Spinone Italiano
The Spinone Italiano has a square build (the length of the body is approximately equal to the height at the withers). It is a strong-boned, solidly built dog with a well-muscled body and limbs that are suited to almost any kind of terrain. Brown and white Spinone Italianos can sometimes be confused with a German Wirehaired Pointer by someone not familiar with the breeds. However, the Spinone Italiano's long head and pronounced occipital are unique to the breed.
It is generally believed that the ancestors of the Japanese Terrier were
brought by Dutch merchant ships to Nagasaki, the only Japanese port open to the
West in the 17th Century. Whether there was a type of fox terrier developing in
the Netherlands, or whether these were dogs brought along by English sailors is
unclear. Unlike other descendants of fox terriers, the JT seems to have been
developed exclusively as a pet. The dogs became very popular as lap dogs in
ports such as Nagasaki, Kobe and Yokohama.
According to the Japanese Kennel Club, planned breeding of Japanese Terriers did
not begin until around 1920, when fanciers began selective breeding from the
progenitor, the Kobe Terrier. The Japanese Terrier was recognized by the JKC in
1930. The Japanese Terrier is recognized by the Japanese Kennel Club and the FCI.
It is little known outside of Japan, but does have its admirers in Europe.