Dog Encyclopedia — 223 Species Directory
Encyclopedia of popular dog breeds with traits, temperament, and care guides.
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Showing 113 of 223 species(49–72)

Irish Water Spaniel
Ireland's water retriever famous for its rat tail. Proud, bold and a humorous family companion.

Italian Greyhound
Slim, elegant toy sighthound. Gentle and sensitive, forms strong bonds with owners.

Italian Pointing Dog
Italy's traditional pointing dog depicted in 14th-century frescoes. Docile, intelligent and easy to train.

Italian Spinone
Italy's versatile gundog with a coarse coat and whiskered face. Sociable, docile and patient.

Jack Russell Terrier
Energetic terrier with boundless energy. Curious, brave, and extremely athletic.

Japanese Terrier
Rare Japanese small breed with distinctive black-and-white smooth tricolor coat. Active and loyal.

Kerry Blue Terrier
Ireland's versatile terrier in a beautiful blue coat. Keen, alert and a loyal companion.

Lagotto Romagnolo
Italian water dog famous for truffle hunting. Curly coat and gentle temperament make it a wonderful companion.

Lakeland Terrier
An old terrier bred for fox hunting in England's Lake District. Cheerful, fearless and confident.

Lapponian Herder
A Finnish herding spitz that has driven reindeer across Lapland for centuries. Docile, calm and eager to work.

Large Munsterlander
A versatile German gundog that excels in work after the shot. Obedient, trainable and lively.
© Kurre92 / CC BY-SA 4.0Leonberger
Lion-like mane on a gentle giant. Calm, patient, and excellent swimmer.

Lhasa Apso
Ancient breed kept as sentinel dogs in Tibetan monasteries. Rich long coat and independent character.

Lowchen
A bichon-type companion famed for its lion clip. Intelligent, affectionate and full of life.

Mameshiba
A smaller version of the Shiba Inu. Retains the dignified character of Shiba in a compact, apartment-friendly size.

Miniature American Shepherd
Smaller version of the Australian Shepherd. Smart and active with high working ability in a compact body.

Miniature Bull Terrier
Smaller version of the Bull Terrier. Distinctive egg-shaped head and unique expression, mischievous and fun-loving.

Miniature Pinscher
An energetic breed packed with spirit. Known as the King of Toys with a distinctive proud, hackney-like gait.

Mudi
Hungary's all-round herding dog, equally at home driving stock, hunting or guarding. Highly intelligent, cheerful and eager to work.

Newfoundland
Gentle giant. Exceptional swimmer with rescue heritage. Especially gentle with children.

Norwegian Buhund
A spitz that has worked Norwegian farms for over two thousand years. Brave, energetic and people-friendly.

Norwegian Elkhound Grey
One of Scandinavia's oldest spitz breeds, hunting elk since the Viking age. Fearless, energetic and bold.

Nova Scotia Duck Tolling Retriever
A Canadian retriever that lures ducks within range by playing along the shore. Highly intelligent and patient, with a strong retrieving drive and playful spirit.

Parson Russell Terrier
A working terrier developed by Parson John Russell for fox hunting. Bold, friendly and endlessly active.
Dog FAQ
- How much do dogs cost?
- Prices vary by breed. From breeders directly, Toy Poodles typically run 200,000-450,000 yen, Chihuahuas 150,000-350,000 yen, Shiba Inu 120,000-250,000 yen, and large breeds 200,000-500,000 yen, varying with pedigree, coat, and the parents' track record.
- What are the benefits of buying from a breeder?
- The biggest advantage is being able to see the parent dogs and rearing environment, and to ask directly about temperament, health, and socialization. Under Japan's Animal Welfare Act, sellers must show the actual animal at their premises and provide in-person written explanation of care and date of birth before handover.
- At what age can I bring home a puppy?
- Under Japan's Animal Welfare Act, breeders cannot sell or hand over puppies until they are 56 days (8 weeks) old. For the six native Japanese breeds (Shiba, Akita, Kishu, Kai, Hokkaido, Shikoku) sold directly by specialist breeders, the threshold is 49 days (7 weeks).
- How long do dogs live?
- Generally, small breeds live 12-16 years, medium breeds 10-14 years, large breeds 10-13 years, and giant breeds 8-10 years. Proper diet, exercise, and regular checkups help extend their healthy lifespan.
- What do I need to prepare before getting a dog?
- Basics include a pen or crate, toileting supplies, food and bowls, a collar and leash, and grooming items. After bringing the dog home, promptly arrange a vet health check and vaccination plan, plus municipal registration and the required rabies vaccination.