Meet Koguma: A Maltipoo Growing Up in Sapporo
Contents
- Who is Koguma?
- Koguma’s timeline so far
- What is a Maltipoo?
- Why this site is in English
- Sapporo in a few words
- What you’ll find here
- What I don’t write
- FAQ
- Why is the site called “With a Dog in Sapporo”?
- Will you write about parks and places in Sapporo?
- What does “Koguma” mean?
- Can I ask you questions about my dog’s health?
- Say hi on Instagram
Hello, and welcome to With a Dog in Sapporo. This is the first post on this site, so let me start with the most important member of the team: Koguma, a young Maltipoo (born May 2025) who lives with me in Sapporo, Hokkaido, in northern Japan.
In this post, I will introduce Koguma, explain why I write this site in English, and tell you what kind of posts you can expect. I will also be clear about what I don’t write here.
Who is Koguma?
Koguma is a Maltipoo. A Maltipoo is a mix of two small breeds: the Maltese and the Toy Poodle.
Koguma was born on May 9, 2025, and joined our family on July 30, 2025. Since then, Koguma has been growing up with me in Sapporo, the largest city on the island of Hokkaido.
“Koguma” is a Japanese word. It means “bear cub” or “little bear.” In Japanese it is written as こぐま.
If I had to describe Koguma in three words, I would say: playful, friendly, and full of energy.
Here are the basic facts in one place:
| Item | Detail |
|---|---|
| Name | Koguma (こぐま, “little bear”) |
| Breed | Maltipoo (Maltese × Toy Poodle) |
| Birthday | May 9, 2025 |
| Joined our family | July 30, 2025 |
| Home | Sapporo, Hokkaido, Japan |
| Personality | Playful, friendly, full of energy |
| @koguma.sapporo |
Koguma’s timeline so far
Koguma is still young. Here is a simple timeline. It is short for now, but I will add to it as Koguma grows.
| Date | What happened |
|---|---|
| May 9, 2025 | Koguma was born |
| July 30, 2025 | Koguma joined our family, at about 12 weeks old |
| May 9, 2026 | Koguma’s first birthday |
| October 2026 | This website started |
| Winter 2026–27 | Koguma’s second winter in Sapporo |
Because Koguma came home in summer 2025, the coming winter will be Koguma’s second winter in this snowy city. Winter is a big part of life here, so you will see many posts about it.
What is a Maltipoo?
You may not know the word “Maltipoo.” It is a name for a mix of a Maltese and a Poodle, made from the two words “Maltese” and “Poodle.” In Japan, people often shorten it to “マルプー” (marupū).
Here is a very simple comparison of the two parent breeds. This is general information only.
| Maltese | Toy Poodle | |
|---|---|---|
| Size | Small | Small |
| Coat | Long and silky | Curly |
A mixed-breed dog can take after either parent, or both. Two Maltipoos can look and act very differently. So please don’t think of the table above as a promise about any single dog. If you are thinking about getting a Maltipoo, talk to the breeder or shelter, and ask a veterinarian about care for that particular dog.
Why this site is in English
I live in Sapporo, and I am 50 years old. Japanese is my first language. English is my second language.
So why write in English? There are three reasons.
- For dog owners from other countries who live in Hokkaido. There is a lot of information about dogs in Japanese, but much less in English. I hope these notes can help a little, especially with winter.
- For people who plan to live in Japan with a dog. It can be hard to know where to start. I want to point you to the right official pages, in plain English.
- For dog lovers around the world. Sapporo is a snowy city with four distinct seasons and a calm everyday life. I want to share that everyday side of the city through life with a small dog.
I write in short, simple sentences. I check my writing carefully, but I may still make mistakes. If you find one, please tell me. I’d be grateful.
Sapporo in a few words
If you have never been to Sapporo, here is a quick picture. Sapporo is the largest city in Hokkaido, the northernmost of Japan’s main islands. It has four distinct seasons. Summers are mild, autumn is short and colorful, and winter is long, with a lot of snow. Spring arrives slowly, as the snow melts.
For a small dog, each season brings something different: warm grass in summer, fallen leaves in autumn, deep snow in winter, and slushy sidewalks in spring. That is why the seasons are a big theme on this site.
What you’ll find here
This site has five categories. Here is what each one is about.
| Category | What it covers |
|---|---|
| Seasons & Snow | Walking and living with a small dog through Sapporo’s four seasons, especially winter |
| Dog Basics in Japan | General rules and manners for dog owners in Japan, with links to official sources |
| Daily Life | Routines, home, and small things that make dog life easier |
| Koguma’s Journal | Life with Koguma, month by month |
| Sapporo Life | Everyday Sapporo from a local’s point of view |
Some categories are still empty. I will fill them step by step. A good place to start is the winter checklist: Your First Sapporo Winter with a Small Dog: A Simple Checklist. If you want to learn the basic rules, read Living with a Dog in Japan: Basic Rules and Manners.
What I don’t write
I want this site to be honest and safe. So I keep a few simple rules.
- No medical advice. I am not a veterinarian. I will not tell you how to treat an illness, which medicine to use, or what food is “good for” a health problem. If you have a question about your dog’s health, please consult your veterinarian.
- No exact locations. For now, I do not name specific parks, shops, or other places. I may change this later, but only after I have checked the facts carefully.
- No ads. This site has no advertising and no affiliate links. Nobody pays me to write about anything.
- Rules come from official sources. Rules for dog owners in Japan can change. When I write about rules, I keep it general and link to official government pages. Please check them yourself.
- No made-up stories. I only share facts about Koguma that are true.
- Photos of Koguma only. When I share photos, they show Koguma alone. I don’t post photos of people, and I avoid views that show where we live.
These rules may make some posts a little less exciting. But I think a small site like this is only useful if you can trust it.
FAQ
Why is the site called “With a Dog in Sapporo”?
Because that is exactly what it is about: everyday life with a small dog in Sapporo. The name is simple on purpose, so anyone can understand it.
Will you write about parks and places in Sapporo?
Not for now. I don’t name specific parks, shops, or places yet. If I do in the future, I will only write about them after checking the facts carefully.
What does “Koguma” mean?
“Koguma” (こぐま) is a Japanese word. It means “bear cub” or “little bear.”
Can I ask you questions about my dog’s health?
I’m sorry, but I can’t answer health questions. I am not a veterinarian, and every dog is different. Please ask your own veterinarian. They can look at your dog and give you the right advice.
Say hi on Instagram
If you want to see Koguma’s daily photos, please visit Instagram: @koguma.sapporo. I post pictures of Koguma there, and it is the easiest way to say hi.
Thank you for reading the first post. I’m happy you are here. See you in the next post, and maybe in the snow.