Ainu

These strong, loyal, and dedicated pets are known for being extremely devoted to their owners and are often sought out as lifelong companions. Ainu dogs have chipper, upbeat personalities that are well-suited to outdoor activities, but they’re also gentle enough to spend time in indoor environments. Although they’re primarily bred in Japan, these dogs are popular around the world and are often imported directly from native breeders.

The Ainu Dog is a devoted pet that will be right at your side for all of your adventures. If you’re looking for safety, affection, and companionship, the Japanese Ainu dog is an excellent choice.

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

3 Pros and Cons of Owning

History and Evolution

This breed dates back almost 10,000 ago, and they are connected to the Ainu people. Historically, the Yamato people of Japan pushed the Ainu out of their southern island and north to the northernmost Japanese island, Hokkaido. They brought their dogs with them, of course, and they ended up mixing with local breeds there.

These dogs adapted to their new location with thicker coats, strong jaws, and other robust characteristics. Because their masters were hunters of large game, the Ainu dog also developed fierce loyalty and bravery.

In 1954 measures were taken to protect the breed that had been on the brink of extinction. The Hokkaido Ken Hozonkai works to continue the Ainu breed’s appearance and temperament. They do this through shows and tests that involve interacting with live bears and determine how well the dogs behave.

Size and Weight

Hokkaido dogs are a medium breed with short but thick fur, sharply pointed ears, and distinctively curled tails. Most Ainu dogs stand between 18 to 22 inches in height, and they can weigh anywhere from 45 to 70 pounds. Female dogs are slightly smaller than male dogs; they usually weigh around 5 to 10 pounds less and stand about 2 to 3 inches shorter.

Common Health Issues

These dogs are incredibly healthy and are not known for having any breed-specific health issues. With that in mind, the dog can still suffer from some of the most common issues that impact adult dogs, including arthritis, hip dysplasia, and heart murmurs. Hokkaido dogs also occasionally suffer from collie eye anomaly, which is a rare mutation that can cause the eyes to be small and underdeveloped. Due to this condition, you should get an eye exam for your new puppy immediately after adoption.

In short, the conditions that these dogs might suffer from include:

• Hip dysplasia
• Arthritis
• Heart murmurs
• Collie eye anomaly

Temperament and Behavior

These dogs are known for being incredibly loyal, attentive, brave, friendly, and intelligent. These dogs have extremely devoted personalities and will become completely attached to their original owners. Expect your dog to exhibit obedient and loving behaviors; most Hokkaido dogs follow their owners around the house and never want to be separated from the core members of the family.

These dogs were used as hunting dogs back in rural Japan. They are known for having a brave temperament that allows them to stand between their owner and a bear, but they’re also sweet enough to spend time with children and other animals. Ainu dogs love to play and make great companions for outdoor activities.

How to Take Care For

Hokkaido dogs are hunting dogs designed for cold climates. Because of this, your puppy will need plenty of exercise, regular training-style interactions, and consistent grooming. Luckily, these dogs are also extremely healthy; aside from standard vet visits, they usually won’t need 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 a dog food that is high in protein and is suited to an active lifestyle. If you prefer to make homemade food for your dog, go with a mix of low-fat meats and hearty vegetables like green beans and carrots. Remember to consult your vet to make sure that your dog is getting the exact nutrition it needs to thrive.

Ideally, a well-formulated dog food will help protect Ainu dogs from their most common health concerns. So the best option for Ainu Dogs will be a 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 includes glucosamine for happy joints and taurine for eye health. Plus, there’s quality protein from natural ingredients, Omega 3 and 6 fatty acids, vitamins and minerals, and plenty of antioxidants for Ainu dogs’ hearts.

Blue Buffalo Life Protection Formula is available on Chewy or Amazon.

Best Overall

Blue Buffalo Life Protection Formula Adult Dry Dog Food

• Essential, high-quality protein for healthy muscle development, and carbs for energy for an active life.
• Calcium, phosphorus and essential vitamins for strong bones and teeth.
• Glucosamine is added for joint health and mobility support.
• Vitamins, chelated minerals and antioxidants contribute to your pup's immune system health.
• No corn, wheat, soy or chicken (or poultry) by-product meals.

Check Chewy Check Amazon

Maintenance and Grooming

Hokkaido dogs have thick double coats that keep them warm in the winter. These coats have short fur, but they still need to be brushed regularly to prevent matting or extreme shedding. Expect to brush your Ainu dog at least twice a week, and give them a bath on a monthly basis.

Luckily, these dogs don’t need to visit the groomer to have their coats maintained. They naturally shed their winter coats when summer arrives; except in extreme circumstances, your dog should never need to be shaved. However, you will still want to take them in for regular nail trimmings, especially if your Ainu dog primarily lives indoors.

Training

These dogs are hunting dogs. They’re easy to train, but it’s recommended that you start their training early to make sure that your dog knows how to communicate with you. Because Hokkaido dogs are high energy, they likely won’t be satisfied with knowing a small handful of commands. Instead, consider teaching your dog to play games, chase lures, and spend time with you in the great outdoors.

When it comes to training temperament, it’s important to understand that Hokkaido dogs respect strong leadership. These dogs will expect you to establish yourself as the alpha. If you don’t, your dog may try to assert leadership for the safety of the pack. This tendency can be counteracted by a trainer who gives direct commands and knows how to give off an aura of strength and confidence.

Exercise

Hokkaido dogs need a moderate to a high amount of exercise. These dogs do best when they have access to a yard or another place to run and play. In addition to free-roaming, you should also take your dog on a 30-40 minute walk every day; this time will allow you to bond with your pet and ensure that they’re burning off any excess energy. These dogs also love to play fetch, chase lures and take part in other hunting-style activities.

Puppies

Ainu puppies are sweet but reserved and are likely to cling to their owners. Start training early, and be sure to establish a positive tone of leadership that allows your dog to feel safe in your presence.

With Children

Ainu dogs are incredibly energetic hunting dogs. Although they have friendly personalities and can do well with older children, they don’t tend to get along with small children that do not know how to respect the dog’s space. If you’re adopting an Ainu dog into a family, make sure that the parents have time to train the dog and establish themselves as the primary owners. Once the Ainu dog is trained, they will be able to spend time with the entire family with no issues.

Similar Dogs

Ainu dogs, also known as Hokkaido dogs or Seta dogs, are spitz-type dogs that are native to Japan. If you’re looking for a similar breed, try the Akita or Shiba Inu, both of which are Japanese spitz dogs. If you’re looking for a more traditional spitz dog, you could also adopt an American Eskimo.

• Akita – Akitas are intelligent hunting dogs with long legs and gorgeous brindled coats. Although they’re naturally aggressive, Akitas are also known for being incredibly attached to their owners.
• Shiba Inu – Shiba Inus are incredibly popular Japanese dogs with gold coats and signature faces. Shiba Inus are friendly, vocal, and the life of the party.
• American Eskimo – American Eskimo dogs were bred in the Midwest in the 1800s. These fluffy white dogs are alert, vibrant, and energetic.

Popular Names

Most Ainu dog owners like to give their dogs a traditional Japanese name. Popular names for Ainu dogs include:

• Takashi
• Sora
• Akio
• Hiro
• Mitsuru
• Toshi
• Hana
• Maki
• Yuri
• Suzu