The origin of the Ainu breed and its purpose, the standard of the exterior, the character of the dog, a description of health, advice on care. Interesting Facts. Purchase price. Ainu is the cutest dog of Japanese blood, with all its appearance resembling a strong sled dog. But you will hardly be able to "ride" this dog. No one has ever been able to do this. Yes, and it's not a sled dog, but a hunting one. From time immemorial, Ainu was engaged in tracking and persecuting bears and wolves, absolutely not giving in to the fury and power of these predators. And that is why the character of this dog is so "unbroken": independent and obstinate. Not everyone is able to make friends with an intelligent, but proud dog who knows his own worth, but having made friends, you can never part with him, and he will never betray you.
Ainu origin story
“Ainu” - it is under these pedigree names (which is translated from the language of the ancient ethnos inhabiting the Far Eastern region as “man”) this unique dog is known in the countries of Europe and America. In Japan, there is another name for them - "Hokkaido", under which the dogs are registered in the Studbook of the Japanese Kennel Club (JKC). There are other names that are less known to a wide circle: "Hokkaido-inu", "Ainu-ken", "Hokkaido dog".
The Ainu are one of six dog breeds of exclusively native Japanese ancestry that are listed as Japan's most protected dogs. Yes, the Japanese are very concerned about the purity of the blood of their aboriginal dogs, popularize in other countries of the world and try in every possible way to clarify their history of origin, which, as is often the case with ancient breeds, is lost deep in the centuries.
The history of the Ainu dogs dates back to the second largest island in Japan - Hokkaido (hence one of the breed names), about a thousand years ago. It is believed that it was bred by the ancient Ainu (a people who have inhabited the Japanese islands and the Far Eastern Primorye since ancient times). Another name of the dog comes from the name of the nationality.
Scientists still do not know for certain from which animal the handsome Ainu leads his ancient lineage. It is only known that the Ainu-ken has been actively used by local residents for a long time to hunt bears, deer and now extinct wolves. Also, these dogs guarded the dwellings (chise) in the Kotan villages of the Ainu people, their fishing and hunting camps, performing the original dog's work and helping this ancient ethnic group to survive in difficult times.
Over the centuries of existence, natural selection and folk selection (aimed at preserving the most useful and tenacious individuals, deprived of the possibility of any artificial improvements) have created a dog that is unique in its exterior, perfectly adapted to the difficult climatic conditions of the island, unpretentious in food and keeping conditions.
It was in this original form that the aboriginal Ainu dogs survived until the beginning of the 20th century, from which, in fact, their modern history began. For the first time on the dogs of the island of Hokkaido, the Japanese paid close attention during the "incident in Hakkoda" in the winter of 1902, when during a training exercise on the Hakkoda ridge, 199 soldiers of the imperial army froze to death. During the search, for the first time, Hokkaido aboriginal dogs were used to search for the bodies of the dead, which proved to be excellent in the difficult conditions of the snowy and cold winter.
From that time on, the whole of Japan learned about the Ainu dogs, and the Japanese dog handlers seriously engaged in breeding a talented and useful breed. In 1937, the Japanese government decided to include the Ainu dogs in the list of national natural treasures of the island of Hokkaido, protected by law, changing their breed name to Hokkaido Dog or Hokkaidoinu. From that moment on, the preservation of the purebred Hokkaido Inu was mandatory for all dog breeders and breeders of Japan, the export of animals outside the country was prohibited and punishable by law.
During the Second World War, the Hokkaido Inu, having undergone special training, were used by the Japanese to transmit military reports, reconnaissance of the enemy's location, and also to search for escaped prisoners. The use of the Ainu in the war wreaked havoc on their population, which required a revival of the breed in the post-war hours. It wasn't until 1951 that the number of Hokkaid dogs returned to pre-war levels.
Despite the fact that the appearance of the Ainu dogs, which became Hokkaido Inu, has changed little over the years (the breeders managed to only slightly diversify the color of the animal's coat), the final breed standard was approved only in 1964. This allowed in the same year to receive official recognition in the International Cynological Federation (FCI) and the United Kennel Club (UKC). The dog entered their Studbooks under the name Hokkaido.
The last change to the International Breed Standard was made in December 1994. Since the mid-90s, the Japanese city of Sapporo has hosted regular hokkaido dog championships, the number of participants in which reaches from 100 to 150 individuals.
The Hokkaido Inu breed is still small in number and is prohibited from being exported from Japan. She is a very rare dog breed in other countries. The history of single Ainu specimens that got to Europe or America is always associated with smuggling adventures.
Purpose and use of the Ainu
The indigenous inhabitants of the island of Hokkaido used the Ainu dogs to hunt big game - bear, Far Eastern deer and wolf. Also, these dogs guarded their villages and cattle from predators.
During World War II, Hokkaido Inu were used as reliable communication dogs, as well as search and search dogs.
Modern representatives of the breed are already little intended for hunting, especially since most of the animals (potential game) are protected by the nature conservation structures of Japan. The law enforcement agencies were also forced to abandon the use of the Ainu, due to their small number and high cost.
Therefore, for the most part, representatives of Hokkaido dogs, which are not very common even in Japan itself, are acquired by the Japanese, mainly as companion dogs, for exhibition purposes, as well as for participating in sports competitions in hunting skills (without baiting a real beast).
Description of the exterior of the Japanese Hokkaido Inu (Ainu)
A cute, but somewhat sullen dog, with a stature resembling a strong husky, the Hokkaido dog bears some resemblance to another Japanese Akitu Inu breed. There is also some similarity between the aboriginal dog of the Japanese islands and the European Northern Spitz of Scandinavia.
- Dimensions (edit) the animal is also quite comparable to the size of other huskies and pomeranians. So, the height at the withers of an adult Ainu male reaches from 48 to 52 centimeters (for "girls" - 45-49 centimeters). Body weight is in the range of 16-29 kg.
- Head Hokkaido is quite massive, but does not look disproportionately large. The skull is wide and somewhat flattened. The brow ridges are well marked. There is a distinct longitudinal groove dividing the top of the skull into two equal lobes. The stop (forehead-muzzle transition) is smooth but distinct. The muzzle is well-filled, of medium width, wedge-shaped, not too long and wide (reaching about half of the total head in length). The bridge of the nose is relatively wide and straight. The nose is black (flesh color is allowed with very light coat color). The lips are thin, tucked up, with a black border. The jaws are strong with a clear bite resembling a scissor grip. Teeth large and white with large canines. The number of teeth is standard - 42 teeth.
- Eyes not too large, beautiful almond-shaped, elongated-triangular or elongated-eastern in shape, set wide and somewhat obliquely. The eye color is dark brown (pedigree dogs rarely have a different eye color). The look is somewhat gloomy and resembles a fox (due to the eastern cut of the eyes).
- Ears small, triangular, erect. The auricles are set high and slightly displaced to the crown of the head, cautiously turned forward, covered with short hair.
- Neck strong, medium in length. Very strong and muscular.
- Torso very proportional, muscular, strong, square-elongated, with strong bones. The withers are very pronounced (especially in males). The chest is voluminous, wide.
- Back Moderately wide, straight. The line of the back slopes slightly towards the croup. The loin is short. The croup is round and strong. The belly line is well tucked up.
- Tail rather long, richly pubescent with fur, twisted in a "ring" on the back.
- Limbs straight and parallel, of medium length, well muscled with strong bone. Paws are round, with slightly spread toes, with dense pads and black nails. The standard does not allow the presence of dewclaws.
- Wool tough and dense, but long only on the tail (for the rest of the body it is of medium length or short). There is a dense undercoat, soft and dense.
- Color in the Ainu it is found in several varieties: completely white, light yellowish with light orange (the Japanese call this color "the color of soy flour"), red (in all shades), the so-called "sesame" (fawn or fiery red with black tan), monochrome black, black and tan (with orange tan) and brindle.
Hokkaid dog personality
This animal is an unusually brave and hardy hunting dog, with well-developed hunting instincts, capable of single-handedly and “viscously” attacking a large predator, shackling it and not allowing it to escape. The Japanese call their Hokkaido-Ainu "dogs with a fighting heart."
Has a well-developed flair and works great on the trail. She is smart, easy to train, possesses outstanding intelligence, the ability to quickly navigate difficult terrain and many other talents, which makes it a very versatile dog to use.
In dealing with a person, she is selective. He adores his master and gets along well with his household, but is suspicious of strangers and does not immediately make contact with them. Alert, careful and patient. These qualities make the Ainu an excellent guard dog, who prefers to serve in free movement without being on a chain or leash.
Freedom-loving Ainu dogs do not like a leash and a collar too much, and therefore it is necessary to teach them to move on a leash from puppyhood.
Hokkaido-Ainu get along well with other dogs, although they tend to show some dominance in relationships. But other animals, especially cats, can be perceived as an object of hunting. Ainu need timely socialization under the guidance of a specialist cynologist, especially when living within the city.
Such dogs quickly adapt to a variety of climatic conditions, tolerate temperature extremes and northern winds well. Animals are able to quickly adapt to life in a city apartment, although they require sufficient space for their full existence.
Ainu Hokkaido are dogs that are remarkably loyal to their owner, brave and strong, capable of protecting their owner, his home and property. They are by nature monogamous, and remain forever loyal to their first owner, it is difficult to re-subordinate and relearn. For these dogs are suitable owners with an energetic sports lifestyle, athletes and hunters, cyclists and travelers.
Health and Life Expectancy of the Japanese Ainu
Little is known about the health problems of these Japanese dogs. The Japanese are in no hurry to reveal their breed secrets. Moreover, the Ainu are still prohibited from exporting from the country, which means there is no need to disclose such information to the whole world.
Nevertheless, it is believed that the native Ainu dog has very good health, forged by centuries of natural selection, and is completely devoid of genetic predispositions (at least there is no official information about this). On the Japanese Internet cynological forums, only Hokkaido's predisposition to allergic dermatitis has been noted.
The life span of Hokkaid dogs is within 14-15 years.
Hokkaid dog grooming tips
These dogs are absolutely not afraid of the cold, so in kennels in Japan they are raised in the open air, kept in open enclosures. Little is known about the diet, maintenance and care of Japanese dog breeders. The Japanese, as in other matters related to national business interests, prefer to keep their secrets strictly.
But it seems that the basic standard rules for the maintenance of sled and hunting huskies in the Far East, Alaska and Siberia will be quite applicable to Ainu dogs, too, these breeds were created under similar conditions.
The mobile and freedom-loving Ainu dogs need a lot of living space and do not feel very well in the cramped environment of a city apartment (although they are able to quickly adapt). Therefore, it is best to keep these unique animals (if you are lucky enough to get them) somewhere outside the city or in the countryside, in an aviary or a securely fenced yard.
Needs long walks, preferably in nature, with the provision of the opportunity to actively play, run and look for traces of wild animals.
The stiff Ainu hair does not need constant combing, it is enough to brush over the animal's hair no more than 2 times a week. This has to be done more frequently during moulting seasons. Bathing the dog - as needed (there are no hard and fast rules).
It is very important to properly organize the diet and diet of the dog in order to maintain its normal weight. The feed should be fully balanced in terms of energy and protein-fat-carbohydrate components, rich in vitamins and minerals. In Japan, the preference of the owners is given to dry and wet food of industrial production of a high quality level (mostly holistic or premium class).
Interesting facts about the breed
The ancient people of the Ainu have inhabited the Far Eastern region since time immemorial. The traditional crafts of this people were: fishing, taiga hunting, gathering and marine hunting. And the only pet-helper in all this activity was the Ainu dog, which is equated in value to a full member of the family.
In winter, Hokkaido dogs were sometimes harnessed to sleds to transport cargo, but their main task was to help in hunting bears, deer, elk, musk deer. Ainu looked for and attacked the beast, holding the hunter until the arrival, who killed him with an accurate shot of a poisoned arrow (the Ainu are the only people in the Far East who used poisoned arrows).
And also these dogs served as sacrificial animals during holidays and ceremonies, as well as a means of payment or exchange.
Ainu puppy cost
There is no official export of Hokkaido puppies from Japan. For this reason, out-of-breed dogs "under the Ainu" can be sold on the territory of Russia, or, in rare cases, puppies smuggled out of Japan through China or Thailand are offered. The quality and breed compliance of such dogs is controversial, but they are always expensive.
The real cost of purebred and promising Hokkaid dog puppies in Japan itself is approximately 1300 US dollars.
More about the Hokkaid dog breed in this story:
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