Dog Lovers' Day

What Is Dog Lovers' Day?

Every May 13th is known as "Dog Lovers' Day" (愛犬の日, Aiken no Hi) in Japan — a day to show appreciation for dogs and think about how people and dogs can live well together. Who established it, however, is not clear. It has often been said that the Japan Kennel Club (JKC) designated the day, or that it marks the founding of the JKC's predecessor, but the JKC itself states in its FAQ that both claims are incorrect. The most widely cited theory is that the publisher of the pet magazine "Aiken no Tomo" (愛犬の友) held a dog event on May 13 during the late 1950s and early 1960s, and the name spread from there.

Dogs in Japanese Society

Dogs occupy a special place in Japanese culture — from the legendary loyalty of Hachikō (see April 8th) to the working and hunting dogs of rural Japan, to the beloved companion animals of modern urban households. Japan is one of the world's major dog-keeping nations, with several million pet dogs, and the pet industry — veterinary care, pet food, grooming, and related services — is a major commercial sector.

Japanese Dog Breeds

Six native Japanese breeds are designated as Natural Monuments of Japan: the Akita (秋田犬, the breed of Hachikō), Shiba Inu (柴犬), Kishu (紀州犬), Kai (甲斐犬), Hokkaido (北海道犬), and Shikoku (四国犬). The Akita was the first, designated in 1931. The Shiba Inu has achieved great international popularity through internet culture — the "Doge" meme featuring a Shiba Inu became one of the internet's most recognized images and even inspired the cryptocurrency "Dogecoin."

Dog Welfare in Japan

Japan has progressively strengthened its animal welfare legislation, with revisions to the Act on Welfare and Management of Animals (動物の愛護及び管理に関する法律) tightening standards for pet shops and breeders. Buying dogs from pet shops remains common in Japan, and animal welfare advocates continue to promote adoption of rescue dogs.

Fun Facts

• Doge and Dogecoin: The "Doge" meme features a Shiba Inu named Kabosu, photographed by her owner Atsuko Sato in 2010. The image inspired the cryptocurrency Dogecoin (DOGE) — an unlikely legacy for a photograph of a Japanese dog.
• Dog cafés: Japan's "animal café" culture includes dog cafés (犬カフェ, inu kafe), where customers can spend time with dogs while enjoying food and drinks, alongside cat cafés, rabbit cafés, and more.
• About the JKC: The Japan Kennel Club was founded in 1949 as the All Japan Guard Dog Association and joined the Fédération Cynologique Internationale (FCI) in 1979. It issues pedigree certificates and holds dog shows across Japan.