Shikoku vs Schipperke - Breed Comparison | Petzlover

Shikoku vs Schipperke - Breed ComparisonSchipperke is originated from Belgium but Shikoku is originated from Japan. Schipperke may grow 6 cm / 3 inches higher than Shikoku. Schipperke may weigh 44 kg / 97 pounds lesser than Shikoku. Both Schipperke and Shikoku has same life span. Both Schipperke and Shikoku has almost same litter size. Schipperke requires Low Maintenance. But Shikoku requires Moderate Maintenance

Basic Information

Group:
Companion dog
Sporting dog
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Belgium
Japan
Height Male:
25 - 33 cm
9 - 13 inches
17 - 27 cm
6 - 11 inches
Height Female:
25 - 33 cm
9 - 13 inches
14 - 24 cm
5 - 10 inches
Weight Male:
3 - 9 kg
6 - 20 pounds
42 - 53 kg
92 - 117 pounds
Weight Female:
3 - 9 kg
6 - 20 pounds
40 - 50 kg
88 - 111 pounds
Life Span:
13 - 15 Years
13 - 15 Years
Litter Size:
2 - 7
4 - 6
Size:
Small
Medium
Other Names:
Spitzke
Kochi-ken • Shikoku-Ken
Colors Available:
Solid colors - chocolate to apricot to black.
and red sesame (ground color of red mixed with black hairs)., black sesame (more black than white hairs), Sesame (equal mix of black and white hairs)
Coat:
Shortish and thick
Sesame (equal mix of black and white hairs), black sesame (more black than white hairs), and red sesame (ground color of red mixed with black hairs).
Shedding:
Minimal
Seasonal
Temperament:
Affectionate, Alert, Cheerful, Courageous, Curious, Docile, Energetic, Friendly, Gentle, Independent, Intelligent, Lively, Loving, Loyal, Outgoing, Playful, Protective, Quiet, Responsive, Social, Stubborn, Sweet, Territorial
Affectionate, Courageous, Independent, Intelligent, Lively, Loving, Loyal, Protective, Quiet, Stubborn
Grooming:
Low Maintenance
Moderate Maintenance
Trainability:
Easy
Easy
Hypoallergenic:
No
No
Kids Friendly:
Yes
No
New Owners Friendly:
Yes
Yes

History

schipperkeThe Schipperke is a small dog which hails from Belguim and where he is known as a Spitz.

There are however different theories regarding the Schipperke’s origin. It was however during the late 1800s, that Belgian Schipperke fanciers set a standard for the breed.

It was in 1888 that the first Schipperke was imported to the United States and a specialty club for the breed founded in 1905.

shikokuThe Shikoku is from the Shikoku Island in Japan and they are very much like the Japanese Shiba Inu. There are six native Japanese dog breeds and the Shikoku is medium sized and sits in between the smaller Shiba Inu and the very large Akita Inu. All of the Japanese native breeds are members of the Spitz family. The Japanese have sorted their six breeds into 3 categories by size. Being medium size, the Shikoku is a member of the Shika-inus group. Others in this group are the Ainu Ken, the Kai Ken and the Kishu Inu. There are small differences between the three dogs in the Shika-inus group.

The Shikoku was bred to be a hunting dog in Kochi Prefecture to hunt boar and deer. Other names for the breed include Kochi-ken and Kishu dog or boar hound. This dog is considered to be the purest of the Japanese native dogs or Nihoken. They are today very , very rare. There are very few outsides of Japan, but some in North America are attempting to save the breed.

The are od Kochi Prefecture is a mountainous region with rough terrain that anyone outside of the area would have a hard time accessing. That is why the Shikoku is considered to be so pure as they were pretty well isolated in the mountains. The breeders were also isolated by the mountains and there was very little interbreeding. Although breeding the same dog, these different groups developed different lines of the Shikoku.

Documentation tells us that the number of originals lines was just two and these were the Western and Eastern Shikoku. The Western dog was known as the Mount Ishizuchi Shikoku and the Eastern as the Mount Tsurugi Shikoku. Within these two lines of Shikoku there are additional strains.

Within the Eastern line there is the Tokushima (lya) and the Koci-Aki strains. Within the Western line there is the Hata Uwahara, the Ehime-ken Shuso-gun and the Honkawa. Among these lines and strains, there are different coats and different colors; some heavier and some taller, but all figure into the development of the breed.

Finally, in the Showa Era the Japanese established the Dog Protective League and they began collecting the native dogs from around the country. They protected them so that the breed will go on. The Shikoku is today recognized as Foundation Stock by the AKC and it is fully recognized by the Japan Kennel Club, the Canadian Hound Club and the Shikoku has been declared a living Japanese “natural monument”.

Two bloodlines became the way the Shikoku were know after the war – the Honkawa and the Hata lines The Honkawa line were the descendants of the Choshun-go and the Hata line were the descendants of the Matsukaze-go. They bred the lines separately until 1955, when they mixed them to make the breed stronger. They are no longer considered separate in any way.

Because they are such primitive dogs, the Shikoku are good watch dogs and quite reserved with strangers. They need a lot of socialization to be a family pet but once they are, they make great companions. Intelligent, quick to learn and eager to please. Of the two lines of Shikoku dogs from the Western strains, the current Shikoku owes much of its current development to the Honkawa and Hata strains.

The Shikoku are recognized by the following organizations.

The American Canine Association Inc.

The United Kennel Club.

The Canadian Kennel Club.

The American Rare Breed Association

The AKC Foundation Stock Service Program.

The Japanese Kennel Club.

The Dog Registry of America Inc.

Description

schipperke puppy - descriptionThis little Belgian dog stands at between 25 and 33cm in height and weighs between 3 and 9kg.

The double coat of the dog is fairly short, but thick and it comes in a range of colors, but always solid, from chocolate to apricot to black.

A typical characteristic of his is the longer-haired ruff around his neck. He also has this longer hair around the hind legs. He has sharp, erect ears and the tail is a natural bobtail or long. Most people choose to have the tail docked.

Temperament:

These little dogs are no pushover. He is stubborn, strong-willed and confident. They are lively, intelligent, curious and energetic and will require plenty of exercise.

Small though he is, he will certainly need training and socialization, otherwise he just goes his own way. Training him will ensure he is obedient and not so strong-willed. They get on well with children, but they tend to be aggressive with other dogs that they haven’t grown up with.

Bring him up the right way and he makes a splendid pet.

shikoku puppy - descriptionToday’s Shikoku is a medium sized breed with a Spitz like body – square with a head that is wedge shaped. The ears are pointed, and the tail is curved and feathered. They have arched toes and hard pads with dark, hard nails.

The two lines of the Shikoku are slightly different in built and look. The Honkawa strain is slender and athletic; agile and single coated. They have dark eyes and most of them are black and tan.

On the other hand, the Hata strain is much heavier boned, with the front more muscular than the rear. They have small ears, a wide skull and a strong undercoat. His eyes are shaped differently than the Honkawa. Their coats are also mostly red and tan.

Characteristics

schipperke dog - characteristicsWith his bright little face, the Schipperke dog is a surprising dog, being fearless, confident, protective and devoted – everything people looking for in an excellent pet want.

His small size makes him able to slot into life in the city or the countryside. He is also looked upon as low maintenance. Add to this the fact that he is intelligent too. He is a feisty dog, and that’s why we say he is surprising because while he can be your sweet companion dog, he can turn into a robust, feisty, daring little panther. He’s got everything going for him to make you a splendid pet.

shikoku dog - characteristics1.Children friendliness – They might be a little aloof with children. They are hunters.

2.Special talents – speed and endurance.

3.Adaptability with your commitment to exercise they can live anywhere even in an apartment.

4.Learning ability - highly intelligent fast learners

Health Problems

schipperke puppies - health problemsThe Schipperke has no real health problems that he specifically gets, and he can live to be 13 years or older.

Over-feeding, bad food choices and lack of exercise are going to shorten the lifespan of this dog. Some dog illnesses to be aware of with the Schipperke is cancer, bloat, epilepsy, dental problems and luxating patella.

Luxating Patella:

This is a condition where the knee cap of the dog moves out of its natural position. The patella moving out of the normal groove of the thigh bone can be because of genetic or traumatic reasons.

The symptoms of luxating patella include limping, skipping along as well as an abnormal sitting posture. Arthritis can also set in. Strangely, many small dogs live all their lives with luxating patella and they live like that free of pain. However for many other dogs it can mean pain and it can require surgery.

shikoku puppies - health problemsBeing isolated as they were, the Shikoku was a fairly healthy breed, no genetic testing has been done. Despite this they suffer a few of the same potential issues as other breeds their size.

  • Hip, knee and elbow dysplasia.
  • Food allergies.
  • Gland infections.
  • Digestive or urinary infections and issues.

Otherwise this is an agile and hardy breed with no known congenital health issues.

Caring The Pet

Diet:

schipperke dogs - caringDry kibble is always a good choice for dogs as its helps to keep the dog’s teeth clean. You want to make sure you buy one of the best quality foods, full of minerals and vitamins as opposed to fillers, colorants and preservatives. The food you give your Schipperke can have a huge impact on his health.

Your puppy will require 4 meals a day but later this becomes 2 bowls of food. To add some variety to your pet’s diet, feed him some home made food occasionally which can be added to his dry kibble twice a week.

Boiled chicken, brown rice or pasta and spinach, sweet potatoes and carrots are a healthy choice for your Schipperke.

Try and include some raw meat into the diet as this can help in fighting off horrible skin diseases. Make sure he has constant access to fresh, cool water.

General care:

Ensure regular vet checks for your dog, particularly when he is showing signs of being sick.

Check your pet for ticks and fleas. Parasites can be very bad for your pet’s health. Your dog will need all his vaccines to stave off deadly canine illnesses.

Brush your Schipperke twice a week to make sure you get rid of loose hairs. A Schipperke doesn’t shed a lot.

Keep his nails trimmed. If you are unsure on how to do this, professional groomers can do this for you.

Ears and eyes should also be checked.

He’s an energetic little dog so make sure that he gets lot of excellent forms of exercise from walking to hikes to ball games, frisbee – you name it, you won’t tire him out easily.

shikoku dogs - caringFeeding the puppy Be careful with feeding the puppy and adult as the breed is known to have a tendency toward obesity. Fresh food is better as it is what the breed has been used to, but a high quality puppy kibble is acceptable. Feed three times per day.

2.Feeding the adult He is a high energy dog so feed a high energy food designed for a medium sized dog. Feed in two meals each day.

3.Points for Good Health The breed has remarkable endurance.

4. Games and Exercises You will need a fenced yard for this breed and time to play with them. If not, you would need time to walk her more than once a day. They love to play indoors as well, chasing balls, learning new things. The breed make great companions for hiking, swimming, play frisbee or catch outside. They do well at agility, rally, obedience and flyball.

Comparison with other breeds

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  26. Shikoku vs English Bulldog - Breed Comparison
  27. Shikoku vs German Shepherd - Breed Comparison
  28. Shikoku vs Golden Retriever - Breed Comparison
  29. Shikoku vs Labrador Retriever - Breed Comparison
  30. Shikoku vs West Highland White Terrier - Breed Comparison
  31. Shikoku vs French Bulldog - Breed Comparison
  32. Shikoku vs Beagle - Breed Comparison
  33. Shikoku vs Yorkshire Terrier - Breed Comparison
  34. Shikoku vs Poodle - Breed Comparison
  35. Shikoku vs Rottweiler - Breed Comparison
  36. Shikoku vs Boxer - Breed Comparison
  37. Shikoku vs English Pointer - Breed Comparison
  38. Shikoku vs Siberian Husky - Breed Comparison
  39. Shikoku vs Doberman Pinscher - Breed Comparison
  40. Shikoku vs American Bully - Breed Comparison
  41. Shikoku vs Abruzzenhund - Breed Comparison
  42. Shikoku vs Affenpinscher - Breed Comparison
  43. Shikoku vs Afghan Hound - Breed Comparison
  44. Shikoku vs Aidi - Breed Comparison
  45. Shikoku vs Airedale Terrier - Breed Comparison
  46. Shikoku vs Akbash Dog - Breed Comparison
  47. Shikoku vs Akita - Breed Comparison
  48. Shikoku vs Africanis - Breed Comparison
  49. Shikoku vs Askal - Breed Comparison
  50. Shikoku vs Atlas Terrier - Breed Comparison