History:
The Ainu Dog is a thin, muscular, sturdy-looking dog. It is impulsive and fast
and has a light gait. Ainu's have small, erect ears that are at a right angle
to the brow. Its eyes are somewhat small, dark brown and set triangularly. The
teeth are healthy, solid and non-protruding. Some have spots of black on their
tongues. The bridge is straight leading to its dark nose. The well-fitted lips
have dark pigmentation. The tail curls in typical Spitz fashion. The Forelegs
are straight and lean and the hindquarters are covered with a double coat. The
harsh, straight coat colors come in sesame, brindle, wolf gray, red, brown or
white.
Temperament:
The Ainu Dog's character is packed
full of desirable qualities. He has proven a fearless and determined hunter,
watchdog, guard and defender, and at the same time a loyal and well-behaved
dog. They have also been used as sled dogs and scenting hounds and can be
trained for defense. It is intelligent and quickly trained. This large game
hunter is extremely courageous for its size, willing to attack a 650 pound
bear! Yet it is still gentle, obedient and home-loving. It has
an innate sense of direction and can therefore return to its master no matter
how great the distance. This is a typical Shika-Inu, or medium-sized dog:
headstrong, stubborn, aggressive with other dogs, but deeply summative to
its human family. Despite its long history as a working breed, the Ainu
Dog ideally combines the roles of family pet and hunter. This breed should
not be allowed to run free around other animals. They are good with children
if they are raised with them from puppyhood.
The Ainu Dog is not recommended for apartment life. It
is moderately active indoors and will do best with a large yard. They can
live outdoors - for their warm coats protect them from the cold.
Exercise:
The Ainu needs moderate but regular exercise to stay in
shape.
Life Expectancy:
About 11-13 years.
Grooming:
The harsh, straight, double coat
of the Ainu Dog should be brushed and combed on a regular basis.
Origin:
The Ainu Dog is a Japanese Spitz
breed rarely seen outside that county. The dog was
named after the Ainu tribe. Origin is unknown. They arrived in Japan over
3,000 years ago when the Ainu brought this Spitz-type dog with them. As the
Ainu were pushed onto the island of Hokkaido by an influx of Japanese people,
their dogs gradually became restricted to this island. The dog's ever alert
and suspicious nature lent itself to the required role of village guardian.
Their dog has changed little over the centuries. The Ainu Dog is probably
the oldest of the Japanese breeds. It was later named the Hokkaido Dog, but
is still better known as the Ainu Dog; indeed it is registered with the FCI
under that name. Many Ainu Dogs have blue-black tongues, a physical trait
that suggests a distant relationship with the similarly tongued Chow Chow
and Chinese Shar Pei. Through the active work of the Society For The Preservation
of Japanese Breeds, the Ainu Dog was designated a Japanese Natural Monument
in 1937. The Ainu Dog has always distinguished itself in big-game hunting
(especially bears), in guarding property, and as a draft animal.