“Heart-Kun” The Cutest Dog in Japan
A Chihuahua puppy has been born in Japan with a large, clear, heart-shaped pattern on his coat.
Shop owner Emiko Sakurada said that she had been breeding dogs for several years now and had never come across such strange markings.
She says that she has no plans to sell the puppy. She has named the small dog: “Heart-kun”.
(Xinhua)
J.S.
By Sirius on 18-07-2007
Comment by Heather
July 19th, 2007 at 7:16 pm
OMG!!! He’s so CUTE!!! I am soooo in love. Lol.
Comment by DARKWING DUCK
July 20th, 2007 at 6:36 am
LOOK LIKE A CARE BEAR HEART.
Comment by Lisa
July 20th, 2007 at 9:52 pm
I wonder how much money she could sell that doggie for. Aw but I’m glad she’s not, it’s too cute.
Comment by doglover
August 4th, 2007 at 8:56 am
Obviously she is currently working out a way to breed dogs with heart-shaped patterns on their coats for huge financial gain…
But she will always claim that she is a dog lover!
(Overheard in Japan: “I wonder what they will taste like?”)
Comment by sup
August 6th, 2007 at 12:21 pm
So what if she does want to breed more with those markings? How do you think any number of breeds were developed? Breeders have been breeding for certain physical characteristics as long as dogs and horses have been domesticated.
Comment by none
August 11th, 2007 at 2:26 am
In response to sup:
Which is so, so wrong, since we’re bypassing evolution and replacing it with our own intelligence. Outbreeding in dog breeds is so often necessary to reintroduce good genes due to the harm we do to them with our “selective” breeding. Ever own a Persian cat? Ugh, talk about a nightmare of problems forever emptying your wallet through vet visits. Kittens of accidental birth, adopted from shelters, for me, not pets bred solely for cash. Never had one with a genetic problem yet. However, purebred/pedigree pets are so rife with problems it makes me pity them and the people who obsess about them. Abandoned pets get ignored because someone HAS to have a purebred, even though that animal may be much weaker and more prone to defects due to the extensive human intervention in its breeding.
Remember the Scottish Fold kittens now becoming so popular on the internet because they’re so cute? Random genetic mutation from a stray (as the story goes), not a particular trait bred specifically in what basically amounts to a kitty laboratory run not by scientists but by pet enthusiasts and backyard breeders (which is what the Japanese dog breeding system basically consists of–I just read an article several months ago about the state of some of the pets they’re experimenting on when creating new “breeds.” They’re so deformed and crippled it makes one want to cry–google info about Japanese dog breeders for more information about the sorry state of Japanese selective dog breeding).
Granted, I’m sure eventually someone will try to create a “purebred” line of Scottish Folds, rife with genetic problems, simply to ensure a 100% ear fold rate, as well as certain, more desirable, coat colours and lengths.
The Persian cat I owned (back when I was a little kid and had no understanding of the damage caused by breeders who know nothing), was a drooling mess of behavioural problems and genetic defects, peeing all over. No thanks. I’d prefer to let nature take its course. Humans are irresponsible and know less than nature does (or God, if that’s the way you swing). We’re weakening the pet species. Even the most responsible breeder usually isn’t a geneticist, but the worst problem would be the backyard breeders looking to make a buck, and the people who buy from them because little Johnny wants a bulldog (with all their respiratory problems, et cetera) and won’t settle for saving a pet from the pound.
Certain selective breeding within animals (such as work horses, as mentioned) can strengthen the breed, but the elitism of the pet industry (not to mention the greed and the backyard breeders), has basically started turning cats and dogs into self-destructing monsters, unfit for life, sorry to say.
Comment by Amanda
August 31st, 2007 at 1:16 pm
Relax
Comment by Amanda
August 31st, 2007 at 1:27 pm
If we let dogs just breed on their own like they do in foreign countries, then won’t brother and sister dogs be having sex with eachother and causing their own genetic defects? There are irresponsible people all over the world, not just in the dog breeding community. I don’t think “sup” meant it the way you took it. I think it’s ok for a person to breed a dog for a certain characteristic as long as they know how to do it responsibly. I think a responsible pet owner knows a responsible breeder when they find one.
Comment by catloverlol
September 16th, 2007 at 5:27 pm
Before you post anything else, make sure you know that China is not Japan… because your last comment made you look like a idiot.
Comment by Freckles
October 12th, 2007 at 9:15 pm
My name is really amanda but i like to go by freckles (thats what my many friends call me!) I love dogs! And i think heart-kun is adorable! I hope there will be more puppies with the same mark as him! Tell heart-kun that i love him and i think he is one of the greatest dogs in the world!
Comment by oyashiro-sama
October 22nd, 2007 at 10:39 pm
Awwww… That’s a cute dog… The nice thing about it is… It’s appearance was not altered by any means.. Meaning it’s natural. It’s unique….
Comment by Allergic
November 16th, 2007 at 8:56 am
Your prejudice may be a bit too all-encompassing. My mother and I are very allergic to anything with fur or feathers, and all our lives, we have wanted a dog to love and spoil. Mom was in her 50’s and I was 23 when we got Spike, a sweet Bichon Frise, because we discovered they were very allergy-friendly. I no longer live with my parents, but I visit frequently (Spike lives with his Mommy and Daddy, because they have a big backyard for him, and he has decided that Mom is his pet person). The amount of love he has brought into our lives is amazing. Mom isn’t nearly as uncomfortable when Dad isn’t home, and I like knowing Mom and Dad have Spike there to keep them company and warn them when things just aren’t right. Spike actually kept me from walking downstairs one day, and I found out that someone had been in the house at that time. He knew, and he kept me safe. I do not approve of backyard breeders or puppy mills. Don’t get me wrong. We did not get our dog from a puppy mill. I just want to give people something to think about. Spike is the most wonderful little dog in the world. He’s like a little piece of Heaven here on Earth, with his happy face, warm fur, and wagging tail. Why would any animal lover want to keep the love of an animal from someone who needs a certain type of purebred dog because of allergies? Spike shares space in my heart with my parents and my husband. Spike is family.
Comment by dabian
January 23rd, 2008 at 5:15 am
OMG! ITS CUTE CAN! Heart-kun :d
Comment by Corrine
February 15th, 2008 at 6:46 pm
The dog is definitely adorable
annnd, you can’t really force dogs to jump on top of each other and make puppies cause I guarantee you they’ll hump whatever they so please, so I mean, all of the heart-attacks and accusations are really pointless
did I mention that is the cutest puppy ever!?!
Comment by joe c.
March 4th, 2008 at 5:17 pm
EWWWW!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Comment by Suzuki
March 26th, 2008 at 5:53 pm
Heart-kun! he’s so Kawaii!! (that’s cute/adorable in japanese)
Comment by Amanda
April 3rd, 2008 at 5:49 pm
Wow that’s such a cutie you have there. God has definetly blessed you.
Comment by dent
June 9th, 2009 at 10:52 pm
and korea is not china…
Comment by Ryan Lee Hannant
September 6th, 2009 at 9:00 am
Ive done shits cuter than that.
Comment by Ryan Lee Hannant
September 6th, 2009 at 9:00 am
Ive done shits cuter than that.
Comment by Ryan Lee Hannant
September 6th, 2009 at 9:00 am
Ive done shits cuter than that.
Comment by two-faced joel
October 5th, 2009 at 12:01 pm
y ewww? i dont see anything ewwish about it.