Shikoku Breed Standard

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ORIGIN: Japan.
UTILIZATION: Hunting dog, companion.
FCI-CLASSIFICATION: Group 5 Spitz and primitive type. Section 5 Asian Spitz and related breeds. Without working trial.

Brief Historical Summary of Shikoku

Shikoku breed goes back to medium-sized dogs that existed in Japan in ancient times. The Shikoku was bred as a hunting dog, mainly for hunting boar in the mountainous districts of Kochi Prefecture. It is sometimes called « Kochi-ken » (ken = dog). There were three varieties of this breed away, Hongawa and Hata-all named after the area where they were bred.

Among them, the Hongawa maintained the highest degree of purity, because the breeding area was not easily accessible. These dogs are tough and sufficiently agile to run through a mountainous region. They are characterized by their sesame colored coats. The breed took on the name of the region and was designated as a « natural monument » in 1937. Learn more about Shikoku by reading the rest of the Shikoku breed Standard.

General Appearance of Shikoku

A medium-sized dog with well balanced and well developed clean cut muscles. It has pricked ears and a curled or sickle tail. Conformation: strong, well-boned, and compact.

shikoku breed standard - brief historical summary, behaviour, proportions, faults
shikoku breed standard - behaviour, proportions, faults

Important Proportions of Shikoku

The ratio of height at withers to length of the body is 10: 11.

Behaviour / Temperament of Shikoku

A dog of marked endurance, keen in sense with a naive feeling, energetic and highly alert; an enthusiastic hunter; docile towards his master.

FCI-St. N° 319

Shikoku Head Cranial Region

Skull: Forehead broad.
Stop: Shallow, but defined.

Shikoku Facial Region

Nose: Black.
Muzzle: Rather long, wedge-shaped. Nasal bridge straight.
Lips: Tight.
Jaws/Teeth: Teeth strong, with a scissor bite.
Cheeks: Well developed.
Eyes: Nearly triangular, not too small, and dark brown in color. The outer corners of the eyes are slightly upturned.
Ears: Small, triangular, slightly inclining forward, and firmly pricked.

Neck

Thick and powerful.

Body

Withers: High, well developed.
Back: Straight and strong.
Loin: Broad and muscular.
Chest: Deep, ribs well sprung.
Belly: Slightly tucked up.

Tail

Set on high, thick, and carried over the back vigorously curled or curved like a sickle. The tip nearly reaches the hocks when let down.

Limb Forequaters

Shoulders: Moderately sloping with developed muscles.
Upper arm: Forming a moderate angle with the shoulder blade.
Elbow: Set close to the body.
Forearm: Straight and clean cut.
Metacarpus (Pastern): Slightly oblique.
Feet: Tightly closed with well-arched toes. Pads thick and elastic. Nails hard and black or dark in color.

Hindquarters

General appearance: Powerful, with muscles well developed.
Hocks: Moderately angulated and very tough.
Feet: Tightly closed with well-arched toes. Pads thick and elastic. Nails hard and black or dark in color.

Gait / Movement

Resilient and light. Action is quick and turning is possible.

Coat Hair

Outer coat rather harsh and straight, undercoat soft and dense. The hair on the tail is rather long.

Color

Sesame (well mixture of black, red, and white hairs in whole.), red, black, and tan.

Size

Height at withers:

Males 52 cm.
Females 49 cm.
There is a tolerance of + 3 cm.

Faults

Any departure from the foregoing points should be considered a fault and the seriousness with which the fault should be regarded should be in exact proportion to its degree and its effect upon the health and welfare of the dog.

  • Lack of sexual dimorphism.
  • Slightly overshot or undershot mouth.
  • Long hair.
  • Shyness.
  • Pinto color.

Disqualifying Faults

  • Aggressive or overly shy.
  • Any dog clearly showing physical or behavioral abnormalities shall be disqualified.
  • Extremely overshot or undershot mouth.
  • Ears not pricked.
  • Hanging tail, short tail.

N.B.

  • Male animals should have two apparently normal testicles fully descended into the scrotum.
  • Only functionally and clinically healthy dogs, with breed typical conformation, should be used for breeding. The latest amendments are in bold characters.