Shikoku
General Information - Shikoku
Group:
Utility Group
Size:
Medium
Lifespan:
10-12 years
Exercise:
Regular Exercise
Grooming:
Weekly
Trainability:
High
Area of Origin:
Japan
Date of Origin:
1937
Other Names:
Kochi-ken
History
The original Shikoku, or Kochi-ken, existed in the mountain ranges of Kochi Prefecture on the Island of Shikoku. They were highly valued by the Matagi (Japanese hunters) as a tracker of game, particularly wild boar. He is a medium-sized dog with well-balanced and well-developed, clean-cut muscles. He has pricked ears and a curled or sickle tail. His conformation is strong, well-boned and compact. His outer coat is rather harsh and straight and his undercoat is soft and dense. The hair on his tail is long. His coat can be red, black and tan, or sesame, which is a well-mixed color of black, red, and white hairs.
Temperament
Intelligent quick learner, but not easy to train. Independent thinkers who, often choose not to listen to commands. Strong muscular and agile, they enjoy hiking and hunting. Fast and coordinated - they make good agility dogs.
The Shikoku Dog has a lot of energy. An Ideal companion for those who live an active life. Shikoku does not give up when facing down there prey, this makes them great problem solvers.
Shikoku
A breed standard is the guideline which describes the ideal characteristics, temperament, and appearance of a breed and ensures that the breed is fit for function with soundness essential. Breeders and judges should at all times be careful to avoid obvious conditions and exaggerations, as well as being mindful of features which could be detrimental in any way to the health, welfare or soundness of this breed.
Breed Standard - Shikoku
ORIGIN: Japan.
DATE OF PUBLICATION OF THE OFFICIAL VALID STANDARD: 30.10.2016.
UTILIZATION: Hunting dog, companion.
FCI-CLASSIFICATION: Group 5 Spitz and primitive type.
Section 5 Asian Spitz and related breeds.
Without working trial.
BRIEF HISTORICAL SUMMARY: This breed goes back to medium-sized dogs that existed in Japan in ancient times. The Shikoku was bred as a hunting dog, mainly for hunting boar in the mountainous districts of Kochi Prefecture. It is sometimes called (Kochi-ken) (ken = dog). There were three varieties of this breed- Awa, Hongawa and Hata-all named after the area where they were bred. Among them, the Hongawa maintained the highest degree of purity, because the breeding area was not easily accessible.
These dogs are tough and sufficiently agile to run through a mountainous region. They are characterized by their sesame coloured coats. The breed took on the name of the region and was designated as a natural monument in 1937.
GENERAL APPEARANCE: A medium-sized dog with well balanced and well developed clean cut muscles. It has pricked ears and a curled or sickle tail.
Conformation: strong, well-boned and compact.
IMPORTANT PROPORTIONS: The ratio of height at withers to length of body is 10 : 11.
BEHAVIOUR / TEMPERAMENT: A dog of marked endurance, keen in sense with a naive feeling, energetic and highly alert; an enthusiastic hunter; docile towards his master.
HEAD
CRANIAL REGION:
Skull: Forehead broad. Stop: Shallow, but defined.
FACIAL REGION:
Nose: Black.
Muzzle: Rather long, wedge-shaped. Nasal bridge straight.
Lips: Tight.
Jaws/Teeth: Teeth strong, with a scissor bite.
Cheeks: Well developed.
Eyes: Nearly triangular, not too small, and dark brown in colour.
The outer corners of the eyes are slightly upturned.
Ears: Small, triangular, slightly inclining forward and firmly pricked.
NECK: Thick and powerful.
BODY:
Withers: High, well developed. Back: Straight and strong.
Loin: Broad and muscular.
Chest: Deep, ribs well sprung. Belly: Slightly tucked up.
TAIL: Set on high, thick and carried over the back vigorously curled or curved like a sickle. The tip nearly reaches the hocks when let down.
LIMBS
FOREQUARTERS:
Shoulders: Moderately sloping with developed muscles.
Upper arm: Forming a moderate angle with shoulder blade.
Elbow: Set close to the body. Forearm: Straight and clean cut.
Metacarpus (Pastern): Slightly oblique.
Feet: Tightly closed with well arched toes. Pads thick and elastic. Nails hard and black or dark in colour.
HINDQUARTERS:
General appearance: Powerful, with muscles well developed. Hocks: Moderately angulated and very tough.
Feet: Tightly closed with well arched toes. Pads thick and elastic. Nails hard and black or dark in colour.
GAIT / MOVEMENT: Resilient and light. Action is quick and turning is possible.
COAT
Hair: Outer coat rather harsh and straight, undercoat soft and dense. The hair on the tail is rather long.
Colour: Sesame (well mixture of black, red and white hairs in whole.), red, black and tan.
SIZE:
Height at withers: Males 52 cm.
Females 49 cm.
There is a tolerance of + 3 cm.
FAULTS: Any departure from the foregoing points should be considered a fault and the seriousness with which the fault should be regarded should be in exact proportion to its degree and its effect upon the health and welfare of the dog.
- Lack of sexual dimorphism.
- Slightly overshot or undershot mouth.
- Long hair.
- Shyness.
- Pinto colour.
VERY SERIOUS FAULTS:
- Aggressive or overly shy.
- Any dog clearly showing physical or behavioural abnormalities shall be disqualified.
- Extremely overshot or undershot mouth.
- Ears not pricked.
- Hanging tail, short tail.
NB:
- Male animals should have two apparently normal testicles fully descended into the scrotum.
- Only functionally and clinically healthy dogs, with breed typical conformation, should be used for breeding.
Any departure from the foregoing points should be considered a fault and the seriousness with which the fault should be regarded should be in exact proportion to its degree and its effect upon the health and welfare of the dog and on the dog’s ability to perform its traditional work.
