16.06.1999/EN
FCI-Standard N° 261
HOKKAIDO
ORIGIN : Japan.
DATE OF PUBLICATION OF THE OFFICIAL VALID
STANDARD : 20.12.1994.
UTILIZATION : Hunting dog, companion.
FCI-CLASSIFICATION : Group 5 Spitz and primitive type.
Section 5 Asian Spitz and related
breeds.
Without working trial.
BRIEF HISTORICAL SUMMARY : This breed is said to have
originated from medium-sized Japanese dogs that accompanied
migrants from Honshu (the main island of Japan) to Hokkaido during
the Kamakura era (in the 1140s), when exchanges were developing
between Hokkaido and the Tohoku District. When the breed was
designated as a « natural monument » in 1937, it took an the name of
the area. It also came to be known as the « Ainu-ken », since the
Ainu-the former inhabitants of Hokkaido-used to breed these dogs
for hunting bears and other animals. The physique of the Hokkaido
enables it to withstand severe cold and heavy snowfalls. It also
shows accurate judgement and great stamina.
GENERAL APPEARANCE : Medium-sized dog with secondary
sex characteristics strongly marked, well balanced, sturdily built and
well boned. Muscles tough and clean cut.
IMPORTANT PROPORTIONS :
The ratio of height at withers to length of body is 10 : 11
The ratio of skull to length of nasal bridge is 3 : 2.
Length of skull equal to width of cheeks, being about one fourth
of height at withers. FCI-St. N° 261 / 16.06.1999
BEHAVIOUR / TEMPERAMENT : Dog of noteworthy
endurance, showing dignity and naive feeling. The temperament is
faithful, docile, very alert and bold.
HEAD
CRANIAL REGION :
Skull and forehead : Broad and slightly flat.
Stop : Shallow, but defined.
FACIAL REGION :
Nose : Black, flesh colour permitted with a white coat.
Muzzle : Wedge-shaped. Nasal bridge straight.
Lips : Tight, with black edges.
Jaws/Teeth : Strong, with a scissor bite.
Cheeks : Well developed.
Eyes : Relatively small, nearly triangular, set well apart and dark
brown in colour.
Ears : Small, triangular, slightly inclining forward and firmly
pricked.
NECK : Powerful and muscular, free from dewlap.
BODY :
Withers : High.
Back : Straight and strong.
Loins : Moderately broad and muscular.
Croup : Properly sloping.
Chest : Forechest well developed. Chest deep and moderately broad;
ribs well sprung.
Belly : Well tucked up.
TAIL : Set on high, thick and carried over the back vigorously
curled or curved like a sickle, the tip nearly reaching hocks when let
down. FCI-St. N° 261 / 16.06.1999
LIMBS
FOREQUARTERS :
Shoulders : Moderately sloping.
Forearm : Straight, clean cut.
Pasterns : Slightly inclining.
HINDQUARTERS :
General appearance : Powerful.
Hocks : Tough, sufficiently strong.
FEET : Toes well arched and tightly closed; pads hard and elastic;
nails hard and black or dark colour.
GAIT / MOVEMENT : Active, quick, light and resilient.
COAT
HAIR : Outer coat harsh and straight; undercoat soft and dense. The
hair on the tail fairly long and off-standing.
COLOUR : Sesame (red fawn hairs with black tips), brindle, red,
black, black and tan, white.
SIZE :
Height at withers : Dogs 48,5 - 51,5 cm.
Bitches 45,5 - 48, 5 cm.
FAULTS : Any departure from the foregoing points should be
considered a fault and the seriousness with which the fault should be
regarded should be in exact proportion to its degree and its effect
upon the health and welfare of the dog.
Bitchy dog/doggy bitches.
Slightly overshot or undershot mouth. FCI-St. N° 261 / 16.06.1999
DISQUALIFYING FAULTS :
Aggressive or overly shy dogs.
Any dog clearly showing physical or behavioural
abnormalities shall be disqualified.
Extremely overshot or undershot mouth.
Ears not pricked.
Hanging or short tail.
Shyness.
N.B.:
Male animals should have two apparently normal testicles
fully descended into the scrotum.
Only functionally and clinically healthy dogs, with breed
typical conformation should be used for breeding.
Blue-Black colour in tongue is not a fault.
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