Understanding the Current State of the Hokkaido Dog from Abroad

📣 Hokkaido Dog Preservation Society 2025 Birth and Coat Color Statistics 📣

❗️ (Please see the comments section for the second infographic) ❗️※

Once again, the time has come to share with you the sad reality of a breed on the brink of extinction.

We would like to express our heartfelt gratitude once again to the Hokkaido Dog Preservation Society (HKH) and Mr. Okiyama of Honomi-so for providing this information and allowing us to share it with you all. We hope that by looking at the birth statistics over several years, you will deepen your understanding of the situation the Hokkaido Dog will face in the future.

❗️ Now, let's talk about the numbers...

The red numbers in the first set of statistics indicate a decrease compared to the previous year (2024).What is interesting is that while the number of white Hokkaido puppies remains relatively stable, the number of red puppies has decreased dramatically in the last 12 months following a steady downward trend.The three coat colors that were historically less common—black and tan, sesame, and brindle—have made a comeback in the last few years thanks to the efforts of dedicated breeders who have worked to ensure these colors remain for future generations.

With five years of concurrent data now available (the infographic will be posted separately in the comments section), it has become clear that the overall downward trend in birth numbers is still continuing. Although there was an increase in 2023, the annual birth numbers continue to decline, suggesting that 2023 was likely an anomaly rather than a recovery. It may not look like there is a big difference every year, but when comparing the total for 2021 to the total for 2025, 121 is only 67% of 181, meaning we have lost one-third of the potential future population.
When compared to 1971, when the Hokkaido Dog Preservation Society registered the highest number of Hokkaido Dog puppies in history at 7,061,

the birth rate in 2025 is less than 2% of the peak.We must also take into account the fact that the majority of puppies born in the past and present are unlikely to enter the breeding population.It is currently estimated that there are about 5,000 Hokkaido Dogs in the world (an optimistic estimate), but in reality, the breeding population is thought to be only around a few hundred.

When we asked Mr. Okiyama for his opinion, he believes the decline in red puppies is due to breeders of previous generations no longer continuing to breed.Unfortunately, some breeders have passed away, and many are elderly; while their love for the dogs remains unchanged, they are unable to keep puppies for breeding because they know the reality that the puppy's lifespan might outlast their own. Also,
Mr. Okiyama told us that until about three years ago, it was very difficult to find brindle puppies in Japan, and breeders were struggling to maintain the brindle color within the breeding population.

It was very fortunate that four puppies born during this period remained with breeding farms, and breeders succeeded in increasing the number of brindle puppies born, as seen in the 2025 registration numbers.

❗️ Does this truly reflect the current state of the Hokkaido Dog worldwide?These figures are specific to the Hokkaido Dog Preservation Society and Japanese registration statistics, but while the number of Hokkaido Dogs living outside of Japan has historically increased, it remains relatively small. There are few breeders outside of Japan, and most breeders have rare litters and produce a small number of puppies annually.Since each kennel club keeps its own records, we do not have specific data

(if you contact your local kennel club and provide us with the records for your country, we would be happy to provide the data), the number of puppies born outside of Japan each year remains low.

❗️ What does this mean?
The future stability of the Hokkaido Dog depends on intentional coordination and cooperation among breeders and cannot be achieved through natural increase alone.
To maintain population stability, active global conservation efforts and involvement are required, and a dramatic increase cannot be expected in the coming years.
The next few years will be a critical time for the future survival of the Hokkaido Dog.
Years in which the number of puppy births decreases are years in which the global Hokkaido Dog population also decreases. If current birth statistics remain stable, it is estimated that in 10 years, the Hokkaido Dog population will drop to just 2,100–2,500 worldwide. Based on data from the past five years, if this decline continues, coupled with concerns about elderly breeders retiring or significantly reducing the number of litters, the number of puppies born in Japan could fall below 80 per year within 10 years (of which, perhaps elderly breeders will find it difficult to keep Hokkaido Dogs).

Because Hokkaido Dogs are bred intensively by a small number of breeders, the breeding population may shrink and become more closely related, which could lead to a decrease in genetic diversity.Even as the population continues to decline, Mr. Okiyama has not lost hope. In Japan, the United States, and Europe, new breeders are joining the efforts to protect and conserve the Hokkaido Dog.
European breeders who have historically bred or kept other Japanese dog breeds are also starting to breed Hokkaido Dogs, which could be the catalyst for the population increase that this breed desperately needs.However, the future of this dog also depends on whether the puppies are adopted by good owners.

Even if they do not wish to breed, the presence of owners who continue to cooperate in education and protection activities is essential.

With animal welfare reforms appearing to head toward the end of purebred dog breeds, and with countries including the UK tightening age restrictions on puppy imports, it is natural that we are concerned about the future. Of course, we will continue to do our best to introduce the Hokkaido Dog to more people in the UK. And we would like to maintain good relationships with the Hokkaido Dog Preservation Society, Mr. Okiyama, and breeders around the world.As always, we share this information to have it spread and communicated through pedigree dog enthusiasts, so that they may recognize the plight of the Hokkaido Dog, which is just one of many breeds.



Our voices may be small, but if we work together, we can surely do something wonderful. ❤️
Accessibility Information:
Below is an infographic showing the birth statistics and coat color statistics for Hokkaido Dog puppies registered with the Hokkaido Dog Preservation Society in 2025.
~ A total of 121 puppies were born. Of these, 60 were female (49%) and 61 were male (51%). This is a decrease from 2024.
~ 49 white puppies were registered, of which 21 were female (17%) and 28 were male (23%). This is a decrease from 2024.
~ 16 red puppies were registered, of which 8 were female (7%) and 8 were male (7%). This is a decrease from 2024.
~ 22 black and tan puppies were registered, of which 15 were female (12%) and 7 were male (6%). This is an increase from 2024.
~ 7 sesame puppies were registered, of which 4 were female (3%) and 3 were male (2%). This is a decrease from 2024.
~ 25 brindle puppies were registered, of which 11 were female (9%) and 14 were male (25%). This is an increase from 2024.~ 2 "other" puppies were registered (these are colors without an official designation). 1 female (<1%) and 1 male (<1%).

Hokkaido Dog Birth and Coat Color Statistics 2021–2025

Accessibility Information:

This infographic shows the birth statistics and coat color statistics by the Hokkaido Dog Preservation Society from 2021 to 2025.

In 2021, 181 puppies were born.

96 females, 85 males.
50 white females, 46 white males.
24 red females, 18 red males.
8 black and tan females, 6 black and tan males.
7 sesame females, 6 sesame males.
6 brindle females, 9 brindle males.

In 2022, 157 puppies were born.

73 females, 84 males.
31 white females, 42 white males.
18 red females, 23 red males. 6 black and tan females, 5 black and tan males.
10 sesame females, 8 sesame males.
6 brindle females, 4 brindle males.

In 2023, 199 puppies were born.
89 females, 110 males.
37 white females, 45 white males.
20 red females, 18 red males.
9 black and tan females, 14 black and tan males.
11 sesame females, 17 sesame males.
10 brindle females, 14 brindle males.

In 2024, 132 puppies were born.
66 females, 66 males.
27 white females, 30 white males. 25 red females, 18 red males.
2 black and tan females, 4 black and tan males.
3 sesame females, 2 sesame males.
9 brindle females, 12 brindle males.

In 2025, 121 puppies were born.
60 females, 61 males.
21 white females, 28 white males.
8 red females, 8 red males.
15 black and tan females, 7 black and tan males.
4 sesame females, 3 sesame males.
11 brindle females, 14 brindle males.