rianova
Kennelrianova
Kennel
Breeders and fanciers of the Japanese Terrier
are very demanding about his looks and colour markings, which
sometimes, are considered more important than his sporting abilities
or a strong constitution. Experts in the breed pray for markings
where nature has provided them. The ideal colour an
d markings
in a Japanese Terrier are: jet-black and rich tan, reddish brown
as follows: on the head, the muzzle tan up to the nose, the nasal
bone being jet-black. Sometimes a small tan spot on each cheek
and above each eye may appear. The under-jaw and throat to be
tan and white, in a distinct "V". Ears and the rest
of the head should be black. The body should be mainly white.
However, not all Japanese Terriers have these ideal markings.
When puppies are born, sometimes there is a black spot on top
of their back. This black spot is called "Hinomaru",
which means the national flag of Japan, and this is not considered
so bad for the breed, although it should not be very big in an
adult dog. The black spot which sometimes appears at the root
of the tail is called "Odome" and this is rather considered
better marking than an all-white body. These dogs, although they
can be outstanding, are not very pretty. A black saddle-mark is
not considered nice in this breed and is not recommended either
for showing nor breeding purposes. Sometimes a white mark appears
around the eyes. This is frowned upon and these dogs are called
"Pandas". There are also pure white dogs without any
markings at all. There are also 
white
headed dogs with only black markings on the ears; they are called
"Nipper", like "His Master's Voice". Finally,
there is a strain in Osaka whose dogs are dark chocolate colour
in the head, with white marks. This colour is not so bad, even
if the standard requires black and tan markings and these dogs
are being bred from. Grey is not permitted in the breed. it is
not recommended to breed from dogs with black marks all over the
body (which should be white), as the black colour on the body
is highly fixed. But these black marks in the hair should not
be mistaken for black spots that appear on the skin, which are
permitted. Sometimes there are no tan markings on the head and
instead, a lovely black head is raised. This black colour is permitted,
reminding one of the old dogs of Lobe, probably the black colour
is highly fixed in the fore face. There should be no markings
on the legs and I have not seen any in today's dogs. Careful breeding
will emerge, as occurred when the breed was facing extinction.
New fanciers will come on the scene and take care, offering a
promising future to the breed.