Popular Japanese Dog Breeds that Will Melt Your Heart with Their Cuteness

Popular Japanese Dog Breeds that Will Melt Your Heart with Their Cuteness

Are you a dog lover? Or maybe you know Hachiko? If yes, surely you know Shiba Inu or Akita Ken. Both are types of Japanese dog breeds that are popular in the world. However, not only that, Japan actually has various types of breeds that are no less famous, including several very unique types of dogs. In this article, we will introduce readers to several rare breeds that are difficult to find elsewhere. We also have a number of interesting tourist attractions that dog lovers should not miss. Prepare your hearts because these dogs are absolutely adorable!

Nihon Ken Race

Shiba Inu have a long history of interaction with humans and can trace their existence back to the Jomon period (around 12,000 to 4,500 years ago), when they were bred to be hunting dogs. The Shiba Inu is a small to medium dog breed with an average weight of around 9kg. Having sharp ears, short fur, and curled tails, Shiba dogs are very independent and wary of strangers, but loyal and affectionate towards their owners. The Shiba Inu is a much-loved dog breed that has continued to gain popularity worldwide in recent years. The even smaller Mame-shiba only weighs around 4 to 6kg, which is also gaining popularity these days.

Kishu Inu

Hailing from the mountainous areas of Western Japan between Wakayama, Mie, and Nara, Kishu Inu were bred to be hunters. It weighs around 13kg to 27kg. They have beautiful white feathers and distinct facial features. Kishu Inu tends to have strong stamina, a calm but brave personality. They are also easy to train because Kishu dogs are completely loyal to their owners.

Shikoku-ken

As the name suggests, this type of dog comes from Shikoku, one of the 4 main islands in Japan. They perform superbly as hunting dogs, and weigh an average of around 15kg. The Shikoku Inu’s fur, which resembles that of a Japanese wolf, sometimes causes misunderstandings, causing commotion in the area. Shikoku dogs are intelligent and competitive by nature, but they need an experienced owner to keep them out of trouble.

Kai Ken

In Yamanashi Prefecture’s Minami-Alps, these dogs are used for hunting. Their weight ranges from 12 to 18kg. They have sharp characteristics and a wild look, and as Kai Ken dogs grow, they will acquire many stripes that are reminiscent of tigers. Bred as a hunting dog, the Kai Ken needs to be trained with strict discipline. For this reason, they are not suitable as pets at home.

Hokkaido Dog

This breed is sometimes referred to as the Ainu Ken because they have been a part of the life of the Ainu people (the indigenous people of Japan) for a long time. Hokkaido dogs grew up and adapted to survive Hokkaido’s harsh winters alongside the Ainu people. For this reason, Hokkaido dogs have two separate types of fur and are weak to hot climates. There are three color variants of the Hokkaido dog’s coat: black, white, or brown, and the coat can be slightly thicker so they can weigh around 20kg. Patient, loyal and brave, these smart dogs can be friends who are able to carry out various commands if their owners are willing to try to teach them and don’t forget to visit our site to get other interesting information by additional info