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Nippon --- know it all!
 "inu" dogs
Japan is home to several native dog breeds, some of which trace their origins back centuries and have been designated protected national monuments. The names of the different breeds are usually followed by the suffix "-ken", which is another reading of the character for "dog". Here is a look at some native Japanese canines:
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Akita-ken
Large descendants of matagi hunting dogs, the Akita-ken is named after its place of origin, Akita Prefecture. Intelligent and loyal, they make good police dogs and guard dogs. A famous Akita-ken is Hachiko, a dog that waited faithfully for his beloved master at Shibuya station in Tokyo every day and continued to do so even after his master's death. Today a bronze statue of Hachiko stands at the station and is a popular meeting place.
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Kai-ken
Originally bred centuries ago in the isolated Kai district in Yamanashi Prefecture, the Kai-ken is believed to be the purest and most ancient dog breed in Japan. Medium in size, their ancestors were also hunting dogs. Another common name for the Kai-ken is Tora (tiger) dog, but they are actually related to the Spitz family.
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Kishu-ken
For thousands of years, this dog from the mountainous Kishu region south of Osaka was bred for boar hunting. Now quite rare, the Kishu-ken has been a designated national monument in Japan since 1934. Usually solid white in colour, there are also red or sesame-coloured types. Clean and docile, they are popular family pets.
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Shiba-ken
The smallest of Japan's native dogs, the Shiba-ken looks a bit like a miniature Akita and was also once used as a hunting dog. Unlike other breeds, the Shiba-ken is not named after a particular area but for its small size - "shiba" literally translates as "brushwood" but can also mean "dwarf". According to professional breeders, an ideal Shiba-ken has a bold spirit, a good nature and is quite cheerful and spontaneous in character.
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Tosa-ken
Also known as the Japanese Mastiff, the Tosa-ken is the hybrid of the Shikoku-ken (native to the island of Shikoku) and various Western breeds. It was bred in Tosa province (now Kochi Prefecture), an area famous for dog-fighting. Unlike its cruel counterpart of pit dog-fighting, the Japanese dog-fighting style is based on the heavily ritualised sport of sumo wrestling. The calm courage and endurance of the Tosa-ken made it a natural champion.
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Hokkaido-ken
Perhaps the wildest of Japan's native dog breeds, the Hokkaido-ken originates from Hokkaido, the most northern island of Japan. It is sometimes called the Ainu dog after the indigenous people of the island, and in the past was often used to hunt bears. The Hokkaido-ken is known for its alert and brave nature, which makes it an excellent watchdog, and also its ability to withstand cold.
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