What is this affectionate shikoku silliness you speak of???
Allow me to share with you a thread of Miko smooches...
We will start at the beginning and work to the present.
We will start at the beginning and work to the present.
Comments
I love the look of the Shikoku. How much does Miko weigh?
I will likely think of more. Brad has shikoku and shiba, and Heidi to I would be curious as to what they have to contribute.
----
Shiba are way more high maintenance than a Shikoku. Shikoku have more horsepower than a Shiba tho, so when they get crazy they can knock stuff over and do some damage.
Loa NEVER barks, but Ahi is a barker - I would say barking is probably more likely in the Shikoku than the Shiba since they are "baying dogs".
Shikoku are mod def more willing to please than Shiba, but not as willing to please as Akita. Kai are the least interested in pleasing.
----
It's really interesting to see how her coat colour has changed.
Kuma doesn't bark much, once in a while. Maybe not as much as Ahi but more than Loa.
Kei-kun is a bit of both, he likes to please but at the same time still has a little bit of an independent streak or is it curiousity? lol. He doesn't like to be cuddled (no restrains) but he does love to get in your face with the kissing <--- he'll be okay with a quick hug so long as two or all four feet are placed on the ground. He's not much of a barker, but he's an excellent alert dog. If there is someone familar approaching he'll give warning and then stop. If it is someone unknown he'll sound the alarm and he won't stop barking unless I go quiet him down with an "it's okay". Most of the time he is very quiet and "keeps to himself" in the crate or outside. So when he barks, it's gotta be important.
Lindsay-Out of my three dogs. If I had to choose one to deal with an oncoming turbaned, bearded, stroller pushing jogger, I would pick my pit bull who would sit quietly unless I responded fearfully. Miko barks but shows absolutely no aggression to strangers or other dogs unless the dogs get in her space. Moto would bark if he felt threatened but has never shown his teeth at a human, ever.
Whizzer is like Miko though, he always tries to jump right in their laps and get some loving.
And the way Grandemu (who owns my guy's sister), Jessica and Brad all describe their Shikoku, the breed carries a lot of the same loving/friendly traits despite being from different lines and kennels.
Other attribute comparisons between the 2 breeds. Shikoku are, in general, more obedient and willing to please than a Shiba (another difference). I don't find them all that high energy (all the time). I work from home and my Shikoku sleeps most of the day. Outside in the yard, he is active, but not crazy (although at times he gets the zoomies). On walks he is very energetic and can walk for a long while. He really loves his obedience (see the video below) and often offers it up to me as "play" -- I take that to mean that he enjoys it.
That's an impressive video of Kuma. It's hard to believe Kuma's only 11 months. While I wouldn't give up Ichi for the world with all his quirkiness, I've definitely got my eye on a Shikoku as a 2nd dog waaay in the future.
What was that last exercise you were doing to him? It reminds me of when a judge inspects a dog for conformation in a dog show?
Thanks,
Jesse
Yes, it is hard to believe that Kuma was only 11 months old. But he was/is like a little sponge and is really quick to learn and quick to perfect movements. He just really enjoys it (works well for just the praise from mom!). Food to train initially, but later he works only for the praise once he has learned it!