The shikoku inu is part of the group of spitz-type dogs, such as the German spitz or the shiba inu, which together with Finnish spitz are some of the oldest dog breeds in the world.
In the case of the shikoku inu, since it is not such a widespread or popular breed, since it is only usually found in certain regions of Japan, it is quite unknown. Therefore, if you want to broaden your knowledge about this breed of dog, on our site we explain all the characteristics of the Shikoku Inu, their care and possible he alth problems. We can anticipate that we are dealing with a strong, resistant dog with a long history. You want to know more? Keep reading!
Origin of the shikoku inu
Its name may serve as an indication that the Shikoku Inu is a breed of Japanese origin Specifically, the cradle of the breed shikoku is located in the mountainous region of Kochi, which is why its name was originally kochi ken (or Kochi dog). This breed is very important in this region, so much so that it was even declared a national monument in 1937. Its official standard was drawn up by the International Cinological Federation in 2016[1], although the breed had already been recognized since 1982.
In the beginning there were three varieties of this breed: hata, awa and hongawa. The Awa did not have a very good fate, as they completely disappeared during World War II. The other two varieties continue to exist, although while the hata are more robust and solid, the hongawa remain more faithful to the standard, being more elegant and lighter. The Shikoku Hongawas were able to maintain a purer line mainly because the homonymous region is quite remote and isolated from other populations.
Characteristics of the shikoku inu
The shikoku inu is a medium-sized dog, with a standard weight of between 15 and 20 kilograms. Its height at the withers is 49-55 centimeters in males and 46 to 52 in females, the ideal being 52 and 49 respectively, but accepting a variation of about 3 centimeters above or below. The life expectancy of the shikoku inu is established between 10 and 12 years.
Now entering the characteristics of the shikoku inu regarding its physical form, its body has a proportionate appearance, with very elegant lines, a wide and deep chest, which contrasts with a rather tucked-up belly. Its tail, set high, is very thick and is usually in the shape of a sickle or a thread. The limbs are strong and have developed musculature, as well as a slight inclination with respect to the body.
The head is large compared to the body, with a broad forehead and a long, wedge-shaped snout. The ears are small and triangular and are always erect, tilting only slightly forward. The eyes of the shikoku inu are almost triangular in shape, since they have an angle of inclination from the outside upwards, they are medium in size and always dark brown in color.
The shikoki inu dog's coat is dense and has a bilayer structure, with a dense but very soft woolly undercoat and a slightly less dense outer coat with longer, coarser hair. This provides great thermal insulation, especially in low temperatures.
Colors of the shikoku inu
The most common color in shikoku inu specimens is sesame, which consists of a combination of red, white and black hairs. Depending on which colors are combined, there are three varieties or types of shikoku inu:
- Sesame: equal parts black and white.
- Red sesame: red base mixed with black and white hairs.
- Black sesame: Black predominates over white.
The shikoku inu puppy
A curiosity about Shikoku Inu puppies is that, given their shared characteristics with other spitz dogs of Japanese origin, they are often confused with these other breeds. In fact, it is quite common to confuse Shikoku and Shiba Inu. This is especially common in pre-adult stages, when it is usually easier to distinguish them. A key piece of information that differentiates the Shikoku from other breeds is its coat, which is usually mainly sesame in color.
As a puppy, a shikoku is very stubborn and just wants to play and play until they drop. This makes him relentless in his pursuit of game, trying to get attention through any tool he can think of. In addition, as with any type of dog, it is advisable not to separate him from his mother until he is fully developed and she has been able to provide him with the first doses of socialization and basic teachings. Although this process must continue after separation from the mother, since it is essential to offer her an adequate education and socialization.
Shikoku inu character
A shikoku inu is usually a dog of strong character, but very benevolent. It is a breed trained for centuries for hunting and surveillance, so it is not surprising that it has an incredible capacity for attention and continuous alertness. He is also a dog very clever and active Yes, the shikoku inu is very very active, it overflows with energy on all four sides, so it is completely contraindicated for elderly or sedentary people, as well as for very small apartments. It needs activity practically at all hours, is tireless and needs daily exercise.
As for his way of behaving with others, he is very suspicious of strangers, so he tends to appear cold and distant, one might almost say fearful, being able to respond aggressively to any “attack”, that is, something that considers an attack. Coexistence is difficult with other animals, whether they are of other species, since they tend to see them as prey, as if they are other dogs, since the shikoku inu is of dominant characterand he can get into a fight with them, especially if he is a male.
However, with his family he is loyal and dedicated although he is an independent dog, he does not stop loving his his own and always watches over his safety. It perfectly balances accompanying family members throughout the day in their activities, but without being intrusive. This may make you think that he is a dog that remains distant and cold, but the truth is that he adores his family, whom he protects at all costs.
Care of the shikoku inu
The dense, bilayered coat of the shikoku needs at least 2-3 weekly brushings, only then can you ensure that it is being removed correctly the accumulation of dead hair, dust and any type of dirt. In addition, it is a way to confirm that there are no parasites, such as fleas or ticks, attached to the animal's scalp.
But, without a doubt, the greatest attention when it comes to knowing how to care for a shikoku inu falls on the need for exercise These Dogs need to exercise every day, it is advisable that the activity is moderate to intense, to stay balanced and he althy. Some ideas apart from active walks are sports specially designed for dogs, such as Agility circuits, or simply accompanying us in activities such as running or hiking.
Of course, we must not neglect their diet, which must be of a quality adapted to their level of physical activity, nor mental stimulation. Therefore, games at home and intelligence toys are just as important as the need to run.
Education of the Shikoku Inu
Given the characteristics that we have already mentioned about the character of the shikoku inu, very marked and strong, we can think that training it will be almost impossible. But nothing is further from the truth, because if done properly it responds to training in a surprising way and can learn quickly and effectively.
This rapid learning is strongly favored by his high intelligence and his perseveranceOne fundamental premise must always be kept in mind: never punish or aggressively treat a dog, neither the shikoku nor any other. This is essential both when it comes to educating and training it, since if a shikoku is punished or attacked, the only thing that is achieved is that it appears distant and suspicious, losing confidence and breaking the bond. The animal will stop trusting its trainer and this means that it will not learn anything from what you try to teach it. For this reason, it is vital to base training on animal-friendly techniques, because in addition to being more effective they do not cause discomfort to the dog or the trainer. Some examples of these techniques are positive reinforcement or the use of the clicker, which is very useful in reinforcing good behavior.
In addition to taking into account the techniques that should be used when educating and training, the whole family must decide on the household rules to be consistent and not confuse the dog. Likewise, it is important to be constant, patient and orderly, since it is better to go little by little and avoid wanting to teach all the rules at once. Likewise, once training has begun, it is recommended to opt for short but repetitive sessions throughout the day. For more details, don't miss our article How to train a puppy.
He alth of the shikoku inu
The shikoku inu is a he althy dog. It does tend to present a fairly common problem, this is due to the density of its fur, incompatible with hot climates. If temperatures are high, shikoku often suffer from thermal shocks, better known as heat stroke. In this article we explain what the symptoms of heat stroke are and how to respond to them: "Heat stroke in dogs".
Other diseases of the shikoku inu are congenital, such as hip dysplasia andpatellar luxation , common in dogs of these sizes. They are also more frequent due to the intense exercise they need, which sometimes even increases the risk of suffering a dangerous gastric torsion, which if not treated is fatal. Other conditions may include hypothyroidism and progressive retinal atrophy.
All the pathologies mentioned can be detected if we make the convenient regular visits to the vet for regular check-ups, vaccinations and deworming.
Where to adopt a shikoku inu?
If we are outside of Japan we have to assume that the adoption of a shikoku inu is very complicated. This is because the breed has not spread much beyond its native Japanese borders. Therefore, finding a dog of the Shikoku Inu breed is practically impossible outside of Japan. Only exported specimens are seen in Europe or America, frequently with the purpose of participating in dog shows and events.
But if by chance you find a Shikoku Inu and want to adopt it, we recommend that you take its characteristics and needs into account. For example, keep in mind that he needs a lot of activity and that he is not a clingy dog and does not seek constant attention. Taking this into account will allow us, in the case of the shikoku or any other breed, to carry out a responsible adoption. To do this, we recommend going to animal shelters, associations and shelters
