Koyasu Dog

Koyasu Dog

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

Origin

Translation

En français, cette race se dit

Diese Norm ist in deutscher Sprache sichtbar

En español, esta raza se dice

In het Nederlands, wordt dit ras gezegd

This breed is also known as

Koyasu Inu
Takayasu Inu

The Koyasu dog originates from the Higashiokitama district in Yamagata Prefecture, specifically from the Takahata-machi Shrine. This breed was once bred in this district. The Takahata-machi Shrine, dedicated to the household dog, is represented by a guardian stone statue. This breed, of which the papier-mâché dog is an example, is renowned for its excellent gait. Used for hunting big game and Gomoku (a type of wild boar), among other activities, the Koyasu dog became extinct at the beginning of the Showa era.

According to the legend of the Takahata-machi household dog, during the Wado era (708-718), a tortoiseshell dog of the Kai breed was imported from the countryside. This four-haired dog, with its raucous cry, used to bother the villagers who were hunting a large badger (the "Oh!"). The Naoki Prize-winning writer Yukio Togawa is the author of "The Story of the Dog Takayasu," a book that describes the last known specimen of this "Chin" breed.

Togawa discovered this breed of dog at Yamagata High School, where he was a student. The Chin is believed to have died of heartworm, a disease to which it was susceptible. He tried to have it stuffed, but the clumsy taxidermist was unable to keep it alive. Only a few photographs of it alive remain today. It had a muscular, athletic build, a thick chest that gave it the appearance of a papier-mâché dog, somewhat harsh fur, a tawny or white coat, and brown ears. White-coated dogs are also called White Takayasu (Shiroko Yasu). It had erect ears and a curled tail. He was a good guard dog, belonging to the hound category. He carefully chose his favorite person and became deeply attached to them. He was a medium-sized dog.