Shikoku
四國犬
Updated 2026-09-09
At a glance
The Shikoku Ken (Kōchi-ken) is one of Japan's six native breeds and a designated natural monument — a medium-sized, sesame- or red-coated boar-hunting dog from the mountains of Kōchi Prefecture, standardised by NIPPO in 1937 and still bred to its standard. The FCI standard describes a dog of marked endurance, keen in sense with a naive feeling, energetic and highly alert, an enthusiastic hunter that is docile towards its master. The American parent club is candid that Shikoku are handler-soft, reactive with animals and sometimes strangers, dog-selective as adults with fairly common same-sex aggression, and that epilepsy is well known in certain lines — questions to put to any breeder.
Facts
| Size | Medium |
|---|---|
| Height | 43–56cm |
| Weight | 16–25kg |
| Life expectancy | 10–12years |
| Breed group | AKC: fss FCI: 5 |
| Role | Hound |
| Coat | Double coat |
| Shedding | 3/ 5 |
| Exercise | 45–90min/day |
| Can be left alone | up to 4 hours |
| Companionship need | 3/ 5 |
| Trainability | 3/ 5 |
| Barking | 3/ 5 |
| Good with children | 3/ 5 |
| Good with other dogs | 3/ 5 |
| Heat tolerance | 2/ 5 |
| Cold tolerance | 5/ 5 |
Health
This page is general information compiled from published sources. It is not veterinary, legal or purchase advice. Dogs vary within a breed — talk to a vet or a reputable breeder about the dog in front of you.
Health notes are not veterinary advice. Conditions listed are those reported for the breed, not a diagnosis of any dog. Always consult a veterinarian.
Epilepsy
The parent club says epilepsy is well known and observed within certain Shikoku Ken lines and that breeder knowledge is paramount to preventing it; it advises prospective homes to ask their breeder about epilepsy and what support and recourse owners would have. Ask your vet promptly if your dog has a seizure.
Hip dysplasia
The parent club says hip dysplasia and other degenerative joint diseases are observed in the Shikoku Ken, that breeding stock is screened by PennHIP or OFA, and that bitches with hip dysplasia are at increased risk of worsening joint disease. Ask your breeder for the parents' hip results and your vet about hip screening.
Panosteitis (growing pains)
Panosteitis (shifting lameness in growing dogs) is reported in the breed. Ask your vet if a young dog is intermittently lame.
Immune-mediated conditions
The parent club lists immune-mediated polyarthritis (IMPA), in which white blood cells attack the joints, among the breed's serious health concerns. Ask your vet if your dog has shifting lameness, swollen joints or unexplained fever.
Lysosomal storage disease
The parent club reports lysosomal storage disease — known as gangliosidosis in the Shiba Inu — in the breed; it is always fatal and there is currently no cure and no breeding test for Shikoku Ken. Ask your breeder what is known about it in their lines.
Behaviour
Kan'i, ryōsei, soboku — spirited, good-natured, artless
The FCI standard describes the Shikoku as a dog of marked endurance, keen in sense with a naive feeling, energetic and highly alert, an enthusiastic hunter and docile towards its master. The parent club explains the three NIPPO temperament ideals — kan'i (spirit and tenacity), ryōsei (good nature) and soboku (artlessness) — and notes that Shikoku think quickly on their feet, a breed trait rather than a flaw, which makes them an excellent "try it" dog for performance sports or a weekend-warrior companion.
Handler-soft, dog-selective, needs an advocate
The parent club says Shikoku Ken are handler-soft dogs that do not need harsh or militant methods — too many corrections or failures may make them shut down or become contentious — so owners must offer gentle but consistent support and be prepared to advocate for their dog. They tend to be somewhat reactive with animals and sometimes strangers, need careful socialisation and training as youngsters to become neutral, sound adults, are often dog-selective as adults, and same-sex aggression is fairly common. Some are notoriously fussy eaters.
Training and barking
AKC trait chart: trainability 3/5, barking level 3/5. Individual dogs vary; early socialisation and reward-based training are recommended for every breed.
Official guidance
Summaries of official documents are ours; the source is linked. Breed standards, laws and licensing rules change — check the issuing body for the current version.
American Kennel Club — Shikoku Ken
Breed overview, breed-trait chart, history, official standard summary and health notes from the AKC and the national parent club.
Read the sourceAccessed 2026-09-09
Canadian Kennel Club — Shikoku (Hounds)
Origin, temperament, activity level, height/weight, coat and grooming as described by the Canadian Kennel Club.
Read the sourceAccessed 2026-09-09
FCI nomenclature — Shikoku (standard no. 319, group 5)
FCI breed nomenclature entry with the official breed standard PDF in English, French, German and Spanish.
Read the sourceAccessed 2026-09-09
What owners say
Owner advice is quoted from public community posts and reflects those owners' opinions, not PocketPaw's position. It is unverified and not a substitute for professional advice. Each item links to where it was said.
“The American Shikoku Ken Club tells prospective homes to talk to their breeder about epilepsy before buying and to find out what support and recourse they would have; to expect a handler-soft dog that shuts down under heavy correction and needs an owner who will advocate for it; and to plan careful early socialisation because adults are often dog-selective, with same-sex aggression fairly common. In return you get a quick-thinking, spirited dog that is an excellent "try it" partner for performance sports.”
— American Shikoku Ken Club — The Shikoku Ken via breed clubWorldwide2026-09-09
Sources
- [1]Shikoku Ken — Dog Breed Information — American Kennel Club (Accessed 2026-09-09)
- [2]Shikoku — Choosing a Breed — Canadian Kennel Club (Accessed 2026-09-09)
- [3]Shikoku — FCI standard no. 319 — Fédération Cynologique Internationale (Accessed 2026-09-09)
- [4]How do I help my dog adjust to spending time alone? — The Royal Kennel Club (Accessed 2026-09-09)
- [5]Incidence and risk factors for heat-related illness (heatstroke) in UK dogs under primary veterinary care in 2016 (Hall, Carter & O'Neill, Scientific Reports 10:9128) — Nature / Scientific Reports (Accessed 2026-09-09)
- [6]FCI-Standard No. 319 — Shikoku, 10.02.2017 — Fédération Cynologique Internationale (Accessed 2026-09-09)
- [7]The Shikoku Ken — health and temperament sections, American Shikoku Ken Club — American Shikoku Ken Club (Accessed 2026-09-09)
Still have questions?
Ask owners on the PawMunity forum — every breed has its own board.
Breed data compiled by PocketPaw from the sources credited on each entry. Text and layout © 2026 NextPath Solutions Limited. Please link to a page rather than copying it.