Remember - these dogs have a REALLY high prey drive
Just wanted to reiterate that as more people are becoming aware of Shikoku. I think that the drive is higher than in my Siberians, who also had a high drive. So if you do not want your dog to kill small animals, you must socialize the dog and train them to accept the small animals.
For instance, although my Shikoku lives in peace with 5 house cats, other small animals beware.
He is now approaching his 1 year birthday (next week) and to date he has caught and killed 2 rabbits, 1 squirrel, and 1 ground hog in my FENCED yard. On walks (on a flexi leash) he has caught and killed 2 other ground hogs (the last one was 13 lbs, my dog only weighs 34 lbs). I am sure that he could catch many more things if he was off lead.
So just be aware that if you are considering this breed, make certain to socialize them with the small animals that you might also want to have (ie, cats) and that the dog might very well catch and kill a lot of small animals. Admittedly, I do live more rurally (although right outside of a decent size town). But these dogs are amazingly quick and can grab and kill a small animal is short order.
For instance, although my Shikoku lives in peace with 5 house cats, other small animals beware.
He is now approaching his 1 year birthday (next week) and to date he has caught and killed 2 rabbits, 1 squirrel, and 1 ground hog in my FENCED yard. On walks (on a flexi leash) he has caught and killed 2 other ground hogs (the last one was 13 lbs, my dog only weighs 34 lbs). I am sure that he could catch many more things if he was off lead.
So just be aware that if you are considering this breed, make certain to socialize them with the small animals that you might also want to have (ie, cats) and that the dog might very well catch and kill a lot of small animals. Admittedly, I do live more rurally (although right outside of a decent size town). But these dogs are amazingly quick and can grab and kill a small animal is short order.
Comments
Good heads up!
I think it's pretty cool...it makes for a more primitive dog breed. Even though it also means if I ever get a nihon ken my six cockatiels have to go back to living with my dad for their own safety. `
lol~
lol~
The only problem I have is sheep. He likes to chase and bite them! His hunting instinct must have a hungar for much larger prey, lol.
He still loves to pester the cats though, Mia specificly, it's their annoying little "brother", lol.
My Kuma is also fine with my horses, does not chase them. So again, I think it is socializing them to what is appropriate actions towards other animals. If I wanted him to ignore a rabbit or chinchilla (neither of which I own) I am sure that I could teach him that they were not to "hunt" just like I taught him to be good with cats.
Honestly, I certainly do not mind that he killed ground hogs (on a horse farm they are pests who create holesin the pastures, which are dangerous to horses).
She does this all the time...
They mos def have high prey drives!
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In the 3-4 hours we hiked she caught, and killed, 3 lizards and 1 rodent!
Interesting thing is Kona didn't hunt small things like that while hiking, but he was crazy about getting some Ravens that we saw [Ahi was too].
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here he is at 4 months