Suitable dwelling, etc
Hi!
I have been researching Shikokuken for a while now, but only from reading. I never have yet talked to any owners of Shikokuken (Which I like to call Kochi-ken because it's an alternative name and also shorter!). For anyone who owns Kochiken, can you please tell me about a few basic things?
1) What do you think is a suitable living space for a Kochiken? I don't think we will have a house with a lawn for a long long time. In Japan, we live in Osaka but lawns are hard to come by and I think that we will probably be apartment dwellers for a long time. I don't think this should really be a problem because we have owned and fostered all sorts of dogs with all different energy levels and sizes and have found that with proper exercise a yard really isn't needed even for high-energy, large dogs.
2) What do they shed like? Being a spitz, I assume the answer is "a lot". But Lilith (our other spitz-breed) didn't really shed as much as I thought she would have (at least, not as much as 2 German Shepherd Dogs I used to know). It was a lot but not to the point where I'd have to furminate her everyday.
3) How heavy is the average kochiken? A lot of places have restrictions here on the weight of dogs. Breed standards give height at withers and rarely specify a weight.
4) What are common health problems to Kochiken? Since they are so rare, I have yet to find data on health problems they may have. I assume the regulars such as Luxating Patella and eye exams like PRA or CERF testing should be done, but what about other, more specific problems? Do you recommend most breeding Kochiken have OFAs for hips? What about very specific diseases like von Willebrand's disease or Factor VII deficiency or other diseases?
Sorry for all the questions but we are on a hunt for a good dog and an even better breeder. We are not afraid to travel for a dog either in the states or in Japan. I really appreciate any and all input!
I have been researching Shikokuken for a while now, but only from reading. I never have yet talked to any owners of Shikokuken (Which I like to call Kochi-ken because it's an alternative name and also shorter!). For anyone who owns Kochiken, can you please tell me about a few basic things?
1) What do you think is a suitable living space for a Kochiken? I don't think we will have a house with a lawn for a long long time. In Japan, we live in Osaka but lawns are hard to come by and I think that we will probably be apartment dwellers for a long time. I don't think this should really be a problem because we have owned and fostered all sorts of dogs with all different energy levels and sizes and have found that with proper exercise a yard really isn't needed even for high-energy, large dogs.
2) What do they shed like? Being a spitz, I assume the answer is "a lot". But Lilith (our other spitz-breed) didn't really shed as much as I thought she would have (at least, not as much as 2 German Shepherd Dogs I used to know). It was a lot but not to the point where I'd have to furminate her everyday.
3) How heavy is the average kochiken? A lot of places have restrictions here on the weight of dogs. Breed standards give height at withers and rarely specify a weight.
4) What are common health problems to Kochiken? Since they are so rare, I have yet to find data on health problems they may have. I assume the regulars such as Luxating Patella and eye exams like PRA or CERF testing should be done, but what about other, more specific problems? Do you recommend most breeding Kochiken have OFAs for hips? What about very specific diseases like von Willebrand's disease or Factor VII deficiency or other diseases?
Sorry for all the questions but we are on a hunt for a good dog and an even better breeder. We are not afraid to travel for a dog either in the states or in Japan. I really appreciate any and all input!
Comments
Well I guess I will be the first to answer. FWIW, my Shikoku is about 20 months old now (unneutered male).
1) What do you think is a suitable living space for a Kochiken? I don't think we will have a house with a lawn for a long long time. In Japan, we live in Osaka but lawns are hard to come by and I think that we will probably be apartment dwellers for a long time. I don't think this should really be a problem because we have owned and fostered all sorts of dogs with all different energy levels and sizes and have found that with proper exercise a yard really isn't needed even for high-energy, large dogs.
My boy is very quiet in the house (I work from home). He does have access to a big fenced yard for exercise, but is still quiet in the house. I think that, in general, Kochi Ken are very quiet in the house but need a good amount of vigorous walking or play with other dogs in a fenced area to burn off their pent up energy. As long as you walk the dog, I think that you would be fine. Kochi Ken are quieter in the house than my Siberians were.
2) What do they shed like? Being a spitz, I assume the answer is "a lot". But Lilith (our other spitz-breed) didn't really shed as much as I thought she would have (at least, not as much as 2 German Shepherd Dogs I used to know). It was a lot but not to the point where I'd have to furminate her everyday.
Less than my Siberians (smaller dog) and mostly in the spring (about a 1 1/2 mo period). He's not shedding now.
3) How heavy is the average kochiken? A lot of places have restrictions here on the weight of dogs. Breed standards give height at withers and rarely specify a weight.
My boy is 20.5 inches tall and about 36-7 lbs. He is on the thinner side because he is a very picky eater and just won't eat a lot.
4) What are common health problems to Kochiken? Since they are so rare, I have yet to find data on health problems they may have. I assume the regulars such as Luxating Patella and eye exams like PRA or CERF testing should be done, but what about other, more specific problems? Do you recommend most breeding Kochiken have OFAs for hips? What about very specific diseases like von Willebrand's disease or Factor VII deficiency or other diseases?
I plan on getting my male OFA/CERF tested soon. Brad's Kochi Ken Ahi did have LP. I think that we just don't have a lot of info yet (at least not in English). Maybe those lucky enough to talk with Japanese breeders can find out more.
Kris
Thanks for your input. If Japanese breeders may know more about health problems, then I'll e-mail some in Japanese and ask.
Does your dog have very high prey drive? How biddable is he in terms of responsiveness and receptiveness to discipline and training?
Yes, he does have a very high prey drive and is good at catching small game (I live on a 105 acre farm). He is very obedient and I really like working with him in competitive obedience, which he is very good at. Kuma LOVES working with you and is much more trainable and biddable, in general, than my Siberians were. That being said, I am still very aware of his prey drive and thus he is on leash if I think game might be around. But if he knows that he is "obedience working" he can be off lead and outside a fenced area just fine (not so much for the Siberians I had, they wouldn't do their obedience patterns well at all outside of fenced yards). Too independent (Kochi Ken are very loyal and are like shadow to "their" owner; which helps in training).
I know that this might bore others who have seen this video before, but here he is practicing his obedience at 11 months old. Now he is much better. At his first match, he won by a landslide (over 40 points ahead) with a 196. 5 out of 200. And some of the points off were because of my mistake.
I am sure that we would all like to hear what you might find on health issues. I know that I have heard that Japanese breeders do not generally do CERF/OFA testing. But they may know of other issues like LP. The breeders in the US have only been at it for about 6-7 years or less and the Dutch breeder only for about 10 years. Those were the first Kochi Ken outside of Japan (per my understanding)
Kris
1) What do you think is a suitable living space for a Kochiken? I don't think we will have a house with a lawn for a long long time. In Japan, we live in Osaka but lawns are hard to come by and I think that we will probably be apartment dwellers for a long time. I don't think this should really be a problem because we have owned and fostered all sorts of dogs with all different energy levels and sizes and have found that with proper exercise a yard really isn't needed even for high-energy, large dogs.
> A Shikoku can live anywhere as long as you give them the right amount of exercise. Shikoku are usually calm indoors.
2) What do they shed like? Being a spitz, I assume the answer is "a lot". But Lilith (our other spitz-breed) didn't really shed as much as I thought she would have (at least, not as much as 2 German Shepherd Dogs I used to know). It was a lot but not to the point where I'd have to furminate her everyday.
> They blow their coat, and you get a lot of fair off them then - but they generally do not shed a lot, except for those coat blowing times. When they loose their puppy coat it can be kinda crazy. Also their undercoat is heavier than our Akita, so it's easier to get up - our Akita's undercoat floats through the air.
3) How heavy is the average kochiken? A lot of places have restrictions here on the weight of dogs. Breed standards give height at withers and rarely specify a weight.
> 30lb - 40lb
4) What are common health problems to Kochiken? Since they are so rare, I have yet to find data on health problems they may have. I assume the regulars such as Luxating Patella and eye exams like PRA or CERF testing should be done, but what about other, more specific problems? Do you recommend most breeding Kochiken have OFAs for hips? What about very specific diseases like von Willebrand's disease or Factor VII deficiency or other diseases?
> I'm not sure their are any "common" health issues in Shikoku, but they are vulnerable to all the normal genetic issues that medium sized spitz breed get.
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Anyway, your dog would get more freedom than that, I assume.
Hondru, I hope your girl feels better. If she ever starts to get restless because of boredom, you can always try some simple shaping training.. Lantis is mostly bedbound nowadays due to advancing arthritis even with therapy and pain medication, and that's what we do for him when he gets antsy. :)
As for the health problems.. I'll ask around. We're pretty paranoid about the correct screening and testing for any breeding pair for any of our dogs, so its definitely something that I would like to find out more about. It seems that many of the breeders in the states have not been breeding for long enough to be able to track many diseases or problems that may affect Kochiken through multiple generations, and there hasn't been much literature in English to help otherwise.. I'll see if there are any Japanese documents on the matter later.
That being said, does anyone have any Japanese breeder links you may have, that you can't figure out, or to whom there is a breeder I could talk to?
Shedding: Yes, he sheds a couple of times a year and it lasts for about 3-4 weeks. I use the furminator several times daily and I collect grocery bags filled with dog hair. Thank goodness it is only twice a year.
Tenji is a 36 pound male. I would love, love....if you could find out about any health issues related to Shikoku.
We know so little other than what we get from this forum.....and thanks to Brad for that.