# Your ideal pack? Hey all! Hope everyone is doing well, canine & non-canine alike :) --- What breeds & how many would you have in your "complete" ideal pack? :D I know I personally would love to have either two shikoku [ 2 males or a male / female pair ] or a Shikoku & Kai Ken pair. This would be ideal for me, I rea… ## Thread In General · started by Sangmort · 33 replies - **Category:** [General](https://nihonken.org/community/c/general) - **Forum:** [Nihon Ken Forum](https://nihonken.org/community/) ## Sangmort (moderator) · 2008-09-09T04:50:25.000Z Hey all! Hope everyone is doing well, canine & non-canine alike :) --- What breeds & how many would you have in your "complete" ideal pack? :D I know I personally would love to have either two shikoku [ 2 males or a male / female pair ] or a Shikoku & Kai Ken pair. This would be ideal for me, I really can't see myself with more than two dogs... Though... I said the same thing when I first got a Cockatiel...& now I have a flock of six :o [ 8, at one point in time ] Ok, so I wouldn't mind having a Shiba or Akita added to the mix...& maybe another breed of Nihon Ken...so that would make 5 dogs......I don't like the number 5...so I guess I could have another nihon ken & / or a non-nihon ken breed. I think 6 & 7 is a much better number ;p [ ah...to be owned by a pack of dogs! must be wonderful :D ] So, what would you guys make a part of your life to complete your pack? Or is your pack already complete? :) ~ ## hondru (moderator) · 2008-09-09T05:43:39.000Z I'm really happy with my pack right now. I don't have the itch to get any more dogs, which I'm sure is partially due to being up to my eyeballs in dependants (dogs, cats, primates, so on...). However, I can definitely forsee myself getting antsy when the chillun are off to school. Then I'd probably like to have five dogs or so. Since I plan on getting into breeding shikoku and icelandic sheepdogs, it depends a lot on what dogs become available to me and whether or not certain dogs turn out to not be breeding quality, or if I can't pass up keeping a certain puppy, or whatever. Ideally, a couple icelandics, a couple shikoku, and on top of that, I'd like to always have at least one rescued pup. The next dog I rescue will probably be a pit. Oh yeah, I also want to foster. Okay, I'll probably end up with more than five dogs. ## Leonberger (admin) · 2008-09-09T05:48:50.000Z If all conditions were ideal (financial, time available, space) I'd have a very large pack. I can see that being close to 30 dogs, of course if I would ever be able to get all the breeds I like that much together and problem free. Add to that a few rescues and that would be the "ideal" pack. Thinking more realistically, we'll see how things go, but I doubt I'll be able to get more than 2 dogs in this apartment and not right now anyway. If I could and had to choose now, I'd be undecided between a Castro Laboreiro and a Jamthund. ## ljowen123 (moderator) · 2008-09-09T10:39:56.000Z I would probably go with 3 and that would only be if my brother was not living with me. I don't see that happening for the next 8 years (while his youngest is in school). I would probably add a shiba and an akita. ## sunyata · 2008-09-09T11:42:46.000Z Hmm... One of these days we will move somewhere with a ton of land... Then I can have all the pups my little heart desires... Until then, it is just Bella and Nola. But one can dream! I think maybe a couple of Shikokus would be an excellent addition to our pack. And maybe a Nova Scotia Duck Tolling Retriever and a Malamute. Hmm... I may have to think about this a bit more! ## tobyshiba · 2008-09-09T11:47:15.000Z A pack with Shikoku, Shiba, and maybe Hokkaido. :) A lot of them. ## tsukitsune (moderator) · 2008-09-09T12:10:34.000Z oh my gosh I am so done with adding to the pack! It was like a daily past time to think about all the great breeds of dogs I could own, but having issue with adding to the pack via fosters in the past, and having to part with a foster that took most of my heart with him... I realized once Hachi came into the picture, and how well she fit right in with the dogs and became alpha on like day one, that I was done adding to our pack. She herself takes up so much time and energy that I am not even thinking about the future in terms of dogs!! At least for a year or more anyway... :) ## ivanmeza03 · 2008-09-09T12:27:14.000Z Avy (jack Russell), Kiba (Kai) and definitely a shikoku or shiba or both =), and a german shepherd ## _dlroberts · 2008-09-09T13:35:42.000Z At this point I can't afford the time and money that would be required to add a third dog to my pack, but I am planning on it for 2-4 years down the road. I actually have two ideal packs, because I know my personal limit is three dogs and there is more than one additional breed that I would like to own. To finish my current ideal pack I will be adding an Akita. 10-15 years from now when its time to grow a new pack, I will probably have a Rottie, Tamaskan, and either a Shikoku or Hokkaido. Of course a lot can change between now and then. But that's how I see it going down for now. :-) ## ShikokuSpirit (moderator) · 2008-09-09T14:46:03.000Z I already have a Malinois and Shikoku. I will be keeping a puppy from Lynx's litter next year (assuming all goes to plan), so another Malinois will be added. And eventually, another Shikoku. 4 dogs should safice for a while, however, I'm toying with the idea of getting another German Shepherd. Could be sooner or later, depends on how well Lynx and I do in trials and how training goes with her puppy that I'm keeping. As well as my living situation (I move alot, lol. All in the best interest of my animal crew) and how much free time (and money) I have to spend with (on) each animal. However, if I happen to come across a really excellent specimen of a German Shepherd, I will not pass her up! Oh and then my boyfriend wants either a Shiba Inu or a Shikoku. So, my pack will end up in the 4-6 dog count. There are some other breeds I'm considering in the future, but for right now I'll have more then my hands full. Especially since I'm planning to compete all of my dogs. I'll be serious with my Malinois' (and German Shepherd). The Shikoku are also gonna trial in events...but they'll be my "stress-relievers". I'm just kinda "playing" around with them to see what they can do and what events they're good at (and enjoy). ## brada1878 (admin) · 2008-09-09T15:19:37.000Z I'm pretty happy with our pack now. :o) We were really planning to stop at 10, but with Boby we will have 11. I think, assuming Boby works out, she will add some "now" guarding that we really need - so I don't mind going over 10. I have always loved the idea of having like 10 - 14 of one breed. Like 10 - 14 Kai-Ken or Shikoku... that would be crazy and interesting. ---- ## brandon_w (admin) · 2008-09-09T15:36:10.000Z A Shiba, a pit, and a bunch of mutts from the shelter. ## ShikokuSpirit (moderator) · 2008-09-09T15:54:16.000Z Brad's -cough- mushing team -cough-. -smiles- ## Romi (admin) · 2008-09-09T16:06:05.000Z I would like to add a kai, shika, and akita. John has been going on and on about getting a pit too. For some reason in the past few weeks, he'll just yell out...I WANT A PIT! ## John · 2008-09-09T17:19:44.000Z I WANT A PIT ! ## sunyata · 2008-09-09T17:38:28.000Z LOL. Romi, maybe you should get John a pit. :) ## tsukitsune (moderator) · 2008-09-09T17:44:25.000Z I think Ninja would disagree. ## John · 2008-09-09T17:54:01.000Z Thats what Romi says. :-( But not to fret, as Ninja and Portia take up most of my love. ## okiron · 2008-09-09T18:02:39.000Z Lol stop making us think about this stuff. As of right now, it'll depend where we'll be living. It'll probably end up being 2-4 hokkas or 2 coonhounds and a wolf. But as always, our plans are always changing. The little one is making us thinking more broadly (is that a word?) on long term expenses. ## hondru (moderator) · 2008-09-09T18:47:38.000Z I would really like to try owning a kishu or hokkaido some day, but I'm not sure if I dare. ## brada1878 (admin) · 2008-09-09T18:54:38.000Z I think a Pit would be happy to put Ninja in his place. ;o) ---- I was telling Jen last night that I want to rescue a pit one day, I dunno when, but Jessica has really made me interested - all these sad little pit faces are killing me slowly. I have always thought they were great dogs and LOVED every one I have met but I never considered getting one. The main reason for not getting one yet [I think] is really due to our already existing pack, it would just be so difficult to find the right one that would mesh w/ our pups. I think there is probably a limit to the number of fighting breeds you can mix w/o losing your mind. If I had to pick a pack of non-spitz breeds I would mos def have a Pit, a Dogo Argentina, and a Fila. <- CRAZY (maybe a Frenchy too) ---- ## MommyofNiko · 2008-09-09T21:25:45.000Z I want an Akita and the plan was to get one until the primate sneeked in. Chad says no more than 2 but I want to always have a shiba, a pit and an akita. Chad now says no more than 1. Chad knows he will lose! No more cats for us though. ## TheWalrus · 2008-09-09T21:47:47.000Z Awww Corina has a Malinois :( I'll take one for my pack thanks :) Ivan, I love your little icon. Umm I agree with Brad on having a bunch of the same dog. Looks like a real pack. Course I think around 4-5 is plenty. I like those LGDs from Sugar Mountain, would love to have a few of those big boys especially seeing as I'm looking to buy a ranch in the future, probably in Hokkaido. I'll take 3-4 LGDs and a pack of 4-5 Kai, and maybe an Akita to rule the roost. ## JessicaRabbit (admin) · 2008-09-09T23:05:44.000Z More pits pits and more pits. Brad (heheheheh I have planted the seed) Romi and John, I have a bunch of shelter connections in CA let me know if you ever decide to take a serious look. I know one amazing hearing impaired pittie named Ciera (she has a myspace I am friends with her) she gets along with EVERYONE and regularly gets her ass beat by a chihuahua (see below) and she is available for adoption ## tobyshiba · 2008-09-09T23:59:24.000Z Brad, Filas aren't too bad! At my old job, my friend had a 12 year old Fila that was a total softie. Just gotta get one straight from Brazil. Most of the American-bred ones are bred poorly. The Brazilian Filas are STILL bred to protect very strongly and hunt down intruders and such. They are capable of killing humans, and will do so, though. Occasionally, they will have a puppy that is less 'aggressive' if that's what you'd call it. My friend, her Fila has passed away last december, she imported a new Fila puppy ( that was apparently more laid back and docile that the other puppies ), after going back and forth with 100+ emails with a breeder in Brazil who even ended up cutting down the cost on the dog a little for her because she was really pressed for money, but she obviously wanted/needed a new Fila to heal her broken heart. When she brought that puppy into work, at like ... a few months old, that sucker was 60+ lbs and had a foot of extra skin. They get to be huuuge and monsterous! 200lbs+ ## hondru (moderator) · 2008-09-10T02:03:21.000Z Filas are so intimidating! I don't like having a dog I can't pick up and carry around in one arm. ## JessicaRabbit (admin) · 2008-09-10T12:50:19.000Z I just assumed Brad was referring to a Portuguese Fila not Brazilian. Brad which one were you referring to? ## Leonberger (admin) · 2008-09-10T12:52:00.000Z To add to those two, there's the Spanish one. ## tobyshiba · 2008-09-10T13:16:08.000Z Really? I didn't realize there was so many Filas! xD ## JessicaRabbit (admin) · 2008-09-10T13:24:29.000Z I guess I just think of the Portuguese one because a)I had one :( and b) We have a ton of them in Fall River Massachusetts (very disreputable breeder who is training them as attack dogs. --- **Navigate:** [Forum home](https://nihonken.org/community/?format=md) · [Sitemap](https://nihonken.org/community/sitemap.xml)