Shikoku

FCI standard Nº 319

Origin
Japan
Group
Group 5 Spitz and primitive type
Section
Section 5 Asian Spitz and related breeds
Working
Without working trial
Acceptance on a definitive basis by the FCI
Monday 01 February 1982
Publication of the official valid standard
Sunday 30 October 2016
Last update
Friday 10 February 2017
En français, cette race se dit
Shikoku
Diese Norm ist in deutscher Sprache sichtbar
Shikoku
En español, esta raza se dice
Shikoku
In het Nederlands, wordt dit ras gezegd
Shikoku

Usage

Hunting dog, companion.

Brief historical summary

This breed goes back to medium-sized dogs that existed in Japan in ancient times. The Shikoku was bred as a hunting dog, mainly for hunting boar in the mountainous districts of Kochi Prefecture. It is sometimes called « Kochi-ken » (ken = dog). There were three varieties of this breed-Awa, Hongawa and Hata-all named after the area where they were bred. Among them, the Hongawa maintained the highest degree of purity, because the breeding area was not easily accessible from anywhere. These dogs are tough and sufficiently agile to run through a montainous region. They are characterized by their sesame coloured coats. The breed took on the name of the region and was designated as a « natural monument » in 1937.

General appearance

A medium-sized dog with well balanced and well developed clean cut muscles. It has pricked ears and a curled or sickle tail. Conformation : strong, well-boned and compact.

Important proportions

The ratio of height at withers to length of body is 10 : 11.

Behaviour / temperament

A dog of marked endurance, keen in sense with a naive feeling, energetic and highly alert; an enthusiastic hunter; docile towards his master.

Head

Cranial region

Skull
Forehead broad. 
Stop
Shallow, but defined.

Facial region

Nose
Black.
Muzzle
Rather long, wedge-shaped. Nasal bridge straight.
Lips
Tight.
Jaws and teeth
Teeth strong, with a scissor bite.
Cheeks
Well developed.
Eyes
Nearly triangular, not too small, and dark brown in colour. The outer corners of the eyes are slightly upturned.
Ears
Small, triangular, slightly inclining forward and firmly pricked.

Neck

Thick and powerful.

Body

Withers
High, well developed.
Back
Straight and strong.
Loin
Broad and muscular.
Chest
Deep, ribs well sprung.
Underline and belly
Slightly tucked up.

Tail

Set on high, thick and carried over the back vigorously curled or curved like a sickle. The tip nearly reaches the hocks when let down.

Limbs

Forequarters

Shoulders
Moderately sloping with developed muscles.
Upper arm
Forming a moderate angle with shoulder b lade.
Elbows
Set close to the body.
Forearm
Straight and clean cut.
Pastern
Slightly inclining.

Hindquarters

Generality
Powerful, with muscles well developed.
Hock
Moderately angulated and very tough.

Feet

Tightly closed with well arched toes. Pads thick and elastic. Nails hard and black or dark in colour.

Gait and movement

Resilient and light. Action is quick and turning is possible.

Coat

Hair
Outer coat rather harsh and straight, undercoat soft and dense. The hair on the tail is rather long.
Colour
Sesame (well mixture of black, red and white hairs in whole.), red,black and tan.

Size and weight

Height at withers
Dogs 52 cm. Bitches 49 cm. There is a tolerance of +/- 3 cm.

Faults

• Any departure from the foregoing points should be considered a fault and the seriousness with which the fault should be regarded should be in exact proportion to its degree and its effect upon the health and welfare of the dog and its ability to perform its traditional work.
• Faults listed should be in degree of seriousness.

General faults

 Lack of sexual dimorphism.
 Slightly overshot or undershot mouth.
 Long hair.
 Shyness.
 Pinto colour.

Disqualifying faults

 Aggressive or overly shy dogs.
 Extremely overshot or undershot bite.
 Ears not pricked.
 Hanging tail, short tail.

NB :

• Any dog clearly showing physical or behavioural abnormalities shall be disqualified.
• The above mentioned faults when occurring to a highly marked degree or frequently are disqualifying.
• Male animals should have two apparently normal testicles fully descended into the scrotum.
• Only functionally and clinically healthy dogs, with breed typical conformation should be used for breeding.

Bibliography

https://www.fci.be/

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