Shikoku

Other names: Shikoku Ken, Kochi Ken

Navigation

<!–

–>

Hair type	Half-long
Origin	Japan
Template	Average
Head shape	Triangular

Weight and size
Sex	Weight	Cut
Female	From 16 kg to 19 kg	From 44 cm to 49 cm
Male	From 20 kg to 26 kg	From 50 cm to 55 cm

History of the breed

the   Shikoku descends from the medium sized dogs that existed in ancient Japan . He was bred as a hunting dog , especially for wild boar in the mountainous areas of Kochi Prefecture. There were 3 varieties called Awa, Hongawa and Hata (these are the names of their regions of origin). Today, it is the characteristics inherited from Hongawa that prevail in the current Shikoku. The breed is so important in its country that it was registered as part of the national heritage in 1937.

The Shikoku breed was definitively recognized by the FCI (Fédération Cynologique Internationale) on February 1, 1982. Its official FCI standard in force was published on October 30, 2016.

Physical features

His hair: hard in texture and straight. The outer coat is associated with a softer and very dense undercoat. The hair is longer on the tail. The top coat / undercoat set gives the dog good protection against cold and bad weather.
Its color: sesame (mixture of black, red and white hairs), red, black or light brown.
Its head: triangular in shape, in harmony with the rest of the body by its shape and dimensions. The forehead is broad, the stop well defined, the nose black, the muzzle long and in the form of a wedge, the lips tightly closed, the teeth strong and articulated in scissors and the cheeks well developed.
His ears: triangular, small, erect or slightly tilted forward, ending in a point
His eyes: almost triangular in shape, not too small and dark brown in color.
His body: well proportioned as a whole. The neck is thick and powerful, the withers high and well developed, the back straight and strong, the loins broad and muscular, the chest deep, the ribs well sprung and the belly slightly raised.
Its tail: set high, thick, carried above the back and well rolled up.

Behavior and character

Behavior with others

the   Shikoku is a dog with a balanced temperament , but who can tend to display dominant behavior, especially in males. Independent, he is suspicious of strangers and particularly alert. He is relatively docile compared to most primitive type dogs. When hunting, the Shikoku shows determination, enthusiasm and endurance . It is also distinguished by its liveliness and energy .

The Shikoku
is it right for you? Take the test!

Education

Socialization of Shikoku is very important . It must start as quickly as possible and include as many species as possible so that the dog learns to interact with its environment in the best conditions. Learning the ground rules such as recall is just as essential. The education of Shikoku requires a balanced mix of firmness and softness , however excluding any form of brutality.

Living conditions

the   Shikoku is aimed primarily at owners with a minimum of experience in the education and management of a primitive type dog. He is not really made to live in an apartment and will prefer to enjoy a large fenced garden .

Health

the   Shikoku is a rather robust and resistant dog. He enjoys solid health and tolerates cold and humidity quite well thanks to his double and densely furnished coat.

To protect yourself from these risks and insure your companion in the event of health problems, Woopets recommends Shikoku dog insurance .

function showAssuranceForm () {var siteReferer = var id_race_association = ‘255’; //console.log(id_race_association);success: function (html) {}});}document.addEventListener (‘DOMContentLoaded’, () => {$ (‘# assuranceModalBanner’). on (‘show.bs.modal’, function (event) {showAssuranceForm ();});});

Life expectancy

Maintenance and hygiene

the   Shikoku remains subject to 2 moults per year, usually occurring in spring and fall and resulting in significant hair loss. Apart from these periods which require frequent care, its maintenance does not present any particular constraints .

It is recommended to brush the dog regularly apart from the moults . During the latter, brushing becomes more frequent: at least daily, even twice daily in some dogs losing a lot of hair. The use of a Furminator type tool allows you to remove as much dead hair as possible.

His teeth need to be brushed frequently to remove tartar build-up and the proliferation of bacteria. If they do not wear out naturally, its claws need to be cut. If you are new to this, it is recommended that you seek advice from a veterinarian or groomer.

Price and budget

No name is currently proposed. Use our tool to find the name of your Shikoku!

Food

The Shikoku needs a balanced and quality diet , adapted to his level of physical activity, his age and his size. To prevent him from gaining significant weight, it is advisable to monitor his daily rations.

Physical activity

the   Shikoku is a very active dog and therefore requires a lot of daily exercise : hour-long walks, games, etc. Otherwise, he may get bored and develop various behavioral problems.

Competitions

Others

FCI Information