13 Beautiful Japanese Dog Breeds

Do you know what sets a Shiba Inu apart from a Shih Tzu? These two are entirely different breeds. The Shiba Inu has a noticeably sharper appearance, while the Shih Tzu appears softer and fluffier. But, what do they have in common? Both are breeds originating from Japan! Take a look at this article shining a light on 13 remarkable Japanese dog breeds that you might not be familiar with! Discover which breed piques your interest the most!

Japanese Dog Breed: Akita

A Japanese breed, it is a sizeable spitz-type dog. Males weigh at least 33kg and females 23kg. It has a double coat in varying colours such as brindle, red, fawn or pinto. The ears are triangular and face forward, while the tail is sickle-shaped.

Japanese Dog Breed: American Akita

It is a dog breed similar to the Akita, but it has no Japanese lineage in its bloodline. Initially, it was bred to be a farm dog in Japan and eventually became an American dog show dog. They are large dogs with males weighing at least 33kg.

Japanese Dog Breed: Japanese Chin

It is a toy breed of spaniel-type dog. It has a short muzzle and broken coat. The coat can have a colour that ranges from black, white or tan. In Japan, it was initially bred to be a companion dog in the court of emperors in China during the 1500s.

Japanese Dog Breeds: Japanese Spitz

A dog breed closely resembles the American Eskimo dog is average-sized, with males weighing at least 9kg and females 7kg. The tail curls over its back while the coat comes in various colours such as red, brown or black with white on its legs and face.

Japanese Dog Breed: Kai Ken

This breed is a medium-sized dog that has a unique look. It resembles the appearance of the tiger and is similar to Akita in appearance. Its eyes are almond-shaped, and it has a double coat that comes in black, tan or brindle colours.

Japanese Dog Breed: Kishu

This dog breed is a medium-sized spitz-type animal with a short muzzle and triangular ears and has a double coat that comes in white, black or tan colours. Males weigh at least 9kg and females 7kg. It was originally bred to hunt boar and deer in Japan, so they have high stamina levels.

Japanese Dog Breed: Kishu Ken

It is a medium-sized hunting dog with a double coat in black, tan or brindle colours. Males weigh at least 9kg and females 7kg. It has a unique appearance as its cheeks are wrinkled while the tail curls upwards over its back. It was originally bred to hunt boar and deer in Japan, so they have high stamina levels.

Japanese Dog Breed: Shiba Inu

This breed is a small to medium-sized spitz-type dog with a double coat in red, black, tan, or sesame colours. Males weigh at least 9kg and females 7kg. It originated in Japan and is extremely alert.

Japanese Dog Breed: Shikoku

This breed is a medium-sized hound-type dog with a short muzzle and triangular ears. It has almond-shaped eyes that are dark brown or amber-coloured. The tail curls over its back while the coat comes in various colours: black, white, and tan. It originated from Japan and was initially used for hunting deer and boar.

Japanese Dog Breed: Shinshu Inu

This breed is a small-sized spitz-type dog with a double coat in white, black or tan colours. Males weigh at least 9kg and females 7kg. It originated in Japan and is extremely alert.

Japanese Dog Breed: Tosa Inu

This breed is a large-sized fighting dog with a muscular appearance and loose skin on its face, neck and limbs, while its coat can be red, brindle or fawn colour. Males weigh at least 53kg and females 40kg. It originated from Japan and was initially bred to fight in dog fights.

Japanese Dog Breed: Tosa Ken

It is a large-sized fighting dog with a muscular appearance with loose skin on its face, neck and limbs. Males weigh at least 53kg while females are 40kg. It originated from Japan and was originally bred to fight in dog fights.

Japanese Dog Breed: Hokkaido Inu

This breed is a medium-sized spitz-type dog with almond-shaped eyes that are dark brown or amber with a wrinkled face similar to those of the Shiba Inu. Males weigh at least 33kg and females 25kg. It originates from Japan and is extremely alert.

Do any of these breeds require special care or grooming requirements?

The Hokkaido Inu requires special care as it is a sensitive breed. It has a thick double coat and should be groomed about once a week during the winter months to remove fur from its undercoat, which can weigh down your pet.

Conclusion

It’s no surprise that there are many different breeds, but did you know about the Japanese dog breeds? In this post, we’ve discussed 13 beautiful and exciting breeds from Japan. Be sure to take your time exploring these unique dogs before deciding which one is right for you.

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