Think “designer breeds” are something new?

In one country, dog fighting had become very popular, so much so that people involved in the activity imported foreign breeds to create a better fighting dog. Indigenous breeds were deteriorating and at risk of being lost forever. Much like today, money was at the root of interbreeding of those fighting dogs, that, and pride.

The country was Japan, and the year was 1915.

Dog fighting was particularly popular in the Odate province, and in 1915, Odate’s mayor started a campaign to stop the interbreeding and preserve the original Japanese breeds.  To his credit, legislation was passed in 1919 to protect the Japanese Dogs in the province of Akita, and to have these dogs declared as a protected natural monuments of Japan.  The cause was championed by Dr. Watase Shozaburo in 1920, but wasn’t until 1931 that several breeds were finally declared as natural monuments. They were the Akita, Kai Inu, Shikokou, Tosa Inu, Shiba Inu, Kishu, and Ainu.

The Japanese saw a problem and raised awareness of it, and these days, England’s Kennel Club has a list of vulnerable breeds. We applaud those efforts because extinct is forever, and many dog breeds are in as much need of protection as were Panda Bears, which, by the way, currently outnumber Skye Terriers, Otterhounds, and Dandie Dinmonts. What can any of us do to help these breeds? Certainly, being aware of their situation and sharing the information with others is a start. We also think that when thinking about a new breed for yourself, consider one of the breeds on the Vulnerable Breeds list. Do your homework, research the breed thoroughly, talk with other owners, try to meet some dogs, visit the breed clubs, and if the breed is a good fit, think about including one in your life. You won’t just be an owner, you’ll be a conservationist. Just a thought.

Image of Monika Paruzel with her painting of a Tosa Inu. Contact Ms. Paruzel at her Facebook page to inquire about having work done of your dog.