Official ICCF Breed Description
Brief Historical Summary
The Hokkaido is an ancient Japanese aboriginal breed that developed naturally on the northern island of Hokkaido under harsh climatic conditions, cold temperatures, humidity, and rugged terrain. Closely associated with the Ainu people, these dogs were used for hunting large game, including bear, as well as for guarding dwellings and accompanying people. Natural selection and regional isolation produced a strong, enduring dog with a stable psyche, quick reactions, and well-developed guarding and hunting instincts. In the early 20th century, the breed was officially recognized in Japan and declared a national treasure. Today, the Hokkaido remains a rare working breed valued for its courage, loyalty, and natural strength.
General Appearance
The Hokkaido is a strong, muscular, well-balanced medium-sized dog with a dry, powerful body and marked endurance. The outline is slightly elongated, with straight, stable topline. The head is broad and wedge-shaped, with a strong muzzle and alert expression. The chest is deep, ribs well sprung, and the loin strong. Limbs are straight, sturdy, with well-defined angulation providing stability on uneven terrain. The tail is thick at the base, curled tightly or sickle-shaped over the back. The overall appearance reflects strength, courage, resilience, and natural dignity. The Hokkaido must look composed, confident, and ready for work in demanding environments.
Important Proportions
The Hokkaido’s proportions should balance strength and agility. Height at the withers and body length create a slightly elongated yet compact format. Chest depth reaches the elbows, providing volume for efficient respiration. The muzzle and skull are approximately equal in length; the stop is moderate. Shoulder blades are well laid back, with the upper arm of equal length forming correct angulation. Hind limbs show pronounced but not exaggerated angulation. The tail must harmonize with the overall structure. All proportions should support the breed’s power, stability, endurance, and functional working type.
Behavior and Temperament
The Hokkaido exhibits a balanced, courageous, independent temperament shaped by centuries of survival in northern Japan. The breed is attentive, resilient, and deeply loyal to its family. It is calm at home, cautious with strangers, and maintains a natural protective instinct. The Hokkaido is highly trainable but requires consistent, respectful handling due to its autonomous mindset. Outdoors it is active, energetic, and displays a strong hunting instinct. Early socialization and training are essential to guide the dog’s natural confidence, strength, and determination.
Head
The head is broad, wedge-shaped, and strong without coarseness. The skull is slightly arched, of moderate width. The stop is distinct but not abrupt. The muzzle is straight, moderately long, tapering gradually toward the nose. Lips are tight and dry. Jaws are powerful, well developed, with a full set of teeth and a scissor bite. The nose is dark, usually black, with lighter pigmentation allowed in light-colored dogs. Eyes are oval, dark brown, with an alert, slightly wary expression. Ears are erect, triangular, small, high-set, and forward-facing. The overall expression conveys focus, alertness, and controlled strength.
Facial Region
The facial region is strong, dry, and cleanly defined, forming a wedge-shaped profile. The muzzle is straight, broad at the base, evenly tapering. Jaws are powerful, ensuring a strong grip. Lips are thin and tight. The nose is well pigmented with open nostrils. The infraorbital area is clean. The transition from forehead to muzzle is distinct yet smooth. Facial lines must emphasize alertness, working ability, and proportional harmony.
Eyes
Eyes are medium-sized, oval, moderately deep-set, giving an attentive, concentrated expression. Color is uniformly dark brown. Eyelids are tight, well pigmented, and dry. The gaze conveys confidence, awareness, and working focus. Undesirable traits include overly light, round, protruding eyes; poor eyelid pigmentation; or asymmetrical eye opening.
Ears
Ears are high-set, erect, triangular, small, with firm cartilage and slightly rounded tips. They face forward, expressing constant attention and readiness. The base must be firm and stable. Undesirable traits include overly large or low-set ears, semi-erect or soft ears, or weak cartilage. Correct ears are essential for breed expression and working type.
Neck
The neck is medium in length, dry, muscular, with a smooth transition to the shoulders. The topline is slightly arched. Musculature is well developed, providing strength and stability. The neck is carried moderately high. Skin is firm without dewlap or wrinkles. A neck that is too short, thick, or excessively long disrupts balance and function.
Body
The body is strong, balanced, and functional. The topline is straight and stable. The withers are moderately pronounced, flowing into a strong, straight back. The loin is short, broad, powerful. The chest is deep, reaching the elbows; ribs are well sprung. The underline is moderately tucked. The croup is broad, slightly sloping, muscular. Undesirable traits include weak back, narrow chest, looseness, or excessive body length. The body must reflect strength, endurance, and stability.
Tail
The tail is thick at the base, well furred, medium in length, set high. In repose it may hang lower; in alertness it curls tightly or forms a sickle over the back. It must be firm, with correct curvature. Undesirable traits include straight, low-set, broken, or insufficiently curled tails. The correct tail completes the breed silhouette and emphasizes northern type.
Forequarters
Forequarters are straight, strong, dry, and parallel. Shoulder blades are long and well laid back. The upper arm is equal in length, muscular, and correctly angled. Elbows point straight back. Forearms are straight and sturdy. Pasterns are slightly sloping but firm. Undesirable traits include crooked limbs, out- or in-turning elbows, weak pasterns, or soft joints. Proper forequarters provide stability and sure-footed movement.
Hindquarters
Hindquarters are powerful, well angulated, and stable. Thighs are long, broad, muscular but dry. Lower thighs are long and correctly angled. Stifles are firm and well formed. Hocks are low-set, strong, and parallel. Rear pasterns are short and vertical. Undesirable traits include cow-hocks, barrel-hocks, weak joints, or insufficient musculature.
Gait and Movement
Movement must be free, powerful, straight, and efficient. At the trot the dog moves with good reach and strong drive, maintaining a stable topline. At the gallop the breed shows agility, ability to turn sharply, and strong acceleration. Undesirable traits include stiffness, short stride, swaying topline, crossing limbs, or weak drive.
Coat
The coat is double, dense, weather-resistant. The outer coat is straight, harsh, close-lying. The undercoat is dense, soft, and warm. Coat must protect against cold, wind, and moisture. Undesirable traits include overly long, soft, wavy, or curly coat, sparse hair, or patches of thinning.
Acceptable Colors
Accepted colors include white, red, red-sesame, black-sesame, brindle, black, as well as fawn and cream. Colors must be clean and even. Sesame must be evenly mixed without blotching. White markings are allowed but must not disrupt balance. Disqualifying colors include blue, liver, merle, or any non-standard color. Pigmentation of nose, lips, and eyelids must be adequate.
Size
Males: 48–51 cm.
Females: 45–48 cm.
Weight: 18–27 kg, proportional to build.
Excessively light or heavy dogs are undesirable. Size must support strength, endurance, and functionality.
Faults
Minor chest narrowness, moderate back softness, slight toeing-in or out, minor deviations in movement, slightly light eyes, mild lack of pigmentation, wide-set ears, small looseness, insufficient muscle in young dogs. Faults are assessed by their impact on function.
Disqualifying Faults
Complete depigmentation of nose, lips, or eyelids; pink nose in dark-colored dogs; blue, liver, or merle color; excessive white covering most of the body; overshot, undershot, or level bite; missing teeth beyond limits; dropped, semi-erect, soft, or unstable ears; structural deformities; movement defects; joint instability; aggression or extreme fear.
Important Notes
The Hokkaido must be evaluated as a working northern breed, preserving its natural aboriginal type. Extreme decorative traits, excessive lightness, or exaggerated features are unacceptable. Natural caution toward strangers is typical and not a fault when controlled. Young dogs may display temporary immaturity. Key priorities include health, temperament, pigmentation, functional anatomy, and preservation of the traditional northern working type.
Conclusion
The Hokkaido is an ancient northern breed combining natural strength, endurance, stable temperament, and deep loyalty. Its anatomy, movement, and behavior must reflect its ability to work in harsh environments, showing courage, resilience, and independent decision-making. Evaluation should emphasize balance, clarity of lines, correct head type, strong body, and functional gait. Extreme features that compromise functionality are undesirable. Breeding goals include maintaining health, stable temperament, proper structure, pigmentation, and working qualities that define the Hokkaido as a unique national breed of Japan.
