During my visits to Japan I never noticed any stray dogs. Once I watched a Japanese TV program about the strict rules of keeping dogs in Japan. Any dog must have an owner, but a stray dog is subject to euthanasia because hungry stray dog may be the threat of attack or intrusion.
For dog owners, rules are also strict – they must take care of a dog’s vaccination, healthy diet and good care of appearance. Walking with a dog in a public place the owner must pick up the excrement. Moreover, there are houses and areas where keeping dogs is not allowed because they can bother the neighbors or cause an allergy.
However there are many dog friendly places like public parks and walking trails. I’ve heard about cafes where dogs are welcomed (with owners, of course). What I found funny was watching dogs in strolls, like kids. Many Japanese treat doggies like kids, indeed.
I once visited Hitachi Seaside Park and watched a real “Dog Fashion Show”. The dogs’ owners made hairstyles, dressed their pets and took photos with blue flowers as the background. It was such fun to watch that! One girl tried to take a photo of two poodles in colorful vests together, but it was a hard job as the dogs were curious of what was going on and why there were so many dogs around! I also watched many dogs in colorful vests walking along Kamo river in Kyoto.
I marked that women of any age treat doggies as kids while men treat them as friends (and don’t dress). Also I noticed that dogs behave – they don’t bark, don’t climb, paw at or approach strangers and wait patiently if needed. Dogs are as disciplined as Japanese people!
I like the Japanese rules for keeping dogs because I feel pity for stray dogs, but can’t help them much. Seeing dog excrement everywhere is not pleasant, but one doesn't see such things in Japan.
