Love for exotic animals is a dangerous tendency that is becoming rampant in many countries of the world. The interest of wealthy and wealthy people in classic breeds of animals, which cannot surprise anyone, has long disappeared. People want to see near themselves rare, expensive and unusual breeds, often forgetting that exclusive pets need special attention and diet.
One of these rare breeds is Japanese Hokkaido, which is on the verge of extinction and the acquisition of a purebred animal will have to go directly to the Land of the Rising Sun.
Story
Hokkaido is a spitz-shaped Japanese hunting breed, which is listed in the kennel protective registry and is one of the most expensive.
In the specialized literature can be found and other names of this breed - Ainu and Ainu-ken. The roots of the origin of dogs go back hundreds of years.
Some sources claim that traces of the animal were found in the period before Christ on the Japanese island of Hokkaidowhen dogs helped ancient people hunt large animals. A distinctive feature of the origin of a unique animal - complete lack of special breeding work to improve the breed.
Hunters taught fearless, hardy, brave and devoted dogs to work in difficult conditions of forest and mountainous terrain. It is thanks to the harsh climatic conditions and the animal has acquired a huge number of positive characteristics.
Ainu became a constant companion of the ancient Japanese, who could fully entrust their safety and life to an animal. The dogs were able to protect their owner from even the most enraged wild animals, which could be several times the size of a pet.
During the period of hostilities, the military successfully used the dog in many security and search operations. For invaluable services to the motherland, the animal was called the symbol of Japan. In connection with the ban on the export of this breed from the country, it has not gained wide popularity, and its number began to decline significantly. The breed received official recognition only in 1980, and the risk of its complete extinction remains high today.
Description
Hokkaido is a small dog that has a strong and muscular physique, as well as a powerful and proportional bone structure. The maximum height of an adult individual is 52 cm, and its weight is 35 kg.
The average life expectancy of a dog is 15 years, but in a comfortable living environment and with a balanced diet, the pet will be able to enjoy a much longer period of time.
The body of the animal is slightly elongated with a broad and straight back, as well as a pronounced chest. The abdomen is flat without sagging fat folds. Highly set powerful tail has the form of a fluffy ring. Straight limbs have strong muscles and spaced pads. The claw plates are always painted black or dark brown.
On the wide skull there is a flat zone of the forehead and a straight muzzle, which resembles a wedge in shape. The tip of the nose is always painted black. The jaw has a correct bite, sharp teeth and a strong muscular system. The triangular eyeballs are planted widely and also painted brown. The small auricles have a triangular shape and are located almost on the crown. In a tranquil setting, the ears are tilted slightly forward.
Dog's coat consists of two layers:
- hard and straight guard fibers;
- thick and soft undercoat.
The longest and thickest hair is located in the tail zone.
The color scheme of Ainu is represented by a rather wide tint palette, which consists of the following colors:
- redhead;
- pale yellow;
- red;
- white;
- cream white;
- white and yellow;
- Gray;
- the black;
- leopard;
- black and white.
Character
A beautiful and graceful animal has a very controversial character, which has completely become a reflection of the fascinating, dangerous and unpredictable Japanese nature. In the period of rest and communication with the owner, the dog is playful, affectionate and caring, but if you only see the danger, the animal instantly becomes aggressive, fearless and deadly, who is ready to give his life for his owner and his family members.
A well-developed flair, high intellectual abilities and an internal compass allow the animal to unmistakably find its way even in difficult climatic conditions in unfamiliar terrain.
Before purchasing this breed, professional dog experts recommend objectively assessing their ability to curb a ferocious and calm animal that will obey only the powerful owner with powerful energy.
In order for the pet to please the owners not only with excellent appearance, but also with appeasable character, the process of education must be started from the first days of the puppy's life in the house. Externally, a very strong animal is very vulnerable inside. If during the training the owner allowed himself a cry, rudeness and incorrect behavior, the pet can not only be offended, but also can run away from home.
Despite his sociability in the family and unlimited love for children, from which the dog can tolerate not always pleasant behavior, the Ainu doesn’t find a common language with other inhabitants of the house, and sometimes can even be jealous of their owner.
Due to high intellectual abilities, the animal is very intelligent, feels the owner's mood without any extra words and instantly switches to the same emotional mood. Devotion and love for the owner of the pet comes at an early age and remains with him until the last days of his life.
Professional dog breeders recommend using the unique properties of the animal in the following areas of modern human life:
- hunting;
- protection of the territory;
- search work;
- the detention of criminals;
- sports driving competitions;
- escort travelers in difficult terrain.
Conditions for content
Ainu belongs to the undemanding species that need both the minimum care and maximum attention. From the first days of the pet's stay in the house, he needs to clearly explain who is the boss, and also show him a place to sleep and eat. If the dog feels indecision and excessive gentleness of the owner, after a short period of time it will be practically impossible to control and dictate the rules of behavior.
Recreation area should be equipped with a warm and cozy bedding, which is better located in a remote corner away from drafts and background noise. For meals, you must purchase special resistant bowls that your pet cannot turn over. From the first days of life a dog must understand that she can eat only from her dishes, and punishment will immediately follow for stolen food from the master's table.
The animal does not tolerate confined spaces and life in cramped apartments. The most comfortable conditions for a pet are living on the territory of a private house in a special aviary of a large area. But even in such conditions, a strong and active animal needs daily walks without a leash, as well as periodic visits to competitions and hunting events.
Beginner dog breeders should be aware that Hokkaido does not tolerate high temperatures and needs protective structures from the rays of the scorching sun, but in cold weather the dog reacts positively, the main thing is not to keep him in small cages without active movement. In the summer, animals love to visit reservoirs, the cool water of which will help reduce body temperature.
Non-observance of conditions of maintenance and rules of care can provoke the development of the following pathologies:
- violation of the musculoskeletal system;
- bone and joint disease;
- eye disease;
- diseases of the mouth and teeth;
- reproductive impairment;
- allergic itching and rash.
Timely vaccination of animals, as well as regular treatments for skin parasites and worms, can reduce the incidence of animals.
These activities will help to avoid the following diseases:
- rabies;
- distemper;
- parvovirus;
- hepatitis.
What to feed?
Before bringing a faithful friend and guard to the house, experienced dog breeders recommend paying special attention to his diet, which is radically different from the menu of most dogs. Since the borders of Japan are washed by the seas, and the traditional food of people is seafood and rice, this fact could not but affect the gastronomic preferences of this breed. The main ingredients of the Ainu diet are the following ingredients:
- a fish;
- rice;
- seaweed;
- seafood.
Special attention should be paid to the dog's constant access to clean and fresh water, especially during periods of elevated temperatures. The use of special vitamin supplements will have a positive effect on the health of the pet.
It is strictly forbidden to rebuild the diet of the animal and feed it with meat, vegetables, cereals, confectionery, ready-made food, as well as fatty, pickled and salty food. These products can provoke food poisoning, allergic reactions, and sometimes even the death of a pet.
If it is not possible to feed the dog with the products necessary for it, the experts recommend to refuse to purchase this breed. Moreover, such a diet can not afford all the people who have an average financial prosperity.
How to care?
Caring for a wayward pet will not cause difficulties even for inexperienced owners, who must daily brush their pet with special combs and brushes, as well as carry out water procedures as needed.
To prevent inflammation, veterinarians recommend constantly inspect the eyes, auricles and nasal passages, and if necessary, clean them of mucus and dirt with cotton buds or cosmetic discs. And also the pet needs in timely adjustment of the claw plates.
In order to hygienic procedures did not cause aggression and negativity, experts recommend to teach your pet to them from an early age.
You should not scold the animal for refusing to swim or brush your hair, you just need to find the cause of the inconvenience, then radically change the tactics of the procedure. Often, to solve a problem, it is sufficiently convincing to talk to a smart dog who will definitely understand its owner and will meet it.
Dogs are intelligent, loyal, affectionate and caring animals that accompany us throughout life. The desire to get a fluffy friend appears in every person in early childhood. But only an adult is able to realize all the responsibility that falls on him during the purchase of a cute beast.
Despite the toy appearance and devoted eyes, all dogs always have the features of a hunter and a wild beast, which only a strong and strong-willed master can cope with.
The ration of the animal, especially the one who was brought from other countries, can cause no less complexity, and its menu is usually dominated by products that are not typical of another territory.Only after a comprehensive study of all the components of a dog’s comfortable life and an objective assessment of one’s own strength can one make a decision about buying a pet.
In the next video you can watch the Hokkaido puppies for a walk.
