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The future of our Japanese dogs with their national characteristics was
very doubtful immediately after the WWII. This was due to the loss
of these dogs during the intensity of the war. Fortunately, the Nipponken
Hozonkai was re-established after the war with the efforts of Japanese Akita dog
fans, who, using a source of very few valuable dogs, succeeded in establishing the Japanese dog
in the world of today. We would like to take advantage of this opportunity
and not spare any efforts with our fellow members and tread the
eternally great road of preserving the Japanese dogs.
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I would like to discuss the
distribution of the Japanese dogs in various regions. According to the Nippoken
Hozonkai Standard, the Japanese dogs are divided into three types: large (Akita
dog), medium (Hokkaido dog, Iwate dog, Kishu dog, Kai dog, Easu dog and Tosa
dog) and the small (what is called the Shiba dog, Shinshu-Shiba, Miuo Shiba,
Kai-Shiba Jugoku dog and the Shimane-Tottori dog called Sekishu dog) groups and
are being bred under planned programs.
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DISTRIBUTION
1. HOKKAIDO REGION
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Hokkaido, which is our nation's
northernmost local district, is the place of origin of the Hokkaido dog. The
Hokkaido dog is being protected by the Nipponken Kennel Club as well as by one
or two other preservation organizations. The Hokkaido government office has
also become very supportive in their policy by their designation of excellent
Hokkaido dogs as natural monuments.
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Regular branches were also revived at
the beginning of 1953 in order to engage actively for the sake of the Hokkaido
dog. Also in Hokkaido, they are involved in important roles as work dogs in
deep snow.
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2. The Tohoku Area
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In this region, one must above all
mention that this is the place of origin of the large type dog (the Akita dog)
form the prefecture of Akita. The Akita dog is generally well known widely
among the Japanese dog fans in relation to the famous, faithful dog, Hachiko,
and was produced in Akita and has played an important role as a sideline to each
farming households especially in one area in Kazuno in northern Akita.
Beginning with the regular branches throughout the prefecture, dog
organizations, such as the Akitainu Hozon Kai, have taken the opportunity of
improving the quality of the dog.
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With this place of origin as the
center, many regular branches are being established in prefectures such as
Aomori, Iwate, Yamagatu, Fukushima, as well as in other prefectures throughout
the nation. In Iwate, although few in numbers, there are some medium type dogs
that the local people call Iwate-no-inu.
3. Kanto Area
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There are no native dogs in this area
but each type of dog is being raised. In the Tokyo area, the large type dogs
are very popular and one feels as if this is the second Akita prefecture. Also,
the quality of dogs has improved year by year so that one is able to see some
excellent animals at the annual dog shows.
4. Chubu (Central Plain) Area
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The medium type dog, the Etsu-no-inu,
existed many years ago in the Toyama, Ishikawa and Niigata prefectural areas,
but are now totally extinct. In the Niigata area the large type dogs are very
popular, while the medium type dogs such as the Kishu and Tosa (Shikoku) dogs
are popular in one area of the Hokuriku districts in the Toyama and Ishikwa
prefectures.
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The Nagano prefecture, which has been
blessed with dogs, is the place of origin of the so-call (Shinshu-shiba) of the
small type dog. Also, the medium type dogs have also become popular more
recently.
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Also the small type dogs such as the
(Mino-shiba) and the (Kai-shiba) originated in both prefectures of Gifu and
Yamanashi. The medium type dog (Kishu dog) has become popular in Gifu very
recently. The medium type dog has also originated in Yamanashi and the locals
have called these the Kai dog.
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Kai
is a dog with a unique brindle coat and the excellent dogs of this type are
being designated as natural monuments. Aside from the regular branches within
the prefecture, there are the Kai-inu Hozonka's and Yamouashi-inu Hozonkai and
each are active in the preservation and production of these dogs.
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In the Shizuoka and Aichi prefectures,
the large type dogs are in the majority and are active as the center for
breeding in the Tokai district.
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5. Kinki (Osaka-Kyoto) Area
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Both prefectures of Wakayama and Mie
occupy a very important position as the place of origin of the medium type dog
(Kishu dog). In this area the hunters use these as hunting dogs as well as a
very important working dog.
In the Kyoto, Osaka and Nara regions the medium type (Kishu) dogs are
numerous, while the large type is popular in the Hyogo prefecture.
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6. Chugoku (Western
Honshu) and Shikoken Area
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The prefectures of Kiayama and
Hiroshima are both area for the propagation of the medium type dog (Tosa-no-inu)
while the prefecture of Kochi (is the place of origin of the Tosa-no-inu) and a
very active locality of the medium type line. The prefectures of Kochi, Ehime,
Kagawa and Tokushima are the leading places of the medium type dog (Tosa dog).
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7. Kyushu Area
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Finally, in the Kyushu area are the
large and medium type dogs centrally located in the Fukuoka and Kumanoto
prefectures and is very popular and there is much eager anticipation for some
results in the future.
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The places of origin of Japanese dogs
and their previous status of their distribution throughout the nation have been
described. An illustrated diagram presented below summarizes the foregoing
distribution that was discussed. There are call names depending on the locality
of origin of dogs (such as the medium type Kishu dogs have the Hidaka line, the
Kumono line, etc.) which are commonly referred to in their respective
localities. However, because this may cause much complication with the
diagrammatic illustrations, they have been omitted. Finally, the term Tosa dog
refers to the medium type dog that originated in the Shikoku area and differs
from the Tosa fighting dog.
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(The author is the secretary general of the
Nipponken Hozonkai)
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