FEDERATION CYNOLOGIQUE INTERNATIONALE (AISBL) SECRETARIAT GENERAL: 13, Place Albert 1er B – 6530 Thuin (Belgique)
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09.02.2017/ EN
FCI-Standard N° 261
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ORIGIN: Japan.
DATE OF PUBLICATION OF THE OFFICIAL VALID STANDARD: 30.10.2016.
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.
GENERAL APPEARANCE: Medium-sized dog with sexual dimorphism 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, but the body can be slightly longer in bitches.
• The ratio of skull to length of nasal bridge is 3 : 2.
• Length of skull equal to width of cheeks.
BEHAVIOUR / TEMPERAMENT: Dog of noteworthy endurance, showing dignity and naive feeling. The temperament is faithful, docile, very alert and bold. It also shows accurate judgement and great stamina.
FCI-St. N° 261 / 09.02.2017
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HEAD
CRANIAL REGION: Skull and forehead: Broad and slightly flat. Stop: Shallow, but defined.
FACIAL REGION: Nose: Black. Slight lack of pigmentation in white dogs is accepted. Muzzle: Wedge-shaped. Nasal bridge straight. Lips: Tight, with black edges. Blue-Black colour in tongue is not a fault. Jaws/Teeth: Strong, with a scissor bite. Cheeks: Well developed. Eyes: Nearly triangular, not too small, and dark brown in colour. The outer corners of the eyes are slightly upturned. Ears: Small, triangular, slightly inclining forward and firmly pricked.
NECK: Powerful and muscular, free from dewlap.
BODY: Withers: High. Back: Straight and strong. Loin: Moderately broad and muscular. Croup: Properly sloping. Chest: Forechest well developed. Chest deep and moderately broad; ribs well sprung. Belly: Slightly 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.
LIMBS
FOREQUARTERS: Shoulders: Moderately sloping. Upper arm: Forming a moderate angle with shoulder blade.
FCI-St. N° 261 / 09.02.2017
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Forearm: Straight, clean cut. Metacarpus (Pastern): Slightly oblique. Feet: Toes well arched and tightly closed; pads thick and elastic; nails hard and black or dark colour.
HINDQUARTERS: General appearance: Well developed, strong and moderately angulated. Hocks: Tough, sufficiently strong. Feet: Toes well arched and tightly closed; pads thick 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 (well mixture of black, red and white hairs in whole), brindle, red, black, black and tan, white.
SIZE: Height at withers: Males 48,5 - 51,5 cm.
Females 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.
• Lack of sexual dimorphism.
• Slightly overshot or undershot mouth.
• Shyness.
• Pinto colour.
FCI-St. N° 261 / 09.02.2017
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DISQUALIFYING FAULTS:
• Aggressive or overly shy.
• Any dog clearly showing physical or behavioural abnormalities shall be disqualified.
• Extremely overshot or undershot mouth.
• Ears not pricked.
• Hanging tail, short tail.
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.
