AKA: Ainu Dog, Hokkaidoken, Ainu-ken, Ainu Inu, Seta, Shita

Description: The Hokkaido Dog a muscular dog with a sturdy body. It has small erect ears that face forward are set high on the head. The eyes are small and dark brown. It has solid strong teeth that form a scissors bite. Some of the breed has black spots on the tongue, and others have the blue black tongue distinctive to the Chow Chow and the Shar Pei. The lips have dark pigmentation. The forelegs are straight. The back is lean and solid. The tail is curled in a Spitz fashion, carried high above or over the back.

Dynamics: The Hokkaido Dog is a fearless and loyal dog breed that has a good-natured temperament. It is intelligent and is quick to earn, with a natural sense of direction, always returning to its master. It is a determined hunter, as well as a guard and watch dog.

It is gentle and obedient to its owner and family. But it can be aggressive and stubborn with other dogs. It should not be free around other animals, too, because it might unleash its hunter instincts. It gets along with children well if raised with them since puppyhood.

Breed Group: Northern

Weight: 45-65 pounds (20-30 kg)

Height: 18-22 inches (46-56 cm)

Color: The Hokkaido Dog’s coat comes in sesame, brindle, wolf gray, red, brown, or white.

Country of Origin: The Hokkaido Dog is a Japanese Spitz breed, and is rarely seen outside Japan. It was named after the Ainu tribe that came to Japan thousands of years ago.

Activities: The Hokkaido Dog requires a moderate amount of exercise to keep fit. This breed is used in big-game hunting (especially in hunting bears), as a guard dog of a property, and as a draft animal pulling sleds.

Grooming: The straight double coat of the Hokkaido Dog should be brushed and combed regularly.

Other Info: The Hokkaido Dog is not fit for the city or apartment life. It prefers to be outdoors. It has a life expectancy of 11 to 13 years.

AKA: Akita Inu, Japanese Akita

Description: One of three Spitz type dogs from Japan currently recognized by The Kennel Club, also known as the Akita Inu, meaning “large dog”. They are a very dignified and devoted dog, strong and muscular with a flat, heavy head and strong, short muzzle. The Akita is slightly longer than he is tall with a broad, deep chest and level back. Their head is broad and shaped like a blunt triangle. Also,The stop is well-defined and there is a shallow groove going up the center of the forehead. The erected ears are small and carried forward and in line with its neck. They have a dark brown, small, and triangular eyes. But generally, their nose is black but on white akitas, brown is permitted with black lips and pink tongue. The teeth should meet in a scissors, or level bite. The tail is carried high and curled over the back. The Akita has webbed, cat-like feet that makes them a fine swimmer. The double coat is composed of a harsh, waterproof outer coat insulated with a thick, soft undercoat. Coat colors are pure white, red, sesame and brindle. No clear borders on the colors and a black mask is forbidden. They are clam, intelligent, thoughtful and friendly breeds. Moreover, akitas are obedient, and have a strong hunting instincts. That is why they are powerful and protective pet that makes them a great watchdog. But they don’t bark too much and they can also be independent and try to dominate. Its good for them to become friends with their family but never a slave. For trainings, they need intensive and extensive socialization also obedience. They should be trained to know who their master is. They are a very consistent, firm and fair and is very patient and kind. They should not be trained harshly because they are easier to be trained compared to other breeds.

Dynamics: The Akita Inu is described as a first class guard dog. It is a serious, loyal, and protective breed. It is moderately energetic, not an excessive barker, careful, and willful. It is capable of ferocity and can be possessive at times. While it is a good guardian, it may not be tolerant to teases and may bite. It is good with its family’s children but do not accept other children easily. It is only affectionate with its owner and family.

With proper and firm training, the Akita Inu makes a fine pet. It is an intelligent breed but handling it will take patience and tolerance. The Akita Inu needs to be treated with kindness. It needs to be supervised when it’s with other household pets and children. It can be food-possessive. It gets bored quickly, and can be very fearless. But within this tough personality, the Akita Inu is actually people-oriented. It has a need to be with its family, is extremely faithful, and thrives on companionship.

Breed Group: Group Northern, AKC Working Group

Weight: males 75-120 pounds (34-54 kg), females 75-110 pounds (34-50 kg)

Height: males 26-28 inches (66-71 cm), females 24-26 inches (61-66 cm)

Color: The Akita Inu can come in any color, including white, pinto, or brindle.

Country of Origin: The Akita Inu comes from Japan, native to the island of Honshu in the region of Akita. It is the national dog of Japan. It was first brought to the United States by Hellen Keller.

Activities: The Akita Inu does not need a lot of exercise. They are moderately active in indoors and they always enjoy playing sessions with their family or others family activities but if left alone, they will be bored and destructive. Like other breeds, they also like daily walking but it is very important that they are securely leashed and keep them away from encountering other dogs. They are not suitable for apartments they should be in a secured large yard.

Grooming: They are easily to be cared of. Usually they have a brief period of shedding in about twice yearly. The coarse, stiff, short-haired coat needs significant grooming. Brush with a firm bristle brush, and bathe only when absolutely necessary as bathing removes the natural waterproofing of the coat.

Other Info: Their Life span is around 10 – 13 years. Most health problems to look out would be: luxating patella, thyroid problems, lupus, cancer, vWD, PRA, skin conditions, and autoimmune problems.