Jukkoku was a red male hunting dog discovered in the Nagano region by Dr. Hiroyo Saito, founder of NIPPO (Nihon Ken Hozonkai). He is recognized as the first dog to define “Shiba Inu” in the NIPPO breed standards. His structure, temperament, and appearance served as the foundation for what would officially become the Shiba Inu. Jukkoku’s legacy marks the true beginning of the breed’s formal history in Japan.