This is a question concerning the Shikoku and Hokkaido status in North America:

Comments

• okiron

  February 2011

  If its not in shigeru's article then go search the forum a bit. Theres a couple threads already that goes into depth explaining why. Id link you but im on my phone.
• okiron

  February 2011 edited February 2011

  Ok I was half right. It was explained but not as in depth as I thought it was. It's a thread you started too. "Why are they difficult to find?"
• sunyata

  February 2011

  @Kadmos - The answer was written by Brad and discusses the 4 North American Shikoku breeders.
  
  As far as I know, there are no US Hokkaido breeders. I know that Lindsay is looking at starting a breeding program for Hokkaido here in the US.
  
  I also believe that there are between 5 and 10 Hokkaidos currently living in the US. One of which is in the town where I live. Most are owned by military families or families that have migrated over from Japan.
  
  I am not sure if I answered your questions, but hopefully that helps.
• lindsayt

  February 2011

  @Kadmos, you wrote "why is it harder to find the Hokkaido here due to the fact that there are no known major Hokkaido breeders"
  
  You just answered your own question unless I'm misunderstanding you.
  
  Honestly, I'm not 100% sure why Kai and Shikoku have taken off way faster than Hokkaido in the states. Shikoku look awesome and are beautiful dogs, and Kai are reportedly great to run with other dogs. With Hokkaido, I don't know if it's size (larger), energy level, more "plain" appearance, or temperment that's kept them from at least getting started here. They all seem to have very few health issues.
  
  There is a small, small group of people who are sincerely interested in importing, breeding and co-owning Hokkaido now and in the future, but there is an underwhelming lack of people outside of our tiny coalition who are committing to any leg work or costs. Perhaps that bodes ill for any breeding plans. It's a huge long term undertaking and high risk venture to get breeds like these started in the states, where exsisting breeding populations are soooo limited.
  
  Just my experience so far.
• Kadmos

  February 2011

  I should've added that there are 4 Shikoku breeders. This does answer my question.
• Edgewood

  February 2011

  Actually Kadmos, there may be a few more breeders added in the near future of shikoku. There are several of us who have breeding stock, but since they are so (relatively) new to North America, we had to wait for the dogs to come of age. And of the breeders with websites, only Peggy (O'Ikon) and Katja (Akashima) have had litters so far, with Katja's kennel producing the most.
  
  I know right now I currently am working on my website (not yet published to the web) and I do have a male/female pair, with the male being 3.5 y and the female just over a year in age. Corina (Airreyalis) has a male/female pair as well (male is same age as my male and female is slightly older than my female) and she also has some puppies that she just imported. Brad (Yamabushi) has his 2 older females (both spayed) and also has 2 younger puppies (1 male/1female). As I said, several of us are very interested in preserving the breed here in North America, thus trying to expand the genetic base. They truly are unique and wonderful dogs.
  
  I cannot speak to why the Hokkaido has not had much interest outside of Japan.
  
• ayk

  February 2011 edited February 2011

  I've always thought of the Hokkaido as a pure working breed. First introduction I got of them included a picture of them facing off with a bear.
  
  Also, I think most people have only seen a red Hokkaido in books and on the web and so they don't have the exotic color appeal.