Japanese Breeds Information Site: Hokkaido History

The Hokkaido Inu or Ainu dog is considered by some to be the oldest and the "wildest" of the Japanese breeds.
It is said to have originated from medium-sized Japanese dogs that accompanied migrants from Honshu (the main island of Japan) to

Hokkaido during the Kamakura era (in the 1140s), when exchanges were developing between Hokkaido and the Tohoku District.
It also came to be known as the "Ainu-ken" since 1869 when a British gentleman T. Blakiston named the dog the Ainu Dog, after the Ainu, the former inhabitants of Hokkaido. "Ainu" means "human." Actually, the Ainu people were the indigenous people of Japan archipelago.

They were driven to the remote northern island of Hokkaido on the arrival of the Yamato people.
They were described by the new conquerors as a "strange, white, hairy-bodied" race".
These traits were overly exaggerated, leading many scholars to think that the Ainu were actually Caucasians, who only seemed "hairy-bodied and strange" from the Japanese point of view.
The Ainu people managed to survive in the rugged, often freezing conditions as gathereres-hunters and from the earliest times had dogs with them who they revered and buried in the same fashion as humans.
They seem to have been sedentary fishers and marine hunters, and their dogs were apparently trained to catch salmon during the heavy spring salmon runs.
The only land animal that was hunted was the bear where the the Ainu dog, with his fearless and sharp character also proved very helpful and was appreciated for its accurate judgment and great stamina.

Although the Ainu dog is strongly related to the history of the Ainu people, these dogs have almost always been called Hokkaido-Ken by the Japanese. In 1937 Hokkaido-inu was declared the official name of the breed.

The physique of the Hokkaido enables it to withstand severe cold and heavy snowfalls.
It is a wild and powerful dog by nature.
It is always alert and suspicious by nature, making him an excellent watch dog.
In addition to being a fearless hunter, it is extremely loyal and devoted to its owner.
To show its owner that he is happy to see him, the Hokkaido inu howls like a wolf.
He is impulsive and fast and has a light gait.
Coat colors are usually red or white, but black, sesame, brindle and fawn are also acceptable.
Most dogs have black spots on their tongue, suggesting an ancestral genetic link with the Chinese Chow Chow and the Sharpei.

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1olena1 10 Aug : 13:15

Thanks for the compliment Webmaster! Yes, I'm an artist and have created 17 children's books, of which this is the most recent, for ages 3 - 6. It is the ONLY book about a Shiba that I have been able to find! Hope other members will have a look.

Webmaster 07 Aug : 06:02

Olena i seen a pic of ur book, Looks very nice. I see u illustrate in childerens books. Is this new book also made for the kids or isnt it?

For those who want to order the book i just opend a new part in the forum so ill add this book to it.

Webmaster 07 Aug : 05:56

Hi Members, I just made a special part on the Forum where u can put all messeges and share the info that u want to share.
Keep it clean, Spammers of Ads will be removed.

Admin

1olena1 19 Jul : 12:08

The book is titled Nicholas, you are ridiculous!, and can be googled, since the website doesn't seem to appear here!

1olena1 19 Jul : 12:07

I've just published a new picture book about a Shiba puppy - see it on my site,

Would love to get your input!

Lazulum73 12 Jul : 21:55

Hello,, would like to know how much costs to whatsh atournement in japan and when. Thank you

jawg 08 Nov : 14:45

DOES ANYONE KNOW WHAEN THE NEXT TOSA-INU TOURNAMENT WILL BE HELD IN JAPAN OR HOW CAN I FIND THIS INFORMATION

jawg 08 Nov : 14:43

ANY THOUGHTS OR HELP WILL BE WELCOMED

jawg 08 Nov : 14:42

SORRY ALL SHE IS A TOSA

jawg 08 Nov : 14:41

I JUST HAD THE LUCK OF GETTING A 20MOS FEMALE; SHE WAS VER DEPRESSED LEAVING HER DAD,MOM,2SISTERS AND BROTHER. SHE WOULD NOT RESPOND TO HER NAME AND ONLY AFTER NOW 8WKS AND HEAT CYCLE IS SHE COMING AROUND, SHE IS ALWAYS AFFRAID

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