Pet ownership in Japan for a not so pet-friendly country, Japanese have found ways to incorporate their pets into their everyday lives. One method is to choose small dog breeds as their companions. Some common dog breeds for Japanese families are chihuahuas, miniature dachshunds, and toy poodles. The most common reason for choosing small breed dogs are the lack of space, and easier cleaning. Although small dogs are preferred, one of the most popular dog breeds in Japan is the Shiba Inu, which can grow to be two feet tall and weigh up to 25 pounds. Some Japanese prefer the Shiba Inu because they
Miniature Dachshund Miniature Dachshund Miniature dachshunds are a smaller breed of the standard dachshund. Some of their nicknames include "wiener dogs", "hot dogs", or "sausage dogs." The dachshund breed was developed in Germany and has existed since at least the 16th century. The name dachshund comes from the German words dachs (badger) and hund (dog). Dachshunds first came to the United States in 1870, imported to hunt rabbits, and gained official recognition in 1885. During that late 19th century, German hunters desired smaller dachshunds to be used on European hare, which lived in smaller burrows than the dachshunds' historic quarry -- badgers