Hokkaido

The Hokkaido originated in Japan. The breed weighs around 45 to 65 pounds and is 18 to 22 inches tall. Females are slightly shorter and lighter. They are medium sized dogs with triangular ears which are upright. The dog has two coats, one which is long and stiff and the second which is shorter and softer. They come in red, black, white, gray and sesame. Their eyes are somewhat small, dark brown and set triangularly. The teeth are healthy, solid and non-protruding which gives them a good grip. Some of these dogs have a black spotted tongue. The bridge is straight leading to its dark nose. The well-fitted lips have dark pigmentation. The tail curls upwards.

These dogs are very faithful to their owners. They are brave when faced with a difficult situation. They have the ability to withstand the cold since the outer coat is covered with thick fur. These are only a few of their good traits. They have also been used as sled dogs and scenting hounds in the past and can be trained for defence purposes. They can be easily trained. They are intelligent are well behaved. They can be very loving and affectionate to their family since they bond very tightly.

They have very good sense of direction and can return to their master even if they get lost. The breed can fight against other animals in order to protect his\her master. They can fight against the Hokkaido brown bear also. There is a particular fashion they follow in order to defeat the bear. They climb up the bear’s back and sink the teeth with full force into the neck until the bear gives up. . This breed should not be trusted to run free around other animals because of their hunting instincts.

Despite its long history as a working breed, the Hokkaido can be both a good family pet and a great hunter. If the owners does not show who the leader is, they can become stubborn and aggressive with other dogs. They need an owner who understands what it means to be a leader and they need to learn the differences between humans and canines at an early age. They are good with children if they are trained properly from puppyhood. Children should be taught how to display leadership skills, and the dog should be taught to respect the child.

This dog is not recommended for apartment life. It is moderately active indoors and will do best with a large yard. They can also be maintained and taken care of easily. Their harsh rough coat of fur can be brushed once every day or every two days. They need moderate amount of exercise and thus can be taken for long walks every day. They can be let out in the yard to run around as they are used to being outdoors. There aren’t many known health problems for this breed and they are expected to live for 11 to 13 years if they are healthy.