Shohei Ohtani’s Dog Named ‘Dekopin’ – Why?

‘Dekopin’ is a name derived from ‘Decoy’

Understanding the connection between Shohei Ohtani’s dog’s breed ‘Kooikerhondje’ and ‘Decoy’

Shohei Ohtani, in a surprise announcement during a press conference, revealed that his beloved dog’s name is ‘Dekopin’.

On December 15th, at 9 AM Japan time, a press conference was held for Shohei Ohtani’s joining the Dodgers. An unexpected question popped up during the conference. A reporter asked about the name of his pet dog.

Responding to the reporter’s question, “The world is eager to know the name of your pet dog. Could you tell us?”, Ohtani revealed that his dog’s name is ‘Dekopin’. What a playful name!

“Dekopin” in Japanese colloquially refers to the action of flicking someone on the forehead with a finger. It is basically a slang term used among pupils and students.

The playful nature of the name ‘Dekopin’ for Ohtani’s dog may also allude to this lighthearted gesture.

“The term ‘Deko’ is colloquial Japanese for ‘forehead’, and ‘pin’ is an onomatopoeia for the sound made when flicking something with a finger.”

But why did Ohtani name his dog ‘Dekopin’?

Ohtani’s dog is a Kooikerhondje, a breed originating from the Netherlands, and its name derives from the Dutch language. The breed’s name comes from the Dutch word ‘Kooiker’, meaning ‘small waterfowl hunter’.

‘Decoy’ is commonly used in waterfowl hunting The Kooikerhondje has deep roots in the Dutch tradition of duck hunting and was originally used to lure ducks into traps. Essentially, these dogs played a role similar to that of a decoy.

The Kooikerhondje, in waterfowl hunting, has a history of being used to attract birds. Therefore, the breed’s name is directly related to its role as a Decoy.

The Dutch word ‘hond’ means ‘dog’, and ‘Hondje’ is akin to ‘puppy’.

In fact, the Kooikerhondje, with its tail, has been used as a decoy in waterfowl hunting, earning it the nickname “decoy dog”.

Thus, simplifying Kooikerhondje to a dog (puppy) that acts as a Decoy, the former owner of the dog, perhaps a breeder, initially chose the word ‘Decoy’, and from that, Shohei associated it with a similar-sounding and charming Japanese word, ‘Dekopin’.