Hokkaido: breed description and content

Love for exotic animals is a dangerous trend that is becoming rampant in many countries of the world. Interest in wealthy and wealthy people in the classic breeds of animals, which cannot be surprised, has long disappeared. People want to see rare, expensive and unusual breeds near them, often forgetting that exclusive pets need special attention and diet.

One of these rare breeds is Japanese Hokkaido, which is on the verge of extinction and for the acquisition of a purebred animal will have to go directly to the Land of the Rising Sun.

Hokkaido is a spitz-shaped Japanese hunting breed, which is listed in the cynological protective register and is one of the most expensive.

Some sources claim that animal traces were discovered in BC on the Japanese island of Hokkaidowhen dogs helped ancient people hunt large animals. A distinctive feature of the origin of a unique animal is the complete lack of special breeding work to improve the breed.

Fearless, hardy, courageous and loyal dogs, hunters accustomed to work in difficult conditions of forest and mountainous terrain. It is thanks to the harsh climatic conditions that the animal acquired A huge number of positive characteristics.

During the period of hostilities, the military successfully used the dog in many security and search operations. For invaluable services to the motherland, the animal was called the symbol of Japan. Due to the ban on the export of this breed from the country, it did not gain wide popularity, and its number began to decrease significantly. The breed received official recognition only in 1980, and the risk of its complete extinction remains high today.

Hokkaido is a small dog that has a strong and muscular physique, as well as a powerful and proportional bone structure. The maximum height of an adult is 52 cm, and weight is 35 kg.

The body of the animal is slightly elongated with a wide and straight back, as well as a pronounced chest. The abdomen is flat without sagging fat folds. A high-set, powerful tail has the shape of a fluffy ring. Straight limbs have strong muscles and spaced pads. Nail plates are always painted black or dark brown.

On a wide skull there is a flat forehead and a straight muzzle, which resembles a wedge in shape. The tip of the nose is always painted in black. The jaw has the correct bite, sharp teeth and a strong muscular system. The triangular eyeballs are planted wide and brown. Small auricles have a triangular shape and are located almost on the crown. In a relaxed atmosphere, the ears are tilted slightly forward.

Dog hair consists of two layers:

• rigid and straight core fibers;
• dense and soft undercoat.

The longest and thickest hair is located in the tail zone.

The color scheme of Ainu is represented by a fairly wide tint palette, which consists of the following colors:

• ginger;
• pale yellow;
• red;
• white;
• white and cream;
• white and yellow;
• grey;
• the black;
• leopard
• black and white.

A beautiful and graceful animal has a very controversial character, which completely became a reflection of the bewitching, dangerous and unpredictable Japanese nature. During the period of rest and communication with the owner, the dog is playful, affectionate and caring, but one only has to see the danger, the animal instantly becomes aggressive, fearless and deadly dangerous, who is ready to give his life for his master and members of his family.

A well-developed flair, high intellectual abilities and an internal compass allow the animal to accurately find its way even in difficult climatic conditions in unfamiliar areas.

In order for the pet to please the owners not only with its excellent external data, but also with its complaisant nature, the education process must begin from the first days of the puppy's life in the house. Outwardly, a very strong animal is very vulnerable inside. If during training the owner allowed himself a cry, rudeness and incorrect behavior, the pet can not only be offended, but can also run away from home.

Thanks to its high intellectual abilities, the animal is very intelligent, without any words it feels the owner’s mood and instantly switches to the same emotional mood.Devotion and love for the owner of the pet comes at an early age and remains with him until the last days of his life.

Professional dog breeders recommend using the unique properties of the animal in the following areas of modern human life:

• hunting;
• territory protection;
• search work;
• detention of criminals;
• sports driving competitions;
• escort of travelers in difficult terrain.

Ainu belongs to unpretentious species that need both minimal care and maximum attention. From the first days of the pet’s stay in the house, he needs to clearly explain who the owner is in the house, and also show his place for sleeping and eating. If the dog feels the indecision and excessive gentleness of the owner, after a short period of time it will be practically impossible to control and dictate the rules of behavior.

The recreation area should be equipped with a warm and comfortable litter, which is best located in a remote corner away from drafts and extraneous noise. For eating, you need to purchase special stable bowls that your pet will not be able to turn over. From the first days of life, the dog must understand that she can eat only from her dishes, and punishment will immediately follow for stolen food from the master's table.

The animal suffers closed spaces and life in cramped apartments. The most comfortable conditions for a pet are living on the territory of a private house in a special aviary of a large area. But even in such conditions, a strong and active animal needs daily walks without a leash, as well as periodic visits to competitions and hunting events.

Beginner breeders should be aware that Hokkaido does not tolerate high temperatures and needs protective structures from the rays of the scorching sun, but the dog reacts positively to frost, the main thing is not to keep it in small cages without active movement. In the summer, animals are very fond of visiting ponds, whose cool water will help reduce body temperature.

Failure to comply with the conditions of detention and care rules can trigger the development of the following pathologies:

• disruption of the musculoskeletal system;
• bone and joint disease;
• vision disease;
• diseases of the oral cavity and teeth;
• reproductive dysfunction;
• allergic itching and rashes.

These measures will help to avoid the following diseases:

• rabies;
• plague;
• parvovirus;
• hepatitis.

Before bringing a faithful friend and guard to the house, experienced dog breeders recommend paying special attention to his diet, which is fundamentally different from the menu of most dogs. Since the borders of Japan are washed by the seas, and the traditional food of people is seafood and rice, this fact could not but affect the gastronomic preferences of this breed. The main ingredients of the Ainu diet are the following ingredients:

• fish;
• rice
• seaweed;
• seafood.

It is strictly forbidden to independently rebuild the animal’s diet and feed it with meat, vegetables, cereals, confectionery, prepared feeds, as well as fatty, pickled and salty foods. These products can trigger food poisoning, allergic reactions, and sometimes even the death of a pet.

In the absence of the ability to feed the dog with the products necessary for him, experts recommend refusing to purchase this breed. Moreover, not all people who have an average financial income can afford such a diet.

Caring for a wayward pet will not cause difficulties even for inexperienced owners who need to comb out their pet daily with special combs and brushes, and also conduct water procedures as necessary.

To prevent inflammatory processes, veterinarians recommend constantly inspect the eyes, ears and nasal passages, and if necessary, clean them of mucus and dirt with cotton buds or cosmetic discs. And also the pet needs in timely adjustment of the claw plates.

You should not scold the animal for refusing to bathe or comb your hair, you just need to find the cause of the inconvenience, and then radically change the tactics of the procedure. Often, to solve the problem, it is enough to talk convincingly with a smart dog, who will certainly understand his master and meet him.

Dogs are intelligent, loyal, affectionate and caring animals that accompany us throughout life.. The desire to acquire a furry friend appears in every person in early childhood. But only an adult is able to realize the whole share of responsibility that falls on him during the purchase of a cute beast.

Despite the toy appearance and devoted eyes, all dogs always have the features of a hunter and a wild beast, which only a strong and strong-willed owner can cope with.

Equally difficult is the ration of an animal, especially one brought from other countries, and its menu usually predominates products that are unusual for another territory. Only after a comprehensive study of all the components of a dog’s comfortable life and an objective assessment of his strength can you decide to buy a pet.

In the next video, you can watch Hokkaido puppies for a walk.