The Shikoku Ken (or Shikoku Inu) was a dog used for hunting, mainly wild boar. This breed was especially present in the Kochi region (Shikoku was also called "Kochi Ken"). There were 3 varieties of this breed: Hawa, Hongawa and Hata.
Characteristics
The Shikoku is larger than the Shiba and smaller than the Akita Inu and remains similar to its Japanese cousins.
The breed is classified as a primitive type spitz with a very thick coat, curled tail and straight ears.
The standard coat colors are sesame, red sesame and black sesame.
All Shikoku must have the "urajiro", the white color on the ventral part of the body, the inside of the legs, on the cheeks.
Cut
52 cm (M), 46 cm (F)
Hair
Straight cover hair with a dense undercoat.
Dress
Sesame
red sesame
black sesame
Eyes
Small, triangular, dark brown color.
Ears
Triangular, erect.
Tail
Wrapped on the back or sickle.
Character
Enduring, awake, docile with his master.
History
The Ken Shikoku is a hunting dog, used primarily for wild boar and deer. He has lived with the matagi (hunters), and his talents are still sometimes used in Japan.
The Ken Shikoku was born in the remote villages of Japan's mountains, in Kochi Prefecture, on Shikoku Island.
This particularly mountainous and sometimes difficult to access region means that this breed has only rarely been crossed with other dogs and is divided into several lineages. Membership is confidential and the breed is not widespread, even in Japan.
On Shikoku Island, Mount Ishizuki is divided into three zones: Ekime-Ken Shuso-Gun in the north, Honkawa in the south and Haka Huwahara in the southeast.
In each of these areas, a selection was made on the local types of Ken Shikoku and 3 varieties in the breed were born: Hawa, Hongawa and Hata.
These 3 varieties were more or less pure according to their geographical situation. The NIPPO (Dog Control Authority for Japanese Breeds) developed a standard that allowed generations after generations to select the Ken Shikoku as we know it today.
Nowadays, in Japan, there are still 2 types of Ken Shikoku: the "hunting" type and the "classic" type for the company and the show. The first is thinner and slender, the second is stockier and sturdy.
In France: Shikoku Ken has only been present on our territory since 2008. The Shikoku ken herd is estimated at about 20 Shikoku present in France.
Character
Like the samurai, the Shikoku Ken is a cautious but courageous and very thoughtful dog. This dog has more acute characteristics than those of other more common Japanese dogs.
Playful and happy, the Shikoku Ken loves contact with his masters, he is very endearing! He is calm at home and surprisingly loyal to his master.
On the other hand, it is a dog who likes to spend himself on a ride, to run a little but especially to track a prey, his instincts of hunting being still present.
The Shikoku Ken is sometimes booked with people he does not know, he is an independent! But well socialized, he can be very welcoming with strangers.
Even if he loves to frolic in the garden, he appreciates the comfort of the house.
With the other dogs, the Shikoku Ken remains dominant, especially the males, the females being a little more sociable but it remains of strong temperament too. Cohabitation with other dogs remains complicated for Shikoku
The education of a Ken Shikoku begins at an early age, with an iron hand in a velvet glove. He reacts well to the voice, learns quickly and is very intelligent.
Stubborn as any Japanese dog, he does not obey for nothing, he likes to understand, it is not a dog "robot".
Socialization work is necessary and important!
Living environment: A life in an apartment is not recommended for a Shikoku, it is a dog who needs to let off steam in a garden!