Japanese Dog Breeds: 11 Most Popular in 2022

No matter where you are from, having pets is something most people enjoy. The COVID-19 pandemic has had a significant impact on pet ownership. More people are staying home looking for companion animals and fewer people are choosing to own pets. Japan is not an exception.

Japan is well-known for its unique breeds. But have you ever wondered which breeds Japanese dog owners prefer? These are the most popular Japanese dog breeds.

1. Small mixed breed

Weight	Variable
Height	Variable
Temperament	Variable
Lifespan	Variable

Mixed breed dogs are Japan’s most loved dog breed. Although they’ve been a favorite dog in Japan for many years, this is the first time they’ve eclipsed the purebreds.

Mixes can be any combination of dog breeds. They come in a variety of sizes, temperaments, and looks. The Japanese have 22.2% of their dogs being small mixed breeds (up to 35 pounds).

2. Toy Poodle

Weight	4 – 6 pounds
Height	Maximum 10 inches
Temperament	Intelligent, friendly, devoted
Lifespan	10-18+ Years

Although the Toy Poodle was once the number one dog in Japanese homes, it is now the number two. The Toy Poodle was specifically designed to be a companion dog and to share all the wonderful attributes of the Standard Poodle.

These energetic dogs need to be exercised but they can live in apartments due to their size. They are smart and easy to train. A Toy Poodle is found in around 20% of Japanese homes.

3. Chihuahua

Weight	3 – 6 pounds
Height	6-9 inches
Temperament	Devoted, playful, feisty
Lifespan	Between 10 and 18 years

Chihuahuas can be small but have a huge personalities. They have strong relationships with their families, which makes them easy to train. Because they are small enough to fit into a purse of average size, they are called “purse dogs”.

Although they make excellent apartment dogs, they can be noisy due to their small size (small dog syndrome = lots of barking). They are small enough to blend in with city dwellers. This is why Chihuahuas are third in Japan, with 11.9% of all dogs being Chihuahuas.

4. Shiba Inu

Weight	15 – 25 pounds
Height	13-16 inches
Temperament	Devoted, playful, good-natured
Lifespan	13-16 years

The Shiba Inu Japanese breed is perhaps the most well-known. This may be due to the Doge meme. They can be independent, active and small-sized dogs. You can leave them alone for a while, but they shouldn’t be allowed to run wild.

To burn the energy they have and keep them busy, they need to be active. Boredom can lead to more destructive behavior in dogs. They rank fourth in Japan with 8.8% of the dogs they own.

5. Pomeranian

Weight	4 – 7 pounds
Height	6 to 7 inches
Temperament	Bold, friendly, and lively
Lifespan	12-16 years

Pomeranian dogs are independent, feisty little dogs that have cute and foxy smiles. They are intelligent and easy to train and love to frolic and play for our entertainment.

They are small and easy to handle, making them great for city dwellers. In Japan, 5.3% of all dogs are Poms.

6. Miniature Dachshund

Weight	8 – 11 pounds
Height	5 to 7 inches
Temperament	Friendly, outgoing, curious
Lifespan	12-16 years

Miniature Dachshunds are energetic, playful, and full of energy. They love spending time with their owners and are intelligent. There are two sizes available: the Standard Dachshund is not a large dog and the Miniature Dachshund is a smaller one.

Because of their long spines, they are great for apartment living or single-level homes. They don’t like stairs. They are Japan’s sixth most loved dog, with 4.8% of Miniature Dachshunds being owned.

7. French Bulldog

Weight	16 – 28 pounds
Height	11-13 inches
Temperament	Be playful, affectionate, and agreeable
Lifespan	10-12 years

A charming little dog, the French Bulldog is growing in popularity among city dwellers. Although they are affectionate, friendly, and easygoing, they can be stubborn at times. They are intelligent enough to train, but a Frenchie will require more effort.

This small dog is perfect for urban dog owners. The Frenchie ranks seventh with 2.9% of all dogs.

8. Miniature Schnauzer

Weight	11 – 20 pounds
Height	12-14 inches
Temperament	Friendly, outgoing, and playful
Lifespan	11-16 years

Miniature Schnauzers are playful, smart, and sturdy little dogs. They love being part of the family, and they enjoy playing with all ages. They are friendly and bright enough to live in an apartment, but they could be happy living in the country.

Miniature Schnauzers make up 2.3% of Japanese dogs. It’s amazing how adorable these tiny dogs can be!

9. Yorkshire Terrier

Weight	7 – 9 pounds
Height	7 to 8 inches
Temperament	Brave, affectionate, and jaunty
Lifespan	10 – 15 Years

The Yorkshire Terrier is a lively little dog that has a beautiful long, silky coat. Although they may appear fragile, they are not. They are as strong and determined as any other terrier. They are loyal to their owners and won’t be left alone.

Yorkies are Japan’s ninth most popular breed of dog, with only 2% of Japanese dogs owning Yorkies.

10. Shih Tzu

Weight	9 – 16 pounds
Height	9 to 11 inches
Temperament	Affectionate, lively, playful
Lifespan	Between 10 and 18 years

Shih Tzus make great family dogs as they are playful and affectionate with children. They love to play as much as they do sitting on your lap in the evenings. This is not surprising since Shih Tzus were originally bred as companion dogs. They will walk with you as you move around your house and are loyal to their owners.

The Shih Tzu doesn’t have to be the last dog in your household. About 1.7% of Japanese dog owners love their Shih Tzus.

11. Hokkaido Inu

Weight	44 pounds
Height	18 to 20 inches
Temperament	Strong, devoted, intelligent
Lifespan	Between 12 and 15 years

Hokkaido Ken, also known as the Hokkaido Inu, is thought to be a Japanese breed with a more mature bloodline than other Japanese dogs. The Hokkaido Inu, Japan’s northernmost island, has a thicker outer layer, larger paws, and smaller ears to cope with the cold.

The Hokkaido Inu is intelligent, strong, and dedicated. They were bred to hunt wild boars and small bears. They are a strong-willed breed that may be aggressive toward other dogs. They are very loyal to their owners and need a lot of attention.

Japanese Dog Breeds

These are the top Japanese dog breeds. Here are some interesting facts about Japanese dog breeds.

• Akita: A large, spitz-bred dog. They are loyal, strong, loving, and brave.
• Japanese Chin: Although it is believed these dogs were imported from China or Korea by the Japanese nobility, they are now very popular. Chin means “royalty” in Japanese.
• Shikoku: Shikoku dogs were originally bred as hunting dogs. They are loyal, alert, and intelligent.
• Tosa Inu is a Mastiff-type dog. They are also the largest Japanese breeds that were bred to fight dogs. They are loyal to their owners and are able to be watchful and aloof around other dogs and people.
• Kai Ken: These dogs were originally bred for hunting and are very attached to their families. They are very rare.
• Hokkaido is an ancient hunting dog. It thrives with active families and outdoors.

Conclusion

It is interesting to see that most of these Japanese breeds are very small. The only Japanese breed is the largest, but even that they are small- to medium-sized dogs. These stats likely reflect city dog owners. The dogs are small but loving and large.