Other Imports We Don't Know About?

Well, there's Rick in San Diego with the 13 year old Koji. I believe he was stationed in Japan and brought his Shikoku back with him (Dorothy should know).

Well, a couple of weeks ago...
...I helped my friend with her dog toys & supply business at a dog hiking event one of the local national parks was hosting. While I was fetching some lunch for us, I ended up started a conversation with a guy whose family offers a mobile dog grooming service.
He asked me what kind of dogs I had - I told him Malinois & Shikoku. Without actually seeing my Shikoku, he says,
"Oh yeah, our neighbor has one".
I'm like "Really? Are you sure it's not Shiba Inu?"
He replies, "Nope, it's a Shikoku."
"Where did he get the dog from?" I ask.

Apparently, his neighbor's friend was stationed in Japan and brought the dog back with him. It sounded very familar to Rick's story with Koji. I asked where he was located, they say in Orange County. Unfortunely he didn't have any photos nor did I follow him home to check out his neighbor's dog, lol (I should of have though afterwards -smiles-).

A lot of how the guy described his neighbor's dog...well...it sounds like it might very well indeed be a Shikoku. Who knew. I can't verify anything but...yeah...how many other Shikoku were imported to the California? Other States? Or other countries? I'm still kinda skeptical and yet it is still very possible.

So...interesting stuff.

On a "semi-off (breed) topic", I met with a lady who moved into my neighborhood a couple of months or so ago. She was walking her Shiba Inu. Cute little dog. She told me her son imported the dog directly from Japan. I know we have A LOT of Shiba imports to California, but it was still fun to come across her and her dog.

Comments

  • edited November -1
    There are a ton of Shiba imports in California. I have some thoughts about the breeders, but...maybe later.
  • edited May 2009
    Here's a Shikoku group on yahoo. Only 11 members, but it might answer your question.

    http://pets.groups.yahoo.com/group/Shikoku/

    Oh, and here's another one. One of the members lives right next to me in Concord, Ca

    http://pets.groups.yahoo.com/group/Shikokudog/

    *edit lol it links to here*
  • edited November -1
    I'm the owner of the Shikoku yahoo group, lol. It's been inactive for a while (I just point people to the forums).

    Peggy owns the Shikokudog one - so that links here too, eh? lol.

    Thanks for the links though -smiles-, I appreciate the help.

    I'm thinking the others who may have imported Shikoku are probably not internet savy. Also, they are probably much older. One of those people you just kinda have to "run" into, "Hey, THAT'S a SHIKOKU!" -laughs-.

    Very curious though. Though, still rare, I'm sure there are many foreigners living in Japan who have gotten Shikoku as pets, then came back to wherever they were originally living overseas. Of course, they weren't gonna leave their dog -wink-. <--- it seems to be the common story of the past.
  • edited November -1
    Thats how I met my first "Jindo Gae", from someone who brought her home after being stationed in Korea.
  • edited May 2009
    I saw a coyote across the street yesterday with my family. My first thought, "Wow, they do look like Shikoku...kind of scary should John Q. Public mistake one for the other."

    Next thing I'll know, I'll have people reporting me for owning exotic animals (fox and a coyote).

    But I think a Shika would be worth it:)

    Jesse
  • edited November -1
    I don't even know what I was thinking. As if you wouldn't be a part of that. lolololol. I have been working to much and need a vacay!
  • edited November -1
    OMG Jesse, that is my biggest fear, especially if you go hiking with them!!! Orange vest! :) ~
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