Hokkaido (dog) facts for kids
The Hokkaido dog is a special type of dog from Japan. It's one of six purebred dog breeds that originally came from Japan. These six breeds are the Hokkaido, Akita, Shiba, Kai, Kishu, and Shikoku. People believe they all share the same ancient family tree!
A group called the Nihon Ken Hozonkai has officially named these six breeds as "Japanese dogs." Each one is even considered a national natural treasure in Japan. You might have seen a Hokkaido dog before, even if you didn't know it! They are famous in Japan because one of them is a character for the SoftBank mobile company. This means many Japanese people have seen them on TV shows or in commercials.
Contents
About the Hokkaido Dog
The Hokkaido dog is a bit rare compared to the other five Japanese breeds. It's thought that there are only about 7,000 of them living in Japan today.
Size and Lifespan
Hokkaido dogs usually live for about 13 to 15 years. This is a normal lifespan for a medium-sized dog, which typically live for 10 to 14 years.
These dogs are about 42 to 53 centimeters (16.5 to 21 inches) tall. They weigh around 15 to 30 kilograms (33 to 66 pounds). They are a little bigger than most other medium dogs. Sometimes, people might confuse them with Shiba dogs because they look a bit similar. However, Hokkaido dogs are larger. They also have a deeper chest and stronger muscles than Shiba dogs.
Special Features
Hokkaido dogs have a special "double coat" of fur. This means they have two layers: a long, stiff outer coat and a soft, warm inner coat. This double coat helps them stay warm in the cold weather of Hokkaido, where they come from. It also helps them control their body temperature.
While some people might only know the white Hokkaido dogs, they actually come in many different colors! You can find them in sesame (a mix of colors), tiger (striped), red, dark brown, wolf ash, and white. Another cool feature is their small, triangular "standing ears," which really stand out!
History of the Hokkaido Dog
The ancestors of the Hokkaido dog lived on Honshu, the main island of Japan. They traveled to Hokkaido with humans a long time ago. There, they developed into the pure breed we know today.
For many years, these dogs lived and hunted with the Ainu people, who are the native people of Hokkaido. Because of this, the Hokkaido dog is also known as the "Ainu dog." In the Ainu language, they call this dog "Seta." The Hokkaido dog was officially named a national natural monument in 1937.
Character and Temperament
The Ainu people used Hokkaido dogs to hunt large animals. Because of this, these dogs are very brave and strong hunters.
Hokkaido dogs are also very loving towards their owners, especially if they see their owner as the leader. They are known for being very loyal and protective of their families.
Images for kids
-
A pair of Hokkaido dogs
See also
In Spanish: Hokkaido (perro) para niños
