The Shikoku Inu belongs to the group of Spitz-type dogs, like the German Spitz or the Shiba Inu which, alongside the Finnish Spitz, are some of the oldest dog breeds in the world.
In the case of the Shikoku Inu, not being such a well-known and popular breed, it is mostly found in certain regions of Japan. This is why, if you want to learn more about it, at PlanèteAnimal we give you all the characteristics of the Shikoku Inu, we explain how to take care of it and we also take the time to talk to you about its possible he alth problems.We can start by telling you that this is a strong, resistant dog with a very long history.
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Origin
- Asia
- Japan
FCI Nomenclature
- Group V
Physical Characteristics
- Muscular
- Proportional
- Long ears
Size
- Average
Height
- 45-55
Adult Weight
- 10-25
Life expectancy
- 10-12
Recommended physical activity
- High
Character
- Shy
- Strong
- Very loyal
- Smart
- Active
- Docile
Ideal for
- House
- Walking
- The hunt
- Sports
Recommended climate
- Cold
Hair type
- Medium
- Hard
- Big
Origin of Shikoku Inu
His name can be used as a clue to guess that the Shikoku Inu is a dog of Japanese origin. Concretely, the birthplace of the Shikoku Inu is in the mountainous region of Kochi, which is why at the beginning it was called Kochi ken (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 Fédération Cynologique International in 2016, although it had been recognized since 1982.
At first there were three varieties of this breed: hata, awa and hongawa. The Awas had a trafficked destiny because they disappeared completely during the Second World War. The other two varieties still exist, the Hatas are more robust and the Hongawas are more faithful to the standard. The Shikoku Inus Hongawas were able to maintain a purer lineage because their original eponymous region is rather remote and isolated from other populations.
Characteristics of the Shikoku Inu
With a size varying from 49 to 55 cm in males and 46 to 52 cm in females (with an accepted variation of 3 cm), the Shikoku Inu is a medium-sized dog, its weight oscillating between 15 and 20 kg.The life expectancy of the Shikoku Inu is established between 10 and 12 years.
He has a well-proportioned looking body, his lines are elegant, his chest is wide and deep and it contrasts with his rather folded stomach. Its tail, of high implantation, is rather thick and it is in the form of a sickle. This dog has powerful extremities and well developed musculature.
He has a big head compared to his body, his forehead is broad and he has a long wedge-shaped muzzle. Its ears are small and triangular and they are always upright. His eyes have a triangular shape, since they have an angle of inclination from the outside to the top, they are medium in size and always dark brown in color.
The hair of the Shikoku Inu dog is dense and follows a two-layer structure, with a woolly, dense but soft lower layer and a slightly less dense outer layer with longer and harder hair. These layers of hair provide perfect thermal insulation.
Shikoku Inu Colors
The most common color of Shikoku Inu specimens is sesame, this color is a combination of red, white and black hairs. According to the color combinations that exist, there are three varieties of Shikoku Inu:
- Sesame: white and black in equal parts
- Red sesame: red base mixed with black and white hairs
- Black sesame: predominates black over white
The Shikoku Inu Puppy
A curious fact about Shikoku Inu puppies is that, given the characteristics they share with other Spitz dogs of Japanese descent, they are often confused with these other dog breeds. In fact, it is quite common to confuse Shikokus and Shiba Inu. This is also quite common in the pre-adult stages. The surefire way to differentiate the Shikoku from other Spitz breeds is their coat, which is mostly sesame-colored.
Puppy, the Shikoku Inu is super stubborn and he just wants to play. So he will try to get your attention to play. In addition, like all other types of dog, the most recommended thing is not to separate it too early from its mother, because it is the latter who is responsible for bringing it its first doses of socialization.
Character of the Shikoku Inu
A Shikoku Inu is a dog with a strong character, but very benevolent. He's been trained for centuries for hunting and guarding, which is why he's so alert all the time. It is, in addition, a very clever and active dog. Yes, the Shikoku Inu is very active, he is full of energy and this is the reason why he is not recommended for the elderly, sedentary people or those who live in small apartments. He needs activities all the time, he is tireless and he needs to be exercised every day.
" As for his way of behaving with others, he is quite jealous of those he does not know, which is why he will be cold and distant, even fearful, being able to almost respond aggressively to what &39;it can be seen as an attack. Both if it is other animals or other dogs, cohabitation with other animals is rather difficult, since they tend to see other animals as prey and, especially if it is a male , he can be quite dominant with other dogs."
Nevertheless, with his family he is loyal and devoted, even if he is rather independent, he will love his guardians with all his heart and will ensure their safety. He will love to accompany you throughout your daily activities, without ever being intrusive. This can lead many people to believe that he is a distant and cold dog, but nothing could be further from the truth, because he is a dog who adores his family, whom he will protect at any time. price.
Caring for a Shikoku Inu
The Shikoku Inu's dense bi-layer coat requires at least 2-3 weekly brushings, this is the one and only way to ensure that you are able to properly remove the build-up of dead hair, dust and dirt. any kind of dirt. Plus, it's a smart way to check for parasites, like fleas or ticks.
There is no doubt, however, that when caring for a Shikoku Inu, his most important need is his need for exercise. These dogs need daily exercise in order to stay balanced and he althy. In addition to taking him on active walks, we recommend that you resort to dog sports, such as Agility circuits.
Of course, you should in no way neglect their diet, which must be adapted to their level of physical and mental activity. So home games and intelligence toys are just as important as his need to run.
Shikoku Inu Education
Given the characteristics mentioned about the character of the Shikoku Inu, it is normal that you may think that it will be almost impossible to train. But nothing could be further from the truth, because if the education is well done, he can learn quickly and efficiently.
This quick learner is strongly favored for his great intelligence and perseverance. We must take into account a fundamental premise: never punish or aggressively treat a dog. This is absolutely essential when educating or training him, because if you punish him physically, the only thing that will happen is that he will be distant, jealous and lose confidence in you. Your pet will no longer trust his tutor and he won't learn anything at all. This is why it is essential to base your sessions on animal-friendly techniques, because in addition to being effective, they do not cause any discomfort.Some examples of these techniques are positive reinforcement or the use of the clicker.
In addition to taking into account the techniques that you must use when educating and training, you must decide between all of you the rules of the home to be consistent and not destabilize your dog. Also, it is very important to be constant, patient and organized, because it is better to go little by little and avoid teaching him all the commands at the same time. Also, once training has begun, it is recommended to opt for short but repetitive sessions. For more details, do not miss our other article: how to train a puppy?
Shikoku Inu He alth
The Shikoku Inu is a he althy dog. If he has a common problem, it is due to the density of his fur, which is incompatible with hot climates. If the temperatures are high, it is common for Shikoku Inus to suffer from thermal shock, better known as heatstroke.
Other diseases of the Shikoku Inu are congenital ones, such as hip dysplasia and patella luxation, common in dogs of these sizes. They are also more common due to the intense exercise they require, which sometimes even increases the risk of gastric torsion, which, if left untreated, is fatal. Other conditions they may suffer from are hypothyroidism and progressive retinal atrophy.
All the pathologies mentioned can be detected if you take him regularly to the vet. Don't forget to religiously follow his vaccination schedule as well as all deworming recommended by your veterinarian.
Where to adopt a Shikoku Inu?
If you live outside Japan, you should know that adopting a Shikoku Inu will be very complicated. This is due to the fact that this breed has not spread too much beyond the Japanese borders.That is why finding a dog of the Shikoku Inu breed is practically impossible if you do not live in Japan. The specimens that are seen in Europe or the Americas are generally specimens exported to participate in canine shows and events.
But if by chance you find a Shikoku Inu specimen and want to adopt it, we recommend that you keep its characteristics and needs in mind. For example, you should keep in mind that the Shikoku Inu needs a lot of activity and is not a clingy dog. Taking these characteristics into account will allow you, in the case of the Shikoku Inu or another dog, to achieve responsible adoption. This is why we recommend that you go to an animal association or shelter.
Pictures of Shikoku Inu
