Life with Japanese Dogs

In Japan, there are 6 breeds of dogs that are protected species. These are the Hokkaido Dog, the Akita Dog, the Kai Dog, the Kishu Dog, the Shikoku Dog and the Shiba Dog. Bones of dogs unearthed from 3,000-year-old ruins have been found with proof of a proper burial. It seems even back then, dogs were already part of the lives of humans, like today. Many belief systems towards dog unique to the locality remain in various parts of Japan. In this episode, we visit the origins and locales associated with these dogs, and look at the bond between the Japanese and dogs.