Hmm good point. He hasn't gotten taller really since his neuter. I'll have to check my records, but I think he went from 21 1/4 inches to 21 1/2 now. He is a big boy, but his dad is also 55 pounds. Koda has always been way larger than his siblings. Even the puppy pics at 3 weeks old show big ol' Koda with his tiny little brothers and sisters. ha ha ha.
What really amazes me is his neck. Koda has a large amount of skin on his mane just waiting to fill out. I got pictures of his brother a couple weeks ago and he doesn't have any of it. Maybe he will grow into that skin and his big ears.
Sage has a thick loose mane, too- I always tease him about why he has so! much! skin!- he's done growing (hes almost 4 after all) but since he is a mix I chalked all that skin up to his dad. I can grab two fistfuls and lift it off his frame and he just stands there. When he is at the top of the stairs and has his head down, his mane sortof falls off his shoulders more toward his head and he really looks like a bear. When the dogs wrestle, Rei can grab that scruff in her big mouth and he still has a huge range of motion to squirm around. Koda may not fill it out- it could be a natural thing for him, and I think it's fine and distinctive for a striped gentleman to have an elegant ruff.
That squirrel was huge! He got it by the underneath of the belly. Sorry about the blood on the sticks. He tore into it. The sad part was, his jaws weren't strong enough to totally kill it. It was laying there suffering to death. It was terrible. The other squirrel was much smaller, and it was dead when I found it.
BTW I hated that squirrel. It has been around for a couple of years and eats all my herbs and anything I try and grow in the back, tomatoes, lemons, oranges. It would sit on the fence and tell me off if I went into my own backyard. It was a Caddy Shack relationship between that squirrel and I. It tormented me and then Koda when he came home. It was really just a matter of time before one of us had to kill him. I'm just thankful that he didn't bite Koda. I always worry about him getting scratched or hurt.
Chrystal you have got a good point. I used to think that Koda would never survive in the wild that he was somewhat of a wimp, but the more that he grows up the more I see things about him that would help him. His extra skin is one of them. I can grab two hand fulls too. The only way another dog could get him to give a quick cry would be to bite his ears. Funny thing is that the only dog who does this is Bella the Shiba. She's about 15 pounds and knows how to take Koda down by the ears. All the other dogs go for his neck and it doesn't phase him one bit. He can wrestle with dogs 3 times his size and they can't hurt him that way. He can also get out of their grip by flipping and he will throw himself into a roll to get away. It's really effective.
I was looking online at pics of Mavrick the other night hoping that Koda's neck would fill out like his. He looked so powerful and strong. We'll see. Either way, he's my sweet boy who I think is probably still in bed. He really doesn't like mornings. ha ha
When Koda bends his head down, he looks like a sad bear. All the folds of his neck come down on his face and wrinkle it. It's too cute.
He looks so much like Tora in the face. I get comments all the time about how outgoing Tora is. She goes up to everyone wagging her tail and giving kisses. Looks like Koda is getting more of his brindle. Tora's is coming along slowly.
He does doesn't he? I will always have a special place for Tora in my heart cause she looks so much like Koda. More so than Pilot does. It's like everytime she does well in a show I can say see Koda you are pretty. lol. Koda's brindle came in early with his tongue spots. I think it has slowed down, but it may be his winter coat hiding part of it. Has Tora gotten hers yet?
I am still waiting for the winter coat to come in. 3 of the 4 shibas have their already. Fuu is blowing coat right now. We are hoping she is pregnant and that is why she is blowing coat now. Tora just came into season for the first time so that is probably delaying the growth of her winter coat.
That's right Tora is at that age. Koda's came in, but I think it will be more and more beautiful when he's older. He looked so terrible when he blew coat. He was all dry and straggley. Poor thing.
It's been a crazy busy month, but hopefully with the holidays over and work calming down (maybe?) I'll have more time for the forum.
Koda's doing great. He's turning into such a little man. I can't believe he's already 8 months old. Time has flown by, and I thank everyday that he's here. He is truly a very very good puppy. Here are some pics of Christmas up in Tahoe. I'm going to make up for lost time here. So, here's a whole lot load of pics. :-}
Koda loved the snow. He just wanted to dig and dig and burry his nose. He could've stayed out all day.
Oh, Koda! His coat looks nice and thick. I have a picture of Sage somewhere in his harness when he was about a year old and his neck hung like that too. I can't get over the scruff on these guys. Koda looks taller, longer legged again. Such a handsome fellow...
Stacey, Koda does look a little more mature than Tora, but he was the biggest at birth too. I look at pics of Tora and I think oh that was Koda two months ago. lol. I wish he would've stayed a puppy longer.
Chrystal, what did you do for Sage as far as harnesses back then? The problem with Koda's neck is it's hard to fit anything nice on him. We have a Ruffwear, and it's great, but I don't want him to wear it at the dog park. Was there anything that worked for Sage? Collars just come right off....at least the ones that I have found. Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated.
Brad LMAO at the tuff comment. Koda is a wimp! Hopefully that tough look will keep other aggressive dogs at bay....for his sake I hope. I think Mochi could kick his butt!
Sage had a standard strap harness back then (seen here at age 9 months), but his skin was so loose he could still slip it if he panicked (which unfortunately is a real part of being Sage). This was also true of his easy walk harness. At the Field, he just wore his flat collar.
I dont know if any harness is particularly good for dog park action. I prefer Reilly and Sage to play in the yard with no collars, but I know that's not dog park practical. Sage actually has kind of a little head for his neck and overall size, so he wears a flat martingale. Its not to choke, the tight setting is just to keep it from slipping over his head, no tighter. When its loose, it hangs there like the rest of his mane.
Koda can get out of a harness and a collar. He will pull a collar off. He has a harness muffin top like Sage does. LMAO!
See how sleek and nice Rei looks with her collar? That's how I want Koda to look, but no he's always muffin top. He needs to grow some muscle there.
I did try the Greyhound Martingale since his head is small for his body like Sage, but he flipped and got out of it. But first he looked at me with those sad brown eyes like he was saying "why would you ever do this to me? did I do something bad?" You know like those SPCA commercials.
Ann (Ayk) posted about an Alaskan limited slip collar on Tomoe's thread. For $15, I might as well try it out. If it doesn't work, it will get donated to the shelter down the street.
I'm glad I got to meet you guys in November when you visited Reno. It was great to actually meet a Kai in person after only seeing pics on the forum. I was really impressed with how tolerant he was in the dog park of that obnoxious dog who wouldn't stop harassing him. Maybe the next time your in Reno he'll be able to play with my Shikoku pup : ) (I might have my pup by this fall)
Congratulations Tara!!!! I'm so happy for you! That is great news. I know when I saw you it probably felt like it would never happen. Watch the next year will fly by. It's nice to have that time to prepare for the new addition.
Sometimes I wish Koda wasn't AS tolerant as he is. I want him to snap a little. he he. But he's a good boy and would never lose it with another dog. That one needed a little correction though.
This guy Chris down at the dog park took pictures of Koda, and they look soooo Koda so I thought I'd pass them on. Here's the Prince.....
Koda as a desktop background! Wow, I'm flattered. lol. Go right ahead! Mine is Torre del Greco, where I'm from.
He is all grownz up. It's kind've sad. At least I still have his skinny chicken legs left to let me know that he is supposed to still look like a puppy.
Comments
What really amazes me is his neck. Koda has a large amount of skin on his mane just waiting to fill out. I got pictures of his brother a couple weeks ago and he doesn't have any of it. Maybe he will grow into that skin and his big ears.
Kinda scary eyes
The prince only drinks out of his own bowl
And lastly, the kill. This was a big squirrel.
And that squirrel looks ginormous!
That squirrel was huge! He got it by the underneath of the belly. Sorry about the blood on the sticks. He tore into it. The sad part was, his jaws weren't strong enough to totally kill it. It was laying there suffering to death. It was terrible. The other squirrel was much smaller, and it was dead when I found it.
BTW I hated that squirrel. It has been around for a couple of years and eats all my herbs and anything I try and grow in the back, tomatoes, lemons, oranges. It would sit on the fence and tell me off if I went into my own backyard. It was a Caddy Shack relationship between that squirrel and I. It tormented me and then Koda when he came home. It was really just a matter of time before one of us had to kill him. I'm just thankful that he didn't bite Koda. I always worry about him getting scratched or hurt.
Chrystal you have got a good point. I used to think that Koda would never survive in the wild that he was somewhat of a wimp, but the more that he grows up the more I see things about him that would help him. His extra skin is one of them. I can grab two hand fulls too. The only way another dog could get him to give a quick cry would be to bite his ears. Funny thing is that the only dog who does this is Bella the Shiba. She's about 15 pounds and knows how to take Koda down by the ears. All the other dogs go for his neck and it doesn't phase him one bit. He can wrestle with dogs 3 times his size and they can't hurt him that way. He can also get out of their grip by flipping and he will throw himself into a roll to get away. It's really effective.
I was looking online at pics of Mavrick the other night hoping that Koda's neck would fill out like his. He looked so powerful and strong. We'll see. Either way, he's my sweet boy who I think is probably still in bed. He really doesn't like mornings. ha ha
When Koda bends his head down, he looks like a sad bear. All the folds of his neck come down on his face and wrinkle it. It's too cute.
He's turning into such a studly stud. ~
Koda's doing great. He's turning into such a little man. I can't believe he's already 8 months old. Time has flown by, and I thank everyday that he's here. He is truly a very very good puppy. Here are some pics of Christmas up in Tahoe. I'm going to make up for lost time here. So, here's a whole lot load of pics. :-}
Koda loved the snow. He just wanted to dig and dig and burry his nose. He could've stayed out all day.
And he wanted to eat it....
The hole got pretty big
My niece Cierra. She loves her Koda Bear.
Cierra's Snowman. I was pretty impressed.
Koda's neck is getting pretty big.
He just wants some of the meat.
His coat looks nice and thick.
I have a picture of Sage somewhere in his harness when he was about a year old and his neck hung like that too. I can't get over the scruff on these guys. Koda looks taller, longer legged again. Such a handsome fellow...
Kona loves the snow too, I guess its a NK thing. They all seem to love it!
Looks like you had a great holiday!
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Chrystal, what did you do for Sage as far as harnesses back then? The problem with Koda's neck is it's hard to fit anything nice on him. We have a Ruffwear, and it's great, but I don't want him to wear it at the dog park. Was there anything that worked for Sage? Collars just come right off....at least the ones that I have found. Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated.
Brad LMAO at the tuff comment. Koda is a wimp! Hopefully that tough look will keep other aggressive dogs at bay....for his sake I hope. I think Mochi could kick his butt!
I think Koda would be tough if/when he needs to be. Like if his mommy was in trouble. ;o)
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I want to eat him
I dont know if any harness is particularly good for dog park action. I prefer Reilly and Sage to play in the yard with no collars, but I know that's not dog park practical. Sage actually has kind of a little head for his neck and overall size, so he wears a flat martingale. Its not to choke, the tight setting is just to keep it from slipping over his head, no tighter. When its loose, it hangs there like the rest of his mane.
See how sleek and nice Rei looks with her collar? That's how I want Koda to look, but no he's always muffin top. He needs to grow some muscle there.
I did try the Greyhound Martingale since his head is small for his body like Sage, but he flipped and got out of it. But first he looked at me with those sad brown eyes like he was saying "why would you ever do this to me? did I do something bad?" You know like those SPCA commercials.
Ann (Ayk) posted about an Alaskan limited slip collar on Tomoe's thread. For $15, I might as well try it out. If it doesn't work, it will get donated to the shelter down the street.
I'm glad I got to meet you guys in November when you visited Reno. It was great to actually meet a Kai in person after only seeing pics on the forum. I was really impressed with how tolerant he was in the dog park of that obnoxious dog who wouldn't stop harassing him. Maybe the next time your in Reno he'll be able to play with my Shikoku pup : ) (I might have my pup by this fall)
Sometimes I wish Koda wasn't AS tolerant as he is. I want him to snap a little. he he. But he's a good boy and would never lose it with another dog. That one needed a little correction though.
This guy Chris down at the dog park took pictures of Koda, and they look soooo Koda so I thought I'd pass them on. Here's the Prince.....
I scrolled all the way back to see the Life Of Koda: from Potato to Prince.
It's crazy how quickly he's grown!
Psssttttt mind if I use one of those images for my desktop BG?
He is all grownz up. It's kind've sad. At least I still have his skinny chicken legs left to let me know that he is supposed to still look like a puppy.