Japanese dogs are very distinct from other breeds. In fact, they have been recognized as a separate breed group by the American Kennel Club since 1974. With beautiful coats and endearing personalities, Japanese dogs make wonderful companions for any family. The Japanese dog breeds were originally used for hunting. Today, some of these dogs are still used as hunting dogs. However, many beautiful and cute Japanese dog breeds have been bred to be household pets. The unique appearance of Japanese breeds makes them popular as show dogs. In this article, we will discuss some of the most popular Japanese dog breeds including their origins and unique qualities. Japanese dogs have a number of physical characteristics that distinguish them from other breeds.
What Is the Largest Japanese Dog Breed?
The largest Japanese dog breed is the Akita. As its name suggests, the Akita hails from the mountainous regions of Japan. It was bred to be both a hunting dog and a guard dog. The origins of the breed are not entirely clear. However, it is generally understood that they descended from dogs that were brought to Japan by the first settlers of the country.
Akita was originally used to hunt wild boar, deer, and bear. It was also used as a guard dog which is why it is so intimidating-looking. A pair of Akitas were even given to Helen Keller and Anne Sullivan by the Japanese government in the 1920s. Since then, Akita has become one of the most popular Japanese dog breeds in North America.
The size of the Akita can vary depending on gender. Male Akitas are typically larger than female Akitas. They can weigh anywhere from 70 to 115 pounds and stand 24 to 27 inches tall. Their neck is thick, their chest is deep, and they have a bear-like face. Their tails are fluffy but curved over their backs. Their coats are thick to protect them from the bitter winter weather of northern Japan.
What are Japanese Hunting Dogs Called?
In Japanese, hunting dogs are called Inu. There are a number of different types of Inu including the Shikoku, Kishu, Kai Ken, Hokkaido, and Shiba Inu. The most popular type of Inu is probably the Shiba Inu. It is known as one of the smallest varieties of Inu. Shiba Inu is also one of the most popular breeds in Japan, and it has been recognized as a National Treasure by the Japanese government.
Shiba Inu was originally bred to flush small game-like birds and boars out of bushes. They were then caught by hunter-gatherers and used for food. The breed survived for many years without human intervention.
Another good thing with Shiba Inu is that it lives longer than most other breeds. It can live between 12 and 16 years old, which is an incredibly long lifespan compared to other dog breeds. It also has a very good temperament. Although it is not the friendliest breed, Shiba Inu can get along great with children if socialized at an early age.
Shiba Inu has the ability to hunt well in groups, which is why it was originally bred to hunt in packs. It also has a very strong hunting instinct. Their small, compact bodies give them an advantage when hunting small game. However, it is not able to run long distances like some larger breeds. Shiba Inu has a very strong prey drive which means that they will attack smaller animals if given the opportunity.
Is the Akita the Same as a Shiba Inu?
Although these two dog breeds are both Japanese, they are very different. The Shiba Inu is much smaller than the Akita. A female Shiba Inu will grow to weigh between 16 and 23 pounds, while a male Shiba might weigh up to 30 pounds depending on its height (between 13 and 17 inches tall).
Shiba Inu’s have smooth coats that grow long. They are very agile and fast; they can run up to 35 miles per hour for short distances. Akitas, on the other hand, have thick coats like many other northern breeds. Their coats do not grow as long as those of Shiba Inus, but they are still fluffy looking.
Another big difference between these two is that Akitas are much more territorial. They do not like strangers and may attack people who come to close to their property. Shiba Inus are notoriously shy, which means that they are not as intimidating as the Akita. However, Shiba Inu has a very strong prey drive similar to that of an Akita.
See also: Learn About the Japanese Shiba Inu Dog Breed
And: Big Fluffy Chinese Chow Chow Dog
Are Japanese Dogs Easy to Train?
Japanese dogs are known to be very stubborn. They are intelligent, but they will not always do what their owner wants them to do. This can make training Japanese breeds difficult. However, if you start training your dog at an early age, then it should grow up to obey your commands better than other breeds that are not well-trained.
There is a wide variety of Japanese dog breeds which can make training complicated. Some dogs like Shiba Inu and Akita are much more stubborn than dogs like Golden Retrievers and Beagles. If you want to train your dog, it is best to choose a breed that has the personality that you desire.
To train a Japanese dog, you need to be patient and consistent. It is best to train with positive reinforcement as much as possible. However, if your dog does something wrong such as chewing on things it should not then you should punish that behavior. You want to teach the dog what it can and cannot do instead of just letting it do whatever it wants because it will not get along with children or other pets if it is never trained.
Japanese dogs are very cute and cuddly, but they can be difficult to train. It is important that you choose the right breed based on the personality that you desire for your future pet. You should also socialize your dog at an early age so that it gets along with other people. By training your dog early, you can increase its chances of being obedient, which will help everyone living in your house to have a better relationship.
Featured image: Japanese Akita Dog
