Hokkaido

Quick Take

• The Hokkaido and Shiba Inu look nearly identical, yet one difference between them is far bigger than most owners realize. Compare the two breeds →
• This breed despises baths yet takes to open water with zero hesitation, a contradiction whose explanation reveals something unexpected about its coat. Explore the coat quirks →
• The Hokkaido's pack instinct makes it both easy and dangerous to train, and which side dominates comes down to one early decision. See the training dynamics →
• A naturally healthy breed, the Hokkaido still carries hidden genetic risks that even attentive owners routinely overlook. Discover the hidden risks →

With a beautiful coat of many colors, the Hokkaido’s intelligence and affection for its family make it an excellent companion. It tends to maintain a sense of hyperawareness, allowing it to spot any trouble nearby. The thick coat needs regular brushing, but you might have a hard time with their bath — they are not typically fond of the process. However, the warmth of the coat makes it perfect for cold weather.

For a dog with a love of family and playtime, the Hokkaido fits the bill nicely.

Hokkaido vs. Shiba Inu

While it is hard to distinguish the Hokkaido and the Shiba Inu, one of the telltale differences is their size, since the latter tends to be a little smaller. Their colors are relatively the same, as is their tendency to shed. Still, even when full-grown, the Hokkaido dogs end up weighing at least twice as much.

For the most part, these dogs are remarkably similar in terms of personality, ease of training, and nutritional needs, making either a great choice for a family. Just make sure they get their exercise, or they can become destructive.

3 Pros and Cons of Owning a Hokkaido

Before investing in the Hokkaido dog, consider these pros and cons.

Size and Weight

Every Hokkaido dog — whether male or female — has a medium-sized build with many colors across its thick coat. Most of these puppies reach a height of 18 to 22 inches when they are full-grown, complementing their weight (44 to 66 lbs.) for a girthy dog. The females tend to be a little smaller, so they may be closer to the lighter end of this weight range.

Common Health Issues

One reason Hokkaido dogs are so popular is their overall healthy genetics. However, they still need regular visits to a local veterinarian to stay that way, and they are at risk of certain hereditary diseases.

For instance, Hokkaido dogs have a high carrier rate for Collie Eye Anomaly, a genetic condition that can lead to vision loss in affected dogs. They can also lose their ability to walk correctly if hip dysplasia or a luxating patella is left to progress. However, their limping is a good indication that one of these issues has occurred. Since these dogs naturally love to eat, pica (a condition that causes the dog to eat non-food items) is a concern to watch for as well. It may be accompanied by psychogenic polydipsia, causing them to deal with incredible thirst.

Anxiety and idiopathic seizures can occur in these dogs as well.

Temperament and Behavior

The vocal personality of the Hokkaido gives them quite a range of noises. Though they will occasionally bark at passersby and other animals, their true range comes out when they become excited or happy. Be prepared for this ever-expressive breed to let out a big howl in those moments. Utterly devoted to its family, the Hokkaido dog is strong-willed. If the dog no longer wants to play, it stops.

Their instinct to hunt and look for prey interferes with their ability to be around other animals and strangers, but good training can help. They have a pack-oriented behavior, making them protective of every family member they bond with.

Despite their medium height and weight, the Hokkaido seems to be suited to any living quarters. Whether you live in an apartment or a townhome, they just need a little outdoor time for exercise and play.

How to Take Care of Hokkaido

The Hokkaido dog is relatively rare in the world, which is why any potential owner should consider their care before adoption. When adopted as a puppy, they still have a lot to learn about the world around them, but the proper diet, training, and maintenance are essential. Consider these tips for their care to help your pet live its best life.

The Best Dog Food

Mealtime is an integral part of the day for Hokkaido dogs and puppies alike. To help them maintain their energetic nature and long lifespan, one critical issue to watch for is overeating. Their needs change as they age. Reference the different nutrient needs for puppies and adult dogs, as well as the health concerns above. For example, look for foods that help sustain their joints, since they’re vulnerable to bad hips and knees. Always stay in touch with the vet about the state of your dog’s health and any dietary recommendations.

Maintenance and Grooming

The beautiful colors of the Hokkaido’s coat — black, white, brindle, red, tan, or sesame — make for a beautiful sight, and they’ll need regular grooming to stay healthy. The coat is incredibly thick, requiring no less than twice-weekly brushing to stop matting from building up. They go through two shedding periods each year that will warrant a little extra care.

When it comes to baths, don’t be surprised if your Hokkaido dog refuses. Since the hair is so dense, the drying process takes quite a long time. Luckily, they don’t need more than a few baths a year (unless they become filthy).

Training

The Hokkaido dog is easy to train, which is partially due to their intelligence. Their pack mentality could make them a little stubborn, but it also allows them to understand the hierarchy in the home. If you want this dog to listen, you must establish yourself as the alpha early on.

Even with special training, they must always be approached with kindness rather than aggression (unless you want that aggression turned right back on you).

Exercise

With the ability to adapt to any size of surroundings, the Hokkaido is a rather active dog that needs time and space to exercise. With a 12 to 15-year lifespan, bringing them somewhere they can run, play, and exercise is necessary. They’ll be happy in any home — even an apartment — if you take the time to go outside with them for some open and free exercise.

Active owners are the best matches for Hokkaido — these dogs love to tag along on a hiking session or a camping trip. They have incredible skills in endurance activities like weight pulling or dock diving. Even the puppies that never learn to like a bath do wonderfully while swimming.

Puppies

The only circumstances you should consider with Hokkaido puppies (rather than adults) are early exposure to much of their care and socialization. They need to spend time with children to learn how to behave correctly, and they need to have some grooming performed early in life, like baths, nail clipping, and ear checks.

Hokkaido And Children

Hokkaidos are excellent companions for nearly every family size. It doesn’t matter if you live alone or have a large family with many children — Hokkaidos soak it all in. If they are raised with young children, they find getting along relatively easy and are loyal to their loved ones.

As with any breed, take the time to teach younger children to play with this dog appropriately. The weight of the Hokkaido gives it some substantial girth, and children who play too roughly may put their pets and themselves in danger.

Dogs similar to Hokkaido Dogs

If the Hokkaido is not your preferred breed, other breeds of interest include Japanese Spitz, Shiba Inu, and Akitas.

• Japanese Spitz: The Japanese Spitz comes from the same dog family as Hokkaidos, but they have a much smaller build for individuals who may want a dog without incredible girth.
• Shiba Inu: Often compared to Hokkaido dogs, the Shiba Inu is slightly smaller. Also found in Japan, this dog is agile and alert, making them an excellent companion for hunters.
• Akita: The Akita is large, but they are much easier to find than Hokkaido dogs if you live outside of Japan.