Shikoku
About Shikoku
Meet the Shikoku - a gem from the Land of the Rising Sun! This medium-sized pooch is nothing short of a furry dynamo, with a spirited, lively, and tenacious personality. Shikokus wear a strikingly beautiful double coat that sports a fetching range of colors including sesame, black and tan, or cream.
Despite their active nature, Shikokus are surprisingly adaptable and can easily adjust to your lifestyle. They are intelligent and quick learners, but their independent streak means they need an owner ready to guide them with a firm, yet patient hand. An exceptionally clean breed, let's just say, doggie odour is not an issue with these wonderful creatures.
Life with a Shikoku will be full of adventures. They're naturals at agility activities and love the great outdoors just as much as they enjoy snuggling on the sofa with their favorite humans. They particularly thrive in households that can provide ample physical and mental stimulation.
The absolutely adorable Shikoku will capture your heart with their distinctive looks and spirited nature. In a nutshell, the Shikoku is the perfect blend of affection, intelligence, and pure doggie charisma!
Interesting Facts
The Shikoku dog is one of the six native Japanese dog breeds and is considered a national natural treasure of Japan, being less commonly seen outside its home country.
This breed is known for its unique double coat, made up of a harsh, straight topcoat and a soft, dense undercoat. This not only makes them adaptable to different weather conditions, but also very charming in appearance.
Shikoku dogs were historically used for hunting game such as boars in the mountainous regions of Kochi, which reflects in their strong agility, endurance and keen sense of direction today.
The Shikoku is also an unusually clean breed. These dogs have been noted for their cat-like grooming habits, often cleaning themselves after meals, which can be a delight for pet owners looking for fewer grooming chores.
Despite their hunting background, Shikoku dogs typically get along well with their most-common Japanese neighbor, the Japanese macaque monkeys. The two species have been observed playing together in the wild, showcasing the Shikoku's adaptable nature and dogged charm.
Developed in Kochi Prefecture on Shikoku Island, these hunting dogs pursued wild boar across steep forests, celebrated for agility, endurance, and tenacity.
Shikoku's signature sesame coat (black-tipped hairs over red) comes with urajiro cream highlights, a hallmark shared with other native Nihon Ken.
Historically, three regional bloodlines—Awa, Hongawa, and Hata—shaped the breed, reflecting isolated mountain villages and slightly different builds and temperaments.
Still rare outside Japan, the Shikoku is FCI recognized and listed in AKC's Foundation Stock Service, with careful preservation by NIPPO.
Athletic and cat-footed, Shikoku excel at scent-driven tracking and agile hiking; loyal yet reserved, they shed heavily during seasonal coat blow.
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