About
The filmmakers are owners of a Hokkaido who are dedicated to the conservation of this historic breed. We are members of the Hokkaido Association of North America. This film is being produced with the support of the Hokkaido Inu Hozonkai, the breed preservation society in Japan.
Hokkaido Ken
The Hokkaido Inu (commonly called Hokkaido Ken; also Seta or Ainu Ken) is one of the Nihon Ken—Spitz-like dogs native to Japan—sharing the designation with familiar faces like the Shiba Inu and Japanese Akitainu. They were developed in the northern Hokkaido Prefecture and were historically raised by the Ainu people. With deep affection for their family and the courage to defend against bears, the Hokkaido Ken was a valuable working dog and companion in Ainu villages. Their disposition makes them well suited to a variety of sports and activities—like hiking, lure coursing, agility, sledding, and even hunting. Today, the Hokkaido is in steep decline and facing the threat of extinction, but breeders across Japan, Europe, and the United States are dedicated to their conservation. Below is a chart showing the most recent birth statistics of the Hokkaido in Japan, outlining the significant and immediate danger the breed is facing.
The Movie
The Hokkaido Ken is not well known even in its native Japan. This film aims to shine a light on the breed's history and share the appeal of the Hokkaido Ken more broadly with the world. Covering their historic roots in Ainu society and their place in the Ainu worldview, the dedicated efforts of enthusiasts to maintain the breed in the post-war period, the activities of modern Hokkaido and their owners (such as breed shows, sports, sledding, and hunting—just to name a few!), and challenges faced by the remaining Hokkaido breeders contributing to their current dire straits, we hope our film can encourage more people to consider the Hokkaido as their next canine companion. This film is both a monument to the history of a beloved breed and an effort to preserve it for future generations.
Hokkaido Ken are going extinct, and fast. We need more owners, and we need more breeders, both in Japan and abroad. Not enough people around the world know about Hokkaido Ken, so how could they possibly know whether they'd like to have one in their life? On top of that, current breeders are facing unprecendented challenges, and dog import laws in multiple countries are only making things harder for ethical, conservation-minded dog lovers to keep the population thriving. This film is an attempt to shed light on, and start to remedy, those issues. Because the dogs can't afford to wait, we're making this film ASAP. We will be shooting in Japan in May, with additional work across North America happening this year. We expect to have the film ready for festivals, conventions, Japanese cultural fairs, and more by 2027.
The Process
Our film will include interviews with both US- and Japan-based experts on the Hokkaido Ken and on Ainu culture and history. We have already spoken to a few breeders, owners, and members of the Hokkaido Association of North America here in the US. Our trip to Japan will allow us to connect with breeders there to better understand the challenges they are facing—of course, we'll also meet their dogs while we're there! Our film is being produced in collaboration with the Hokkaido Inu Hozonkai (北海道犬保存会), which is the primary preservation society for Hokkaido in Japan. This will give us access to not only a list of experienced and respected breeders, but also a trove of archival materials and information not widely available, especially outside of Japan and to those who do not speak Japanese.
We also plan to speak with representatives from Ainu communities and cultural institutions in Japan, who can teach us about the unfortunate decline of Ainu culture more broadly. We'll learn more about the vibrant Ainu culture and ongoing efforts to ensure it survives for future generations. Through these conversations, we hope to gain a better understanding of the presence of dogs in the Ainu worldview and their historical bond. We also hope to access Hozonkai archival materials that will shed more light on their history in Japan—a history already rich with perseverance. Additionally, we welcome any testimony or footage current or former Hokkaido owners worldwide would like to provide!