Shikoku vs Miniature Poodle - Breed Comparison | Petzlover

Shikoku vs Miniature Poodle - Breed ComparisonMiniature Poodle is originated from Germany but Shikoku is originated from Japan. Miniature Poodle may grow 11 cm / 5 inches higher than Shikoku. Miniature Poodle may weigh 45 kg / 99 pounds lesser than Shikoku. Both Miniature Poodle and Shikoku has almost same life span. Both Miniature Poodle and Shikoku has same litter size. Both Miniature Poodle and Shikoku requires Moderate Maintenance.

Basic Information

Group:
Non sporting dog
Sporting dog
undefined
Germany
Japan
Height Male:
28 - 38 cm
11 - 15 inches
17 - 27 cm
6 - 11 inches
Height Female:
28 - 38 cm
11 - 15 inches
14 - 24 cm
5 - 10 inches
Weight Male:
7 - 8 kg
15 - 18 pounds
42 - 53 kg
92 - 117 pounds
Weight Female:
7 - 8 kg
15 - 18 pounds
40 - 50 kg
88 - 111 pounds
Life Span:
14 - 16 Years
13 - 15 Years
Litter Size:
2 - 6
4 - 6
Size:
Small
Medium
Other Names:
Mini Poo, Barbone, Caniche
Kochi-ken • Shikoku-Ken
Colors Available:
Cream, black, silver, beige, brown or apricot
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:
Curly, springy and dense
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, Energetic, Friendly, Gentle, Independent, Intelligent, Lively, Loving, Loyal, Outgoing, Playful, Protective, Responsive, Social, Stubborn, Sweet, Territorial
Affectionate, Courageous, Independent, Intelligent, Lively, Loving, Loyal, Protective, Quiet, Stubborn
Grooming:
Moderate Maintenance
Moderate Maintenance
Trainability:
Easy
Easy
Hypoallergenic:
Yes
No
Kids Friendly:
Yes
No
New Owners Friendly:
Yes
Yes

History

miniature poodleThe Poodle is no stranger to the dog world and has been a familiar face in Western Europe for hundreds of years. Though they have lived in Europe for centuries, their origins are unsure, with some saying they hail from Germany and others say France.

The Miniature Poodles have been used in both countries as gundogs for water birds.

They have always been admired for their intelligence, and Miniature Poodles are believed to have been bred from Standard Poodles. It is interesting to note the 3 official sizes of the Poodle are Toy, Miniature and Standard – all considered one breed and judged according to the same written standard, just with different size requirements.

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

miniature poodle puppy - descriptionWith good care the lifespan of the Miniature Poodle is 14 – 16 years of age. This purebreed dog is small, standing at 28 – 38cm in height and weighing 7 – 8kg.

The coat is typically curly, springy and dense. Colors of the coat can be cream, beige, silver, black, brown or apricot. They are low shedding dogs and are regarded as being hypoallergenic. The ears are floppy and the tail is usually docked to give the dog a nice, compact look.

Temperament:

The Miniature Poodle is intelligent and learns easily, so you won’t have any trouble with training him and having him socialized.

He is a lively dog and loves a game and a walk, loving as much time as possible spent with his human family. He gets on well with other pets in the home as well as with children who have been taught to be kind and gentle with animals.

They are not overly-friendly with strangers, and therefore make excellent watchdogs. They’re the kind of dogs who need both physical and mental stimulation though, and he won’t be content to be left and ignored – after all he counts himself as a member of your family! They make wonderful pets, being playful and energetic and loving water, always ready to swim with you.

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

miniature poodle dog - characteristicsWhen you take a Miniature Poodle into your home and your heart, there are many wonderful positive aspects that come with him.

You won’t have any trouble training him as he is clever and bright. He is such a loving, loyal pet and he takes his job of guarding you seriously too.

Because they aren’t aggressive, they're easy to keep in the city or the countryside, so long as he receives plenty of love, companionship and exercise. Perhaps the only thing that may require a little bit of effort on your part is the fact that his coat will require quite a bit of upkeep to keep it looking good and healthy.

In exchange for looking after him, you’re going to benefit from having a wonderful canine friend and family pet in your life for many years.

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

miniature poodle puppies - health problemsDog’s thrive on good nutrition and exercise, and if your Miniature Poodle gets both of these combined with plenty of love, he can live to be up to 16 years of age and even older.

They are robust little dogs, but even so, they can get sick. Ear infections, joint diseases, obesity, dental disease and bloat are common dog diseases to look out for -

Bloat:

This is a life-threatening condition where your pet’s stomach fills with gas. The swollen stomach puts pressure on the diaphragm and the dog battles to breathe. The dog could also vomit, be drooling and lethargic.

The stomach can also twist putting the dog in shock. This bloating can occur with any dog breed and efforts can be made to avoid it by feeding the dog smaller more frequent meals as opposed to one larger meal which he gobbles up.

The dog shouldn’t exercise immediately after a meal either. You also want to avoid obesity at all costs.

Mitral Valve Disease:

When the mitral valve malfunctions, blood isn’t being pumped out of the heart to the rest of the body. If the mitral valve weakens or leaks it can lead to endocarditis.

Quite a number of dogs develop some form of heart disease during their lifetime, with a high percentage being due to mitral valve insufficiency, which is more common in smaller dogs.

Your dog may have a cough, be lethargic and lose weight. The first signs of a leaking mitral valve is a heart murmur. At first MVI doesn’t have obvious clinical signs, but with time the efficiency of the heart is reduced and congestive heart failure develops. Your veterinarian will evaluate your pet and suggest treatment.

Sebaceous Adenitis:

A skin problem sounds fairly mild but it can cause havoc in your pet’s life, causing him to be constantly licking and scratching himself. The hair becomes dull and brittle, and breaking the skin from continuous scratching invites bacterial infection. These skin infections will require veterinary intervention.

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

Grooming:

miniature poodle dogs - caringIf you opt to keep your Miniature Poodle’s coat long, it will actually require regular brushing – every day in fact, if you want to avoid matting and tangling. Most people don’t like the work this involves and they have their Poodle’s hair cut short all over, then he only needs a brush once or twice a week. Your Miniature Poodle just loves the time you spend with him grooming him. It’s your time to feel for any unusual lumps and to also check for fleas and ticks. Some people take their pet to the doggy parlor to have the coat clipped.

The dog’s nails should also be trimmed regularly, and their ears also need to be checked for wax buildup and debris which can lead to an ear infection.

Teeth need to be checked over too because dental disease won’t only lead to loss of teeth but it could be toxic for important body organs too.

Wipe around your pet’s eyes as tear stains can form under the eyes.

Make sure to feed your pet a top quality diet full of vitamins and minerals. Get to know the foods which can be toxic for your pet and cause stomach upsets. Dogs appreciate simplicity and consistency with their diets, and apart from dry kibble, home-made food such as boiled chicken, brown rice and vegetables can be excellent for your pet.

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

  1. Shikoku vs English Bulldog - Breed Comparison
  2. Shikoku vs German Shepherd - Breed Comparison
  3. Shikoku vs Golden Retriever - Breed Comparison
  4. Shikoku vs Labrador Retriever - Breed Comparison
  5. Shikoku vs West Highland White Terrier - Breed Comparison
  6. Shikoku vs French Bulldog - Breed Comparison
  7. Shikoku vs Beagle - Breed Comparison
  8. Shikoku vs Yorkshire Terrier - Breed Comparison
  9. Shikoku vs Poodle - Breed Comparison
  10. Shikoku vs Rottweiler - Breed Comparison
  11. Shikoku vs Boxer - Breed Comparison
  12. Shikoku vs English Pointer - Breed Comparison
  13. Shikoku vs Siberian Husky - Breed Comparison
  14. Shikoku vs Doberman Pinscher - Breed Comparison
  15. Shikoku vs American Bully - Breed Comparison
  16. Shikoku vs Abruzzenhund - Breed Comparison
  17. Shikoku vs Affenpinscher - Breed Comparison
  18. Shikoku vs Afghan Hound - Breed Comparison
  19. Shikoku vs Aidi - Breed Comparison
  20. Shikoku vs Airedale Terrier - Breed Comparison
  21. Shikoku vs Akbash Dog - Breed Comparison
  22. Shikoku vs Akita - Breed Comparison
  23. Shikoku vs Africanis - Breed Comparison
  24. Shikoku vs Askal - Breed Comparison
  25. Shikoku vs Atlas Terrier - Breed Comparison
  26. Miniature Poodle vs English Bulldog - Breed Comparison
  27. Miniature Poodle vs German Shepherd - Breed Comparison
  28. Miniature Poodle vs Golden Retriever - Breed Comparison
  29. Miniature Poodle vs Labrador Retriever - Breed Comparison
  30. Miniature Poodle vs West Highland White Terrier - Breed Comparison
  31. Miniature Poodle vs French Bulldog - Breed Comparison
  32. Miniature Poodle vs Beagle - Breed Comparison
  33. Miniature Poodle vs Yorkshire Terrier - Breed Comparison
  34. Miniature Poodle vs Poodle - Breed Comparison
  35. Miniature Poodle vs Rottweiler - Breed Comparison
  36. Miniature Poodle vs Boxer - Breed Comparison
  37. Miniature Poodle vs English Pointer - Breed Comparison
  38. Miniature Poodle vs Siberian Husky - Breed Comparison
  39. Miniature Poodle vs Doberman Pinscher - Breed Comparison
  40. Miniature Poodle vs American Bully - Breed Comparison
  41. Miniature Poodle vs Abruzzenhund - Breed Comparison
  42. Miniature Poodle vs Affenpinscher - Breed Comparison
  43. Miniature Poodle vs Afghan Hound - Breed Comparison
  44. Miniature Poodle vs Aidi - Breed Comparison
  45. Miniature Poodle vs Airedale Terrier - Breed Comparison
  46. Miniature Poodle vs Akbash Dog - Breed Comparison
  47. Miniature Poodle vs Akita - Breed Comparison
  48. Miniature Poodle vs Africanis - Breed Comparison
  49. Miniature Poodle vs Askal - Breed Comparison
  50. Miniature Poodle vs Atlas Terrier - Breed Comparison