American Shikoku Ken Club
Meet the Shikoku Ken
Welcome to the American Shikoku Ken Club
Welcome to the American Shikoku Ken Club, the national parent club for the Shikoku Ken in the American Kennel Club.The American Shikoku Ken Club (ASKC) is an organization dedicated to supporting the community of owners, breeders, and enthusiasts of one of Japan’s natural monuments within the American Kennel Club: the Shikoku Ken.Whether you are already lucky enough to share your life with one of these incredible dogs or are just learning about the breed, we hope you will find our website informative.
The Shikoku Ken was first standardized in 1938 by the Nihon Ken Hozonkai, which remains its official breed club and preservation society in Japan to this day. Many Shikoku Ken both in Japan and internationally hold Nihon Ken Hozonkai (NIPPO) pedigrees and are bred to the NIPPO standard. It was under this registration body that the Shikoku Ken was recognized as one of 6 varieties of Nihonken, Japanese native dog, and one of the 4 - previously 5 - regional populations which fell under the medium sized variety of hound used for hunting large quarry. These 4 regional populations competed for the same medium-sized variety award and could be intermixed for much of their history.These 4 regional varieties of the Japanese hound that survived were officially given their own unique awards by NIPPO after 1981. Prior to that, the Shikoku Ken remained in relative isolation on the island of Shikoku, though some outcrossing to dogs from neighboring areas on the mainland may have occurred. This isolation from the mainland and the mountainous terrain of Shikoku island meant the breed developed somewhat differently to their cousins on Honshu and fewer hunters were able to access the breed throughout time, leading to their relative rarity in comparison to other native Japanese breeds.
Form and Function
Despite modernization making the Shikoku Ken somewhat more distant to their hunting roots, the Shikoku Ken is a medium energy and athletic dog breed. They are well-muscled, remarkably fast, and very agile. The Shikoku Ken’s coat is a harsh double coat that easily repels dirt and debris, with a thick and dense undercoat that provides protection and insulation from the elements. The angulation is moderate – though may be seen as shallow to some fanciers accustomed to looking at ground covering dogs – in order to skillfully conquer the steep slopes and dense forest of the mountains they hail from. Shikoku Ken are highly engaged with their people and enjoy working as a team. They are driven to get the job done once they understand the task.Shikoku Ken tend to be somewhat reactive with animals (and sometimes strangers) as what is perhaps a remnant of the same quick decision making that made them excellent hounds ready to challenge boar in the mountains. They require careful socialization and training as a young dog to develop into a neutral and sound adult. All of these traits combine to create an excellent “try it” dog with respect to performance sports or a weekend warrior companion for those who lead active lives on their days off and want a dog who can keep up on hikes or walks, but enjoy a dog with an excellent off switch for the busier days.Among the purebred Japanese dogs, the Shikoku Ken is known for its unique and elegant looks – a development that came later during their refinement as a show dog and companion. They are observed in 5 acceptable coat colors, all equally preferred, which are red, red sesame, sesame, black sesame, and black and tan. All coat colors must have the required urajiro markings described in the standard. Solid white or cream coats and excessive white markings are a serious fault due to their ability over time to deteriorate the preferred coat colors.
Common Health Problems
Panosteitis - Panosteitis is one of the Shikoku Ken illnesses sometimes generalized under the grouping shinkeitsuu (神経痛) or “nerve pain.” Panosteitis – essentially “growing pains” – most commonly impacts puppies and growing dogs. The most common symptoms of “pano” are limping, favoring one or multiple limbs, or visibly swollen joints. This is usually diagnosed via radiograph in young dogs and resolves once the dog has finished growing. Panosteitis has many suspect causes that include genetic components and autoimmune response to things like infection, stress, or metabolic issues. When this nerve pain is not isolated to the period of growth and limping persists into adulthood, if knee, elbow, and hip issues have been ruled out, diagnostic work to rule out immune-mediated polyarthritis (IMPA) should be done. Read about IMPA further down on this page.
Hip Dysplasia and Joint Deformity - Hip dysplasia and other degenerative joint diseases are observed in the Shikoku Ken. Companion animals are fortunately rarely significantly affected or symptomatic for these illnesses due to the relatively small size and muscular nature of the breed. Affected dogs are encouraged to stay lean and fit. Hip dysplasia can be managed if required by daily medication, medication when symptomatic, or by surgical intervention and companion animals with hip dysplasia have a relatively positive lifelong prognosis. Breeding bitches with hip dysplasia are at significant or increased risk for worsening joint disease or symptoms due to the biochemical changes that occur during gestation and nursing. Cartilage regeneration pauses during pregnancy and nursing. This in combination with the excess weight of carrying puppies can put these females at high risk to for worsening joints or mobility issues. Current testing suggests hip dysplasia in Shikoku Ken is caused by a combination of laxity and/or shallowness of the joint. PennHip and OFA screening are used to assess hip dysplasia in breeding dogs. Xrays taken by a veterinarian may be appropriate for companion animals seeking diagnosis and care.
Digestive Issues and Allergies - Some Shikoku Ken are notoriously fussy eaters. Some may be this way due to poor gut flora or overall digestive health and may need some assistance with finding a correct diet to mitigate these issues. Some owners have found success in a biologically appropriate raw diet or probiotics.
Concerning Health Problems
Epilepsy & Seizure Disorders - Epilepsy is well known and observed within certain Shikoku Ken lines. This illness may appear as absence seizures or strange repetitive behavior to grand mal seizures which are more dramatic and easier to recognize. It is best to inform your regular veterinarian of this illness early on. Onset of epilepsy occurs mostly in young adult to mature dogs and breeder knowledge is paramount for its prevention in the breed. Some epilepsy may be controlled via daily medication (singular or a combination) which may take time and experimentation to properly dose. Other more serious forms are poorly controlled and the prognosis for dogs with poorly controlled epilepsy is often negative. Prospective homes should speak to their breeder about epilepsy and investigate what support and recourse owners may have should their dog be diagnosed.
Immune Mediated Polyarthritis - Another one of the Shikoku Ken illnesses grouped under shinkeitsuu. Like panosteitis, IMPA is a likely-genetic autoimmune condition which causes joint pain. Instead of the actual bone being inflamed as it is in panosteitis, IMPA is characterized by an abnormal immune response in which the white blood cells attack the joints and joint tissues. Dogs with IMPA may present as mild to severe and dogs with limping into adulthood should have all diagnostics done to rule out simple to more complicated illnesses. Dogs with IMPA may also present with fever, lethargy, vomiting, diarrhea, and reluctance to eat or drink. Some dogs with IMPA may not present as severely lame or always have a limp, which can make catching this illness difficult in some individuals. Other times, it comes on quickly and can appear life threatening due to severity of the fever and depression. IMPA is sometimes diagnosed with blood test and urine culture to rule out infection and often requires a joint tap. Depending on the severity IMPA can be fatal if left untreated and must be diagnosed and treated by a veterinarian or specialist.
Lysosomal Storage Disease (Gangliosidosis) - The final and most severe form of Shikoku Ken shinkeitsuu. Lysosomal Storage Disease is better known as Gangliosidosis in the Shiba Inu and is always fatal. The onset of symptoms for lysosomal storage disease can be as early as 6 months (more typical) and as late as 2 years (very rare.) Dogs do not typically live more than 1 to 2 years from the point of diagnosis. Symptoms typically begin as a loss or lack of coordination and ataxic gait and dogs should be expected to degenerate or develop worsening symptoms including seizures, neurological, and musculoskeletal issues as the disease progresses. Early diagnosis of individuals who are affected by this illness is paramount to keeping them comfortable as long as possible. Speaking with a veterinarian to create a realistic game plan for the future. There is no cure for LSD and no test currently exists for breeding Shikoku Ken as it does in the Shiba Inu. It is up to breeders to know their lines and understand the risk factors with the information that is available from quality mentors and breed study. LSD is a simple recessive in all known and testable forms in other breeds, meaning one gene is responsible for causing LSD. This makes it very easy to track and somewhat intuitive to avoid for breeders, but risk exists in the breed until a test is developed.
Temperament
The Shikoku Ken has been bred for nearly a century under the breed standard formed and published by the Nihon Ken Hozonkai and the breed has deep roots as a hunting dog expected to tackle wild boar and deer. The breed is apt to show all of the traits which equip them for this job and have the temperament appropriate for such a task. The Shikoku Ken is known for three key traits: kan’i, ryousei, and soboku.Kan’i is the very spirit and tenacity of every Shikoku Ken.Shikoku Ken can be prone to pushy, impulsive, and blustery behavior in the face of things that confuse or concern them. This is a breed trait, not a flaw, as dogs with these traits are able to think quickly, on their feet, and assess the threat a large boar may pose. Breeders can set their puppies up for success during their early life, but it is in the hands of every prospective Shikoku Ken owner to understand that their dog will need support, patience, and understanding as they grow to become the best breed ambassador or companion they can be. Some dogs may be a lifelong challenge in these areas. However, the same traits that may make the Shikoku Ken a challenge are inherent to their biological and cultural history.Shikoku Ken are not likely to want to back down from something that scares or confuses them or seems like a challenge. They are enrichment seekers, eager to figure out a puzzle or understand how the world around them works. However, they are also easily frustrated due to their impulsive nature and may set themselves up for failure if given the opportunity. Owners must be prepared to advocate for their dogs and offer gentle but consistent support and motivate them to behave differently. Too many corrections or failures may cause a Shikoku Ken to shut down or become contentious with their owner.This is important to remember as the breed may become reactive with animals or people or even struggle with barrier frustration, particularly as a young or immature dog with less training and experience with the world.Ryousei is obedience and devotion.Shikoku Ken are a handler-soft dog that does not need harsh or militant training methods, but require patience, understanding, and someone who will encourage them and protect them when they are young or insecure. The Shikoku Ken is a breed that is highly devoted and tuned in to their family. While Shikoku Ken may more often be aloof toward strangers or some may be stranger adverse, they are utterly dedicated to their household and can make a happy companion. They are the most at home when they are treated as part of the family. When a Shikoku Ken is not expressing their boundless enthusiasm and bursts of energy, they may be found enjoying their favorite toy or sleeping soundly in a place either next to or near their owner – where they can keep an eye and an ear out for their family.Though they have a deep desire for a profound bond with their people, the Shikoku Ken is not a slavering pet, and they are apt to show their devotion in subtle yet meaningful ways. Training and engaging activities can be a great way to utilize the Shikoku Ken’s energy and drive to build a positive relationship with them. Shikoku Ken are highly social animals that crave companionship and enjoy play, even if they tend to be aloof with strangers and dog selective. Introducing the Shikoku Ken properly to new dogs or finding a core group of canine friends to interact with carefully may help enrich their lives as well.Soboku is a quality of rustic or natural beauty. These dogs have inherent and subtle dignity and witnessing a dog with a correct and stable temperament may take your breath away.
The Shikoku Ken Standard
The Shikoku Ken is an internationally recognized rare breed. While in Foundation Stock, the Shikoku Ken has no official AKC standard. The following is a draft which is meant to emulate the Nihonken Hozonkai standard in the standard writing language expected by the American Kennel Club.If you are interested in learning more about the Nihon Ken Hozonkai standard, which is the oldest and most respected breed standard in the country of origin, please visit the Nihon Ken Hozonkai's English language website or click here for the PDF of the full standard and judging resolutions.
General Appearance
The Shikoku Ken is one of the medium-sized large game hunting dogs native to Japan, originating from the mountainous island of Shikoku. They are typical of other Japanese spitz-type hounds with a dense and harsh coat, erect ears, and a tail that is held over their back. They are a nimble and spirited dog with sharp senses and a keen intuition capable of becoming an adept hunter, watchdog, or companion.
Size, Proportion, Substance
Size is 20.5 inches for males and 19 inches for females. A tolerance of 1.25 inches in either direction is permitted. Sexual dimorphism between males and females is evident in both the expression and the body type. The body is strong and muscular and always shown in working condition without excess weight. The ratio is slightly longer than tall at 10:11. Bitches are somewhat longer than dogs. Dogs have stern and intense body language or posture. Bitches are overall more graceful and appraising. Disqualification—dogs or bitches over or under the expressed height
Head
Expression is intense but ultimately good-natured. The masculine expression gives the impression of strength. The female expression is somewhat more gentle. Eyes are a somewhat triangular to almond shape, slightly upturned from the inner point to the outer point. The color is a very dark tea-brown. Disqualification—Pale eyes such as yellow or gray-blue. Ears are somewhat hooded and size is in proportion to the head. Ears are shaped somewhat like a scalene triangle. The inner ear is straight. The outer ear is slightly curved inward. Ears are erect and inclined forward. The ears are set to bring balance to the front and back of the skull in profile. Disqualification—Hanging or dropped ears. Skull resembles a blunted wedge or triangle. The forehead is wide and the cheeks are well-developed. Stop is moderate, neither remarkably shallow nor abrupt, with a visible transition from the eyebrow to the muzzle. Muzzle is straight, thick, and firm, forming a blunted wedge to the full cheeks. Nose is black with firm nose leather. Lips are tight and thick. The lips cover the teeth but do not droop or have excess covering the lower jaw. Bite is strong and firm, coming together in a scissor. Disqualification—Malocclusion, the bite coming together in an overbite or underbite. Teeth are robust and strong. The Shikoku Ken has full dentition. Broken or weak teeth are to be evaluated and faulted to the judge’s discretion.
Neck, Topline, Body
Neck is thick and muscular. Topline is straight from the back of the shoulder to the tail, and strong. Body is dry, athletic, and muscular, always in working condition. Chest has an ovular shape and meets the elbows. It is no less than 45% of the height and no more than 50% of the height. The forechest is well developed. Ribs are well sprung. Underline is well tucked up from the chest to the loin and the abdomen is muscular. Loins are strong. Tail is moderately thick. Carried properly, the tail gives the impression of confidence and power. It is carried over the back in a curl or a sickle that does not lay directly on the back. A sickle held parallel with the back or a loose curl is ideal. A tail which has a double curl or points vertically upward is permitted. Ideally, the tail does not drop unless at complete rest. It is moderate in length and falls to the hock when down. Dogs which drop their tail for the duration of the show are not encouraged. Serious fault—kinked tails. Disqualification—a tail which cannot be carried over the back, hanging tails which are never held correctly.
Forequarters
Angulation is moderate to be in balance with the hindquarters. Shoulders are moderately sloping, and have well-developed muscle. Upper Arm meets the shoulder at a moderate angle. Elbows are tucked close to the body. Forelegs are spaced at the same width as the body. They are straight and parallel. Pasterns are strong, set somewhat upright. Feet have tight toes with strong grip. Pads of the feet are thick and flexible. Nails are dark in color. Light nails are permitted.
Hindquarters
Rear angulation is moderate, in balance with the forequarters. The rear of the thigh and the front of the hock ideally lie together along a vertical line. Hindlegs are strong, well-muscled, spaced the same width as the waist or lower back, and straight. Upper thigh is well-developed and longer than the lower thigh. Stifles are strong. Lower thigh is slightly shorter than the upper thigh. Hocks are tough and strong and do not turn significantly in or out. There are no dewclaws on the hindquarters. Feet, pads, and nails are as in forequarters.
Coat
The Shikoku Ken has a double coat. The undercoat is dense and may be somewhat soft, pushing the hard guard coat away from the body to stand on end. The guard hair is hard and coarse to touch. The tail hair is somewhat longer than the body hair. The coat comes together as rustic and resistant to the elements. It is shown naturally. The coat is not to be trimmed or treated with product. It is shown naturally.
Color
There are 5 coat colors: red, red sesame, sesame, black sesame, & black with tan points. Urajiro, or pale markings on the ventral portion of the dog, is visible on all coat colors. These markings lie along a similar pattern to tan points on a black dog: in the eyebrow, on the side of the muzzle, on the cheeks, on the underside of the jaw, on the paws and the inside of the legs, and under the tail. Regarding white markings: white markings are tolerated on the front legs under the elbow, on the chest not past the point of shoulder, and on the tip of the tail. Red is a rich, red-orange color which is not washed out or yellow in appearance nor oversaturated to the point where the coat looks entirely orange. Sesame is a wild-type coat color which combines white, red, and black hairs evenly over the body. A correct sesame dog has a well-blended coat where no one admixed color is in concentration over the other. Red sesame is a variation on sesame where red pigment is visually in the majority. Black sesame is a variation on sesame where black pigment is visually in the majority. In the case of all sesame coats, the pigment of the red hairs in the admixture is rich, such as is seen in the red coat color. Black describes a black dog with a tan point pattern commonly called black and tan. Black dogs are not to have a dull or brown pigment to the fur, nor do they appear blue or aubergine in the light. The coat is not to be entirely black, but becomes gray or tan near the root. Tan points are marked over the eyes, the sides of the muzzle and cheeks, under the jaw, on the chest in front of the shoulder joint, on the extremity of each leg to the paw, inside the leg, and under the tail. Black and tan dogs must also have urajiro evident in addition to the tan or red pigment on their points, in all points. Serious Fault—White, seen as a solid colored dog of pure white to a light cream or pale yellow. Pinto, white markings which interrupt the body color of the dog, such as those which reach beyond the point of shoulder or over the neck and body. Disqualification—Brindle or any other color than the colors described.
Gait
The Shikoku Ken is an athletic and resilient dog possessed of grace and endurance. The gait is light and effortless with moderate reach and drive. The Shikoku Ken is moved at a trot and able to keep this pace for long periods of time between the explosive energy and movement required to keep up with a boar in the steep mountains of Shikoku island.
Temperament
The Shikoku Ken’s essential temperament qualities are described in the country of origin as kan’i, ryosei, and soboku. The breed is a spirited and enthusiastic dog with keen senses. He is very alert to his surroundings. Shikoku Ken maintain this alert attitude and fierceness necessary to pursue large game. The Shikoku Ken has a lively spirit, brimming with enthusiasm and readiness to act and react which may manifest as a readiness to challenge perceived threats. This fire in their belly and indomitable spirit is kan’i. Due to this required spirit and boldness, a Shikoku Ken who addresses a newcomer who approaches from the side or behind is not a measure of shyness or aggression. Despite this, a correct Shikoku Ken has the utmost devotion and docility toward their family and handler. The bond shared between the Shikoku Ken and their handler is a cornerstone for the Shikoku Ken’s experience throughout their life. This is what is known as ryosei. This loyalty to their people and family commonly creates a dog which is aloof and appraising or indifferent with strangers. The Shikoku Ken temperament and appearance knit together in a vigorous presence. When all traits are in harmony the Shikoku Ken evokes an emotional response when beheld. This rustic and understated magnificence is soboku. Disqualification—dogs which exhibit a profound lack of any of the aforementioned intrinsic traits.
Serious Faults (Summary)
Kinked tails. White coat color – seen as a solid colored dog of pure white to a light cream or pale yellow. Pinto – white markings which interrupt the body color of the dog.
Disqualifications (Summary)
Dogs or bitches over or under the expressed height. Pale eyes such as yellow or gray-blue. Hanging or dropped ears. Malocclusion. A tail which cannot be carried over the back or hanging tails which are never held correctly. Brindle or any other color than the colors described. Dogs which exhibit a profound lack of any of the aforementioned intrinsic traits.
The American Shikoku Ken Club seeks to protect and preserve the Shikoku Ken by promoting ethical breeding practices and collaboration among breeders within the American Kennel Club; educating current and potential owners about the breed and its special needs; working tirelessly to keep Shikoku Ken out of shelters and in loving and knowledgeable homes, and by fostering a community of breed enthusiasts through coordination of communications and events for club members.American Shikoku Ken Club Mission statement
The bones of the American Shikoku Ken Club formed in 2011 with the North American Shikoku Club as a general club and education presence for the Shikoku Ken in North America. With the Shikoku Ken’s boom in popularity in the latter part of the 2010s, the American Shikoku Ken Club became its own entity formed with the goal to carry the breed forward toward recognition with the American Kennel Club.The ASKC is dedicated to preserve the Shikoku Ken within the AKC and produce quality education alongside reliable resources for the breed as the population continues to grow. As the national breed club the ASKC hopes to build a strong community of stewards for today and the future.
American Shikoku Ken Club Breeders
In development. Breeders on the American Shikoku Ken Club listing must be in good standing with the ASKC but prospective Shikoku Ken owners are encouraged to investigate breeders thoroughly to assure a good match. Breeders are listed in alphabetical order. To submit a request to be listed on this page, you must have your membership number, agree to the Code of Ethics/Conduct, Club Bylaws, and apply at this link.
| Kennel Name | Location | Registries | Website | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Airreyalis | California | AKC, NIPPO, UKC | link | link | @airreyalis |
| Akiyama no Roushya | Oregon, New Mexico | AKC, NIPPO, FCI, UKC | link | link | @akiyamano.co |
| Aoiyama Sou | Pennsylvania | AKC, NIPPO, UKC | link | link | @aoiyama_shikoku |
| Hachidorisou | Virginia | AKC, NIPPO, UKC | link | link | @hachidorisou_shikoku |
| Kiseki no Yama | West Virginia | AKC, NIPPO, UKC | link | link | @kisekinoyama |
| O'Ikon Nihon Ken | North Carolina | AKC, NIPPO, UKC | link & link | link | n/a |
| Yamamichi sou | Montana | AKC, UKC | link | link | @wayouthounds |
Officers & The Board
| Office | Name | Year | Involvement | Breeds |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| President | Peggy Graham | 2022 | breeder, exhibitor | Shikoku Ken, Kai Ken |
| Vice President | Samantha Walker | 2022 | breeder, exhibitor | Shikoku Ken, Standard Poodles |
| Secretary | Jamar Hitchcock-Smith | 2024 | exhibitor, dog owner | Shikoku Ken, Shiba Inu |
| Treasurer | Robert Graham | 2022 | breeder, exhibitor | Shikoku Ken, Kai Ken |
| Board Member | Kelsey Christenson | 2023 | breeder, exhibitor, dog owner | Shikoku Ken, Shiba Inu |
| Board Member | C. J. McCammon | 2023 | breeder, exhibitor | Shikoku Ken, Kishu Ken |
| Board Member | Corina Anette Gonzalez | 2023 | breeder, exhibitor, dog owner | Shikoku Ken, Alaskan Klee Kai, Belgian Sheepdogs, Belgian Malinois, Yakutian Laika |
Membership
Become an American Shikoku Ken Club Member
Please use our Google Form to submit interest for membership by either filling the form to the right or following THIS LINK which will take you directly to the form URL.
American Shikoku Ken Club Member Documents
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AKC Titled Shikoku Ken
Kokuun Go Awa Yamainusou CM CAA DCAT (JP)
O’Ikon Tomoko CM (US)
O’Ikon Ijona Kanji CGCA (US)
Minehime Go Awa Yamainusou CA BCAT (JP)
O’Ikon Kisara DCAT (US)
Genjirou Go Areyarisu CAA BCAT (US)
Hibiki Go Areyarisu CAX DCAT (US)
Daisuke Juushiro Go Kasatorisou CM3 (NL)
Hidetsugu Go Hirota Sampousou CGC (JP)
Berkana Pride G-Tetsuko TKA (RU)
Berkana Pride Good Bear CM RN BCAT CGCU TKI ATT (RU)
Akashima’s Kochi Ken Okami TKN (CA)
Banshuuno Mai Banshuu Nagaikesou CM THD RATN CGC (JP)
Katsumi Go Tairinrousou ATT (TH)
Jikino Kensha No Boeki Go CM CA TKI (FI)
Fudzisan Naoka Usui CA BCAT TKN ATT (RU)
Kuma Etsumi Go Akitsu CGC TKN (US)
Jiki O Toraeru Go Hachidorisou CM BCAT (US)
Jikino Kensha No Puca Go CM CAA CGC TKI (FI)
Himetsuruichimonji Go Miyako Tachibana En CM DCAT CGC TKN (JP)
Hyouryuu Go Sabakujou CM2 (US)
Hanshoume Go Aoiyama Sou CM2 FDC CAA DCAT RATN CGCA CGCU TKI ATT VSWB FITG (US)
Kiyohidemaru Go Hachidorisou TKN (US)
Kaguya Go Aoiyama Sou TKN VSWI (US)
Tensei No Ryuho Go Fukuyama Shidahara TKN VSWB (JP)
Kumomasa Go Aoiyama Sou TKN VSWB (US)
Contact Us
Frequently Asked Questions
How old is the Shikoku Ken breed?
The Shikoku Ken was first standardized by the Nihonken Hozonkai in 1938 as the regional variant of the medium-sized Nihonken from Shikoku island. Shikoku Ken pedigrees on the Pedigree Database go back all the way to this time and the breed founders. We can track nearly all Shikoku Ken pedigrees back to a handful of these breed founders in Japan.Under the Nihonken Hozonkai (NIPPO), the medium-sized Nihonken competed for the same awards until 1982 when the awards were finally split to recognize each breed. At this time, the Shikoku Ken entered FCI recognition. Until this point, medium-sized dogs could be interbred and still considered purebred under the NIPPO system. This may be reflected in some early Shikoku Ken pedigrees but likely due to the Shikoku Ken’s relative isolation, appears to have been somewhat rare.There is some precedence among Japanese dogs breeds to claim that the breeds are thousands of years old, but none of the Japanese breeds were formed or standardized before the 1900s. This is likely due to a reference to the dogs Jomon (10-12,000 years ago) and Yayoi (2300 years ago) brought with them, which formed the Nihonken landrace all of the aboriginal Japanese breeds were developed from. This modern breeds of Japanese dog all bear a strong resemblance to this landrace, likely creating confusion, misunderstanding, and/or generalization of the breed histories.
Do Shikoku Ken have a breed standard?
Yes! The standards can be found on our standards page.
Is the Shikoku Ken a wolfdog?
The Shikoku Ken has sometimes been dubbed the “Japanese Wolfdog” outside of Japan. This has come to lead people to believe or come up with fantastic stories about the wolf heritage of the breed. This may be due to the appearance of the breed and the Shikoku Ken’s relative isolation on Shikoku island, one of the last holdouts of the Japanese (Honshu) wolf. It could also be because of the tales of yamadashi inu from the Kii peninsula, where hunters allegedly staked their bitches in season out in the corners of fields or the wilderness to be bred to wild wolves.Ultimately, the Shikoku Ken is not a wolfdog and has no closer heritage linking it to the wolf than other Japanese breeds. Recent peer reviewed work even suggests that the Honshu wolf was either a remnant population of isolated ice age wolf which is genetically closer to our domestic dogs, or even a relative of the Australian Dingo, rather than a wolf how we view them in North America or Europe.It’s an impressive fairytale to include in telling the story of the Shikoku Ken, but beware of any breeder selling a puppy owner on the breed’s alleged “wolf heritage” or this wolf connection. The Shikoku Ken is not a wolf and should not act or look like a wolf. In the USA, where wolfdogs and wolf mixes are illegal in some states, referring to the breed as a wolfdog can be dangerous and can result in a misunderstanding that may harm a dog or have them removed from their home.The Shikoku Ken is Not a Wolfdog (Shigeru Kato, Nihonken.co)
How are Shikoku Ken with other dogs?
Adult Shikoku Ken have a tendency to being dog selective, meaning they may love some dogs, be tolerant of others, and completely dislike some altogether. This can be alarming for owners who start with a social, dog-loving Shikoku puppy who starts showing signs of sensitivity or reactivity to other dogs as they mature.Shikoku Ken can generally acclimate and interact well with the dogs they are raised with as long as they are taught how to respect their housemate’s boundaries. The breed is socially motivated, and the average Shikoku Ken wants to know they are doing things that their companions enjoy – whether they be dog or human. However, they can also be a dog which chases adrenaline and any reaction may equal a good reaction to Shikoku Ken young and old. A Shikoku Ken can benefit from a healthy relationship from a tolerant older dog who can teach them the ropes without overreacting to the poking and prodding a boundary-pressing Shikoku Ken can be prone to.Dogs bred for the traits which make excellent boar hounds can also create dogs which can be challenging with strange dogs. Reactivity toward other animals can occur even in well bred Shikoku Ken and may persist until maturity. Early training and socialization can mitigate this behavior, but new owners should be prepared for a dog who may be leash reactive for their juvenile months and years. Kan’i – a required breed trait – can sometimes mean that even adult dogs who are well bred and well trained may continue to be at least mildly reactive throughout their life.Same sex aggression is fairly common in the Shikoku Ken and though some dogs may never develop to become same sex aggressive, those interested in the Shikoku Ken as a companion, especially those who plan on keeping their dog intact, must be prepared for same sex aggression to develop at maturity. Some breeders will not place Shikoku Ken in mixed sex or same sex households because of this.
How will a Shikoku Ken get along with my Shiba Inu?
Success with introducing a Shikoku Ken puppy to a home with an established Shiba Inu depends on a few factors. First, on the Shiba Inu’s personality and the Shikoku Ken’s personality or temperament expectation. Next, on the owner’s level of understanding of canine behavior and communication, but also the ability to effectively support the dogs.Shiba have a tendency to like their personal space and while some enjoy rough play and wrestling, it’s usually on their own terms. Shikoku typically enjoy very rough play and also enjoy pushing buttons, and often have a harder time reading other dogs’ signals that they’ve had enough, or they read those signals and want to see how far they can push until they get a reaction. If the owner has the more hands off approach and puts the Shiba in situations where they have to “teach the other dog a lesson” it can poison the relationship between the two dogs. The Shiba may become more and more sensitive to the presence of the Shikoku, and the Shikoku will begin to react back to the Shiba’s corrections rather than respecting the corrections and learning from them.This tends to be much more problematic if the dogs are all same-sex rather than in opposite sex pairs. Where you might have loud arguments between a male and female, it can turn into a full on fight between two males or two females due to the tendency for same sex aggression in the Shiba Inu and Shikoku Ken. Prospective owners could find that some breeders may not be comfortable placing Shikoku Ken puppies in mixed sex households or will only place opposite sex dogs for this reason.