SHIKOKU

In Japan, its native country, it is called kochi-ken. Kochi, because that is the name of the mountain it is bred in, and ken, which means dog in Japanese. It is classified in three different ways, awa, hongawa and nata, and the only reason of this difference is the birth location of these dogs, they were forefathers of the famous tosa inu. As other Japanese breeds, this was also officially declared a Natural Monument in 1937.

The shiba inu is not a prolific animal since it only has three or four puppies per litter; that is why they need a few more years to have a significant reproduction.

PHYSICAL TRAITS of the SHIKOKU
It has a medium size, with a height of 52 cm corresponding to males and 45 cm in females, and a solid and balanced musculature. The forehead is with, the stop is defined but shallow, the muzzle is wedge shaped and the straight nose has a black nose. The eyes in this breed are triangular shapes, relatively small size and dark color; the eyes are V shapes, small, erect and tilted slightly forward. The medium length hair is rough and always bicolor in gray and White, gray and black or gray and red colors.

TEMPERAMENT AND ADAPTATION of the SHIKOKU
The Shikoku has a dynamic and attentive temperament in which also a lively intelligence stands out, which makes its training and adaptation rule learning very easy. It is very docile and obedient which makes it an excellent company dog.

The hongawa was the one that kept the highest purity degree. The reason of its existence is due to the area’s difficult access, which named it.

EXERCISE AND CARE required for a SHIKOKU
It is a very strong dog, which is what makes caring for this dog very easy: it is enough to brush it regularly, giving it a balanced diet and provide it with time and space so it can exercise daily.