Petzlover
Irish Bull Terrier is originated from United Kingdom but Hokkaido is originated from Japan. Both Irish Bull Terrier and Hokkaido are having almost same height. Irish Bull Terrier may weigh 31 kg / 68 pounds lesser than Hokkaido. Both Irish Bull Terrier and Hokkaido has almost same life span. Irish Bull Terrier may have more litter size than Hokkaido. Irish Bull Terrier requires Low Maintenance. But Hokkaido requires Moderate Maintenance
The Irish Bull Terrier is a variant of the Staffordshire Bull Terrier and is also known as the Irish Staffordshire Bull Terrie.
The dog isn’t particularly well known outside of Ireland and it is also unrecognized by any kennel clubs, although there are some dog organizations which recognize the Irish Staffordshire Bull Terrier and this includes the Dog Registry of America as well as the United National Kennel Club.
Although descended from the Irish Bulldog and the original Staffordshire Pit Terrier, the breed has also been influenced by other dog breeds such as the English White Terrier among others.
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.
Bred essentially for dog fighting, the Irish Bull Terrier, known also as the Irish Staffie, is a medium sized dog which stands at roughly 43 to 48cm and weighs in at anything from 14kg to 18kg.
The dog is muscular, lean and strong with a strong jaw, deep chest, a broad head, short muzzle with round, brown eyes. The ears are half-erect and he has a long, straight tail. The coat of the dog is short and smooth and in different shades of red, fawn, black and brindle. Sometimes there are white markings.
The Irish Staffie has an aggressive temperament when it comes to fighting other dogs, but he loves being with a human family, being a social dog.
Those who have owned the dog say he is a courageous, confident, strong-willed, affectionate, loyal pet who is playful and loves getting up to mischief. He is intelligent too and can be easily trained and socialized, getting on well with children in the home.
This dog seems to have a constant grin on his face and he just loves life. He loves working hard and playing hard and even though he has a history of fighting, with people he is loving and devoted.
He is boisterous and better suited to a strong-minded, active family as he tends to be stubborn, wanting his own way. He can adapt well to life in the city or the country, but wherever he lives, he will require his owners to give him a good amount of exercise.
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.
Lots of contact from his human family is what your Irish Bull Terrier will want from you. He is a loving, social dog and close human contact as well as lots of good food and exercise is what he will require from you.
With training and socialization he becomes an awesomely obedient pet, getting on well with adults and children in the home. He is such an entertaining, happy dog and once you've had an Irish Bull Terrier you will find your home empty without one.
Looked after well, your Irish Bull Terrier can reach 14, 15 or 16 years of age. Just like with other dogs, he is prone to some common dog illnesses, of which eye illnesses can be one.
Production and drainage of fluid is supposed to be balanced in the eye, and Glaucoma comes about when this balance is disrupted. Symptoms include red eye, pain, increased tear production and corneal cloudiness. Your vet may recommend treatment that will decrease inflammation in the eye.
The lens of the eye is usually clear but sometimes it develops a cloudy cataract which blocks light from reaching the back of the eye. The result is poor vision and even blindness. Cataract surgery is available for dogs and your vet can advise you further.
Often breeds that are isolated like the Hokkaido, have a pretty good health history but there are a few serious issues that they face.
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.
Affecting joints and cause arthritis and lameness.
Floating kneecap – not as prevalent here as in smaller dogs.
Could be mild or serious. Could require a pacemaker.
Seizures of an unknown origin. Can be treated with medication not cured.
Excessive, uncontrollable urge to drink large amounts of fluid without a stimuli.
An Irish Staffordshire Bull Terrier isn't going to require you spending a lot of money on him in terms of grooming. He is a low maintenance dog and his short, smooth coat will only require a good brush once or twice a week as he isn't a heavy shedder.
Brushing him has several advantages – he loves the attention you’re giving him, its a time to check on fleas and ticks and it is excellent conditioning therapy for his coat. A damp cloth can also be used to wipe him down, and this is far better than bathing him with a shampoo that could aggravate his skin.
Your Irish Bull Terrier is an energetic breed and he certainly won't do well in a home where the family leaves him to his own devices day after day in the back yard.
Social and energetic, your pet will want to join you with your daily walks and he finds a ball irresistible. As a responsible dog owner, you will need to see that he gets a fair quota of exercise otherwise you should rather settle for a less active breed.
It goes without saying that such an active dog will require a good diet so ensure he can remain happy and active. Always try and feed your pet the best quality food there is.
If its commercially manufactured food, make sure its high quality and isn’t packed with unwholesome fillers and preservatives. Your vet can always offer sound advice on this aspect.
Some homemade food such as cooked chicken, brown rice and vegetables added to his kibble will do him the world of good and if you can afford it, mix in some raw meat from time to time. Make sure he has access to fresh, cool water.
The puppy needs about 300 -400 calories per day in 3-4 servings per day
The adult dog needs about 250-350 calories a day to maintain good weight and health. Feed 2-3 times per day.
Strong, stamina
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.
