Shikoku Dog
standard
The Shikoku Dog standard is designed to specify the guidelines of how the ideal Shikoku dog should appear. This standard is used as a format by kennel clubs to judge the breed and for breeders to follow in developing their breeding programs. The Shikoku dog standard is adopted by kennel clubs that recognize the Shikoku dog breed. Some of the kennel clubs that recognize the Shikoku dog is the Japan Kennel Club [JKC], Federation Cynologique Internationale [FCI], and the Canadian Kennel Club [CKC]. In the United States, the Shikoku dog is recognized by the United Kennel Club [UKC] and the American Rare Breed Association [ARBA].
Adapted from the United Kennel Club
HISTORY
- The Shikoku is descended from the medium sized dogs of ancient Japan. It was developed as a hunting dog, mainly used on boar in the mountainous regions of Kochi. There were originally three varieties of this breed, each named for the area in which it was bred.
The Shikoku was recognized by the United Kennel Club in 2006.
GENERAL APPEARANCE
- The Shikoku is a medium sized dog, well balanced and with well developed, clean cut muscles. It has prick ears, a curled or sickle tail, and a sesame colored coat. It is a strong, well-boned and compact breed.
CHARACTERISTICS
- An enthusiastic hunter with marked endurance, the Shikoku is energetic and alert, yet docile with his master.
HEAD
- SKULL - Broad in forehead. The stop is shallow but defined.
MUZZLE - Rather long and wedge shaped, with a straight nasal bone.
TEETH - The Shikoku has a complete set of evenly spaced, white teeth meeting in a scissors bite.
Faults: Slightly overshot or undershot bite.
Disqualifications: Extremely overshot or undershot bite.
NOSE - Black.
EYES - Relatively small, triangular in shape, set well apart and dark brown in color.
EARS - Small, triangular, strongly pricked and slightly inclined forward.
Disqualification: Ears not pricked.
NECK
- Thick and powerful.
FOREQUARTERS
- The shoulders are moderately sloping with strong muscles.
FORELEGS - The legs are straight and clean cut. The elbows set close to the body, and the pasterns are slightly sloping.
BODY
- In proportion, the body is just slightly longer than tall in a ratio of 11:10. The chest is deep, and the ribs are well sprung. The withers are high, and the back is straight and strong. The loin is broad and muscular, and the belly is well tucked up.
HINDQUARTERS
- The hindquarters are powerful, with well developed muscles.
HIND LEGS - The hocks are moderately angulated and very tough.
FEET
- Tightly closed, with well arched toes and hard, elastic pads. The nails are hard and dark in color.
TAIL
- Thick, set on high and carried curled over the back or like a sickle. The tip nearly reaches the hock when let down.
Disqualifications: Hanging or short tail.
COAT
- Double, with a harsh, straight outer coat and a soft, dense undercoat. The hair on the tail is rather long.
Fault: Coat too long.
COLOR
- Sesame (equal mix of black and white hairs), black sesame (more black than white hairs), and red sesame (ground color of red mixed with black hairs).
HEIGHT
- Height at the withers for males is 20.5 inches. For females, it is 18 inches. There is a tolerance of one inch in either direction.
GAIT
- Light and quick, with rather narrow strides.
DISQUALIFICATIONS
- Unilateral or bilateral cryptorchid. Viciousness or extreme shyness. Albinism. Extremely overshot or undershot bite. Ears not pricked. Tail hanging or too short.
Japanese Dogs
In Japan, the Nihon ken (Japanese dog) is judged according to the standard set forth by Nihon Ken Hozonkai, aka NIPPO standard. Dogs are judged by a basic standard and then by size category; small (Shiba Inu), medium (Kai Ken,Kishu, Shikoku) , and large (Akita). It is important for the essence of the Japanese dog to be captured in its attitude as well as its physical presence.
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