🐕 Medium · Japan
The Shikoku is an independent Japanese hunting spitz with a strong hunting drive, keen alertness, and a close, loyal bond with its handler.
The Shikoku was bred in Japan's mountains for wild boar hunting and is accordingly independent, alert, and bold. It forms a very close, loyal bond with its handler but remains reserved and wary of strangers.
This breed needs plenty of daily exercise and the chance to channel its pronounced hunting drive and keen nose in a controlled way, for example through tracking games. Off-leash time should only take place in securely fenced areas because of its hunting tendency and flight risk.
The dense spitz double coat blows heavily twice a year and needs daily brushing during those periods; weekly grooming is otherwise sufficient.
The strong hunting drive and independent, primitive hunting-dog personality make this rare breed more suitable for experienced owners than for beginners.
The Shikoku is considered a robust, healthy breed with few known hereditary disorders; hip dysplasia occurs occasionally.
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This information is for general guidance and does not replace veterinary or breeder advice. Temperament and health vary individually within every breed.
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