Japan's six original dog breeds
All were developed mainly as hunting dogs that could withstand cold weather.
In Japan, many of the native dog breeds are named after the area in which they came from.
1. 秋田犬-Akita ken
The Akita Ken is the largest of the six, originated in the northernmost part of the island of Honshu
from the hunting dogs of the Matagi (subsistence hunters).
from the hunting dogs of the Matagi (subsistence hunters).
2. 北海道犬-Hokkaido ken
A medium sized breed that originated on the northernmost island of Japan, Hokkaido, they are often referred to as Ainu Ken after the original indigenous people of Japan. The Ainu called their dogs ‘seta’ or ‘shita’ and used them to hunt bear and deer.
3. 甲斐犬-Kai Ken
It is also known as the Tora Inu (Tiger Dog). The Kai is larger than the Shiba, but marginally smaller than the Shikoku, Kishu and Hokkaido.
he Kai originated in the mountainous region of Kai (modern day Yamanashi)
4. 紀州犬-Kishu Ken
The breed originated in the area known as Kishu (modern day Wakayama and Mie prefectures). Primarily a big game hunting dog, they have traditionally specialized in hunting wild boar and deer. While the Kishu originally included coat colors similar to the other Nihon Ken, due to genetics and breeder preference the majority of Kishu today are white.
5. 柴犬- Shiba Ken
Is the smallest and most popular of the six and it is the only that was not named after a geographical area. The reason for this is that in contrast to the others the Shiba is from a very large geographical area in central Japan. Like all the the Shiba was a hunting dog first and foremost, used to hunt small game and birds.
四国犬-Shikoku Ken
Native to the mountainous region of Kochi prefecture on the island of Shikoku, these athletic and agile dogs are accomplished big game hunters and are sometimes referred to as the Kochi Ken. The Shikoku Ken is prized for it’s tenacity in face of large game and their relative calm around the family.
I dedicate this article to my guardian angel...
Pochi (May 2001-29 Sept. 2016)
Loving and loyal,
A friend through and through,
I can't believe you are not waiting for me to back home anymore.
More than 12 years, sleeping, eating, laughing, crying, playing, walking together..
Thank you for loving us.
Thank you for being 15 years in our life.
We'll always remember you
As the very best dog of all.
*correction in the video-2017→2016
(Sorry, I was thinking the year I'll graduate )
Pochi, bebé, amor, chiquito, mi vida
Tantos años de ser tú, el primero y último que veía en el día.
Hasta la fecha, hay días que entre dormida y despierta, pienso que fuiste al baño, ya que eran las únicas veces que amanecía y no estabas en mi cara,
hasta que me despierto bien y me doy cuenta que estoy en Japón, lejos de tí.
Y ahora que te fuiste......
Es difícil creer que ya no me vas a recibir cuando regrese a casa.
Descansa en paz bebé.
