Hokkaido

OVERVIEW OF THE HOKKAIDO

This Japanese medium breed has a gorgeous thick coat for protection from the cold, and a warm, energetic personality. Their tongues are a blue and black color and coats come in a range of colors from white, black, and red, to brindle and sesame. Historically trained as hunter dogs, they are intelligent, fearless, and resourceful. They are ever-vigilant and make good watchdogs since they’ll notice and bark at anything suspicious, but they’re generally not problem barkers.

With early training and positive training methods, these dogs are pleasantly trainable and obedient. This has made them good dogs to help with search and rescue missions. Today, however, they are mainly kept as family pets. They get along well with children and consider themselves as much part of the family as anyone else.

They’re great at agility, tracking, and obedience activities and are happy when they have a job to do.

Hokkaidos are between 18 to 22 inches tall at their shoulder height. Although females are generally smaller in stature, the breed’s general weight hovers between 45 and 65 pounds.

Before welcoming a Hokkaido to your family, it is important to ensure you can give them everything they need for a healthy, happy life.

HOKKAIDO FOOD AND HEALTH

Although the breed is generally strong and healthy, it can display some hereditary illnesses. Not all dogs may suffer from any or all of these diseases, but it is good to be aware of common health issues that are a possibility. Hokkaidos are prone to collie eye anomaly, idiopathic seizures, anxiety, heart murmurs, psychogenic polydipsia, and pica. Like all breeds, they are also prone to hip dysplasia and luxating patella which affect the hind legs and can be genetic or due to injury.

If you are buying a puppy from a breeder, always make sure you get the necessary health clearances for the puppy and parents to avoid genetic diseases, eye problems, and joint issues.

These active dogs do best with a diet high in protein with moderate to low carbs, and a small number of healthy fats. Fish oils with omega-3 fatty acids can help maintain a healthy coat and skin. It is also beneficial for boosting eye health and brain development.

Ideal food in a Hokkaido’s diet includes a combination of fresh lean meat, fish, and vegetables such as peas and sweet potatoes. Dry food such as kibble can be incorporated into your pet pal’s diet and is actually beneficial for their teeth. If you are feeding your dog dry food, you can wet it with pet gravy or non-fatty meat juices to change it up and make it more appetizing.

When feeding your dog a pet food formula, always make sure you give them good quality, age-appropriate food. Puppies should be on their mother’s milk for the initial 6 to 10 weeks. Thereafter you can slowly introduce them to puppy formulas. The packaging will clearly state the breed size and age the food has been designed for as well as how much to feed your puppy according to its weight. Don’t ever give your puppy adult dog food. Their nutrient needs and digestive capabilities are different. Puppies will generally have three very small meals daily.

Once they slowly start transitioning to adult food (this will only be after a year), their feeding schedule will change from three to two meals daily. Always make sure there is lots of fresh water available for your dog to stay hydrated.

Consult with your vet if you are unsure about feeding your Hokkaido. Each dog is different and they will be able to give you the best advice according to your dog’s age, size, and activity level. It is important to only put out the right portion of food since your pet pal will likely guzzle up whatever they see. This can quickly lead to trapped air, bloating, pain, and weight gain.

There are also foods that are a definite no-no when it comes to feeding your furry family member. Avoid feeding them overly salty foods, sweet treats, and high-fat foods. These can lead to pancreatitis. Avoid giving them table scraps, raw dough, citrus, chocolate, garlic, onions, grapes, raisins, macadamia nuts, and fried food. Some dogs may be sensitive to dairy and wheat products, so try to avoid these as much as possible.

LEASHES AND COLLARS FOR YOUR HOKKAIDO

When trained and socialized from an early age, Hokkaidos are generally obedient dogs that will come when called. Always use positive training methods with lots of encouragement, praise, and treats. Be consistent and firm without being harsh. Aggressive or harsh training methods won’t get you anywhere and will make training and obedience difficult long-term.

When in public places such as parks or when going for walks, it is important to keep your pet pal on a leash. Harnesses are generally better and more comfortable for your dog since they don’t place any pressure on the dog’s neck, throat, or trachea. If your dog has learned to walk nicely next to you without pulling, however, a collar can also work.

Front-clip harnesses offer more control than back-clip harnesses. If you and your pet pal are often out in dim light, get a leash, harness, or collar with reflective strips to keep you both visible to people and traffic.

If you do decide to get your Hokkaido dog a collar, don’t leave it on day and night. This can cause the fur to mat, knot, and fall out. It also increases the chance of rashes and infections around the neck. Remove the collar in the evenings or when you’re at home in a securely fenced area. Always check that the collar is not too tight by ensuring you can fit two fingers underneath when fastened. Upsize as soon as needed if your dog is still growing.

BEST CRATES, BEDS, AND DOG HOUSES FOR HOKKAIDOS

Hokkaidos enjoy the cold temperatures and are comfortable going for walks and playing outside even if it’s cold. Don’t mistake this for them wanting to sleep outdoors. Your pet pal considers themselves as much part of the family as any other member and that means they want to be near you, inside the house.

A dog bed is important for a good night’s rest, however, your Hokkaido may sometimes opt for the floor to regulate their body temperature. A slightly elevated dog bed that is chew-proof is a good option, as long as it is big enough for your pet pal to stretch out comfortably. If your dog suffers from any joint problems, a memory foam bed or orthopedic mattress will provide extra support.

Getting your pet a dog house is not necessary but can be a great place for them to retreat when they feel like taking a nap or if they are left outside during the day. When choosing a dog house, you need to consider that the size should fit your pup when they are fully grown. This means that your pet pal needs to be able to stand, stretch out and turn around comfortably inside. Keep in mind that you’ll still be placing a blanket or dog bed inside the dog house which will take up extra space.

Choose a house with a removable roof. This makes it easier to clean and air out the interior. You’ll also want a unit that is slightly lifted off the ground to prevent cold and dampness. Make sure it’s waterproof and that there are no sharp edges or splinters.

A crate can be used for training or as an indoor dog house for your pet pal. Since they can be chewers, a metal option is a good idea. Make it comfortable by placing a bed or blanket and toy inside. You can also get a soft crate cover or a cozy blanket to partially cover it at night. As with a dog house, ensure that there is enough space for your pup to stand, turn and stretch out. Never use the crate as punishment. Even when used for training, keep it positive.

HOKKAIDO TOYS

Hokkaidos require at least two hours of activity every day. This can include a walk, hike, or active playtime. Keeping your dog stimulated is important for their health and will prevent them from acting out due to frustration.

Since Hokkaidos are an active breed, there is a range of fun toys they will love. These dogs need teething toys as puppies and durable chew toys as adults. Always check that toys have not been chewed to pieces that can be swallowed or eaten! Quality stuffed toys can be tossed, tugged, and squeaked. If you opt for a soft toy, make sure it’s durable and ensure your pet doesn’t try to eat the stuffing if any fluff spills out.

Keep your pup mentally and physically engaged with an outdoor agility training kit. These may include anything from hoops and tunnels to weave poles and jump poles.

Normal balls, erratic balls and Kongs are all great for playing fetch. A ball launcher will give you some extra distance and help expand your pup’s energy while not expending that much of your own.

Dog puzzle toys will keep them mentally engaged. These toys require them to solve a puzzle for a reward, generally a treat.

GROOMING INSIGHTS FOR HOKKAIDO OWNERS

To survive in the cold winters as hunting dogs, Hokkaidos have thick double coats. They have a wooly and soft undercoat with a longer straight outer coat. Their beautiful fur requires plenty of brushing, but the good thing is that they don’t need too many baths. In fact, these dogs don’t enjoy baths and it is only recommended to bathe them when they’re dirty. If they don’t play in dirt frequently, a few times a year will suffice.

When it comes to brushing, use a slicker brush or pin brush to make sure you brush through to their undercoat and don’t just skim over the top coat. It is essential to remove dirt, twigs, and leaves that can get lost in their coat and cause knots and tangles. Brushing through to the bottom coat also helps spread natural skin oils evenly. Twice a year they shed more profusely and daily brushing will be necessary.

While brushing your pup, check their ears for redness or infections. Also check their skin, eyes, and paws so you can catch any sores or infections early on. If needed, lather on dog paw balm to soothe, protect and heal paws that may be cracked or fragile from icy, hot, or uneven terrains. Your dog should never be running or walking on hot pavement in the heat of the day.

If they don’t wear their nails down naturally, they need to be trimmed to prevent hooking and tearing. They do have blood vessels in their nails so you may want to get a professional to do this for you to prevent pain and bleeding which may make future grooming difficult.

Brush your dog’s teeth daily if possible, alternatively every other day to remove bacteria, prevent tartar build-up and avoid gum disease. Only use dog-friendly toothpaste.

Get your puppy used to being groomed and having their paws, mouth, and ears checked and handled. Make it a pleasant experience with lots of encouragement and praise. This will make it easier as they get older and will make vet checkups a lot more pleasant for everyone.

HOKKAIDO ACCESSORIES

There are a few important grooming accessories you will want to have on hand to keep your Hokkaido’s coat well maintained. An undercoat rake is a good investment since it helps brush out loose undercoat hair without causing any breakage or damage to the thick topcoat. A shedding brush is ideal for sensitive areas such as the belly or legs.

Also, consider getting a good-quality hair dryer. The air dryer will blow out any dirt and loose hairs and also speeds up coat drying which generally takes a long time.

If you and your pet pal enjoy running together, get a leash and hip belt set. The running belt is tear-resistant and absorbs movement or pressure. The belt allows you to affix the leash to it so you still have both hands free. Some designs have reflective strips on both the belt and leash to keep you both visible in dim light.

If you enjoy hiking in hot climates, consider getting a cooling vest for your pet pal to protect, cool, and provide the necessary circulation to your dog’s chest and heart in hot weather.

Check out our breed hub page to learn more about breeds like Hokkaidos.