Possible Clues:

• Animal that's been a Japanese Natural Monument since 1931
• A small cat and a dog
• Some Nagasaki tail-wagger?
• Curly-tailed barker
• Pooch with an upturned tail
• Japanese hunting dog
• Big dog from Japan
• Muscular watchdog
• Japanese import
• Dog breed Helen Keller introduced to the U.S. in 1937