10 Most Spectacular Japanese Dog Breeds

There is only one thing to say this. Japan is an interesting and different country. This can be seen in almost everything. As such, we can see Japanese dog breeds that are not like anything like you may have seen. Japanese have been working on their own dog breeds (inu) for centuries.

You will be surprised that they have 6 national dog breeds (Nihon Ken). Below, you can see all the common, well-known, and special dog breeds that come from Japan.

10 Most Spectacular and Desirable Japanese Dog Breeds

1. Akita

Akita is one of the Japanese dog breeds that is extremely popular, especially in Japan and the United States. The breed was smuggled after World War 2 from Japan into the US and soon became a very popular dog. They are amazing. Akita dogs are loyal, strong, and brave. They are big as well. A male dog can reach 130 pounds. These are working dogs that will reach 28 inches in height for males and 26 inches among female dogs. The weight in female dogs can be up to 100 pounds. 

The coat is thick and massive and it is present in many, different colors. One of them is white. These dogs can live between 10 and 13 years. 

2. Tosa Inu

This dog breed certainly doesn’t look like it came from Japan. But, the breed comes from the Tosa region and it was used there as a fighting dog. Today, they are rare dogs in Japan and most of the world and are even banned in some countries! They always want to please their owner and to make sure he is safe and happy. But, they are not fond of other people and other dogs. 

These dogs can reach 200 pounds in weight while the smallest ones are at 100 pounds. The height is up to 23.5 inches. They live between 10 and 12 years. The coat is short and very dense. Tosa Inu can be seen in red, apricot, fawn, and a few more coats. Most of them have white markings on the feet and their chest. You can see these dogs referred to as Tosa token, Tosa ken, and a few other terms. 

3. Shiba Inu

Shiba Inu is a small dog that is well-known for the scream he will make while playing. The name actually means brushwood and it refers to a terrain where these dogs were used. They were used for hunting birds, although some owners used them to hunt deer, wild boar, and other animals. An interesting fact is that these dogs have been with us for over 3000 years and they are very appealing these days.

This is a non-sporting dog that can reach 16.5 inches in height (males) and around 15.5 inches (female). Males are slightly larger with a maximum weight of 23 pounds while females can reach 17 pounds. They typically live between 13 and 16 years. 

4. Hokkaido Inu

Hokkaido Inu is one of the most beautiful dogs from Japan. They are also some of the rarest dogs outside the country and you probably won’t see one ever. On the other hand, these dogs are large, strong, have plenty of stamina, and are very alert. It is important to add that they must be properly socialized or they may have some ‘’issues’’ with strangers. This is one of the oldest dog breeds from Japan and was used for sledding, hunting, and as a guard dog. 

The height is between 18 and 20 inches while the weight is around 65 pounds. The smallest dog will have 44 pounds. The fur is thick and can be seen in wolf grey color, red-black, sesame, or brindle. The fur will shed seasonally which can make a mess. They live between 12 and 15 years. 

5. Japanese Chin

This dog breed is also very popular and it is considered to be a royal dog. Chin actually means royal in the Japanese language. However, it is also believed that this breed came from China or Korea almost 500 years ago. They are small dogs and they are adorable. Yes, these are considered toy dogs.

The height will be only up to 11 inches while some are 8 inches tall. The weight is between 7 and 11 pounds. They live between 10 and 14 years. Colors are versatile and you can see lemon, black and white, sable and tan combinations.

6. Japanese Terrier

Japanese Terrier was a crossbreed between English terrier and many, different Japanese breeds. They were crossbred with Italian greyhounds as well. This started in the 1700s and latest up to the 1900s. The name was Kobe terriers (due to the region where they were bred). 

These days we can see that the final breed is a mixture of English toy terrier, Kobe terrier, and bull terriers. They became popular across Japan in the 40s. These are popular outside Japan as well. Most live up to 15 years and the height is 13 inches. The weight is between 5 and 10 pounds. Their coat can be seen in black and tan or white and tan. 

7. Ryukyu Inu

Ryukyu Inu is one of the Japanese dog breeds that came from the Okinawa area. On this island it is known under an interesting name, a national treasure! The history of the breed isn’t known. Some say that they are similar to Kai Ken and they are also hunting dogs bred to hunt wild boars. However, they are not the same breed.

These dogs can swim, climb trees and so much more in order to be successful while hunting. The height is up to 19.5 inches and the weight is around 50 pounds. Their fur can be either short or long and is available in brindle, black, white, ivory, red, or many other colors. They can live around 13 years. 

8. Kishu

Kishu is one of the most interesting dog breeds on our list. First of all, this dog came from a specific dog that lived in Japan’s mountains a few centuries ago. The dog breed in question is a product of domesticating that dog and adapting it to the people’s needs. The Kishu comes from the Wakayama region in Japan and it was used as a hunting dog.

People with the help of this dog hunted mostly deer and wild boar. Another, interesting fact about the dog breed is that they had solid and spotted coats. But, only the ones with solid colors became accepted so the ones with spotted fur simply vanish in 1945.

These dogs can live between 11 and 13 years and they can reach 22 inches in height while the smallest will be 17 inches. The weight is between 30 and 60 pounds. Most of these dogs are white. Hunters preferred this color because it made a dog easier to see in the forest. Some are black, tan, sesame, or red. 

9. Shikoku

Shikoku is also known as Kochi-ken and it is a real Japanese dog breed for hunting. The most common animal these dogs hunted was a wild boar and they were appreciated for their superb tracking capabilities. These dogs are very intelligent and always on alert. They also have a stunning level of endurance which made them perfect for hunting.

Height is up to 22 inches and the weight is up to 35 pounds. They are present in sesame, black, red, and tan colors with a straight and very harsh outer coat. They live between 10 and 12 years. 

10. Kai Ken

This is one of the oldest and 6 native breeds in Japan. They were mostly used as hunting dogs and they are perfect for this purpose. Believe it or not, they can even climb trees in order to catch the prey. They will swim across rivers due to the same reason so you can see why so many people used them as hunting dogs. In addition, they were used for guarding as well. The appearance can be linked to a wolf.

Anyway, Kai Ken lives between 12 and 15 years and can reach 19.5 inches in height. The biggest one can be 40 pounds in weight. The colors are ideal camouflage and we can see black, red, and brindle. In the lack of better words, their colors are 100% unique. 

11. Japanese Spitz (Bonus)

Japanese Spitz were bred in Japan during the 20s and 30s. The breed comes as a product of crossbreeding spitz breeds from Siberia, China, Canada, the US, and Australia. Sadly, all records of the breed were destroyed during World War II, so, there are no a lot of traces and details about this breed. 

They live between 12 and 14 years and can reach 25 pounds in weight at the height of 15 inches. They have a white coat. 

Conclusion

If you always wanted to know all about Japanese dog breeds now you have the chance. All of these 10 dog breeds are special and not something you can see almost anywhere you go. Many can even be seen in Japan only and there is no other place where you can find these breeds. It is definitely worthy of travel to this country to see all these and many more dog breeds that are rare and special.