Shikoku Dog Breed

The Shikoku is a natural born hunter that yearns to work, be free and to have a family and home to love and protect. They are certainly not for people who have no experience with any dogs. They are best for people experienced with Spitz-type dogs as they are extremely independent, desirous of a purpose and demanding of a hierarchy that they will nonetheless challenge. With the right master, they can enjoy a highly active life as well as a copacetic home setting with children. They possess a versatility that allows them to be a guardian, a herding dog, a hunter — and an excellent competitor too.

Here are some of the many things you should know about the Shikoku:

PROS

• Brave
• Highly adaptable
• Extremely intelligent
• Extraordinarily active
• Excellent sense of smell
• Very few health concerns
• Easy to train for the right person
• Hunting dog that can take on wild boars

CONS

• Independent
• Highly dominant
• Avid escape artist
• Moderate shedders
• Can be very dog-aggressive
• Needs a home with lots of space
• May chase and kill small, non-canine pets
• Requires a remarkable amount of daily exercise

The medium size Shikoku is an independently minded breed that has been developed for centuries in some of the isolated regions of Japan. By day they fulfilled a great number of tasks and by night they kept the home safe. They are extremely athletic, have a notable memory and know when to be active and when to be docile.

Being very smart, these dogs could be trained to do a great amount. They train quickly and easily, and they understand their role. They also like to keep sharp by learning complex tricks as well as testing their boundaries. They are great escape artists. When they get on the scent of a game animal, they won't be outrun or outwitted.

The symbiotic relationship between man and dog is obvious with the Shikoku, and they are exceedingly loyal. They are always on alert, and their perpetually pricked-up ears prove this. As they have been developed for more than a millennium in treacherous mountain terrain, they are highly agile and can negotiate difficult maneuvers.

These dogs sleep little and rarely stop moving. They are always on the lookout for prey, possible predators and anyone looking to pose a threat to their master, loved ones or property. They require a lot of strenuous daily exercise. Even after a long day of hard work, these dogs may not be exhausted.

The Shikoku has been bred for a very long time in an area where natural selection, clean air, and pure water is the norm. There are reportedly no known hereditary or congenital ailments specific to these dogs. As such, they tend to only develop typical dog problems that result from old age, injuries, and neglect (like a lack of exercise or a poor diet).

Here are some of the health problems that may occur with the Shikoku breed:

• Anxiety
• Obesity
• Heart issues
• Hip dysplasia
• Elbow dysplasia
• Digestive problems
• Urinary complications

The Shikoku has an average lifespan of 10 to 12 years, but there are many that live much longer.