Breeds / Medium
Shikoku Ken puppies
Loyal, alert and independent, the Shikoku Ken is a Japanese mountain hunting dog that bonds hard to their 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
- Shedding Moderate
- Typical lifespan 10 to 12 years
- Good with children Fine with supervision
- Good with other dogs Fine with supervision
About the Shikoku Ken
The Shikoku Ken is a Japanese mountain hunting dog from the island the breed is named after, kept by hunters to track and hold wild boar in steep forest country. This is a medium dog of 15.9 to 24.9 kg and 43 to 56 cm, wiry and light on their feet, with a harsh short double coat, prick ears and a curled tail carried over the back. They are intensely loyal to their own household, alert to everything, and reserved rather than hostile with strangers.
Energy is moderate but they want 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. They are rated three out of five with children and other pets, so supervision and early socialisation are essential, and the prey drive makes them a poor bet off lead or around small animals. Respect is the currency here: this breed works for a handler they respect, so do not expect a biddable spitz.
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 they meet calmly now, from vacuum cleaners to men in hats, is easier for the rest of their 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
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.
Kit sizes: crate 36 inch (36 x 24 x 26 in, 91 x 61 x 66 cm) for an adult of up to 24.9 kg; chew toys made for medium breeds. Worked out the same way as the crate size calculator. PetMD bases a crate on the dog's own measurements, not weight or breed alone, so measure once the puppy is home.
Buying guides for this
Other medium breeds
American Cocker Spaniel
American Pit Bull Terrier
American Staffordshire Terrier
American Water Spaniel
Aussiedoodle
Australian Cattle Dog
More on the Shikoku Ken
Previous: Shih-Poo · Next: Shorkie
Not veterinary advice. Breed information is general. Your own dog, and your own vet, always win.
Sources
- akc.org for adult weight and height, life expectancy, energy, grooming, shedding and the temperament ratings, coat type and health notes
- fci.be for country of origin
- Health notes from Shikoku Ken breed information at https://www.akc.org/dog-breeds/shikoku-ken/. Discuss any of these with your own vet.
Photo: Canarian, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons, cropped. All photographers are listed on the photo credits page.