The Hokkaido dog is a medium-sized, strongly-built breed of dog originating from Japan. Other names for the breed include Ainu-ken, Seta, Ainu dog, and Hokkaidog. This rare breed is known for its exuberance and loyalty to its owners. It has a long and fascinating history that dates back centuries.
The earliest records of the Hokkaido dog date back to the 17th century when they were used as hunting dogs by the Ainu people of northern Japan. They were bred to hunt bears and other large game in the mountainous regions of Japan. The breed was also used as guard dogs for villages and farms.
The Hokkaido dog is a Spitz type of working dog with a thick double coat that comes in various colors including black, white, red, sesame, brindle, or tan. They have wider chests and smaller ears than other Japanese breeds and can grow up to 52 cm tall. Their musculature is strongly developed with well-defined muscles on their legs and chest.
In addition to being used as hunting dogs, the Hokkaido was also kept as companion animals by many families in Japan during the 19th century. However, due to changes in lifestyle during this period, their numbers began to decline significantly until they were nearly extinct by World War II.
Fortunately, after World War II ended in 1945, efforts were made to save the breed from extinction by breeding them with other Japanese breeds such as Shiba Inus and Akitas. This helped increase their numbers significantly over time and eventually led to them being recognized by the Japanese Kennel Club in 1953.
Today, the Hokkaido is still relatively rare but it has become increasingly popular outside of Japan over recent years due to its intelligence and loyalty as well as its unique appearance. They are now recognized by major kennel clubs around the world including The American Kennel Club (AKC) which first recognized them in 1997.
The Hokkaido is an intelligent breed that loves spending time with its family members but can be wary around strangers at first so early socialization is important for them from puppyhood onwards if you want them to be comfortable around new people or animals later on in life. They are also very active dogs who need plenty of exercise every day so they are best suited for homes with large yards or access to nearby parks where they can run off some energy regularly!
Overall, the Hokkaido is an amazing breed that has been around for centuries despite facing near extinction at one point in time due to changing lifestyles during modern times. With their intelligence and loyalty combined with their unique looks make them a great choice for anyone looking for an active companion animal!
