pet dog; domesticated dog
Refers to a dog that lives with people in a village or home, as opposed to a wild dog or wolf. Often used in contrast with 山犬 (mountain dog/wolf).
Antonyms: 山犬
昔話では、里犬と山犬がよく対比される。
In old tales, pet dogs and mountain dogs are often contrasted.
この辺りでは、里犬が放し飼いにされているのをよく見かける。
Around here, you often see domesticated dogs roaming freely.
Japanese wolf (extinct) · wild dog; mountain dog
Compound of 里 (village, home) and 犬 (dog). The exact historical derivation is uncertain, but the word has been used to distinguish domesticated dogs from wild ones.