Shikoku

Shikoku

Toughagilecurious

The Shikoku is a medium sized dog with erect ears, curled up spitz tail and a square body. Their eyes are almond shaped and brown in color.

Health
Personality
Lifetime Care

Breed Profile

Height

17 - 21

Inches

Weight

35 - 55

Pounds

Life Span

10 – 12

Years

Health

health

Elbow Dysplasia

Affects
25%
of dogs

What is it?:

Elbow Dysplasia is a condition that causes one or both the elbows of the dog to grow abnormally.

Clinical signs

  • Lack of enthusiasm

  • Stiffness in the legs

  • Swollen elbows

  • Limping while walking

  • The elbows may be at a strange angle

Treatment

For the treatment of elbow dysplasia, there are a few options, one of the first ones is to give them anti-inflammatory drugs for the swelling and pain. In severe cases, surgery may be recommended for better results. Physiotherapy, hydrotherapy, or radiotherapy may be given to treat the condition. Joint supplements may also help slow down the progression of arthritis

Eligible vet bill

$4,000

Reimbursement Rate

Amount a Spot accident & illness plan could cover*

$3,600

Your Net payment

$400

Click For Price

*Hypothetical reimbursement examples illustrate reimbursement of an eligible vet bill at the noted reimbursement rate, assuming the annual deductible had already been satisfied and the annual coverage limit has not yet been met. Annual deductible, co-insurance, benefit and coverage limits, and exclusions may apply. Eligibility may vary. Visit https://spotpet.com/spot-sample-policy.pdf for full terms. For Canada enrollments only, reimbursement rate is based on the pet's age.

health

Epilepsy

Affects
12%
of dogs

What is it?:

Epilepsy is a neurological disorder where brain activity is not normal and it can cause seizures, sensations, loss of awareness, or unusual behavior.

Clinical signs

The symptoms of Epilepsy in Shikoku are:

  • Stiffness in the muscles

  • There is a spell of staring

  • Jerking in the arms and legs which may be uncontrollable

  • Unconscious spells

  • Symptoms of psychological distress such as fear, anxiety, and déjà vu

  • The symptoms of Epilepsy may have a particular pattern and repetition

Treatment

Epilepsy is not completely curable. It is a high possibility that your dog may be on medication for the rest of its life. Antiepileptic drug therapy can be given to make sure that the epileptic episodes are reduced over a period of time.

Eligible vet bill

$1,000

Reimbursement Rate

Amount a Spot accident & illness plan could cover*

$900

Your Net payment

$100

Click For Price

*Hypothetical reimbursement examples illustrate reimbursement of an eligible vet bill at the noted reimbursement rate, assuming the annual deductible had already been satisfied and the annual coverage limit has not yet been met. Annual deductible, co-insurance, benefit and coverage limits, and exclusions may apply. Eligibility may vary. Visit https://spotpet.com/spot-sample-policy.pdf for full terms. For Canada enrollments only, reimbursement rate is based on the pet's age.

Personality

Affectionate

The Shikoku may be a reserved dog around strangers but they are affectionate pets and love a good belly rub!

Loyal

They Shikoku is a protective and loyal breed, they would do anything to protect their masters.

Smart

The Shikoku is a smart breed and they are good at playing by themselves. They are fast learners and love to have a good run outdoors.

Lifetime Care

Coat

The Shikoku has a double coat. Despite its thick undercoat and tough outercoat, the coat is soft on the outside.

Colors

The coat of the Shikoku comes in three colors: black, sesame and red. The dog may also have white or cream marks on their legs and body.

Hypoallergenic

No

Grooming

The Shikoku needs and occasional bath to keep themselves clean. Their nails need regular trimming to avoid it from breaking. Their dense, soft fur requires brushing to maintain its health.

Training

The Shikoku are intelligent and fast learners. They require patience as they can be stubborn. They should be taught with a strong command and reward-based method.

The Shikoku dog breed got its name from the place it originated from which is the Shikoku region of Japan which is a mountainous area. This breed was bred around different parts of the island, the Hongava variety is supposed to be the purest breed among the others.

Shikoku: Introduction to the Breed

The Shikoku is a docile and calm dog breed.

Shikoku Dog Breed Physical Characteristics:

  • Erect ears

  • Wedged face

  • Square body

  • Dense fur

Shikoku Dog Breed is best suited for pet owners:

  • Who wants an active companion

  • Who have grown up children

  • Who wants an obedient pet

  • Who has time to train their dog

Things to watch out for before deciding to own a Shikoku Dog

  • The Shikoku may need to be introduced to socializing early on as they can be aloof and stubborn around strangers.

  • The Shikoku is a dignified breed and needs to be around older children who have mutual respect for them.

  • The Shikoku is a hunting dog and needs to be taught how to coexist with other pets so that they are not aggressive toward them

  • The Shikoku needs regular exercise as they are agile and love a good hike or walk in nature.

What should a Shikoku eat?

The Shikoku is an active breed and needs to be given food that has enough proteins to give them energy and build lean muscles. They should be given high-quality dog food, keeping in mind that their weight is maintained. This dog may have a tendency of gaining weight and facing problems like hip dysplasia or arthritis.

Conclusion

The Shikoku may be a hunting dog but they are very good at bonding with their family, which also makes them loyal. They are also a calm and docile breed, who are agile when outdoors. One of the positives about the Shikoku breed is they have no genetic medical conditions which makes them a healthy breed to own. They are good with older children and love interacting with them outdoors. The breed may be stubborn but, they are a great pet to have once trained!

Sources: