Hokkaido (Ainu)

Ainu dogs are amongst the oldest Japanese dogs and are living carriers of the archipelago’s history. Genetic studies show that they are direct descendants of dogs from the Jomon period (approximately 10,000 BC). The Ainu people, the indigenous people who were pushed to the northern Japanese island of Hokkaido, preserved the purity of this breed for millennia. Imagine this: when civilisations were only just emerging in Europe, the ancestors of this dog were already hunting bears in the dense forests of Japan.

These hardy dogs could work in blizzards and thunderstorms; they feared neither the cold nor harsh mountain conditions. These dogs specialised in hunting the brown bear (Higuma), which is a very dangerous opponent, as well as the Ezo deer. A particular feature of the Hokkaido is their impeccable sense of direction. These dogs never get lost, wherever they are, which was critical for the “Matagi” hunters who tracked prey for tens of kilometres from home.

In 1937, the Japanese Ministry of Education declared the breed a natural monument, and it was then that the official name was changed from “Ainu-ken” to “Hokkaido-ken”. However, after the Second World War, the breed’s numbers dropped noticeably. People began to prefer dogs with a softer character or Western breeds. To this day, Hokkaido numbers are low, and they remain a rarity even in their homeland.

The Hokkaido is a sturdy, compact and extremely muscular dog. It radiates strength but does not look heavy. It is a balance between speed and power. Sexual dimorphism is clearly expressed: males look more masculine and massive, while females are more elegant but no less robust.

• Head: Wedge-shaped, broad, with a flat forehead. The transition from forehead to muzzle (stop) is not sharp but clearly visible. The muzzle is straight and wedge-shaped. A very important detail – many dogs of this breed have blue-black spots on their tongue, which is a unique feature amongst Japanese Spitz breeds (a similarity to the Chow Chow, hinting at shared ancient roots).
• Eyes: Quite small, triangular in shape, set wide apart. Colour – dark brown. The gaze is attentive, piercing, and sometimes described as “wild”.
• Ears: Small, triangular, thick, tilted slightly forward, as if the dog is constantly listening for the footsteps of prey.
• Body: The neck is powerful, without a dewlap. The chest is deep (reaching the elbows) and developed – this is the dog’s “engine” providing stamina. The back is straight, the loin is wide.
• Tail: Set high, thick, curled over the back in a ring or sickle shape.

Coat and Colour

The Hokkaido’s coat is perfectly adapted to severe winters. It is double: the outer hair is stiff and straight, while the undercoat is soft and very dense. The colouring is varied, and each has its own name in the Japanese tradition:

• Sesame: A mixture of black, red and white hairs. Looks very “wild” and natural.
• Brindle: Black stripes on a red or light background.
• Red: A rich, deep colour.
• Black and Tan: A classic combination.
• White: A clean colour, without yellowing (although the ears may have a slight cream tint).

It is interesting to compare the Hokkaido with other Japanese breeds. For instance, the majestic Akita Inu is significantly larger and more massive, whereas the Shiba Inu is a smaller and more “urban” version. The Hokkaido occupies the “golden mean” in terms of size but surpasses many in working qualities.

Ainu dogs are serious working dogs. Their character can be described in three words: courage, loyalty, vigilance. This is not an extrovert dog like a Labrador. The Hokkaido is an introvert that reveals its soul only to “its own”.

Behavioural features:

1. “One-man dog”: They choose a leader and remain devoted to them until the end. They love and protect the rest of the family, but they will obey without question only the pack leader.
2. High hunting instinct: Anything that moves quickly can be regarded as prey. This applies to cats, squirrels and even small dogs on the street.
3. Territoriality: The Hokkaido is a born guardian. They do not bark without reason, but if they have raised their voice – it means someone has genuinely breached the boundary.

Many people are afraid to acquire such dogs because of their tough nature. Others, on the contrary, believe that the strong-willed character of the four-legged friend will only be of benefit. Such dogs are distrustful of strangers, incorruptible, attentive and fearless. If you are looking for something exotic but less aggressive towards other animals, you might want to take a look at the Mexican Hairless Dog (Xoloitzcuintli) – this is also a primitive breed, but with a completely different temparament.

Hokkaido dogs are among the healthiest in the world. Thanks to natural selection (only the strongest hunters survived), the breed is not burdened with the mass of genetic defects inherent in artificially bred dogs. However, there are specific points one needs to be aware of.

Collie Eye Anomaly (CEA): Surprisingly enough, this disease occurs in the Hokkaido (approximately 1/3 of the population are carriers of the gene). It is a hereditary disease that can lead to blindness. It is important that breeders conduct genetic tests on the parents before mating.

Hip Dysplasia: Although less common than in large Molossers, it does happen. Weight control and moderate exercise during puppyhood are the best prevention. Also, do not forget about standard measures: protection against ticks (babesiosis is very dangerous) and scheduled vaccinations.

Hokkaidos adapt easily to any climatic conditions. You can keep such a dog in a flat or in the yard of a private house (but not on a chain! This will break the dog’s psyche). If you live in an apartment and are not ready to walk actively for at least 2-3 hours a day – you would be better off considering the Japanese Spitz. It is also white and beautiful, but significantly simpler to care for and less demanding in terms of activity.

Grooming

Representatives of this breed are very tidy. They often wash their faces with their paws, like cats. Coat care comes down to brushing:

• In normal times: 1-2 times a week with a metal comb.
• During shedding: This is a natural disaster. Fur will be everywhere. You need to brush daily with a slicker brush or a Furminator.

The Hokkaido needs to be educated from the moment they appear in the home. The main problem is not intelligence (they are very clever), but motivation. The dog constantly asks itself the question: “And why should I do this?”.

Key principles of training a Hokkaido:

• Firmness, but not cruelty. Physical punishment is unacceptable. It will lead to the dog withdrawing into itself or starting to defend itself.
• Socialisation. Up to 4 months of age, the puppy should see everything: trains, crowds of people, other dogs, loud noises. Otherwise, natural mistrust will develop into aggression.
• Hierarchy. You go through the door first. You eat first (or the dog eats after a command). You control the toys.

If you are interested in other Japanese breeds with a similiar temperament, pay attention to the Kai Ken (Tiger Dog) – another rare representative of the “Nihon Ken”, famous for its ability to climb trees.

It is in these dogs’ genes to work, so nutrition must be high-calorie but balanced. Hokkaidos are not as prone to allergies as the Shiba Inu, but it is not worth taking risks.

Basis of a natural diet:

• Meat (50-60%): Beef, lamb, horse meat. Chicken – with caution.
• Fish: Sea fish, frozen, boneless. A source of Omega-3 for the coat.
• Vegetables and fruits: Pumpkin, courgette, apples (except grapes and citrus fruits).
• Offal: Tripe, liver (in small quantities).

Forbidden: cooked tubular bones, sweets, salty foods, smoked foods, pastries. An adult dog should be fed twice a day after walking (to avoid bloat/gastric torsion).

• The Dad from the advert: The most famous Hokkaido in modern times is a dog named Kai-kun, who played the role of “Dad” (Otousan) for many years in a popular series of commercials for the Japanese mobile operator SoftBank. He became a national hero.
• Bear wrestler: There is a documented case where a Hokkaido dog weighing only 25 kg held back a 200 kg bear, saving its owner until he was able to take a shot.
• Six Samurai: The Hokkaido is included in the “Nihon Ken” – the six indigenous Japanese breeds (along with the Akita, Shiba, Kai, Kishu and Shikoku).

Do Hokkaidos bark a lot?

No, they are not yappers. They may howl (communicate) like wolves, or make short sounds to warn of danger. Barking always has a reason.

Is this breed suitable for a beginner?

Categorically not recommended. Without experience in working with complex breeds, you risk ending up with an unmanageable, dominant dog.

How do they cope with the heat?

Due to their thick undercoat, heat is more dangerous for them than frost. In summer, walks should be moved to early morning and late evening, ensuring access to water and shade.