Its name can be used as an indication that the Shikoku Inu is a breed of Japanese origin. The birthplace of the Shikoku breed is the mountainous region of Kochi, so initially its name was Kochi Ken (or dog Kochi, which is the same). This breed is very present in the region, so much so that it was declared a national monument in 1937. Its official standard was developed by the International Cynological Federation in 2016 [1], although the breed has already been recognized since 1982.
At first, there were three varieties of this breed: Hata, Awa and Hongawa. The Awa did not have a very good fate, because they disappeared completely during World War II. The other two varieties still exist, and although Hata is more robust and solid, Hongawa remains more true to the norm, being more elegant and lighter. The Shikokus Hongawas have managed to maintain a purer lineage, mainly because the region of the same name is very remote and isolated from other populations.
- The Shikoku Inu is a medium sized dog with a standard weight of between 15 and 20 kilos.
- Its height at the cross varies from 49 to 55 centimeters in males and 46 to 52 centimeters in females.
- Ideally 52 and 49 cm respectively.
- But a variation of about 3 centimeters for more or less is accepted.
- Shikoku Inu’s life expectancy varies between 10 and 12 years.
Now entering the characteristics of Shikoku Inu related to its physical form, its body has a proportional appearance, with very elegant lines, and a wide and deep chest, which contrasts with a flatter belly. Its tail, strong insertion, is very thick and is usually shaped like a sickle or wire. Its limbs are strong and have developed muscles, as well as a slight inclination in relation to the body.
The head is large in relation to the body, with a wide forehead and a long corner-shaped snout. The ears are small, triangular and always erect, slightly inclined forward. The eyes of the Shikoku Inu are almost triangular, as they have an angle of inclination from outside upwards, they are medium-sized and always dark brown.
The fur of the dog Shikoku Inu is thick and has a structure in two layers. The lower layer is dense, but very soft, and the outer layer is a little less dense, with longer and harder hairs. This provides excellent thermal insulation, especially at low temperatures.
Colors by Shikoku Inu
The most common color in Shikoku Inu specimens is sesame, which consists of a combination of red, white and black hair. Depending on the colors combined, there are three varieties or types of Shikoku Inu:
A curiosity of Shikoku Inu puppies is that, for their characteristics common to other Spitz dogs of Japanese origin, they are often confused with these other breeds. In fact, it is quite common to confuse Shikokus with Shibas Inu. This is particularly common in pre-adult stages, where it is often easier to distinguish them. An important information to differentiate Shikoku from other breeds is its fur, which is usually mainly sesame.
As a puppy, a Shikoku is very stubborn and just wants to play and play until he gets tired. This makes him relentless in his quest for pleasure and tries to draw attention with any tool he can imagine. In addition, as with any type of dog, it is advisable not to separate it from the mother until it is fully developed and has been able to give you the first doses of socialization and basic teachings. However, this process must continue after their separation from their mother, as it is essential to provide adequate education and socialization.
A Shikoku Inu is usually a dog with a strong personality, but very affectionate. It is a breed that has been formed for centuries for hunting and surveillance, so it is not surprising that it has an incredible attention span and a state of continuous alertness. It is also a very cunning and active dog. Yes, the Shikoku Inu is very, very active, it is full of energy everywhere, and that is why it is totally proven for the elderly or sedentary, as well as to live in very small apartments. He needs activity most of the time, he is tireless and has to exercise daily.
As for the way he behaves with others, Shikoku is very suspicious of strangers, so he tends to be cold and distant, almost frightened, and can aggressively respond to any “attack,” that is to say anything he considers an attack. Coexistence is difficult with other animals, as well as those of other species, since the Shikokus see them as prey, as with other dogs, since the Shikoku Inu has a dominant personality and can even fight them, especially if it is a male.
However, with his family, he is loyal and devoted, and although he is an independent dog, he still loves his family and always watches over his safety. Perfectly balance the accompaniment of family members throughout the day in their activities, but without intruding. This may make you think it’s a dog that stays distant and cold, but the truth is that he loves his family, which he protects at all costs.
Shikoku’s dense two-layer fur requires at least 2 or 3 brushes per week, and this is the only way to ensure that accumulations of dead hair, dust and any dirt are properly removed. In addition, it is a way to check that there are no parasites, such as fleas or ticks, attached to the animal’s scalp.
However, the greatest attention when it comes to how to maintain a Shikoku Inu certainly comes down to your need for exercise. These dogs need to exercise every day, and it is recommended that the activity be moderate to intense, so that they can stay balanced and healthy. Some ideas besides active walks are the practice of sports specially developed for dogs, such as the Agility circuits, or simply allow you to accompany you in activities such as running or hiking.
Of course, you should not overlook your mental stimulation or diet, which should be of a quality appropriate to your level of physical activity. Therefore, games and home toys that stimulate intelligence are as important as the need to run.
Given the characteristics we have already mentioned about the personality of Shikoku Inu, very marked and strong, one can think that training will be almost impossible. But this could not be further from the truth, because if done correctly, it responds to training in surprising ways and is able to learn quickly and effectively.
This rapid learning is strongly supported by its great intelligence and perseverance. You always have to take into account a fundamental premise: never punish or aggressively treat a dog, or Shikoku, or any other. This is essential both to educate you and to train you, because if a Shikoku is punished or assaulted, all you can do is make him stay distant and suspicious, lose confidence and break the bond. The animal will no longer trust its trainer and this means that it will learn absolutely nothing from what you are trying to teach him. Therefore, it is essential to base the training on animal-friendly techniques, since in addition to being more effective, they do not cause discomfort to the dog and the trainer. Examples of these techniques are positive reinforcement and the use of the clicker, which is very useful for enhancing good behaviors.
In addition to taking into account the techniques to be used in education and training, it is necessary to decide among the whole family the rules of the house, in order to be coherent and not confuse the dog. Similarly, it is important to be consistent, patient and orderly, because it is better to go slowly and not want to teach all the rules at once. In addition, once the training is started, it is recommended to choose short but repetitive sessions throughout the day.
Shikoku Inu is a healthy dog. It usually has a very common problem because of the density of her hair, which is incompatible with warm climates. If temperatures are high, Shikokus usually experience heatstroke, better known as sunstroke. In this article we explain what are the symptoms of heatstroke and how to react to it: heatstroke in dogs.
Other diseases of Shikoku Inu are congenital, such as hip dysplasia and patellar dislocation, common in dogs of this size. They are also more common because of the intense exercise they need, which sometimes increases the risk of a dangerous gastric turn, which if left untreated, is fatal. Other conditions may include hypothyroidism and progressive retinal atrophy.
All of the above diseases can be detected by regular visits to the veterinarian for regular examinations, as well as vaccines and deworms.
If you are outside Japan, you can assume that adopting a Shikoku Inu is very complicated. This is because the breed has not spread far beyond its Japanese borders. Therefore, finding a dog Shikoku Inu is practically impossible outside Japan. Only exported specimens can be found in Europe or America, often for the purpose of participating in canine exhibitions and events.
But if you find a copy of Shikoku Inu and want to adopt it, we recommend that you consider its characteristics and needs. For example, keep in mind that it needs a lot of activity, that it is not a sticky dog and that it does not seek constant attention. Taking this into account will allow you, in the case of Shikoku or any other race, to make a responsible adoption. To do this, we recommend that you visit animal shelters, associations and shelters.