Hokkaido: Your Complete Guide
The Hokkaido is a Japanese dog breed that was developed as a hunting companion for capturing large game in the rugged northern regions of Japan. They are hardy, spitz-type dogs that have a thick double coat built specifically to endure cold climates. In addition to working as hunting companions, they double as family guardians with their affectionate and gentle temperament, making them versatile dogs.
For the right household, the Hokkaido can be a one-of-a-kind dog that brings lots of joy and a sense of security. If you’re considering the Hokkaido as your next canine companion, we’re here to help you learn more about this Japanese breed. Read on as we cover the Hokkaido’s breed characteristics, covering everything from temperament and physical traits to trainability and care needs.
Quick Look at the Hokkaido
Below is a table that summarizes the characteristics of the Hokkaido. While this provides an overview of the breed, you will find that each point is covered in detail in the coming parts.
| Weight/Height | 44-66 pounds/18-20 inches |
| Medium-length double coat | |
| Grooming Needs |  |
| Shedding | |
| Temperament | Affectionate, alert, intelligent, strong-willed |
| Good With Kids |  |
| Good With Other Animals | |
| Intelligence | |
| Easy to Train | |
| Energy Level | |
| Barking Habits | |
| Lifespan | 12-15 years |
What Is the History of Hokkaidos?
The Hokkaido is among the six native Japanese spitz-type dog breeds. These dogs are known as Nihon Ken, covering dog breeds like the Shiba Inu, Shokoku, Kishu Ken, Kai Ken, and Akita Inu. The Hokkaido is among the oldest of these Japanese spitz-type dog breeds, believed to have come with the Ainu people over 3,000 years ago when they migrated from Honshu to the northern island that is now called Hokkaido.
Over time, these dogs evolved to survive harsh winters, deep snow, and encounters with predators, the Ezo brown bear, in particular, which the Hokkaido help hunt. Along with hunting, Hokkaidos were also kept as family guardians, where they provided warmth to children in long winter nights.
Although rare outside of Japan (the AKC didn’t even list the breed in its 2024 most popular dogs list), their numbers are increasing in the US ever since the American Kennel Club formally recognized the breed in 2016.
What Do Hokkaidos Look Like?
Hokkaidos carry many of the same traits you would expect to find in spitz-type dogs, Japanese or not. They have a sharp and expressive facial appearance that reflects their working dog origins. They have triangular, upright ears and a well-defined muzzle that contributes to a focused expression, giving them the appearance that they are always ready to act.
When it comes to the coat colors, red and white are the most common, though black, black and tan, brindle, and sesame are also among the permitted coat colors.
What Size Is a Hokkaido?
The Hokkaido is a medium-to-large dog breed that weighs between 44 and 66 pounds and stands 18 to 20 inches tall at the shoulder. They are agile dogs that are built to easily navigate the rugged terrain of northern Japan. Although they have a bulky appearance with their fluffy coats, they are pretty lean dogs that have impressive endurance.
What Is a Hokkaido’s Coat Type and Length?
The Hokkaido has a medium-length double coat. The outercoat is straight and fairly soft to the touch, and the undercoat is thick and dense, which comes as no surprise, insulating the Hokkaido from the cold winters of their native lands. As you can expect, Hokkaidos shed quite a lot, which requires owners to be prepared for fur storms, especially during seasonal changes. We cover their shedding levels, as well as grooming needs, in the coming parts below.
What Is a Hokkaido’s Temperament?
The Hokkaido is similar to other Japanese spitz-type dog breeds that were utilized for hunting and protection work. They are bold, loyal, and intelligent dogs that are resilient towards life. What sets them apart from others is their lovey-dovey nature. Hokkaidos are arguably the most affectionate Japanese dog breed that enjoys cuddles and pets more than others.
However, this breed’s protective nature must be balanced with proper socialization and training. If Hokkaidos lack this aspect in their lives, they can become too difficult to handle. Considering their athletic and strong-willed side, behavioral issues can easily get out of hand, requiring the owner to seek professional help. That’s why socialization must be prioritized early with Hokkaidos to ensure a well-mannered adult dog.
We cover the Hokkaido’s temperament in more detail below, going over everything from their personality with the family to barking tendencies to aggression.
Are Hokkaidos Good With Kids?
Hokkaidos bond strongly with kids in the family and possess a special type of protectiveness towards them. They tend to be watchful of kids and enjoy playing with them, which makes them a great dog breed for families who want a dog to keep children active. However, Hokkaidos may not tolerate rough play or unpredictable behavior, so kids in the family must respect their boundaries.
Because of this, Hokkaidos pair better with older children who know how to interact with dogs. As long as kids in the family respect their space, you should have nothing to worry about adding a Hokkaido to the family. However, as with any other breed, supervision is still essential when Hokkaidos interact with kids.
Are Hokkaidos Good With Other Animals?
Hokkaidos aren’t as easygoing with other animals as they are with kids. They are dominant dogs that possess a high prey drive, which makes them territorial and prone to chasing after small animals like cats and squirrels. Although they can adapt to living with smaller animals, it requires being raised together and a lot of training and supervision. Keep this in mind if you have smaller pets at home.
When it comes to other dogs, Hokkaidos are pack-oriented dogs that do well with other dogs in the family, though they are far more likely to establish themselves as the leader of the pack than other dog breeds. When interacting with unfamiliar dogs, socialization plays an important role in ensuring they greet friendly dogs with good manners.
Are Hokkaidos Aggressive?
Due to their backgrounds as hunting dogs, it is safe to say that Hokkaidos have more aggression than the average dog. They are territorial dogs that take time getting used to the presence of unfamiliar faces, which can be a concern for those who regularly have visitors.
This aggression can take their effectiveness as guard dogs to the next level, but it must be balanced with proper socialization. Otherwise, a Hokkaido may not be able to differentiate an actual threat from something completely harmless. As mentioned, invest heavily in socialization to ensure your Hokkaido becomes a well-balanced adult that doesn’t consider everything a threat to their family.
Do Hokkaidos Bark?
Hokkaidos aren’t big barkers; they bark when there’s a clear reason for it, which means that the owner should pay attention to when their dogs are barking. This quality of the Hokkaido is one of the main reasons that they make renowned guardians. They bark to alert when they see fit and don’t use their powerful voices excessively.
However, there’s some variability when it comes to the barking tendencies of Hokkaidos. While most don’t use their barks for everything, others might bark at anything that gets their attention. Depending on how you want your dog to guard, this can be a good or bad trait, as their powerful bark will surely intimidate any intruders, but it can turn into an annoyance quickly.
Are Hokkaidos Affectionate?
Hokkaidos stand out among not just other Japanese spitz-type dogs but also all the other guard dogs when it comes to being affectionate. Unlike many other guard dogs that show their love through protecting their families, Hokkaidos crave their loved ones’ attention and often nudge them to demand pets and cuddles. This is one of their temperament’s highlights, which makes them particularly a good emotional support dog for those living in colder climates, looking for a fluffy dog to cuddle.
While this applies to their immediate family, you know how they are with strangers by now; Hokkaidos take time to feel comfortable in the presence of strangers, especially if they are in their territory without the owner present.
Are Hokkaidos Intelligent?
Hokkaidos, like other Japanese spitz-type dog breeds, are smart but in their own ways. These dogs don’t need much direction when guarding a given territory and can think for themselves to decide whether something is worth investigating. If it is, they will act confidently without constant guidance from the owner, proving their intelligence.
This intelligence, however, doesn’t always have the same boost in trainability when it comes to independent breeds like the Hokkaido. We cover this in detail below, as it is one of the characteristics of the Hokkaido that many wonder about.
Are Hokkaidos Energetic?
Hokkaidos are medium-to-high energy dogs that benefit from daily exercise, even if they are kept as guardian dogs that roam around their territory throughout the day. These dogs should be walked for at least an hour a day and engaged in playtime in a secured, fenced-in place like an off-leash dog park.
It isn’t only physical exercise that Hokkaidos require, however. They also benefit greatly from mental stimulation, which is crucial for preventing boredom. Otherwise, a bored Hokkaido can quickly develop behavioral issues due to boredom, which can manifest itself in destructiveness, excessive barking, and reactivity.
Are Hokkaidos Easy to Train?
In terms of training, Hokkaidos vary greatly. While some are easy to train, others take their time. Generally, it is more difficult to train Hokkaidos that are more independent. These dogs typically come from bloodlines that are kept as hunting companions or guardians. When getting a Hokkaido, knowing the dog’s bloodline will ensure you get a dog that has the trainability you’re comfortable with.
Nevertheless, Hokkaidos tend to respond well to positive reinforcement training. By figuring out what motivates your Hokkaido, whether it is a small piece of treat or playtime, you can have the upper hand in training to teach them everything from basic commands to complex tricks or even give them a job to do.
Are Hokkaidos Good Watchdogs?
With everything we’ve covered so far, the Hokkaido doesn’t require any further explanation on whether or not this breed is a good watchdog. They excel at these duties with their alert, protective temperaments. If you want your property to be protected by a confident, medium-sized dog, the Hokkaido is going to be one of the best candidates.
Are Hokkaidos Good Service Dogs?
The Hokkaido isn’t a common choice for service dog work. However, it isn’t because Hokkaidos are low in numbers; it is because the trainability of the Hokkaido doesn’t make these dogs suitable for this type of work. Moreover, Hokkaidos, much like any other protective breeds, aren’t always reliable when it comes to executing their service dog tasks. This makes service dog training with a dog like the Hokkaido extremely difficult for trainers.
However, with their overall characteristics, Hokkaidos can be great family companions that can serve as emotional support animals. The breed’s fluffy coat, coupled with their loving temperament, makes them a great emotional support dog for those who want a loving but protective dog by their side.
How to Care for a Hokkaido?
The Hokkaido, requires an attentive owner who can meet their care needs. Beyond their socialization, training, exercise, and mental stimulation needs, here’s everything you need to know about caring for a Hokkaido. We cover the breed’s grooming, health, and feeding needs below.
Do You Need to Groom a Hokkaido?
With their thick double coats, Hokkaidos have average to above-average grooming needs. They should be brushed weekly using a slicker brush to remove dead hair from the undercoat and maintain a tidy appearance. It is also essential for managing shedding, especially at home.
Hokkaidos also have other basic grooming needs, like nail trimming, paw care, ear cleaning, and dental care. Brushing their teeth is particularly important, as Hokkaidos are prone to a variety of dental issues that can impact their quality of life; it must be a regular part of a Hokkaido’s grooming routine.
Do Hokkaidos Shed?
Hokkaidos shed intensely; owners of this breed must be prepared for fur storms twice a year when the Hokkaido sheds their old coat to prepare for the next season during seasonal changes. As previously mentioned, they require frequent grooming during this period, with many owners opting to take their dogs to a professional groomer for deshedding treatments.
What Health Problems Do Hokkaidos Have?
The common health problems seen in Hokkaidos include hip dysplasia, patellar luxation, heart murmurs, seizures, and psychogenic polydipsia. Some Hokkaidos are also prone to developing collie eye anomaly, a hereditary eye condition that affects a long list of dog breeds beyond collies.
While these health problems might make it seem like Hokkaidos aren’t very healthy, these are simply common health issues seen in this breed. Most Hokkaidos live much of their lives without health problems, which brings us to their lifespan.
How Long Do Hokkaidos Live?
The life expectancy of the Hokkaido ranges between 12 and 15 years. However, note that genetics, lifestyle, diet, environment, and environmental factors all can have an impact on lifespan; it wouldn’t be a surprise if a Hokkaido lives longer based on these.
What Should a Hokkaido Eat?
Diet is an important part of caring for a Hokkaido. These dogs can thrive eating a variety of diets, including dry dog food, fresh dog food, a homemade plan, or even a raw diet. As long as what they’re eating meets their nutritional needs and they are looking forward to each meal, it will be the best diet overall that benefits their health.
If you’re unsure about what to feed your Hokkaido, we recommend contacting your veterinarian or an animal nutritionist. They can guide you in the best direction after learning more about your dog’s health, lifestyle, and preferences.
Is a Hokkaido the Right Dog for Me?
Although Hokkaidos aren’t as demanding as livestock guardians or overly protective dog breeds, they are still better suited for experienced owners. Hokkaidos have immense socialization and training needs that can make novice owners regret their decision if not prepared. There’s also the living arrangements these dogs require. Due to their protective nature, they don’t always do well in apartment living.
Overall, if you’re an experienced owner who’s looking for a medium-sized guard dog and have space to provide them with a territory to call their own, then the Hokkaido can be an ideal dog. They offer a balanced mix of protectiveness and a loving nature that makes them an exceptional canine companion.