Shikoku Dog: Your Complete Guide

The Shikoku dog is a rare breed both around the United States and in Japan. This dog is reminiscent of the Akita and the Shiba Inu, both spitz-type dogs originating in Japan.

The Shikoku dog is loyal, alert, and active, and this breed tends to have a streak of stubbornness about them. Many individuals are interested in adopting this dog due to their more unique history and distinctive appearance. It’s important to learn all you can about this breed if you wish to add them to your family.

Our complete guide gives you details about this breed such as their temperament, their activity levels, and how to care for them. Make sure to understand this information before adopting a Shikoku dog so you know how to help this pup thrive around your home.

Quick Look at the Shikoku Dog

Below is a quick glance at this special breed in terms of their physical characteristics, lifespan, temperament, and grooming needs.

What Is the History of Shikoku Dogs?

The Shikoku dog is considered one of Japan’s culturally important national treasures, along with other similar spitz-style dogs that originated on the island. The Shikoku dog originated around the Kochi Prefecture on the island of Shikoku, and this breed is sometimes referred to as ‘Kochi-Ken,’ with ‘Ken’ meaning dog in Japanese.

The Shikoku dog is skilled at climbing and running in mountainous areas, and they have a thick double coat to protect themselves from the cold and snow. These dogs were traditionally used as hunting dogs, with wild boar being their primary game. Shikoku dogs are energetic, keen, and alert, especially when it comes to tracking game.

Today, the Shikoku dog is less common around Japan, though it is designated as a culturally important breed. It is one of a handful of dog breeds with a distinctive spitz-style appearance that originates from Japan, and this breed is, size-wise, between the Shiba Inu and the Akita.

It is difficult to find the Shikoku dog around the United States today, as it is not commonly bred outside Japan, and breeders in Japan rarely adopt this breed out of the country. The Shikoku dog was recognized by the American Kennel Club (AKC) in 2010.

What Do Shikoku Dogs Look Like?

The Shikoku dog is a medium-sized dog, and they will have distinctive and visible muscles. These dogs are generally strong, and they appear similar to the husky. Shikoku dogs have a spitz-style tail that curls over their back, a double coat that’s thick and straight on top while soft underneath, and a distinctive sesame-colored coat that is a mix of black, brown, and white hairs.

Occasionally, these dogs will appear with a darker coat color on their back and lighter colors on their chest and legs. Shikoku dogs have pointed ears, keen and alert eyes, and an overall compact, strong, and agile appearance.

What Size Is a Shikoku Dog?

The Shikoku dog is a medium-sized dog, and they will stand between 17 and 22 inches tall at the shoulder. They weigh between 35 and 55 pounds, and they generally appear both well-muscles and compact due to their genetics as hunting dogs and their agility at climbing through mountainous areas.

What Is a Shikoku Dog’s Coat Type and Length?

The Shikoku dog has a double coat that is coarse and straight on top and soft underneath. These dogs rarely need a trim, and their coats tend to be thick in order to keep them warm. Their coat length is generally medium, and it might feel fairly dense when you run a hand through it.

What Is a Shikoku Dog’s Temperament?

The Shikoku dog has a generally calm temperament, especially around their owner. These dogs have a history as a working and hunting dog, and they are typically alert, focused, and energetic. You may find that your Shikoku dog is playful and lively, but they know when to be docile and stay focused for work.

Many Shikoku dogs have a stubborn streak, and training these dogs can be a challenge because of it. This breed is intelligent and often has a strong will, and it’s important to give your energetic dog enough tasks and exercise that they don’t use their intelligence to be mischievous or destructive when you aren’t around.

Are Shikoku Dogs Good With Kids?

The Shikoku dog may be good with kids, but they don’t have the highest tolerance for loud and rough play. These dogs can be protective and loyal, something which makes them okay around older children, but younger children and those who don’t understand how to interact with this breed likely aren’t a good fit.

Sometimes, the over-protectiveness of this breed may cause them to snap or bark at children if they deem them in the way or interrupting their work; consistent training is needed if this dog is to be in a home with children.

Are Shikoku Dogs Good With Other Animals?

In general, the Shikoku dog isn’t good around other animals. This dog has a history as a hunting dog, and they will typically chase animals smaller than them. Cats and prey animals don’t make good companions for the Shikoku dog, and this dog may be somewhat mistrustful of other dogs.

They may be over-protective when it comes to defending their owner or property against other dogs, and they will typically need proper socialization and training to be able to safely and easily interact with other dogs.

Are Shikoku Dogs Aggressive?

The Shikoku dog isn’t necessarily aggressive, but they are protective and territorial. These dogs may snap, bark, or growl if they deem that a person or another animal is invading their space, and they are somewhat mistrustful of strangers.

It’s important to train your Shikoku dog and ensure that you are consistent with training to reduce the chances of protective and territorial behaviors being displayed as aggression.

Do Shikoku Dogs Bark?

The Shikoku dog is generally considered a quiet dog, and this breed doesn’t bark just to be vocal. The Shikoku dog will usually only bark if necessary, such as if they feel the need to warn their owner about something, and they aren’t a loud or yappy dog.

This dog may be a good choice for somewhere with noise restrictions, but they are generally too large and suspicious of others to live in a close-quarters apartment building despite how quiet they may be.

Are Shikoku Dogs Affectionate?

Your Shikoku dog is not likely to be overly affectionate, and this breed is not a lap dog or a cuddling dog. The Shikoku dog will be docile and happy around their owner, and generally suspicious of others around their homes. They don’t warm up to strangers quickly, but they will tolerate others on their property with proper training.

The Shikoku dog will be happiest when they are able to work alongside their owners and spend their time in a cozy area near their owner after a long day of exercising, working, or playing.

Are Shikoku Dogs Intelligent?

Shikoku dogs are intelligent, and they require a fair amount of mental stimulation to stay happy. You can expect this dog to need training on a regular and consistent basis, though they might be somewhat stubborn about learning. You will need to have patience to train your Shikoku dog, as they often decide they’d rather run around and play or chase things than learn.

The intelligence of this dog often translates to mischievous or territorial behavior, so it’s important to keep your dog trained, well-exercised, and properly socialized during your time together.

Are Shikoku Dogs Energetic?

Shikoku dogs are a high-energy dog, and they typically benefit from environments where they can run around freely or spend their days working alongside their owner. This dog needs at least two to three long walks per day plus an hour or so of time where they can play outdoors and get all of their energy out.

You may be able to take your Shikoku dog to a dog park if they are properly socialized and know how to interact with other dogs. The best non-working environment for this breed is a larger home with a fenced-in backyard where they can safely play and roam around to their heart’s content.

Are Shikoku Dogs Easy to Train?

Shikoku dogs are not the easiest dogs to train, though they are intelligent. They have a stubborn streak, and they are fairly strong-willed, so if they decide that they aren’t too keen on learning for the day, then it can be hard to keep them focused.

This dog also has a high prey drive due to their history as a hunting dog, so it may be difficult to keep their attention on you and away from other distractions or small animals nearby.

It is important that you properly train your Shikoku dog, as these dogs can become territorial and over-protective in some circumstances. Socialization, training, and more complex tasks like working dog tasks may be learned by your Shikoku dog, but it takes lots of patience to get them there.

Are Shikoku Dogs Good Watchdogs?

The Shikoku dog is a good watchdog, as they are very alert and protective of their properties. These dogs are brave, and they tend to bark only when they sense a serious issue occurring outside of their property. The Shikoku dog has no problem alerting their owners to potential threats or chasing after a genuine intruder if needed.

Are Shikoku Dogs Good Service Dogs?

The Shikoku dog, while a wonderful and distinctive breed, is not the best fit for service dog work. These dogs can be stubborn, mistrustful, and strong-willed, something that makes it hard to train them and get them to perform important service dog tasks daily.

These dogs may also have a high prey drive and be overly protective, which can leave them suspicious of strangers or abandoning their owner to chase after something nearby.

The Shikoku dog, while docile and friendly to its owner, might not be the best fit for an emotional support animal, as they tend to need lots of exercise, training, and socialization to be happy. They aren’t particularly cuddly, and they likely won’t be a good therapy dog, though it could be possible to train them for this depending on their temperament.

How to Care for a Shikoku Dog?

The Shikoku dog is a unique breed and they need to receive proper care in order to thrive around your home. You can expect to exercise your Shikoku dog every day, and they need lots of activity to stay happy. Regular walks, outdoor activities like hiking, and fenced-in open areas to run around benefit this dog greatly.

Training is essential for your Shikoku dog, and these pups benefit from regular and consistent training to help curb any overprotectiveness or territorial behaviors that may exhibit themselves as aggression. These dogs can be stubborn so patience is a must if you add this dog into your family.

Your Shikoku dog will need their own space in your home, and your home will preferably have access to the outdoors. This dog might be too active and large to do well in a small apartment home. Make sure your Shikoku dog has a few toys to play with, receives regular veterinary care, and is fed a good diet to help them live their healthiest and happiest life in your home.

Do You Need to Groom a Shikoku Dog?

The Shikoku dog has relatively low-maintenance grooming needs, and this dog will only need to be brushed a few times a week.

This breed tends to shed its coat once or twice a year, and they will need more brushing and de-shedding help around this time to help them feel their best. You may need to seek the assistance of a professional groomer to help remove your dog’s shed coat and contain the fur that is shed around your home.

Trim your dog’s nails, clean their ears, and bathe them as needed.

Do Shikoku Dogs Shed?

The Shikoku dog has a double coat, and they don’t shed often. They are not known to be prolific shedders year-round, and shedding only becomes an issue for this dog about once a year. The Shikoku dog is not known to be hypoallergenic.

What Health Problems Do Shikoku Dogs Have?

Shikoku dogs, like many other dogs, may be prone to certain health issues due to genetics. With this breed, you will need to keep an eye out for health issues such as elbow, hip, or knee dysplasia, luxating patella, allergies, and epilepsy.

Make sure to keep an eye on your dog’s behavior and health, and always take from for regular veterinary visits to ensure that they are in good health. Regular vet visits may also help to catch health problems before they become too serious.

How Long Do Shikoku Dogs Live?

On average, the Shikoku dog will live between ten and twelve years, though they can live up to fifteen years with proper care. Making sure your dog is healthy and happy helps to give them the longest, most enjoyable, life possible.

What Should a Shikoku Dog Eat?

Your Shikoku dog should be eating a high-quality diet of wet or dry dog food split up into two or three meals a day. The exact amount your dog eats depends on their specific size, how much exercise they get in a day, and the caloric content of their food.

You can expect to feed your Shikoku dog between one and three cups of food per day. Speak with a veterinarian if you have questions about how much and what to feed your dog.

Is a Shikoku Dog the Right Dog for Me?

The Shikoku dog is a unique and rare dog breed, and this breed may be difficult to come across in the United States. With their distinctive coat and spitz-style curled tail, the Shikoku dog is an interesting companion that often turns heads.

This breed might be right for you if you need a dog to work alongside you on a farm or in a similar environment, if you have a large space and need an active companion, or if you have an active lifestyle and plenty of time to dedicate to training this dog.

The Shikoku dog is best for an owner who is experienced in dog ownership and training, and they are better as the only dog in a family with older children or no children.