Ryukyu

Also called Ryukyu Inu, Ryukyu Ken, Ryukyu Dog

Rare breedShort profile

From Japan, native to Okinawa and Ishigaki Island in the Ryukyu Islands.1

At a glance the quick version

Height, male46.3 to 49.6 cm1

Height, female43.4 to 46.9 cm1

Sizemedium

Quiet and intelligent

Playful and good with children

Agile, even able to climb trees

Coat and looks how to spot one

short, single or double

A medium-sized, athletic hunting dog with a short coat that may be single or double layered. Some individuals have working rear dewclaws, which help them climb.1

Coloursred brindleblack brindlewhite brindleblackwhitesesameivoryliverred1

Personality what they are like

An alert, thoughtful dog that tends to be quiet and is neither shy nor aggressive. It is playful and trainable with its family but keeps a strong hunting instinct, so small pets need care around it.1

Daily activity how busy a day looks

A capable pack hunter that needs plenty of exercise, and a very secure garden, as it is known for climbing and escaping.1

Grooming and care the hands-on bits

The short coat needs only simple regular brushing.1

Home where they are happiest

Tall, climb-proof fencing is important given its agility.1

Company who they like around

Enjoys family life and children; best kept apart from small animals because of its prey drive.1

The story where it all began

Islanders used these dogs in packs to track and hold Ryukyu wild boar. The breed was feared lost after the Second World War until purebred dogs were found in the Yanbaru forest in the 1980s, leading to a preservation society in 1990.1

Fun facts for the dinner table

1
Dogs with functional rear dewclaws can climb nearly vertical tree trunks.1
2
There are two lines: the smaller Yanbaru and the larger Yaeyama.1
3
Despite looking like the Kai Ken, it is genetically closer to the Hokkaido dog.1
4
It was named a natural monument of Okinawa Prefecture in 1995.1

Recognised by the official bits

Ryukyu Inu Hozonkai: Preservation society founded 1 April 1990 that keeps the breed register.1
Okinawa Prefecture: Designated a natural monument of the prefecture in 1995.1
Japan Kennel Club / FCI: Not recognised by the Japan Kennel Club or international kennel clubs.1

How many About 400 dogs (2015), down from over 1,500 (2005)1

The care rhythm Furry Diary remembers it for you

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

Brushingevery week
Bathevery 8 weeks
Nail trimSooner if you hear clicking on the floorevery month
Ear checkFloppy ears trap moisture, so check and dry themevery week
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

Kai Ken

Hokkaido

Shikoku

Kishu

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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.

Wikipedia: Ryukyu Dog en.wikipedia.orgused for all fields

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