You have to respect a rural area that has designated not one — but SIX — bounder as national raw repository . Get to sleep together the imposing breeds bang as Nihon Ken , as well as two other native Nipponese blackguard breed ( and one misconception ) .
While there are many aspects of Nipponese acculturation to beloved and admire , the existence of the Nihon Ken just might take the top post on our list . According to theNihon Ken Hozonkai(A.K.A. Japanese Dog Preservation Society ) , the Nihon Ken are six autochthonic Canis familiaris breed that have been point as national natural monuments in Japan . ( For comparison , the U.S. does n’t have a unmarried national breed , though there areseveral states that have prescribed dogs . )
“ It ’s a classification give by the ministry of culture to detail and animals view as to have Nipponese ethnical importance , ” explainsShigeru Kato , who is a member of the Nihon Ken Hozonkai , Kai Ken Aigokai ( Kai Dog Protection Society),Japan Kennel Club , and Dainihon Hunter ’s Association . “ This mean the authorities ( and the country ) are involved in their conservation . ”
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In Japan , these breeds are legendary . Literally . Kato , who breed , shows , and hunts with Nihon Ken , say that there are many story surrounding the breeds ’ connection to the now - extinctJapanese wolf . Looking at their motion-picture show below , you may see why .
consort to Kato , it ’s believe that the first cultivate bounder arrived in Japan with the Jomon and Yayoi masses and that the country ’s geographics and isolationistic principles allowed the dogs to remain basically unaltered for thousands of years . “ However , ” he explains , “ as Japan opened up to the outside world , these aboriginal dogs crossbred with Western dogs , leave few and fewer of the original Japanese dogs . ”
But Kato says that during theShōwa period(1926–1989 ) , effort were made to classify and preserve these dogs , and research worker scoured the country in hunt of them . “ The dog selected for conservation were from areas where the research worker found a sufficient number of quality dogs of a similar type without signs of cross with imported dogs , ” he continues . “ The six ‘ breeds ’ born from this effort were all part of one landrace , with the dogs being ramify by region where they developed their particular ‘ character . ’ ” In fact , other than the Shiba Inu , all of the Nihon Ken are named after the region where they were find .
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Below , we ’ll cover each of the six monumental Nipponese stock that are a part of the Nihon Ken , as well as a few other strain that did n’t quite make the home hoarded wealth cut but are still deserving a look .
6 Japanese Dog Breeds in the Nihon Ken
1. Shiba Inu
TheShiba Inuis the smallest of the Nihon Ken , maxing out at a weight of 23 pounds and a tiptop of just under 17 inches . The strain can also add another superlative degree to its list : most popular companion dog ( at least in its homeland).Eighty percentof the dogs presently cover in Japan are Shibas .
Though thefirst document Shiba Inuto go into the United States did n’t arrive until the 1950s ( after narrowly run extinction during World War II ) , the breed has been around since 300 BC . They look similar to foxes , but their personality is described as being CT - like . In other words , while they are affectionate and loyal pet , they also like to call the shot and may only follow your cue stick if and when theyfeellike it .
2. Akita
TheAkita , on the other paw , is the largest of the Nihon Ken . These burly , densely coated pooches can produce to be well over 100 pounds and taller than 2 fundament . While Akitas were breed to be stalwart hunt heel in the former 17th hundred , they mostly use their bravery to protect their family these days . The stock is so beloved in Japan that the parent of newborn childrenoften get an Akita figurineas a gift that symbolizes happiness and a farsighted aliveness .
You may have also heard the tearjerker of a report aboutHachiko , the Akita who expect faithfully for his master to appear at Shibuya Station every eventide for the 10 year between his owner ’s death and his own . His unbelievable dedication has since been immortalized in the phase of abronze statueplaced outside the post .
The firm , mostly silent character , Akitas tend to do best in one - dog households where they can have complete control of their dominion .
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3. Kai Ken
The Kai Ken breed is rare ( even in its native land ) , andwas first discovered only 90 years ago . According to theNihon Ken connection , these baronial pups come in three dissimilar colors — scarlet brindle ( aka - tora ) , intermediate brindle ( chu - tora ) , and black brindle ( kuro - tora)—and it ’s worth noting that “ tora ” think “ tiger ” in Japanese .
Bred as track down dogs , there were earlier two distinct types : shishi - inu - gata and shika - inu - gata . The former had a bear - like face and hardy form and was used to hunt boar ; the latter had a fox - like side and thin build and was used to hunt deer . However , no note is presently made between the two types of Kai Ken , and the wienerwurst are typically engage as pets rather than hunting partners .
Though they ’re often describe as independent mind , the stock can form close , devoted bonds with their menage . Kato can attest to this . “ My ' heart breed ' will probably always be the Kai , ” he let in . “ I love their intelligence and the connexion they make with their owner . ”
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4. Kishu Ken
The Kishu Ken is an athletic , driven work dog that was breed for hunting deer and wild boar and is sometimes still used for the task today . Loving and affectionate with their mankind , this dog does particularly well in active class . TheAKCnotes that while a Kishu could possibly do well if evoke with a true cat , the puppy may have a hard time seeing it as a buddy alternatively of quarry .
Though the Kishu is one of themost popular intermediate - sized dog in Japan , the stock remains rare elsewhere and has even experienced a decline in its native land as well . TheNihon Ken Hozonkainotes that the rise in popularity ofsmall dogsis threatening the existence of the four medium - sized breeds include in the Nihon Ken — namely , the Kishu Ken , Kai Ken , Shikoku Ken , and Hokkaido . The organization fear that if the trend is not reversed , these breed will become jeopardize .
5. Shikoku Ken
TheNihon Ken Hozonkaisays the Shikoku Ken ’s wild appearance and look make it to sometimes be mistaken for a Nipponese wolf , which we would wager the breed direct as a compliment . These dog have good rationality to look problematical , as they werebred to hunt big game(mostly boar ) in the mountainous districts of Kochi Prefecture ( hence their other name , “ Kochi Ken ” ) .
Multiplesourceslist the Shikoku as the rarest of the Nihon Ken , but that is n’t because they do n’t make nifty pet . In fact , while the stock like its independence ( you ’re belike sensing a subject here ) , these dogs are reportedly more eager to please than some of their fellow , more pop national innate treasure ( ahem , Shiba Inu ) .
Though the Kai may be the strain dearest to Kato ’s heart , he ’s latterly made the Shikoku his nidus . “ They had the lowest numeral of registrations when I first became tortuous with the Japanese breeds , ” he order . “ So in the pursuit of their preservation , I have canalize most of my exploit toward this strain . ” Kato name the Shikoku as “ beautiful , athletic dogs . ”
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6. Hokkaido
TheHokkaidois consider to be the sure-enough of the Nihon Ken . Theirhistorygoes back 1000 of years and is tied to the Ainu , an ancient autochthonal the great unwashed group who were ram to move off Japan ’s main island and onto the island of Hokkaido . The Ainu were hunters of deer and bears , and their dogs serve as fearless partners . These hardworking puppy follow to be referred to as Ainu Ken , but their name was officially changed to Hokkaido when they achieved Nihon Ken status in 1937 .
Today , Hokkaido are happiest withactive familieswho enjoy outdoor animation ( e.g.hiking , jogging , encampment ) . We ca n’t conceive of a unspoiled companion to go into the wild with than a dog whose ancestor hunted bear .
Other Japanese Dog Breeds to Love
It ca n’t be easy being a native Japanese dog who was n’t prefer to unite the Nihon Ken . But these hound have no intellect to make grow an inferiority complex .
Japanese Terrier
Thehistory of the Japanese terriergoes back to the 1600s , when fox terriers from the Netherlands were brought to Japan and were bred with small pointer and native dogs . The solvent is a compact , forgetful - haired circle pup who often looks as though he ’s dip his head in a pail of black and brown pigment . ( We mean that in the best means . )
Japanese Spitz
Thefull historyof the adorably fluffy Nipponese spitz is strange thanks to the destruction of records during WWII . However , it ’s think to be the resultant role of crossbreeding between white German spitz and other white spitz consequence from Canada , the United States , Australia , and China . Playful and fresh , the Japanese spitz can be at home on a cattle farm orin an apartment — as long as they get adequate exercise and society .
The Japanese Chin is Not Actually From Japan!
Sigh . Is thereanytruth in ad ? wayward to what its cognomen would have you think , theJapanese Chinisnot originally from Japan . While the breed ’s origin story is still shrouded in a mo of enigma ( Did they do from China ? Korea ? ) , the Japanese Chin was eventually inclose to Japan where it was embraced by nobles who made it what it is today .
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