Stabyhoun vs Hokkaido - Breed Comparison | PetzLover

The Hokkaido breed originates in Japan and is also called Ainu-ken, Ainu dog, Seta or Do-ken. The last being its common name in Japan. It is believed that the Hokkaido is descendent from the Japanese Matagi-ken, meaning hunting dog, deer hunting dog or bear hunting dog. It was the Ainu peoples that brought the breed to Tohoku. Many years later the Yayoi people brought in another breed of hunting dogs. These breeds were in isolation for most of their existence and therefore they had little influence on the further development of other breeds.

The Ainu dog was used in searches as well as hunting and became in 1937 “a rare species in Japan that is protected by law”. At that time the Official Name of the breed was set in place as Hokkaido-Inu. But they are still called Hokkaid0-Ken by most Japanese people.

This is a very rare breed of dog. It is hardly known outside of Japan and in country there are about ten to twelve thousand remaining. Of those about nine hundred to one thousand are registered in Japan every year. It is guessed that less than thirty exist outside Japan.

The Hokkaido breed is the oldest Japanese breed of dogs. Today they are great indoor companions, loyal and friendly. Most people in Japan still call them the Ainu dog.

The Stabyhoun is a near extinct breed and one of the rarest ever. He was never recognized by the major kennel clubs but was entered into Foundation Stock Services.. The breed comes from the Netherlands in the Frisian Forest and has been known since the early nineteenth century.

It was not known outside of the Friesland Forest area until the 1960’s and outside the Netherlands only since the twenty first century. The Stabyhoun is a Dutch national treasure whose name means “stand by me dog”. Today throughout the world only a few thousand remain.

The Stabyhoun is hunter and retriever with a soft-mouth and ability to point. He was used for duck hunting and finding upland birds. He is great in the water, sharp-eyes and efficient, he works quickly. The breed has also been known to hunt fox, other birds and small game. They are great at catching moles.

Even though British breeds are more popular for hunting now, the Stabij remains an excellent all round hunter. He can track, point, and retrieve. He is also a good watchdog though his disposition is peaceful and gentle. They needed to be general all around farm dogs as farmers could only afford one dog.

They have not changed much since the 1800’s either in function or appearance. In order to get such a gentle working dog, they early Stabyhoun has been mixed with the much older and rarer breed from the same area, the Wetterhoun. This crossbreeding was stopped in 1942 in order to gain breed recognition and hope to keep either of these two rare breeds from extinction.

Today the number of Stabyhoun in the Netherlands, the United Kingdom, North America and Scandinavia are slowly but surely increasing. He is highly prized as an independent thinker and hunter, inquisitive and gentle. They are related to the Heidewachtel and the Drentsche Patrijshound.

The first Staby born in the U.S. was around 1994 and in 2017 there were thought to be over 7000 Stabyhouns in the world. They are much more popular now in Europe and North America.

The Hokkaido breed is medium in size but very strong in build. Dogs bred outside Japan tend to be smaller. They have wide, deep chests, and long thick coats compared with Japanese dogs from other breeds. It is a double coat of long fur on top and short softer fur underneath for the second coat. Their ears are triangular and small while their eyes have a triangle outline. The double coat could be sesame, white, red, black, black and tan and wolf-gray.

They are an intelligent breed with an impulsive gait. They are alert, courageous and suspicious. They were used for guarding the city gates. Their skull is flat and broad and the tongue, like the chow chow, is blueish. black. With a black nose and a wedge shaped muzzle, the Hokkaido is a handsome dog. His lips are with black and tight. High set, thick tail over the back or slightly curved to the side.

The Staby are powerful soft-mouthed pointers who are not too fine or too robust with tightly fitting skin. Their chest, legs, collar and tail are feathered and make the dog look like a longhaired canine, but she really is not. The dog is longer than it is tall, and his head is longer than it is wide. Most of the breed are black and white but there are many brown and white, while the orange and white are very close to extinction.

They have a slightly domed skull and a slightly arched but strong neck. Their muzzle is broad and the bridge straight while the nose is well developed. With medium sized ears, set low on the head and having the bottom third of the ears covered with hair. The eyes are round, medium sized and level in the head

They have a long sleek coat with a slightly wavy croup. They are never curly. Its back is straight, tail long and loin powerful.

Children friendliness

Children friendliness very good with every member of the family and that includes children

Special talents

They have terrific stamina and good judgement

Adaptability

Good. They can adapt to live anywhere

Learning ability

They are intelligent and anxious to learn

1Children friendliness They love children and are very good with them.

2.Special talents they love to swim, and their endurance is amazing.

3.Adaptability – very adaptable to weather but wont do well in apartment.

4.Learning ability - they are self-motivated and quick learners

Often breeds that are isolated like the Hokkaido, have a pretty good health history but there are a few serious issues that they face.

CEA- Collie Eye Anomaly

1/3 of all dogs have it while 2/3 are carriers. This disease is congenital and there is no cure. It affects the sclera, retina and choroid. It can be mild or it can cause blindness.

Hip Dysplasia

Affecting joints and cause arthritis and lameness.

Luxating Patella

Floating kneecap – not as prevalent here as in smaller dogs.

Heart Mumurs

Could be mild or serious. Could require a pacemaker.

Idiopathic Seizures

Seizures of an unknown origin. Can be treated with medication not cured.

Psychogenic Polydipsia

Excessive, uncontrollable urge to drink large amounts of fluid without a stimuli.

Though an isolated, rare breed for so long, the Stabyhoun does have several known health issues including:

• Dysplasia of the elbow and/or hip – can cause lameness and arthritis.

• PDA or Patient Ductus Arteriosis – heart issue from 6 weeks on. Major vessel does not close. With surgery it can be corrected.

• Epilepsy treated with medication.

• Type 1 von Willebrand’s Disease (vWB) – a bleeding disorder in its mildest form. DNA testing is available not required.

• Cerebral dysfunction – rare compulsive behavior at 6 weeks. It is fatal at this point. DNA testing will be required.

Feeding the puppy

The puppy needs about 300 -400 calories per day in 3-4 servings per day

Feeding the adult

The adult dog needs about 250-350 calories a day to maintain good weight and health. Feed 2-3 times per day.

Health Factors

Strong, stamina

Games and Exercises

These dogs love exercise and definitely need it. They will get to be anxious or bored if they don’t get enough exercise. A back yard run is fine but remember that the Hokkaido is a jumper and make sure your fence is at least six feet high. They need daily walks even if you have a fenced yard. Martindale collars or harnesses are needed when walking them.

These dogs love games and competitive activities. They are good at hunting and guarding of course. There are other activities they can excel at and enjoy jogging, biking with you, and hiking. In competition they enjoy and are good at agility, flyball, lure coursing, rally, weight pull, dock diving, and obedience. They do not participate in confirmation.

1Feeding the puppy -They are prone to obesity. Do not overfeed. Watch calories. Feed a high quality dog food meant for active medium sized dogs in 3-4 meals per day.

2.Feeding the adult – Feed a high quality dog for medium sized dogs in 2-3 meals per day.

3.Points for Good Health -Good swimming skills.

4. Games and Exercises

An active dog that needs exercise. They need mental stimulation as much or more than they need physical. Don’t skimp on either. They love agility, field trials, lure coursing, and scent training. They also love the triathlon, frisbee and endurance.