In this article, we will get to know 10 breeds of Japanese dogs. I’m sure you will be impressed with these dogs from Japan. Let’s see Shikoku, Tosa, Kishu, Kai, Terrier, Spitz, Sakhalin husky, akita inu, and shiba inu.
Because of their friendly and loving nature, dogs are one of the most beloved species of animals in the world. Although the Japanese are known for their preference for cats, Japan also has fascinating dog breeds.
Table of Contents
1 – Shikoku Inu – The dog from the Kochi region
The Shikoku Inu is a dog from the Kochi region in Japan. This is a remote area, which is why this breed is considered one of the purest, as crossbreeding with other breeds becomes more difficult.
Dogs of the Shikoku Inu breed tend to exhibit a gentle and loving behavior towards their owners. They also tend to get along well with children, as long as they are used to being around them since they were puppies; otherwise, they may show somewhat aggressive behavior.
The Shikoku Inu is a medium-sized dog, with males measuring between 49 and 55 centimeters in height and weighing between 16 and 25 kilograms. Their life expectancy is between 10 and 12 years. Their coat usually comes in the colors: red sesame, black sesame, and sesame. This breed has an intelligent, cautious, energetic, agile, and courageous personality.
2 – Hokkaido Inu – The dog from the Northern region
The Hokkaido is a breed descended from medium-sized dogs that accompanied immigrants from Honshu – the main island of Japan – to Hokkaido island during the Kamakura era in the 17th century.
Being a strong and cold-resistant breed, Hokkaidos adapt well to mountainous regions, which is why they were used for hunting large animals like the brown bear.
Dogs of this breed have a gentle, courageous, alert, and loyal personality. An interesting characteristic of this breed is that they have an excellent sense of direction, being able to return on their own if they get lost from their owner.
It is also a medium-sized dog, measuring about 48 centimeters and weighing between 20 and 30 kilograms. They can be found with coats in black, white, black and tan, sesame, or red.
3 – Tosa Inu – The fighting dog
Resulting from the crossbreeding of Western breeds with the Shikoku Inu, Tosa dogs are known for being fighters. This is the largest breed of Japanese origin, weighing between 45 and 90 kilograms and reaching heights of up to 60 centimeters.
These dogs generally do not like strangers very much, but they become very attached to family members, making them great guard dogs for your home.
This breed has a suspicious, intelligent, sensitive, aggressive, and courageous personality. Their coat is short and comes in the colors black, fawn, brindle, or red.
4 – Kishu Inu – The oldest breed in Japan
Kishu is one of the oldest breeds we know, with at least 3000 years of history. It received its name because of the place where it began to be developed, called Kishu. Due to their remarkable courage, these dogs were used for hunting boars and other animals much larger than themselves.
The Kishu is also a medium-sized dog, measuring between 49 and 55 centimeters and weighing between 19 and 27 kilograms. Their coat can be white, brindle, sesame, or red. Dogs of this breed tend to be loving, active, playful, gentle, patient, and protective, making them perfect for children.
5 – Kai Inu – The pack dog
Also called Kai toro-ken, it is a medium-sized dog established as a breed in the Kai district of Yamanashi. These dogs have a strong tendency to form packs, which facilitates the maintenance of their population and the purity of the breed.
Originally, dogs of this breed were used as hunting dogs for animals like boars and deer, but due to their highly adaptable nature, they have come to be used as companion and guard dogs.
The size of these dogs is between 45 and 56 centimeters, and their weight is between 14 and 18 kilograms. They have a life expectancy of 14 to 16 years, and their coat can be dark brindle, gray brindle, or red brindle.
6 – The Japanese Spitz
The origin of this breed is uncertain, but the most accepted theory is that it was created from two varieties of dogs: the American Eskimo and the German Spitz. These are small dogs used solely for companionship.
They are quite cheerful, energetic, and playful. This dog has a relatively long life expectancy, between 10 and 16 years. Males measure between 30 and 38 centimeters, while females measure between 25 and 35 centimeters.
It is a breed with an intelligent, affectionate, obedient, companionable, and playful personality.
7 – The Japanese Terrier
The Japanese Terrier, also known as Nihan or Nippon Terrier, is a breed descended from short-haired Terriers brought to Japan by the Dutch in the 18th century.
This is a very good breed for companionship and play, and it gets along very well with children.
This is a small breed, with a height between 20 and 33 centimeters, and weighing between 2.3 and 4.1 kilograms. They have short coats in black and white or tricolor. They have an affectionate, cheerful, alert, lively, and active personality.
8 – Japanese Spaniel
The Japanese Spaniel, also called Chin, is the ideal dog breed for those living in cities, as they have a reputation for being a quiet dog.
This is a small breed intended for companionship, with long coats, usually black and white or red and white, and tails covered in fur.
They are intelligent, alert, loyal, and loving dogs. They have a life expectancy of 12 to 16 years and weigh between 1.4 and 6.8 kilograms.
9 – Sakhalin Husky
The Sakhalin Husky was previously used as a sled dog, but now the breed is nearly extinct. As of 2011, there were only two surviving members of the breed in Japan.
The height of these dogs is between 56 and 66 centimeters and they weigh between 30 and 40 kilograms. Their coats can be in the colors: black, cream, russet, and biscuit.
10 – Akita Inu
Famous for the movies “Hachiko” and “Always by Your Side,” the Akita Inu is known for being a loyal, gentle, calm, courageous, watchful, and companionable dog. However, due to their territorial nature, Akita Inu generally do not get along well with other dogs.
The Akita Inu is a large dog, measuring between 64 and 70 centimeters and weighing between 34 and 54 kilograms. Their coat can be white, sesame, or brindle-red, and they have a life expectancy of 10 to 12 years.
11 – Shiba Inu
Shiba has many similarities with Akita; the difference lies in size and personality. In fact, both Akita Inu and Shiba Inu are the most common and famous breeds in Japan. We wrote a separate article to talk about these two breeds.
We recommend reading the article about Shiba Inu and Akita Inu by clicking here. I hope you enjoyed the article; if you did, please share and leave your comments. Thank you and see you next time!
12 – Ryukyu Inu
The Ryukyu Inu is an exceptionally rare breed, originating from the southern islands of Japan, mainly Okinawa. This breed is so rare that, in 2015, it was estimated that there were only about 400 specimens, making them one of the rarest dog breeds in Japan. The history and origins of the Ryukyu Inu are somewhat obscure, but they are considered a national treasure on the island of Okinawa. These dogs are known for their bravery, intelligence, and alertness, qualities that make them unique among Japanese breeds. Due to their rarity, the Ryukyu Inu is not widely known, even among dog enthusiasts in Japan.
The Ryukyu Inu has an appearance that may resemble the Kai Ken, another Japanese breed, but they are very different in terms of lineage and characteristics. The Ryukyu Inu breed stands out for its adaptability and ability to survive in difficult environments, reflecting the terrain and climatic conditions of Okinawa.
They have a loyal temperament and are known to be particularly affectionate towards their owners, making them excellent companions. However, due to their rarity, these dogs are rarely seen outside their native region, making them a treasure among dog breeds.
13 – Sanshu Inu
The Sanshu Inu is a relatively new breed, developed in the early 1900s, around 1912. This breed is the result of the crossbreeding between the Chow Chow, the Aichi (an ancient Japanese dog), and several other Japanese Inu breeds.
The Sanshu Inu is known for its gentle, loyal, and sweet-natured temperament, making it an excellent companion dog. The mix of breeds resulted in a medium-sized dog with distinct physical and behavioral characteristics.
One of the most notable aspects of the Sanshu Inu is its loyalty and sweetness, which make them particularly suitable for families and individuals seeking a loyal and affectionate companion. They are known to form strong bonds with their owners and adapt well to domestic life. Although they are not as rare as the Ryukyu Inu, the Sanshu Inu is still considered a rare breed and is not commonly found outside of Japan.
The Sanshu Inu, being a product of several breeds, has a distinct appearance that reflects its mixed heritage. They tend to have a dense coat and can come in a variety of colors and patterns. In terms of personality, they are balanced, generally friendly and sociable, but can also be reserved in new situations or with strangers. This breed is ideal for those who want a dog that combines loyalty and sweetness with a balanced and adaptable personality.
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