How long does a Hokkaido live?

The listed lifespan for a Hokkaido is 12–15 years.

How tall is a Hokkaido?

The listed height for a Hokkaido is 18–20 in.

Is a Hokkaido good with children?

The AKC good-with-children score for a Hokkaido is 3 out of 5.

When is a Hokkaido full grown?

The growth size band for a Hokkaido is up to 24 months.

Foundation Stock Service

Hokkaido

Hokkaido is a large dog in the Foundation Stock Service. Adult weight is 44–66 lb, height is 18–20 in, and the listed lifespan is 12–15 years. AKC describes the temperament as Dignified, Alert, Devoted.

Last reviewed November 1, 2026.

Hokkaido dog — Photo: Pleple2000 · CC BY-SA 4.0 · Wikimedia Commons

Lifespan12–15 years

Weight44–66 lb

SizeLarge

GroupFoundation Stock Service

Height

18–20 in

Energy

4 / 5

Shedding

3 / 5

Grooming

2 / 5

Trainability

4 / 5

Good with kids

3 / 5

The breed record

Across 119 single-size large breeds, a lifespan midpoint of 13.5 years is about 0.9 years longer than the 12.6-year average. A midpoint adult weight of 55 lb is about 4.2 lb lighter than the 59.2 lb average for those large breeds.

The listed origin is Japan. The coat is described as double, medium. The AKC energy score is 4 out of 5, 0.4 points above the group average of 3.6 for the Foundation Stock Service. Shedding scores 3 out of 5. Grooming scores 2 out of 5, so home brushing covers most weeks. Trainability scores 4 out of 5, which is a biddable score. Good with children scores 3 out of 5. Good with other dogs scores 3 out of 5.

Adult size is usually reached in up to 24 months (size-band statement (Salt et al. 2017): larger breeds require up to 24 months).

Frequently asked