The Japanese Terrier, also known as the Nihon Teria, is a little, active dog that originated in Japan. It resembles a Fox Terrier and a Rat Terrier, but is smaller than both. These dogs were most likely bred for ratting and have been employed as such in Japanese ports for hundreds of years, but they are also popular as devoted companion animals.

Japanese Terriers are uncommon even in Japan, making finding one in the United States difficult. They are not yet recognized by the American Kennel Club, but some minor clubs throughout the world are beginning to recognize them.

These dogs, like many Terrier breeds, are cherry, active little friends who fit in practically any living scenario and have a friendly, gregarious, and inquisitive nature. Continue reading to learn more about Japanese Terrier Growth Chart and this unique Terrier breed.

When Do Japanese Terriers Stop Growing?

Japanese Terrier dogs are noted for their joyful, active, and vibrant personalities. They are happy-go-lucky dogs who show great intelligence while showering their owners with love and attention. The Japanese terrier may be a happy pup in exchange for some snuggling and affection. They crave attention and dislike being left alone for extended periods of time.

This species is extremely loyal and devoted to any family with whom they form a bond. They have a tendency to develop connected to one individual in a family above the rest and can eventually become possessive of that person. Possessiveness can sometimes get so intense that they become frustrated and irritated if their chosen loved one pays attention to someone else.

Small breeds, on average, stop growing between the ages of 6 and 8 months.” Medium breed puppies may take a little longer to mature, reaching adult size at roughly 12 months of age.

What is the Standard Japanese Terrier Size

Japanese Terrier puppies would require many of the same actions that an adult would. Puppies will also require their food to be divided into significantly more foods than adults. This is due to their small stomachs' inability to process big amounts of food at once.

The Japanese Terrier is a little dog. They range in length from 8 to 13 inches and weigh between 5 and 9 pounds.

Japanese Terrier Weight Chart

Here is the weight chart of a Japanese terrier:

Height (Male)	8-13 inches tall
Height (Female)	8-13 inches tall
Weight (male)	5-9 lbs., full-grown
Weight (female)	5-9 lbs., full-grown

Japanese Terrier Growth Chart – What To Expect

Japanese Terrier 1-2 weeks

Puppies are born blind, deaf, and toothless, unable to control their body temperature or urinate or defecate on their own. Puppies rely on their mother and littermates for warmth, huddling in snug mounds to keep their body temperature stable. When a puppy is pulled from this warm hairy nest, he or she can succumb to hypothermia (low body temperature). Cold, lonely puppies cry out loud to alert Mom to their plight.

When puppies are bathed by their mother's stroking tongue, they first get the sensation of being patted. Mom licks her offspring all over to keep them clean and to encourage them to defecate and urinate.

Japanese Terrier 3-12 weeks

Puppies undergo the socializing phase at the end of the third week of life, which lasts until roughly week ten. During this phase of socialization, pups make attachments with individuals that they will remember for the rest of their lives. 

The most essential phase is between the ages of six and eight weeks when puppies can most quickly learn to accept others as members of their family. Refer to the article on how to socialize pups for further information.

The bitch's milk supply begins to slow down about four weeks of age, exactly as the puppies' energy requirements grow. As the mother dog gradually weans her pups from nursing, they begin to experiment with solid food.

During this stage, your puppy's brain development is influenced by the environment. By the 50th day, the puppy's brain waves resemble those of an adult dog, but he hasn't been programmed—your job, as well as the jobs of his mother and siblings. Weaning is usually completed by week eight.

Japanese Terrier 4-6months

Puppies grow so swiftly during this time that you may see changes every day. Not only will your puppy try and challenge you, but this is also the time when puppies will figure out where they are in relation to the other pets in the group. Some arguing and pretend to fight is to be expected. It's a canine rule that older animals teach the puppy boundaries, which is normal and usually sounds worse than it is.

In fact, the testosterone level of an un-neutered male puppy rises around the age of 4 to 5 months. This is one way that older dogs know that even large puppies are still babies who must be taught good dog etiquette.

Puppies may also go through another fear phase during this time. It can last up to a month, and there may be more than one, particularly in large breed dogs. This is typical and not cause for concern. It usually coincides with development spurts, and you may observe some “flaky” behavior or unnecessary hostility, as well as a protective attitude about toys or territory. 

Just make sure you don't reinforce the anxious behavior with additional attention and that you know how to talk to pups without using baby jargon. It's better to ignore the dread than to reward it. Build the pup's confidence through training, and he should be able to transition out of it with no further issues.

Japanese Terrier  10-12 months

While the newborn is still emotionally immature, the boy pups begin to leg-lift and mark with pee during this period. By the age of 10 months, the testosterone level in male puppies is 5-7 times that of an adult dog, and then progressively declines to a normal adult level by the age of 18 months. This signals to the senior male canines that the youngster has to be put in his place, so you may witness more adult-pup squabbles during this time. 

Girls can go into heat (estrus) as early as five to six months, and boys start to show interest in sex during this time. The majority of your puppy's height growth will be completed by this time, but he may continue to fill out and increase muscle mass and body weight. The puppy coat begins to give way to the adult coat.

What is the Full Grown Japanese Terrier?

The Japanese Terrier is a little dog. They range in length from 8 to 13 inches and weigh between 5 and 9 pounds.

How To Weigh Your Japanese Terrier Puppy?

If you want to maintain track of your Japanese Terrier's weight, you must first learn how to weigh him properly.

To begin, you should be able to weigh your Japanese Terrier at home if he is a puppy or if you are just large enough to hold him. This can be accomplished with a standard bathroom scale.

To begin, weigh yourself and record the result. Then, while standing on the scale, pick up your dog and hold him. The difference in weights represents your dog's weight.

If your dog is too huge to carry, you can either invest in a dog scale, which can cost upwards of $100, or contact your veterinarian. The majority of veterinarian offices will enable you to use their scale.

Unless there is a health problem, you can weigh an adult Japanese Terrier once every six months. Once a week is sufficient for a puppy to ensure he is growing normally.

What Is A Japanese Terrier’s Neck Size?

To determine the neck size of your dog, use a soft and flexible tape measure to determine the neck size of your dog where her collar naturally falls. Then, put two fingers between your dog's neck and the tape measure to ensure that the dog collar fits snugly but comfortably. The Japanese Terrier's neck circumference is between 12 and 16 inches.

How Big Do Japanese Terriers Get?

Variations in size may arise even among purebred canines. Why? Some breeders prefer dogs that are somewhat smaller or larger than what show rules require. Furthermore, many environmental factors, including nutrition and sickness, might influence adult height and weight potential.

Finally, the ideal way is to hunt for genetic hints concerning the size of your one-of-a-kind dog. Wisdom PanelTM DNA testing forecasts appropriate adult weight ranges based on various genetic markers related to size as well as your dog's breed mix, resulting in a much more precise prediction of your pup's mature size. (You can also see their breed mix down to 1%, screen for health problems, and do a lot more.)

Factors That Affect Japanese Terrier Puppy Growth 

Diet & Nutrition

Japanese Terriers thrive on 1–2 cups of high-quality dry kibble each day, divided into two meals. They are generally energetic dogs, however, their food may need to be adjusted slightly according to their size, age, and energy levels. 

Try to locate dry food that has an animal-based protein stated in the first three components, ideally the first, and avoid foods that include a lot of filler ingredients like wheat, soy, or maize. Lean meats or high-quality wet food are also excellent occasional treats, and they will appreciate the diversity. As with all dogs, make sure they have constant access to fresh, clean water.

Physical Activity & Health

Japanese Terriers are active dogs, yet they do not require a lot of exercises. One or two hours every day, together with a regular play session in the backyard and some time off-leash, should suffice. Because of their ratting ancestry, they will like games like chase and fetch, which will help develop their innate inclinations. 

Japanese Terriers are flexible dogs who can happily live in apartments if they get enough exercise, but they'll also enjoy having a backyard to play in! A daily stroll or jog around the block, followed by some play or training, is ideal for these small dogs.

Japanese Terriers are generally healthy and robust dogs that live long lives free of many inherited illnesses provided they are well-fed and exercised. They have few known genetic disorders because they are such rare dogs and have generally avoided the issues associated with large-scale breeding.

Common Questions about Japanese Terrier

At What Age Is A Japanese Terrier Fully Grown?

Small breeds typically cease growing between the ages of 6 and 8 months. Puppies of medium breeds often attain adult size at around 12 months. Large breed dogs typically cease developing between the ages of 12 and 18 months.

How Long Are Japanese Terriers Pregnant?

Since conception in dogs lasts roughly 63 days, this can vary by several days. Despite the fact that this may appear to be a simple answer, conception is often difficult to pin down. It's possible for sperm and eggs to remain fertile for up to 48 hours after fertilization, thus the act of mating isn't a precise assessment of pregnancy. This makes it difficult to estimate the length of the pregnancy without the help of a vet.

The gestational period can be pinpointed much more precisely using hormone assays. To keep track of reproductive hormone levels, many breeders utilize vaginal smear exams and blood tests. They can use this information to figure out when is the best time to breed their buck, how long she will be pregnant, and when she might give birth.

How Many Puppies Do Japanese Terriers Have?

Typical litter size can range from one to twelve puppies, with 5-6 puppies being the average across all canines. However, just as each breed of a dog varies in size, function, and personality, so do they range in litter size, according to AKC registration data.

What Is The Life Expectancy Of Japanese Terriers?

With an average lifespan of 10 to 12 years, the Japanese Terrier is prone to minor diseases such as patellar luxation, cataract, heart murmur, Keratoconjunctivitis Sicca (KCS), and entropion.

How Much Does It Cost To Own A Japanese Terrier?

Japanese Terriers are uncommon in Japan, and even more so in the United States. However, because they are neither well-known nor highly sought-after dogs, their prices have stayed relatively low. A Japanese Terrier puppy should cost roughly $600, though some show breeders will charge far more.

Other costs, aside from the purchase price of your puppy, will need to be considered. Vaccinations, medical appointments, spaying and neutering, toys, bowls, and other accessories may rapidly add up, so budget an additional $500-$700 for the first year of ownership, after which the cost will decrease.

How To Help Your Japanese Terrier Lose Weight If He Is Overweight 

As with humans, exercise is critical for your overweight dog's health. Increased movement helps your dog burn off excess energy (and calories consumed). Avoid panic! Exercising your pet does not have to include marathons or lengthy hikes. Regular walks and the opportunity to run and play safely off-leash. 

Even creating a stimulating indoor environment that encourages your dog to exercise on a regular basis can help. Bear in mind that different breeds require varying amounts of exercise, so visit your veterinarian, breeder, or your dog's breed standard for recommendations on recommended activity levels.

Distinguish Begging from Hunger

Begging is not necessarily motivated by a desire for more food; it is also used to gain attention. (And, by rewarding the behavior, you reinforce and encourage it to continue.) If your dog begs, do not automatically assume he is hungry. Trust your instincts and keep track of the date and time of your last meal. 

If your dog is prone to begging and you are prone to succumb to those puppy dog eyes, choose a high-protein meal with a fiber blend to help control your dog's hunger and voluntary food consumption. In this manner, you may feed your dog with the assurance that he will feel fuller and content for a longer period of time.

Restriction on treats and table scraps

Even when our dogs are not begging, many of us provide an excessive amount of treats and table scraps. Dogs are not required to share our food! Consider treats and scraps for your pet in the same way that you would candy for children to help you keep them in check. If you're going to utilize snacks for training, choose low-calorie, low-fat ones and keep the portions small. 

As an alternative, keep in mind that clickers are excellent for reinforcement… and they have no calories! After all, a few extra pounds can make a significant impact in the lives of dogs, which are significantly smaller than humans. (Even the colossal breeds!) Therefore, focus on a balanced diet and resist the temptation to “reward” them with extra.

Customize Your Dog's Diet

Not all weight-loss foods are created equal, which is why it's critical to match your dog's nutrition plan to their unique needs. Choose a brand that caters to your dog's unique needs, whether they be weight control, dietary sensitivities, or illnesses.

Conclusion Japanese Terrier Growth Chart

The Japanese Terrier is an uncommon dog in its native Japan, and even more so in the United States, so consider yourself lucky if you come across one! There aren't many devoted breeders out there, but these dogs are gaining popularity and will most likely become much more widely available in the near future. 

They feature some of the basic characteristics of most Terriers, but they are regarded to be a little more laid-back and easy-going than standard Terriers. They are flexible dogs who can live peacefully in an apartment if they get enough exercise, but they will be even happier if they had a backyard!

If you're seeking a one-of-a-kind, rare, and laid-back dog that nevertheless enjoys some outside activities, the Japanese Terrier is an excellent choice.

Frequently Asked Questions: