HOKKAIDO PUPPY

Ainu Dog

A.K.A.: Do-Ken, Ainu Inu, Ainu Ken, Hokkaido-Ken, Hokkaido Dog

Overview:

The Ainu dog is thought to be one of the oldest breeds of dog in the world, first bred by the indigenous Ainu people of Hokkaido, to hunt Salmon, Deer and Bears. Despite being hunter-gatherers that survived in freezing conditions, the Ainu are thought to have kept Dogs from the very beginning and respected them in nearly the same way as other Humans. The Ainu Dog is thought to have descended from medium-sized Dogs that arrived on the island with migrants from the main island around 3,000 years ago. Today, despite it's strong links to the Ainu people, it is more commonly referred to as the Hokkaido-Ken by the native Japanese people. Although the characteristics of the Ainu dog are thought to have changed a little over the years due to cross-breeding, this breed is said to still have a very wild streak. This breed is not recognized by the American Kennel Club, but it is recognized by the Fédération Cynologique Internationale and the United Kennel Club. Considered as a rare breed, Ainus are rarely seen outside of Japan.