Welcome to the Hokkaido-Inu Museum





Let's call the Hokkaido-Inu the Ainu Dog !

STANDARD

(Hokkaido-Inu)



Breed:
  Hokkaido-Inu

Origin:
  Japan

Group:
  hunting
 

Size: medium

Height: 
   male   19-20 inches (48.5-51.5 cm)
   female 18-19 inches (45.5-48.5 cm)
Height and length of body are in the ratio of 10:11. Regarding the length of body, female is longer than male.
Coat: medium short, thick, and double.

Color: red, white, black, gray, sesame,
       or brindle (some variations of
       these colors are acceptable).
There are so few black, gray, sesame, or brindle dogs (especially brindle dogs).
Cheeks: well developed.


Ears: small and held upright.



Eyes: somewhat small, dark brown, and
      set triangularly.


Chest: wide and deep.

Tail: large, full, and carried over back
      or against flank.

Names: Ainu Dog, Hokkaido-Inu, 
       Hokkaido-Ken, or Ainu-Ken.


In 1937, the Ainu dog was designated in Japan as "a rare species protected by law" and it was decided that the official name of the breed would be Hokkaido-Inu. However, the dogs are almost always called Hokkaido-Ken among the Japanese people.

In the Japanese language, both "Inu" and "Ken" mean dog, but "Ken" is usually used with a noun such as the local name (for example, Hokkaido-Ken, Kai-Ken, and Shikoku-Ken). In fact, the use of “Inu” with a noun is generally considered incorrect.

Thus, while the formal name in Japan is Hokkaido-Inu, the expression Hokkaido-Ken is more generally used in the spoken language.