Hokkaido vs Australian Collie - Breed Comparison | MyDogBreeds

Hokkaido vs Australian Collie - Breed ComparisonHokkaido is originated from Japan but Australian Collie is originated from Australia. Hokkaido may grow 11 cm / 5 inches higher than Australian Collie. Hokkaido may weigh 24 kg / 53 pounds more than Australian Collie. Hokkaido may live 3 years less than Australian Collie. Both Hokkaido and Australian Collie has almost same litter size. Both Hokkaido and Australian Collie requires Moderate maintenance.

History

hokkaido - historyThe 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.

australian collie - historyThe Koolie, as a breed we know today, originates from Australia. But, before they were breed and imported, they were the mix made of Britain smooth coated blue merle Collie and the Black and Tan Collie from the Highlands of Scotland. The Koolie came to Australia to work as a kennel dog since they are known as the working, farm dog that can adapt to any weather condition. They were bred to be agile and non-aggressive quiet herding dogs, and they have kept most of those good characteristics until today.

Description

hokkaido puppy - descriptionThe 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.

australian collie puppy - descriptionKoolie is a medium bred. Their head is small, with a pointy jaw. Ears are pricked, semi-dropped or dropped. Their coat can be smooth or rough, short or medium length, always with the undercoat. The colours can be Red or Blue Merle, solid Red or Black, sometimes with minimal white or cream speckles. They are usually two-coloured or tricoloured, but some of them are actually one-coloured.

Some Koolie have one or two blue, green or yellow eyes. Eye colour is, of course, affected by the gene that creates the coat pattern and eye colour as well.

They are athletic dogs, with fine bone structure but great stamina. Actually, they were breed to be like that – to work hard, be noticeable among the sheep, eat little and be loyal to one person.

Characteristics

Children friendliness

hokkaido dog - characteristicsChildren friendliness very good with every member of the family and that includes children

Special talents

They have terrific stamina and good judgement

Adaptability

Good. They can adapt to live anywhere

Learning ability

They are intelligent and anxious to learn

Around children

australian collie dog - characteristicsKoolie is naturally energetic, playful and affectionate so they are naturally very good to raise with children.

Special talents

They are known as great obedience dog. They are very famous as the tracking dogs.

Some of them are successful as the rescue dogs, therapy dogs or educators for school children.

Adaptability

This is not a type of dog that will be alone in the house, wait for you and then be quiet while you rest. They need a great deal of activity and they are not such great choice for indoor life anyways. The best thing for them would be the large yard, with somebody home most of the time. They are great if raised in a family, with children and active owners. They will be great for a loner at the farm as well since that is in their blood. They need enough place to run, chase, play, rest on the sun and be active as they please. They get affectionate towards their families, but they will be accepting their new home when they are older just fine.

Learning ability

They are very good at learning. Intelligent, yes, but yet very silly and playful to do what is told all the time. They will surprise you with how quickly they will pick up the new trick but not feeling like doing it every time you would like them to. Everything is a play for them, so it would be best if you know how to play, be affectionate and friendly to become a good owner of this breed.

Health Problems

hokkaido puppies - health problemsOften breeds that are isolated like the Hokkaido, have a pretty good health history but there are a few serious issues that they face.

CEA- Collie Eye Anomaly

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.

Hip Dysplasia

Affecting joints and cause arthritis and lameness.

Luxating Patella

Floating kneecap – not as prevalent here as in smaller dogs.

Heart Mumurs

Could be mild or serious. Could require a pacemaker.

Idiopathic Seizures

Seizures of an unknown origin. Can be treated with medication not cured.

Psychogenic Polydipsia

Excessive, uncontrollable urge to drink large amounts of fluid without a stimuli.

australian collie puppies - health problemsIf you are careful enough, you will choose your Koolie form patiently chosen breeders, after checking the health history of the pup and the pup’s family. Advisable is to do these things in person and never to buy a Koolie from a pet shop.

Sometimes, pups can be born blind or deaf pups. They have the great chance of joint problems because of their extreme activity. Their need to run, jump and play all the time may result in damage to cartilage and ligaments, especially since they are not aware of their age most of the time.

There is a chance that pup has skin allergies or immune system issues if they are growing on a farm near the chemicals used for plants, so be careful what kind of herbicide you use if you have a Collie.

In some rare cases, they suffer from seizers. If untreated, they can cause death. If you decide to take him to a regular vet check, you will have a happy and playful life together.

Caring The Pet

Feeding the puppy

hokkaido dogs - caringThe puppy needs about 300 -400 calories per day in 3-4 servings per day

Feeding the adult

The adult dog needs about 250-350 calories a day to maintain good weight and health. Feed 2-3 times per day.

Health Factors

Strong, stamina

Games and Exercises

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.

Feeding the puppy and adult

australian collie dogs - caringWhether you choose canned food or dry food, treats as biscuits or left-overs, the quantity is the safest way of keeping the balanced diet for your Collie. They like raw meat and raw bones. Make sure not to feed them with cooked bones because they can do more harm than good.

Grooming

Since Koolie coat can be very short with the undercoat or a bit longer with undercoat, bristle brushing every 3 or 4 days will be enough for them. Some of them like the water and some of them don’t and that is perfectly fine since there is no need for a regular bath.

Points for Good Health

Lots of activities and lots of love. They express their love all the time and you can learn a lot from them actually. They like raw bones and from-the-table delicious treats but make sure not to overfeed them.

The best type of activity

Games that need them to be fast and think quickly. Running with them, driving a bike with them (but not on the leash!) would be a great fun for them. Why not leash? They are so playful and happy and they tend to jump and run to the side to chase a butterfly or catch the falling leaf.

Basic Information

Group:
Working dog
Herding dogs
Origin:
Japan
Australia
Height Male:
48 - 51 cm
18 - 21 inches
36 - 40 cm
14 - 16 inches
Height Female:
20 - 30 cm
7 - 12 inches
36 - 40 cm
14 - 16 inches
Weight Male:
46 - 49 kg
101 - 109 pounds
15 - 25 kg
33 - 56 pounds
Weight Female:
17 - 27 kg
37 - 60 pounds
15 - 25 kg
33 - 56 pounds
Life Span:
11 - 15 Years
12 - 18 Years
Litter Size:
4 - 7
4 - 6
Size:
Medium dog
Medium dog
Other Names:
Ainu-ken, Hokkaido-Ken, Dō-ken, Seta, Ainu dog
Australian Koolie, German Koolie, German Coolie
Colors Available:
black, and wolf grey, red, sesame, brindle, white
red or blue patterned merle; some of them are born as one colored, usually red/chocolate or black. When they have two colors, they are red and white, black and white, black and tan, red and tan. Tricolor Collie is merle, with tan points and a white chest.
Coat:
double coat made up of protective, coarse outer guard hairs, and a fine, thick undercoat
smooth and short or short and rough; double coated or single coated. Some of them have longer coat their legs or without.
Shedding:
Moderate
Moderate
Temperament:
Affectionate, Alert, Docile, Energetic, Gentle, Intelligent, Loving, Loyal, Responsive
Affectionate, Alert, Cheerful, Courageous, Curious, Energetic, Friendly, Independent, Intelligent, Lively, Loyal, Outgoing, Playful, Protective, Social
Grooming:
Moderate maintenance
Moderate maintenance
Trainability:
Easy
Moderate
Hypoallergenic:
No
No
Kids Friendly:
Yes
Yes
New Owners Friendly:
Yes
Yes

Comparison with other breeds

  1. Sakhalin Husky vs Hokkaido - Breed Comparison
  2. Portuguese Water Dog vs Hokkaido - Breed Comparison
  3. Puli vs Hokkaido - Breed Comparison
  4. McNab vs Hokkaido - Breed Comparison
  5. Porcelaine vs Hokkaido - Breed Comparison
  6. Hokkaido vs American Bulldog - Breed Comparison
  7. Hokkaido vs Border Collie - Breed Comparison
  8. Hokkaido vs Alaskan Husky - Breed Comparison
  9. Hokkaido vs Catahoula Leopard - Breed Comparison
  10. Hokkaido vs German Pinscher - Breed Comparison
  11. Hokkaido vs Aidi - Breed Comparison
  12. Hokkaido vs Griffon Bleu de Gascogne - Breed Comparison
  13. Hokkaido vs Borador - Breed Comparison
  14. Hokkaido vs German Spaniel - Breed Comparison
  15. Hokkaido vs Canadian Eskimo Dog - Breed Comparison
  16. Hokkaido vs Finnish Lapphund - Breed Comparison
  17. Hokkaido vs Berger Blanc Suisse - Breed Comparison
  18. Hokkaido vs Griffon Nivernais - Breed Comparison
  19. Hokkaido vs Australian Kelpie - Breed Comparison
  20. Hokkaido vs Griffon Fauve de Bretagne - Breed Comparison
  21. Hokkaido vs Basque Shepherd - Breed Comparison
  22. Hokkaido vs Istrian Sheepdog - Breed Comparison
  23. Hokkaido vs Jamthund - Breed Comparison
  24. Hokkaido vs Karelian Bear Dog - Breed Comparison
  25. Hokkaido vs Karelo-Finnish Laika - Breed Comparison
  26. Pembroke Welsh Corgi vs Australian Collie - Breed Comparison
  27. Belgian Shepherd Dog (Malinois) vs Australian Collie - Breed Comparison
  28. Bearded Collie vs Australian Collie - Breed Comparison
  29. Collie vs Australian Collie - Breed Comparison
  30. Dutch Shepherd vs Australian Collie - Breed Comparison
  31. Blue Healer vs Australian Collie - Breed Comparison
  32. English Shepherd vs Australian Collie - Breed Comparison
  33. Australian Collie vs Australian Shepherd - Breed Comparison
  34. Australian Collie vs Australian Cattle Dog - Breed Comparison
  35. Australian Collie vs Austrailian Blue Heeler - Breed Comparison
  36. Australian Collie vs Australian Red Heeler - Breed Comparison
  37. Catahoula Cur vs Australian Collie - Breed Comparison
  38. Catalan Sheepdog vs Australian Collie - Breed Comparison
  39. Pyrenean Shepherd vs Australian Collie - Breed Comparison
  40. Bergamasco vs Australian Collie - Breed Comparison
  41. Berger Picard vs Australian Collie - Breed Comparison
  42. Appenzell Mountain Dog vs Australian Collie - Breed Comparison
  43. Queensland Heeler vs Australian Collie - Breed Comparison
  44. German Coolie vs Australian Collie - Breed Comparison
  45. Bohemian Shepherd vs Australian Collie - Breed Comparison
  46. Croatian Sheepdog vs Australian Collie - Breed Comparison
  47. Red Heeler vs Australian Collie - Breed Comparison
  48. Belgian Shepherd Dog (Tervuren) vs Australian Collie - Breed Comparison
  49. Blue Lacy vs Australian Collie - Breed Comparison
  50. New Zealand Huntaway vs Australian Collie - Breed Comparison

View/Compare Breeds

Popular Dog Breeds