very clear when viewed from the front, but is clear from the sides. The cheeks do not overhang too much. The muzzle is strong, tight, and parallel to the top of the skull. The nose is relatively small, black, and proportional to the face. Faults - Brown or liver-colored with pink speckled patterns are not preferable. The lips are small and tight-fitting. Scissor bite with no gaps as much as possible. A full complement of strong white teeth. Disqualification - Extreme undershot or overshot.
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Neck, Topline and Body: Neck - reasonably long, clean, and muscular, and the nape is slightly arched and high. It conveys a prideful appearance when nervous. Short, chunky necks and heavy skin on the throat are not desirable. Topline - relatively short, strong, horizontal, and does not relax. Body - balanced and tapers slightly from ribs to flank. Ribs behind the shoulders are reasonably rounded and the chest extends deep to the elbows. The stomach is moderately rolled up. The distance between the ribs and the hips is relatively short. The waist is powerful and slightly arched. The end of the torso is slanted so that it has a nice roundness. The back is straight, level, and muscular. Short and strong in loin with moderate tuck-up to denote grace and elegance. The croup is level with topline and well-rounded. Tail - docked at the fourth or fifth joint and pointed upwards to the sky. Natural tails are allowed. Slightly curved and tapering towards the tip. Carried moderately high in action. Fault - Flat or curled tai
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Forequarters: Forequarters are well angulated. The shoulders are in a gently flowing line and incline moderately blending smoothly from neck to back. The forechest is well developed. The elbows are close and perpendicular to the body. The legs are straight from any direction, on the vertical line of the shoulders, muscular but give a slim profound look. Those that are located narrowly or widely are not preferable. Catfoot, where fingers are tightly closed and gripped, is desirable. Toes are small, compact, and slightly oval. Those with a weak grip and looseness between the fingers when the dog is standing with a rabbit foot are not desirable.
Hindquarters: The hindquarters are muscular but smooth and in balance with the forequarters. The upper and lower thighs are strong and muscular. Stifles and hocks are sufficiently flexed. When viewed from behind, the hocks are parallel to each other. The legs are parallel from the rear and turn neither in nor out. The hind feet, although slightly smaller, are similar to the front. Rear dewclaws should be removed.
Hindquarters: The hindquarters are muscular but smooth and in balance with the forequarters. The upper and lower thighs are strong and muscular. Stifles and hocks are sufficiently flexed. When viewed from behind, the hocks are parallel to each other. The legs are parallel from the rear and turn neither in nor out. The hind feet, although slightly smaller, are similar to the front. Rear dewclaws should be removed.
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Coat: The coat is very short and tight to the skin at roughly 2mm in length. Silky and velvet-like in texture and smooth to the touch. Disqualification - Long coat over 2 mm in length
Color: Tri-Color: Predominately black head with tan markings on cheeks and eye dots. The body is over fifty-per-cent white, with or without black body spots. The color should be rich and clear. Clear white is preferred, but some amount of ticking is allowed and to not be penalized. Body spots on black-headed tri-colors must be black. Disqualifications - Any color combination not stated above. Any dog whose head is not more than fifty- percent black. Any dog whose body is not more than fifty-percent white.
Color: Tri-Color: Predominately black head with tan markings on cheeks and eye dots. The body is over fifty-per-cent white, with or without black body spots. The color should be rich and clear. Clear white is preferred, but some amount of ticking is allowed and to not be penalized. Body spots on black-headed tri-colors must be black. Disqualifications - Any color combination not stated above. Any dog whose head is not more than fifty- percent black. Any dog whose body is not more than fifty-percent white.
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Gait: Rhythmic and beautiful gait like a pendulum clock. When the hind limbs, which supply the main propulsion, move properly, they work in harmony with the forelimbs and show light, lively, and agile movements. The tail should be carried moderately high in action.
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Temperament: Observant, alert, intelligent, and dignified. The Japanese Terrier is a non-sparring breed and generally friendly with other dogs, but may be reserved with strangers. Submissiveness is not a fault. Overt aggression and excessive shyness should be penalized.
Disqualifications: Any dog six months of age or older measuring less than 11 inches and over 14 inches. Erect ears on any dog over six months of age. Coat over 2 mm in length. Any dog whose head is more than fifty percent white or tan. Any dog whose body is more than fifty percent black or tan. Extreme Undershot or overshot.
Disqualifications: Any dog six months of age or older measuring less than 11 inches and over 14 inches. Erect ears on any dog over six months of age. Coat over 2 mm in length. Any dog whose head is more than fifty percent white or tan. Any dog whose body is more than fifty percent black or tan. Extreme Undershot or overshot.
Illustrations by the Japan Kennel Club