ORIGINJapan.DATE OF PUBLICATION OF THE ORIGINAL VALID STANDARD05.06.1995.UTILIZATIONHunting dog, companion.FCI CLASSIFICATIONGroup 5 Spitz and primitive typeSection 5 Asian Spitz and related breedsWithout working trial.BRIEF HISTORICAL SUMMARYThis 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 APPEARANCEA 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 PROPORTIONSThe ratio of height at withers to length of body is 10 : 11.BEHAVIOUR/TEMPERAMENTA dog of marked endurance, keen in sense with a naive feeling, energetic and highly alert; an enthusiastic hunter; docile towards his master.HEADCRANIAL REGIONForeheadBroad.StopShallow, but defined.FACIAL REGIONNoseBlack, nasal bridge straight.MuzzleRather long, wedge-shaped.LipsTight.TeethStrong, with a scissor bite.CheeksWell developed.EyesRelatively small, triangular, set well arpart, dark brown in colour.EarsSmall, triangular, slightly inclining forward and firmly pricked.NECKThick and powerful.BODYWithersHigh, well developed.BackStraight and strong.LoinsBroad and muscular.ChestDeep, ribs well sprung.BellyWell drawn up.TAILSet on high, thick and carried over the back vigorously curled or curved like a sickle. The tip nearly reaches the hocks when let down.FOREQUARTERSShouldersModerately sloping with developed muscles.ForearmsStraight and clean-cut.ElbowsSet close to the body.PasternsSlightly inclining.HINDQUARTERSPowerful, with muscles well developed.HocksModerately angulated and very tough.FEETTightly closed with well arched toes. Pads hard and elastic. Nails hard and black or dark in colour.GAITResilient, with rather narrow strides, but light. Action is quick and quick turning is possible.COATHairOuter coat rather harsh and straight, undercoat soft and dense. The hair on the tail is rather long.ColourSesame, black sesame and red sesame.SIZEHeight at withersDogs 52 cmBitches 46 cmThere is a tolerance of 3 cm.FAULTSAny departure from the foregoing points should be considered as a fault and the seriousness with which the fault should be regarded should be in exact proportion to its degree.- Shyness.- Slightly overshot or undershot mouth.- Long hair.- Bitchy dogs/doggy bitches.DISQUALIFYING FAULTS- Ears not pricked.- Hanging tail, short tail.- Extremely overshot or undershot bite.N.B.Male animals should have two apparently normal testicles fully descended into the scrotum.
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