also: にほんいぬ · にっぽんいぬ
noun
Japanese dog breed
Refers to native Japanese dog breeds such as the Shiba Inu, Akita Inu, Kishu, Shikoku, and Hokkaido.
日本犬の中でも柴犬は特に人気がある。
Among Japanese dog breeds, the Shiba Inu is especially popular.
Standard kanji spelling with the most common reading.
Alternate reading using kun'yomi for 犬; less common but still encountered.
Obsolete reading; にっぽん is an older pronunciation of 日本, and いぬ is the kun'yomi for 犬.
Synonym for Japanese dog breeds; 和犬 is slightly more formal or technical, while 日本犬 is more common in everyday use.
Compound of 日本 (Japan) and 犬 (dog). The reading にほんけん uses the on'yomi for both characters, while にほんいぬ and にっぽんいぬ mix on'yomi and kun'yomi.