Ainu Dog Breed Guide: History, Traits, Care Tips & Why They’re So Rare

Ainu

These loyal and dedicated pets are known for being extremely devoted to their owners. Many people seek them out as lifelong companions. Ainu dogs have cheerful personalities that fit well with outdoor activities, yet they are gentle enough for indoor living. Although they are mainly bred in Japan, these dogs have gained popularity worldwide and are often imported from native breeders.

The Ainu Dog will stick by your side during all your adventures. If you want safety, affection, and companionship, the Japanese Ainu dog is a great choice.

The Ainu people were bear and deer hunters living in Japan in the 1100s, eventually settling on Hokkaido. To this day, these dogs will protect their owners from bears at any cost.

Ainu Scientific Classification

Kingdom	Animalia
Phylum	Chordata
Class	Mammalia
Order	Carnivora
Family	Canidae
Genus	Canis
Scientific Name	Canis lupus

Pros and Cons of Owning

Pros!	Cons!
Loyal and Devoted! Hokkaido dogs are known for their loyalty. Most Ainu dogs are hard to re-home because they maintain a strong bond with their original owners. Exercise Needed. Ainu dogs require a lot of exercise and don’t do well in apartments. Your Ainu will be happiest living in a house with a large yard.	Exercise Needed. Ainu dogs need a lot of exercise and don’t do well in apartment settings. Your Seta dog will be happiest living in a house with a big yard.
Energetic and Playful! These dogs enjoy running, playing, and taking long walks in the woods. You will never be bored with one of these fun-loving pups around. Dominant Personality. Ainu dogs respond well to strong leadership. If they don’t trust you, they may resist obeying your commands. You can fix this by creating a strong training bond early in your puppy’s life.	Dominant Personality. Ainu dogs like strong leadership. If they don’t feel like they can trust you, they may be unwilling to obey your commands. You can solve this by establishing a strong training bond early in your puppy’s life.
Clean and Tidy! Ainu dogs are very clean pets with no noticeable odor. Despite having thick coats, they only shed lightly, which is easy to manage with regular brushing.	Older Kids Only. Ainu dogs have calm temperaments, but they don’t like small children. Ainu dogs can be around older children who know how to respect a dog’s boundaries.

History and Evolution

This breed dates back almost 10,000 years and is connected to the Ainu people. Historically, the Yamato people of Japan pushed the Ainu from their southern island to the northernmost Japanese island, Hokkaido. They brought their dogs with them, and those dogs mixed with local breeds.

These dogs adapted to their new environment by developing thicker coats, strong jaws, and other sturdy traits. Since their masters hunted large game, the Ainu dog also showed fierce loyalty and bravery.

In 1954, steps were taken to protect the breed, which had nearly gone extinct. The Hokkaido Ken Hozonkai works to maintain the Ainu breed’s look and behavior. They do this through shows and tests that involve interacting with live bears to see how well the dogs behave.

Size and Weight

Hokkaido dogs are a medium breed with short, thick fur, pointed ears, and curled tails. Most Ainu dogs are between 18 and 22 inches tall. They can weigh 45 to 70 pounds. Female dogs are usually smaller than males. They typically weigh about 5 to 10 pounds less and are around 2 to 3 inches shorter.

Height (male)	19-22 inches
Height (female)	18-20 inches
Weight (male)	52-67 pounds
Weight (female)	48-58 pounds

Common Health Issues

These dogs are very healthy and don’t have any specific health problems tied to their breed. However, they can still experience some common issues that affect adult dogs, such as arthritis, hip dysplasia, and heart murmurs. Hokkaido dogs may also occasionally have collie eye anomaly, a rare condition that causes small and underdeveloped eyes. Because of this, you should have your new puppy examined by an eye specialist right after adoption.

In summary, the conditions that these dogs might face include:

– Hip dysplasia

– Arthritis

– Heart murmurs

– Collie eye anomaly

Temperament and Behavior

These dogs are very loyal, attentive, brave, friendly, and intelligent. They have devoted personalities and will become very attached to their owners. Expect your dog to show obedient and loving behaviors. Most Hokkaido dogs follow their owners around the house and prefer to stay close to family members.

These dogs were used as hunting dogs in rural Japan. They have a brave temperament that enables them to protect their owner from a bear. At the same time, they are gentle enough to be around children and other animals. Ainu dogs enjoy playing and make great companions for outdoor activities.

How to Take Care Of

Hokkaido dogs are hunting dogs built for cold climates. Because of this, your puppy will need plenty of exercise, regular training, and consistent grooming. Fortunately, these dogs are very healthy. Besides regular vet visits, they usually won’t require much medical care.

The Best Dog Food

These dogs like to exercise a lot, so they may need more calories than other dogs of the same size. Look for dog food that is high in protein and matches an active lifestyle. If you want to make homemade food for your dog, choose a mix of low-fat meats and hearty vegetables like green beans and carrots. Remember to talk to your vet to ensure that your dog is getting the right nutrition to thrive.

A well-made dog food will help protect Ainu dogs from their most common health issues. The best option for Ainu dogs will be food that supports the health of bones, joints, eyes, and heart.

We recommend Blue Buffalo Life Protection Formula Natural Adult Dry Dog Food.

This healthy dog food contains glucosamine for happy joints and taurine for eye health. It also has quality protein from natural ingredients, Omega 3 and 6 fatty acids, vitamins and minerals, and plenty of antioxidants to support Ainu dogs’ hearts.

Maintenance and Grooming

Hokkaido dogs have thick double coats that keep them warm in winter. These coats have short fur, but they still need brushing regularly to avoid matting and excessive shedding. You should brush your Ainu dog at least twice a week and give them a bath once a month.

Fortunately, these dogs don’t need to go to the groomer for coat maintenance. They naturally shed their winter coats when summer comes. In most cases, your dog should not need to be shaved. However, you will want to take them in for regular nail trimmings, especially if your Ainu dog mainly stays indoors.

Training

These dogs are hunting dogs. They’re easy to train, but it’s best to start training early to ensure your dog understands how to communicate with you. Because Hokkaido dogs have high energy, they likely won’t be satisfied with just a few commands. Instead, think about teaching your dog to play games, chase lures, and enjoy the outdoors with you.

When it comes to their temperament, it’s important to know that Hokkaido dogs respect strong leadership. These dogs will expect you to be the leader. If you don’t, your dog may try to take charge for the safety of the pack. A trainer who gives clear commands and shows strength and confidence can help prevent this behavior.

Exercise

Hokkaido dogs need a moderate to high amount of exercise. They thrive when they have access to a yard or another place to run and play. Along with free-roaming, you should also take your dog on a 30 to 40-minute walk every day. This will help you bond with your pet and ensure they burn off excess energy. These dogs enjoy playing fetch, chasing lures, and participating in other hunting-style activities.

Puppies

Ainu puppies are sweet but reserved and tend to cling to their owners. Start training early and create a positive tone of leadership that makes your dog feel safe around you.

Similar Dogs

Ainu dogs, also known as Hokkaido dogs or Seta dogs, are spitz-type dogs from Japan. If you’re looking for a similar breed, consider the Akita or Shiba Inu, both of which are Japanese spitz dogs. You might also consider adopting an American Eskimo if you want a more traditional spitz dog.

Akita – Akitas are intelligent hunting dogs with long legs and beautiful brindled coats. While they can be aggressive, they are also known for being very attached to their owners.

Shiba Inu – Shiba Inus are very popular Japanese dogs with golden coats and unique faces. They are friendly, vocal, and enjoy being the center of attention.

American Eskimo – American Eskimo dogs were bred in the Midwest in the 1800s. These fluffy white dogs are alert, lively, and energetic.

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