Iwate Dog

		Iwate Dog
		He is not recognized by the F.C.I.


Origin			Japan
Translation			Francis Vandersteen
En français, cette race se dit			Chien d'Iwate
Diese Norm ist in deutscher Sprache sichtbar			Iwate-Hund
En español, esta raza se dice			Perro de Iwate
In het Nederlands, wordt dit ras gezegd			Iwate-hond

Historically, the term "Iwate dog" refers to the medium-sized Matagi hunting dogs originating from Iwate Prefecture in the Tohoku region of northern Japan. Before the formalization of breed standards, these dogs were once grouped with northern Akita dogs.

Matagi Heritage :

In the mountainous and snowy regions of Iwate and neighboring Akita Prefecture, traditional hunters (Matagi) used agile, medium-sized native dogs to hunt large game such as bears and wild boars.

Classification :

Early Japanese dog researchers, such as Hirokichi Saito, noted regional variations, sometimes specifically referring to the Matagi-type hunting dogs of Iwate as "Iwate dogs," while also distinguishing the larger types found in Akita.

Current status :

While specific regional names like "Iwate dog" are largely a thing of the past, the broader legacy of northern Japanese hunting dogs remains linked to the preservation of indigenous Nihon Ken (Japanese dog) breeds and research into traditional hunting abilities in the Tohoku region.