Japan is famously a land of great contrasts, from ancient forest wildernesses to the cheek-by-jowl living in some of the world’s most heavily-populated and modern cities. It is, therefore, perhaps a little unusual that the country’s dogs are not similarly varied.
Predictably enough, there are a number of small, well-behaved breeds ideal for life in small homes and city apartments. However, the majority of Japan’s own dog breeds tend to be larger dogs originally used for hunting by solitary owners in the mountains and woods. While many of these dogs would prove quite unsuitable for life in one of the country’s great metropolises, they are nevertheless extremely prized and celebrated in the country’s cultural life and protected by a number of government statutes.
Dog breeding standards in Japan are regulated by the Japan Kennel Club, established in 1949.
Table of Contents
Akita
Size: Large/Very Large
Height: 58-71 cm (23-28 inches)
Weight: 25-59 kg (55-130 lbs)
Coat and Colour: Thick double coat; in ginger, red, brindle white or sable. All will have a variety of white markings
Life Expectancy: 10 years
Type: Hunting dog
Personality
Originally bred for hunting animals as large as elk or bear, Akita are also well-known as a companion animal for the Samurai and the national dog of Japan. The Akita is based on the Spitz dog and can display a number of behaviours which are more notably feline than canine, notably its fastidious self-cleaning rituals and preening. Akitas are independent, dominant dogs who are loving and very loyal to their owners. However, their size and strength combined with their natural suspicion of strangers can make them a challenge – in some countries they are listed as dangerous dogs or banned outright – and as such they are only recommended for highly experienced dog owners and handlers.
Hokkaido
Size: Medium
Height: 46-52 cm (18-20½ inches)
Weight: 13.5-20.5 kg (30-45 lbs)
Coat and Colour: Medium double coat; in red, black, white, brindle, yellow, black and tan or wolf grey
Life Expectancy: 12-15 years
Type: Hunting dog
Personality
Also known as a Hokkaido-Inu, the Hokkaido dog is known almost exclusively as the Hokkaido-Ken in Japan, where the vast majority of examples of this breed lives. They are docile, bold and faithful dogs that are very prized and protected in their native land. Hokkaido-Inus are also noted for their great stamina, intelligence and problem-solving abilities, as well as their unusually accurate judgement. Hokkaido-Inus are good family pets although they require a great deal of regular physical and mental exercise.
They also suffer from a very high rate of the eye condition known as Collie Eye Anomaly, which can in extreme cases lead to blindness.
Japanese Chin
Size: Very small/Small
Height: 20-27 cm (8-11 inches)
Weight: 1.5-7 kg (3-15 lbs)
Coat and Colour: Long single coat; in black and white, red and white or tricolour
Life Expectancy: 12-14 years
Type: Toy Spaniel
Personality
Otherwise known as the Japanese Spaniel, the Japanese Chin is a toy dog bred for companionship and as a lap dog. They are very cat-like in their demeanour, using their paws to wash their faces and frequently hiding to sleep in unexpected places. Chins are adaptable and friendly dogs who are particularly adept as being used as therapy animals. They are also notable for their ability to learn and perform tricks, and their fun-loving (if alert) personalities.
They are also unfortunately noted for a number of potential health complaints, including strabismus of the eyes and breathing difficulties on account of their flattened faces.
Japanese Spitz
Size: Small
Height: 30-37 cm (12-14½ inches)
Weight: 5-9 kg (11-20 lbs)
Coat and Colour: Very thick and long double coat; in pure white only
Life Expectancy: 10-16 years
Type: Toy dog
Personality
A close cousin of the European Pomeranian, the Japanese Spitz are affectionate, loyal and bright dogs. While they were mainly bred for companionship and love human company, they are also very active and fun-loving dogs who enjoy spending time outdoors running around off the lead. They are intelligent, easy to train and get along well with children, making them excellent family pets. Generally healthy, long-lived and possessed of a very favourable temperament, the Japanese Spitz is an increasingly popular pet breed.
Japanese Terrier
Size: Very small
Height: 20-33 cm (8-13 inches)
Weight: 2-4.5 kg (5-10 lbs)
Coat and Colour: Short and smooth; in white with a black (or black and tan head) and spotting
Life Expectancy: 12-15 years
Type: Toy Terrier
Personality
Also known as Kobe or Mikado Terriers, these diminutive dogs are quick, energetic and lively with a cheerful character and a typically no-nonsense terrier’s temperament. They generally favour one specific person and will alert them to any new people or changes to their environment. However, they are usually tolerant – if a little shy – of any new people as long as they treat them with kindness and respect.
Kai Ken
Size: Medium
Height: 45-56 cm (18-22 inches)
Weight: 11-25 kg (25-55 lbs)
Coat and Colour: Medium length double coat; in black brindle or red brindle
Life Expectancy: 14-16 years
Type: Hunting dog
Personality
Otherwise known as the Tora Inu (Tiger Dog), the Kai Ken is a naturally excellent climber, bred for hunting deer in the mountainous terrain of Yamanashi. They are intelligent, alert and brave dogs with a powerful natural hunting instinct. However, they are also friendly, loyal and very good with children and other dogs. Kai Ken are also very enthusiastic, able swimmers who are also known to climb trees. This energetic breed makes for an ideal pet for active families who love outdoor pursuits.
Kishu
Size: Medium
Height: 43-56 cm (17-22 inches)
Weight: 14-27 kg (30-60 lbs)
Coat and Colour: Short, thick double coat; in white or occasionally red, yellow or black and tan
Life Expectancy: 10-13 years
Type: Hunting dog
Personality
Originally bred to hunt wild boar, the Kishu-Inu is known as a wolf dog in Japan due to a popular folk tale. They are courageous, brave and loyal dogs who prefer the company of one owner or family group: they can be aloof around strangers and potentially aggressive towards other animals if not socialised properly. However, with good training they make fine pets; friendly, intelligent and eager to please.
Shiba Inu
Size: Small
Height: 33-43 cm (13-17 inches)
Weight: 8-10 kg (18-22 lbs)
Coat and Colour: Short and thick double coat; in red and cream, black and tan, brown or solid cream
Life Expectancy: 13-16 years
Type: Hunting dog
Personality
A bold, proud and agile small dog, like many Spitz varieties the Shiba Inu is noted for its feline tendencies: Shibas are fastidiously clean and will frequently be seen grooming their coats. Happily, these feline tendencies mean that the Shiba Inu will often housetrain themselves like cats do, but even if they do not the intelligent Shiba Inu is a relatively simple dog to train. Today, Shiba Inus are increasingly popular as pets outside of Japan thanks in part to their prominent role in internet meme culture.
Shikoku
Size: Medium
Height: 46-55 cm (18-21½ inches)
Weight: 14-23 kg (31-51 lbs)
Coat and Colour: Medium length and thick double coat; in red and black, black and tan, red or cream
Life Expectancy: 10-12 years
Type: Hunting dog
Personality
Otherwise known as Kochi-ken, Shikoku dogs are agile, confident and intelligent creatures who bear a very close resemblance to both wild dogs and huskies but are generally smaller. Like a lot of dogs bred for hunting, Shikokus are bold and energetic outdoors but calm and quiet at home. They make good pets for active families, as they require plenty of regular exercise. While intelligent and quick to learn, Shikokus can also be stubborn and headstrong and require calm patience during training.
Tosa Inu
Size: Medium to Giant
Height: 62-82 cm (24-32 inches)
Weight: 36-90 kg (80-200 lbs)
Coat and Colour: Short and smooth; in red, brindle, fawn or black
Life Expectancy: 10-12 years
Type: Fighting dog
Personality
Otherwise known as the Japanese Mastiff, the Tosa Inu is one of the most controversial types of dog with many aspects of their breeding, use and character guaranteed to provoke a variety of strong feelings. Tosa Inus are bred mainly for dog fighting, which remains legal in Japan, or for use in the meat trade in South Korea. They vary greatly in size, with the Japanese varieties often half the size of those bred elsewhere. However, at their largest they are enormous and can very easily present a risk to human life. As such, they are banned outright in a number of countries (including the United Kingdom).
Of course, there is another side to the story. On the whole, Tosa Inus are considered to be tranquil, calm and obedient dogs who are very affectionate towards and protective of their family. As with many Mastiff-type dogs, they are suspicious of strangers and owing to their size, must be well socialised from an early age by experienced and confident handlers.