How to tell what's the right dog for you?
I guess this question is more for those who got a nihon ken breed without ever meeting one in real life first. How did you know that the shikoku, kai, hokkaido, shiba, etc were the right dog for you? Were they what you expected?
I've been in love with the hokka since I was introduced to them via this forum. It's a dream and great desire to have one be part of our family. The closer it comes to becoming a reality though my head is being filled with doubts. I've never met a hokka in real life. I've tried to arrange meeting one from the few who live in the US but so far no bite (though understandable, I would be wary of meeting a complete stranger who found me online lol). All I know is what people say and share. They sound like the perfect breed for us on paper but everything is open to interpretation.
I keep going back to when we took in Lucien (cat). According to his previous owners' descriptions he was a clone of Dahmer (our cat). They sounded like soul mates. Once Lucien actually got here though it was obvious they were more like polar opposites. What if the same thing happens to the hokka? Not that we wont love it or want to give it back but...yeah I guess I'm just nervous.
I've been in love with the hokka since I was introduced to them via this forum. It's a dream and great desire to have one be part of our family. The closer it comes to becoming a reality though my head is being filled with doubts. I've never met a hokka in real life. I've tried to arrange meeting one from the few who live in the US but so far no bite (though understandable, I would be wary of meeting a complete stranger who found me online lol). All I know is what people say and share. They sound like the perfect breed for us on paper but everything is open to interpretation.
I keep going back to when we took in Lucien (cat). According to his previous owners' descriptions he was a clone of Dahmer (our cat). They sounded like soul mates. Once Lucien actually got here though it was obvious they were more like polar opposites. What if the same thing happens to the hokka? Not that we wont love it or want to give it back but...yeah I guess I'm just nervous.
Comments
I also believe in seriously analyzing if you the owner have what would best suit your breed of choice. Jason and I absolutely have the lifestyle to accommodate active breeds like Shikoku and pit bulls. We are not terribly social folks and I hate dog parks so we are great for dogs who are not great with lots of strange ill-mannered dogs. And we own our home and have a fenced in yard which means we are ideal for dogs that wouldn't be popular with land lords. We however could never be bothered with taking a dog to the groomer so all these dogs with hair would not work for us (like the doodles and anything with poo in the name). And while I am prepared for medical situations, and understand that even healthy dogs can have medical issues I would never want a dog that is basically guaranteed health issues like English Bulldogs, or Pugs.
That is at least what considerations I have had when adding a dog to my family.
Right now, Hubby Works from home, & I only go to classes during fall & spring for a few hours two days a week. So we have ample time to give to any pup we bring home to dedicate to socialization, training, etc.
For us, our best case scenario would be an active dog that'll love long hikes & camping [ 13+ miles, usually 16 ] and long walks [ Brian loves to walk everywhere ]. If they're stubborn or hard-headed, I see that as a bonus. I love animals [ & humans ] that are challenging free-thinkers. lol It makes it allllll the more worthwhile when you work together towards a goal & finally reach it. Clearly, any of the medium-size NK would fit this description, but Shika & Kai are our fav for various other reasons.
I think it all depends as to how "open" you are to the type of pup you may end up with. With the NK, it seems there's such a large variance in temperament you never know what you're going to get!
- If our pup hates hiking...that's cool, we'll find something else to do.
- If our pup is TOO active for us, then we will step up our activity level.
- If our pup hates obedience, maybe we'll play fetch or tug instead.
- If our pup hates agility, maybe we'll do obedience instead.
Honestly, all I can tell you is we'll be happy & find something to do regardless of what type of pup we get.
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Also...I think when you see that cute puppy's face you're not going to care if he was what you're expecting
When I was looking for a dog 5 or so years ago, I wasn't looking for a Shiba. I was looking for a dog not so physically demanding as my Dalmatians. (I had a large 70 lbs male.) Honestly, I was looking for a Border Collie similar in temperament to Frisky (my older BC). But when I saw Sukoshi as a puppy something "clicked". I knew about Shibas from my brother's crew and she was just right. Turned out to be smarter in some ways than than Frisky and just as headstrong as my Dalmatians. Also turned out to be a loving, but independent little spirit.
Hoshi, my recent rescue, is another "just right" gift. I had been thinking of adding a male Shiba to the household-- but was looking at the end of June as the possible timeframe. He showed up this March. While he and Sukoshi are not the play buds I envisioned, they are a good little couple. They coexist with each other and he is a real sweet little guy. His original owner of 12 years obviously loved him and treated him well. This is reflected in the way he has adjusted to us, the dog park, and his new life.
Koda and Maymay are from two opposite ends of the spectrum when it comes to Kai behavior but they are both perfect for our home. Koda is cool, calm and laid back. He's independent but is so devoted to me. He is also stubborn and a free thinker. Maymay hunts all day long. She killed two mice and squirrels today for me to clean up. She's not as independent (likes a lot of affection and to be right by my side). She has this wild uncontrollable side to her and she's cunningly smart and able to problem solve. Both of them are very smart and know what I expect if them. Both love to hike with me and be out and about. Even though they are so different they both just fit.
Like Jessica said look at all qualities and if the breed fits go for it. Just remember that you can't change an animal's inherent nature to fit your lifestyle. But I think you already know this and you have made a good choice.
I find the issues people have is when they get a dog as some sort of ego driven challenge. I have talked with a few members online and on the phone about how some people seem drawn to Shikoku, Kishu, Hokka, etc. because they want to prove in some way that we are all just whining and that with them this wild primitive dog will magically turn into an obedience trained Golden Retriever with a coyote look. They seem to think that the primitive nature is something you can train away like housebreaking. And those are the people who are the main cause of Shibas filling up rescues, and why we try so passionately to dissuade some people from certain breeds.
But you know what a Hokka is. You know you will have to socialize the living hell out of it. You know there is a chance he may need to be kept separate from your cats. You know that he will never walk in a perfect heel along a trail with you as chipmunks dart past his face.
I truly believe that as long as you openly understand the kind of animal you are brining into your home, plan for the worst, hope for the best, you will be fine.
Anyway, that was somewhat of a sidenote. It's hard to tell if a dog is the dog for us until we have it. Even if we do meet them before hand, it's not the same as living with one. I think if you've done your homework (and clearly you have!) and are prepared, you'll do just fine. Will it be the ideal dog for you? Maybe. Maybe not. No way to tell until you have one. Even if it is not the ideal dog for you, you'll still love it and be good with it. I think about it like this: I had a GSD, and I thought he was going to be the dog for me. He wasn't. I realized that after a year or so, but he still had a good life with me. I just knew that as a breed, GSD's were not going to be a great love of mine. I got my first Shiba and realized, absolutely, this is the breed I really love like crazy and appreciate, for all their difficultness. I might not have--they might have been too difficult or something, but it turns out, I love the "feral dog" feeling I get from being with my Shibas (even as it drives me crazy). we'll see what happens when I get my AA, but while I know the Akita will be a much better fit than the GSD, I also find it hard to believe I'll ever be as crazy about a breed as I am about Shibas. (or maybe--ideal situation--I'll have two great dog breed loves, both Akita and Shiba!...now just don't get me started on Kais or something--I don't think I can handle three or four great dog breed loves!)
So what I'm getting at is it doesn't really matter if they are the ideal breed for you or not, because I believe you will, as an informed and responsible dog owner, give your dog the best life possible. If it turns out they're not ideal, you'll learn that, and try again with another breed at some point, but you'll have learned a lot in the process.
But I suspect you're going to be absolutely head over heels in love with your dog, anyway