Breeds / Medium
Shikoku Ken puppies
Loyal, alert and independent, the Shikoku Ken is a Japanese mountain hunting dog that bonds hard to its own household and stays reserved with everyone else.
The facts
- Size class Medium
- Country of origin Japan
- Adult weight 15.9 to 24.9 kg
- Adult weight in pounds 35 to 55 lb
- Adult height 43 to 56 cm
- Energy level Moderate
- Grooming Moderate
- Coat type Short double
- Typical lifespan 10 to 12 years
- Good with children Fine with supervision
- Good with other dogs Fine with supervision
Where these come from:
About the Shikoku Ken
The Shikoku Ken is a Japanese mountain hunting dog from the island it is named after, kept by hunters to track and hold wild boar in steep forest country. It is a medium dog of 15.9 to 24.9 kg and 43 to 56 cm, wiry and light on its feet, with a harsh short double coat, prick ears and a curled tail carried over the back. It is intensely loyal to its own household, alert to everything, and reserved rather than hostile with strangers.
Energy is moderate but it wants purposeful work: hiking, scent games, retrieving and training rather than a stroll round the block. Grooming is weekly, with far more during the heavy seasonal moult. It is rated three out of five with children and other pets, so supervision and early socialisation are essential, and the prey drive makes it a poor bet off lead or around small animals. The common mistake is expecting a biddable spitz, because this breed works for a handler it respects.
What to expect at eight weeks
At eight weeks a Shikoku Ken puppy is sleeping around 18 to 20 hours a day, is not house trained, and cannot hold on for more than an hour or two at a stretch. A medium breed puppy at eight weeks is a manageable armful that will not stay that way. Most of the growth happens between now and six months, so buy for the adult dog where you can. Expect moderate energy, in short bursts separated by long naps. Grooming needs are moderate, so build the brushing habit now while the coat is still short and easy. The socialisation window is open and closing: everything it meets calmly now, from vacuum cleaners to men in hats, is easier for the rest of its life.
Health worth knowing about
Conditions this breed is reported to be predisposed to. Predisposed does not mean inevitable, it means ask about it.
- Hip dysplasia, screened by x-ray evaluation of breeding stock
- Patellar luxation, graded by a veterinary orthopaedic exam
- Inherited eye disease, screened by an ophthalmologist evaluation
- Epilepsy, diagnosed by ruling out other causes of seizures
From Shikoku Ken breed information at https://www.akc.org/dog-breeds/shikoku-ken/. Discuss any of these with your own vet.
Your Shikoku Ken puppy's first six months
- Vaccination schedule, dated for your country.
- Worming and parasite schedule.
- Feeding calculator. Set expected adult size to Medium for a Shikoku Ken.
- Adult size predictor, to check growth against the 15.9 to 24.9 kg adult range.
- Puppy names and the first week checklist.
Other medium breeds
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Not veterinary advice. Breed information is general. Your own dog, and your own vet, always win.