Hokkaido

Also called Hokkaido Inu, Hokkaido-ken, Ainu-ken, Ainu dog, Seta

Recognised breedFCI group 5Short profile

From Hokkaido, Japan, where the Ainu people kept these dogs for hunting.1 2

At a glance the quick version

Weight20 kg2

Height, male48.5 to 51.5 cm1

Height, female45.5 to 48.5 cm1

Sizemedium

Wikipedia gives an approximate weight of about 20 kg; the FCI standard sets no weight.

faithful

bold and alert

great stamina

1 3

Coat and looks how to spot one

double coat

A compact, muscular spitz with a harsh, straight outer coat over a soft, thick undercoat, small upright triangular ears and a well-furred tail carried over the back. It is built to shrug off heavy snow and deep cold.1 2

Colourssesamebrindleredblackblack and tanwhite1

Personality what they are like

Loyal and gentle with its family, very alert and brave, with sound judgement and remarkable endurance. It carries itself with a natural, unpretentious dignity.1 3

Daily activity how busy a day looks

A tough, enduring hunting breed that enjoys long outings and active work.1

Home where they are happiest

Naturally suited to cold, snowy climates thanks to its dense double coat.1

Company who they like around

Devoted to its family; historically worked closely alongside its hunter.1

The story where it all began

The Hokkaido is thought to descend from medium-sized dogs brought to the island by settlers from Honshu around the 1140s. The Ainu relied on them to hunt bear and other game. The breed took the island's name when Japan declared it a natural monument in 1937.1 2

Fun facts for the dinner table

1
Ainu hunters traditionally used these brave dogs to hunt bears.1
2
English naturalist Thomas W. Blakiston gave the breed the name 'Hokkaido' in 1869.2
3
Hokkaido dogs helped with rescue efforts after the 1902 Hakkōda Mountains disaster.2
4
The breed is very rarely seen outside Japan.2

Recognised by the official bits

FCI: Standard no. 261, Group 5 (Spitz and primitive types), Section 5 Asian Spitz and related breeds; current standard dated 09.02.2017, country of origin Japan.1
AKC: Listed on the AKC website with a breed profile (Foundation Stock Service breed).3
Japanese government: Designated a natural monument in 1937.1

The care rhythm Furry Diary remembers it for you

A typical home-care rhythm for a Hokkaido. It is our own starting plan, not a vet's advice, and you can change every line in the app.

BrushingDaily during heavy sheddingevery 3 days
Double coats insulate against cold and heat, so shaving is not recommended
Bathevery 10 weeks
Nail trimSooner if you hear clicking on the floorevery month
Ear checkevery 2 weeks
Teeth brushingDaily brushing is idealevery 2 days
ExerciseDaily walks and playevery day
Flea, tick and worm protectionSchedule as your vet recommendsas your vet recommends
Vet check-upSenior years usually start around age 8every year

Start a free diary

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Where this comes from

Every breed page shows where each fact comes from. If we got something wrong, sorry, we are pet people, not a science magazine. Tell us at [email protected] and we will fix it.

FCI Standard N° 261 Hokkaido fci.beused for origin, recognition, height, coat, colours, temperament, history
Hokkaido dog - Wikipedia en.wikipedia.orgused for other names, weight, history, fun facts
Hokkaido - AKC akc.orgused for temperament, AKC listing

Checked 2026-09-30. Text is written in our own words from these sources.