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Japanese Dogs: Akita, Shiba, and Other Breeds
The first in-depth treatment of all the breeds of Japanese dog.
Finally, the first book to treat not just the Akita or the shiba but all breeds of Japanese dogs.
Japanese Dogs introduces the ten main breeds?the Akita, Shiba, Kishu, Shikoku, Kai, Hokkaido, Japanese Spitz, Japanese Terrier, Chin, and Tosa Fighting Dog. It shows each of these ten dogs in stunning color photographs and describes in detail each dog's distinctive physical characteristics,
temperament, and behavior.
The book traces the history of the largest organization in Japan for preserving and protecting the breeds?known as Nippo?as well as the Nippo Standard for the Japanese Dog and the way that judging is conducted at Nippo shows. It traces the history of the dog in Japan, including the two times in the
twentieth century when?due first to war and then a distemper epidemic?all the breeds were in imminent danger of extinction, and how they were brought back to their current numbers and level of popularity.
Japanese Dogs outlines the dogs' traditional use?still sometimes seen in the countryside?as partners in hunting wild animals such as boar and bear. It describes the close bond that was essential between hunter and hunting dog, and the way that this capacity for bonding has been bred into the dogs
for generations, so that today too, as pets, they tend to be boundlessly loyal.
The book includes stories about well-known dogs like Hachiko, the Akita who waited outside a Tokyo train station every evening for his master's return for nearly ten years after the master had passed away, until the dog's own death; Hachiko is commemorated in a statue that stands outside that same
station. Or Tama, the Shiba that saved her owner?a hunter in snowy, mountainous country?from being buried in snow not just once, but three times.
The book also describes an unusual breed, the Jomon Shiba?a contemporary dog that has been bred, on the basis of fossil remains, to resemble as closely as possible a long-extinct breed from Paleolithic times. Much more wolflike and regal-looking than the wildly popular Shiba, this dog has also
gained many devoted fanciers, although it is completely unknown to most Japanese people.
In addition to thirty-two pages of color photos, Japanese Dogs is illustrated throughout with numerous black-and-white photos of other, lesser known breeds, scenes from dog shows, archaeological finds, and ukiyoe and other paintings Japanese Dogs is sure to be of interest to enthusiasts of any of
the Japanese breeds, and to admirers of dogs everywhere.
- Heavily Illustrated Throughout
- 32 Pages of Color Photos
- A Wealth of Information on Japan's 10 Fascinating Dog Breeds
Finally, the first book to treat not just the Akita or the shiba but all breeds of Japanese dogs.
Japanese Dogs introduces the ten main breeds?the Akita, Shiba, Kishu, Shikoku, Kai, Hokkaido, Japanese Spitz, Japanese Terrier, Chin, and Tosa Fighting Dog. It shows each of these ten dogs in stunning color photographs and describes in detail each dog's distinctive physical characteristics,
temperament, and behavior.
The book traces the history of the largest organization in Japan for preserving and protecting the breeds?known as Nippo?as well as the Nippo Standard for the Japanese Dog and the way that judging is conducted at Nippo shows. It traces the history of the dog in Japan, including the two times in the
twentieth century when?due first to war and then a distemper epidemic?all the breeds were in imminent danger of extinction, and how they were brought back to their current numbers and level of popularity.
Japanese Dogs outlines the dogs' traditional use?still sometimes seen in the countryside?as partners in hunting wild animals such as boar and bear. It describes the close bond that was essential between hunter and hunting dog, and the way that this capacity for bonding has been bred into the dogs
for generations, so that today too, as pets, they tend to be boundlessly loyal.
The book includes stories about well-known dogs like Hachiko, the Akita who waited outside a Tokyo train station every evening for his master's return for nearly ten years after the master had passed away, until the dog's own death; Hachiko is commemorated in a statue that stands outside that same
station. Or Tama, the Shiba that saved her owner?a hunter in snowy, mountainous country?from being buried in snow not just once, but three times.
The book also describes an unusual breed, the Jomon Shiba?a contemporary dog that has been bred, on the basis of fossil remains, to resemble as closely as possible a long-extinct breed from Paleolithic times. Much more wolflike and regal-looking than the wildly popular Shiba, this dog has also
gained many devoted fanciers, although it is completely unknown to most Japanese people.
In addition to thirty-two pages of color photos, Japanese Dogs is illustrated throughout with numerous black-and-white photos of other, lesser known breeds, scenes from dog shows, archaeological finds, and ukiyoe and other paintings Japanese Dogs is sure to be of interest to enthusiasts of any of
the Japanese breeds, and to admirers of dogs everywhere.
- Heavily Illustrated Throughout
- 32 Pages of Color Photos
- A Wealth of Information on Japan's 10 Fascinating Dog Breeds
96 pages, Hardcover
First published August 14, 2003
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Displaying 1 - 7 of 7 reviews
February 2, 2009
Great descriptions of the different Japanese breeds and their history and prehistory.
May 7, 2014
A good book to read that has information about all 6 Nihon Ken and a couple of other breeds. It also goes over about Nippo and the standards of the Nihon Ken.
June 10, 2014
A great book if you have any interest in the Japanese Breeds, particularly breeds other than a Shiba Inu or an Akita. The photographs are fantastic, with insightful facts regarding breed history, popularity, and legends/stories.
October 7, 2009
I Just Love This Book It's Packed Full Of Facts,Information And Colourful Pictures
May 25, 2011
Excellent info.
I want one. No, scratch that. I want MANY!
I want one. No, scratch that. I want MANY!
March 30, 2012
I really want a shiba. A lot!
March 19, 2013
This book is an excellent tool if you want to start raising any of the Japanese breeds for show.
Displaying 1 - 7 of 7 reviews