@sunyata LoL, yeah I saw your YakTrax comment on Facebook (forget who you said it to though)...Looks pretty interesting, gonna talk Tom into getting some. For some reason though, the name made me think of wearing Yak furred boots, something similar to this: http://justlooking.recursion.org/nice-boots.jpg
Yeah, I have snow cleats to walk around the farm (I am guessing they are similar to what that Casey is referring too). They clamp onto your shoes and are what they use for ice (we got them at a outdoor store). They are great and keep you from falling on this awful snow/ice. Even the dogs were slipping.
And I am with you Beth, I never thought that Siberian/Shikoku etc looked like wolves (or foxes). Yes Spitz have upright ears, long noses and masks on their face, but to me, their conformation clearly says "dog" and not "wolf" or "fox". And I find Spitz beautiful for all the same reasons that you stated...
I wanted to share this odd behavior Tetsu has been doing to Miyu. Tetsu gets this desire to ind of try to swallow Miyu's muzzle, without really making contact. It usually happens when he is excited or in a good mood, and doesn't end negatively. Also in this video is Tetsu's first attempt at playing with Miyu in the house, his elbow biting around 00:12. He has wrestled and played with her at the dog park and outside, and it makes me excited that he is starting to do so at home.
You know that is funny, Mei does the same exact thing to Koda, but I've determined that it is her way of making out with him. It's definitely like kissing for her. When Mei came to me she would love to kiss Koda who was just too sophisticated for slobber. He would turn his head. Now Koda will kiss Mei, but she does that in return.
I take it as a good thing. I'm glad to hear that they are all getting along. That's great!
Sharing a video I took of Tikaani attempting to eat Miyu's leftover kibble. He has a very versatile tongue, thus why we have to keep things away from his crate. He was even able to use it to pull a baby carrot into his crate.
@brada1878 - Oddly enough, that is a hard question to answer. I would have to say that they both do have their similarities, but then again Miyu has just as many similar personality traits as Tikaani.
She is out going with people than Tetsu, but more uncomfortable with strange dogs, especially if they sniff her face. They both (all 3 of them actually) learn incredibly fast, though she is more willing to do what I ask her without there being something she wants. She definitely has more energy and takes forever to settle down, but that could be due to the fact that she is still a puppy. She definitely is more of a spazz than Tetsu has ever been, and plays more like Tikaani (lots of biting and skin grabbing).
All in all though, I think she is similar to what you would get if you mixed a Sibe with a shiba.
@Beth - I agree with that analogy. I see a fair amount of similarities between Siberians and Shikoku, with some obvious differences, that are more shiba like. And then add a mix of an obedient breed into the sibe + shiba = shikoku, because as you said, the shikoku are pretty willing to do what you want.
I'd have to say though, that my view of Sibes is not quite accurate, since Tikaani does not act totally like a Sibe should act. I mean, he does have endless energy, loves to run, and has incredible prey drive; but he listens extremely well, enough so that I've been encouraged to sign him up for a few obedience/Rally-O matches and compete with him.
I notice my Mal, London, sits similar to the last picture quite often and he doesn't really have any problems with his rear. His knees sometimes look weak, but it's usually only when he gets up and he is on a glucosamine/chondroitin supplement. A few times I've thought I should bring him to a specialist but it doesn't really bother him, nor is he in pain... so I figured it was just bad posture.
She's looking really good! I'm liking the B&T shikoku more and more each time you post pics
About the sitting, I know a lot of dogs that sit like that that have no problems with their legs, rear, etc. Although it might be good to have a specialist look at it.
Comments
http://justlooking.recursion.org/nice-boots.jpg
http://www.cabelas.com/catalog/largeImagePopup.jsp?productId=722569
And I am with you Beth, I never thought that Siberian/Shikoku etc looked like wolves (or foxes). Yes Spitz have upright ears, long noses and masks on their face, but to me, their conformation clearly says "dog" and not "wolf" or "fox". And I find Spitz beautiful for all the same reasons that you stated...
lh6.googleusercontent.com/_20JB917uPj4/TWKEtx4wbpI/AAAAAAAAAIg/k4cg2YNJ5CQ/s512/Miyu1.JPG
lh3.googleusercontent.com/_20JB917uPj4/TWKEuGx825I/AAAAAAAAAIk/A1dDodboT2I/s640/Miyu2.JPG
lh3.googleusercontent.com/_20JB917uPj4/TWKEuLoI1gI/AAAAAAAAAIs/aGwZTsK079c/s512/MiyuTongue.JPG
I love shiba inu and other NK they have such nice movements and personality.
Saya has a nice calmness to her, but if she wants to play she is ready for it.
I take it as a good thing. I'm glad to hear that they are all getting along. That's great!
But I am super glad that Tetsu and Miyu are getting along and have started to play a little in the house. That is awesome!
Good to hear they are starting to play inside.
They look great! I really like the Kuro Shikoku.
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Jen
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She is out going with people than Tetsu, but more uncomfortable with strange dogs, especially if they sniff her face. They both (all 3 of them actually) learn incredibly fast, though she is more willing to do what I ask her without there being something she wants. She definitely has more energy and takes forever to settle down, but that could be due to the fact that she is still a puppy. She definitely is more of a spazz than Tetsu has ever been, and plays more like Tikaani (lots of biting and skin grabbing).
All in all though, I think she is similar to what you would get if you mixed a Sibe with a shiba.
Saya does the elbow bite like tetsu does. She doesn't bite the muzzle though Bella's muzzle might be too short. lol
Miyu is so cute! Can't wait to see her full grown.
Check out the way she is sitting in this next pic, she seems to sit like this a lot (as does Tikaani). Do you think I should be concerned?
About the sitting, I know a lot of dogs that sit like that that have no problems with their legs, rear, etc. Although it might be good to have a specialist look at it.