Know health issues of the Shikoku breed?
I found the Shikoku breed striking, looks-wise. But I'm sure breeders also try to ensure health and temperment (which is just as important of coure). So I would like to know what are the known health issues of the Shikoku breed. I know the Shiba can suffer from HD, patellar luxation and missing teeth. What about the Shikoku? Is there a list somewhere of known health issues of the Shikoku breed and how prevalent are those issues among the breed? Many thanks.
Comments
http://www.nihonken.org/forum/index.php?p=/discussion/7195/known-medical-problems-with-shikoku/#Item_31
I'm interested to know if there are any confirmed health issues (back by statistics)? Does the Nihon Ken Hozonkai or Japan Kennel Club report on any inherited dieases found in the Shikoku? Was the Shikoku bred from a very small foundation stock like the Shiba (and hence have possible health issues from excessive inbreeding?).
You overlooked hip and knee issues in the breed.
Most of this info has been discussed on the forum several times already...
Yes, the info has been discussed but it's all over the place, I just want to see if there is a list or just summary of known health issues in one place, it would be easier to know that way.
What Brad could have meant by "You overlooked hip and knee issues in the breed" is that you only mentioned "It seems there might be some issues with anxiety and carsickness"... which are minor issues compared to the physical ones like bad knees and hips.
Japan is not like the USA... they have their own thing going on. They have different priorities and what they consider important in their culture. Most of the Nihon Ken breeders in Japan are older men who usually live outside the cities, still following old traditions when it comes to their kennels, and who still use the breeds for their original process: hunting.
Brad Andersen and Shigeru Kato ( @TheWalrus ), as well as the breeds outside of Japan, have done their best in working with breeders in Japan. They have also worked hard in importing the best dogs they can get their hands on, that said, it doesn't always turn out.
Nihon Ken are rare breeds, like you probably already know, and research is required... and that takes time. There is no "easy" way around it. Although this forum and The Shikoku Club webpage (http://www.shikokuclub.org/index.php) are your best bets for quick answers they take time to read. You should also get in touch with the breeders and ask questions these sources don't provide. (Most breeders are on the forum as well)
There's a HUGE amount of Info on this forum. Use it. These people are the most amazing and dedicated dog owners I have ever met! They have answers to practically everything. They're the Nihon Ken Yodas. Most of your questions have probably been answered multiple times and can be searched though the use of the search engine on the forum.
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Hinata23: You raised a good point on the culture difference. As an American I have to be extra careful in that regard. Sadly, the image of Americans abroad isn't always that great (to put it lightly), so the last thing I want to be seen in Japan as to be yet another "Ugly American". Hopefully, my training in Iaido might benefit me in that regard.
You probably won't get a better sense of the breed's health in a place outside this forum. Even the North America Shikoku Club is run by people who are part of this forum.
There's not much to the Shikoku health... Like you've already read, the breed is known for having knee and hip problems. Some of them have food allergies, other get carsick and have anxiety problems. If you're just looking for more specific details than just read up on the forum. That's much more affective than trying to get in contact with the Japanese breeders who might not be able to answer your questions anyway.
I had worries about whether the Shikoku would suffer from the severe health problems of certain pedigree breeds who were bred to an extreme standard (controversial and politically-charged topic, best I stay clear of that). But from what you told me and what I have looked up in this forum so far, I'm glad to know the Shikoku is a relatively healthy breed thanks to the hardwork of dedicated breeders.