# Akashima's Kuma [ now with amazing spam, courtesy of Terence ] Hope everyone's doing well <3 --- So I was looking at Katja's shikoku on her website [ for the millionth time, I think ] & I noticed her male Kuma looks surprisingly different than the other Shikoku... Is it just me? He looks stockier, like he's made of more muscle, & his face is altogether more "m… ## Thread In Shikoku Ken · started by Sangmort · 49 replies - **Category:** [Shikoku Ken](https://nihonken.org/community/c/shikoku-ken) - **Forum:** [Nihon Ken Forum](https://nihonken.org/community/) ## Sangmort (moderator) · 2008-10-11T03:30:24.000Z Hope everyone's doing well <3 --- So I was looking at Katja's shikoku on her website [ for the millionth time, I think ] & I noticed her male Kuma looks surprisingly different than the other Shikoku... Is it just me? He looks stockier, like he's made of more muscle, & his face is altogether more "masculine." [ he has a broader head, & a thicker neck ] If that makes sense... Was just wondering if it's just me, or if he really does look different? lol Kuma: & to compare; Mike; [ my favorite of Katja's pups ] :o ~ ## Sangmort (moderator) · 2008-10-11T03:32:36.000Z Kuma looks a lot like his namesake. [ bear ] ~ ## Nekopan · 2008-10-11T03:53:42.000Z I'd say it's hard to compare a front view with a side view. Kuma does certainly look like he has a wider head, but he could just have a winter coat whereas Mike has a summer coat. You'd really have to see the dogs in person to compare. ## Sangmort (moderator) · 2008-10-11T04:11:58.000Z Good point. Maybe it is just me :x I think his mask is throwing me off :o [ & there's just something about his muzzle.. ] Other Shikas; & Another one of Mike; [ off Brad's site ] I wonder is the winter coat that much different than the summer coat?~ ## Edgewood · 2008-10-11T13:00:52.000Z Sangamort - you have to remember that that photo of Kuma is a bit deceiving comparing to the Mike's photo because Kuma is still a puppy. If I remember right, he would have or is just going to turn 1 year old here shortly. I know that he is not as old as my Kuma and my Kuma turned 1 year in Sept. Katja emailed me that photo of her Kuma about 3 months ago or so, so that would mean that he was still only about 6-8 months of age in the photo. I know that my Kuma was shorter, stockier (in the legs) and had a shorter and broader muzzle when he was about that age. The photos of Mike are when he is an adult. ## brada1878 (admin) · 2008-10-11T13:20:58.000Z Katja's Kuma is a bit different in appearance. For one thing, he has smaller ears than her other Shikoku and has rather unique markings. I believe Kuma is her most recent Japanese import and is from different lines than her other dogs. As far as the "look" of his build goes, I agree with Kris. He is young, Loa and Ahi didn't fully fill-out till they were over a year and almost 2 years old. I have some pics of Kuma, I had asked Katja if I could post them on the forum [because I think that dog is amazing] and she wanted to get me some better ones before I did a post - but I never got any updated ones. ---- ## Sangmort (moderator) · 2008-10-11T21:46:22.000Z OH! I see now! :D I had assumed he was full grown in the pictures, I didn't know he was a pup! [ just to clarify, I think he's such a handsome boy, just couldn't figure out why he looked so different ;) ] Thanks guys :)~ ## Chanur Akita · 2008-10-12T14:37:21.000Z Ho! Kuma is so beautyful!!!!!! I love his color. ## StaticNfuzz · 2008-10-12T17:16:04.000Z If Katja gets the newer picture to you and post them it will be interesting to compare. In dogs there are changes at different growth spurts. However, my thought is the overall cranium should be similar...i.e. if he has a wide broad head and stout muzzle as a young dog it might be the same only proportioned larger/longer as an adult. Snf ## ShikokuSpirit (moderator) · 2008-10-12T22:23:23.000Z Here are what I consider to be more "Showy Shikoku", I took these at the 2007 Nihon Ken Show in Kumamoto: Same dog from above: Side Profile: ---------------------------------------------------- Kuma will be 1 year of age this month...He and Kei-kun are only about a month apart. I think he is more "bulky" or stockier then most Shikoku. So that probably still holds true. Take into consideration angles of the photos, as well as coloring though. Boys generally mature at around 2-4 years of age, depending on the dog breed (still not quite sure yet on Shikoku, I would think around 2-3 years). Oh yeah...some dogs can actually still grow a little bit physically even after the growth plates are closed (at around 2 years). ## ShikokuSpirit (moderator) · 2008-10-12T22:50:12.000Z Opps...I have some Kuma puppy pictures. Katja gave me permission to post on the forums but I guess I never did! Sorry! Here they are, I received these photos in February: ## Nekopan · 2008-10-12T23:03:31.000Z Kuma is a very serious-looking boy. ## JessicaRabbit (admin) · 2008-10-12T23:04:33.000Z Seriously CUTE!!! ## Sangmort (moderator) · 2008-10-12T23:27:10.000Z haha What a cute little puppy!!! :D I absolutely LOVE the 3 shikoku you posted Corina. Especially no.667 [ I love the Urajiro ]~ ## sujewel · 2008-10-12T23:36:35.000Z Wow. Such beautiful dogs! And Kuma is gorgeous! ## hondru (moderator) · 2008-10-13T04:05:34.000Z #667 looks a lot like Ahi to me. ## Leonberger (admin) · 2008-10-13T08:32:29.000Z #641 is beautiful dog! Can I have one in Akita size, please? :-P ## lindsayt · 2008-10-13T12:48:05.000Z Do shikoku have different types like shiba (there are 3), say where certain dogs come from different regions so 1 type may be more stocky if they lived in a more mountainous region? I would expect that as shikoku become more popular, that certain lines become prominent and certain features will be more emphasized but since I don't breed/own them I wonder if anyone knows? ## JessicaRabbit (admin) · 2008-10-13T12:50:17.000Z Rui, I believe that would simply be called a wolf. ## lindsayt · 2008-10-13T13:07:24.000Z Never mind, I see there are 3 types: Awa, Hata, and Hongawa (most prominent)-Kuma is this type I think, what a stocky big boy! ## Leonberger (admin) · 2008-10-13T14:13:18.000Z Jess - I'd rather call it a Shikita or an Akoku :-P (all - joke, please do not think I'm in anyway condoning mixing both breeds into a designer breed. After all, I think I already stated my views on that) ## Sangmort (moderator) · 2008-10-13T16:04:49.000Z Rui! We KNOW you want to breed designer dogs! Don't try to hide it! Shame on you :p lol j/k But really, an Akita sized Shikoku would be awesome :o [ maybe Ahi is the closest we'll ever see to one? lol ]~ ## Romi (admin) · 2008-10-13T21:07:21.000Z Katja sent me a picture of Kuma last January when he was just a little puppy. He was such a cute puppy, and growing into a very handsome boy! Thanks for the pics Corina! those are great! ## Sangmort (moderator) · 2008-10-14T15:19:38.000Z I'm tempted to ask Katja for an updated picture, but she just had a litter so I think her hands are full right now. [ with cute little Shikoku puppies!!! I'm SO jealous haha :D ]~ ## jikjak · 2008-10-14T18:56:05.000Z i just saw him last month and he is a beautiful shikoku. im actually hoping to get a pup from a litter he sires. hopefully a kuma and kimi pup. mike looked great as well. i would have to say h e looks beefier and stockier than kuma. i found kuma to be more lanky, but thats due to his age. he was almost 1 year old when i saw him. i took some pics and HD vids but im not sure if its ok to post them. ## Sangmort (moderator) · 2008-10-16T01:50:50.000Z Terence... I would LOVE to see them :p Though I'm not sure if Katja would mind...~ ## Nekopan · 2008-10-16T02:07:36.000Z I second Osy! I'm sure we would all love to see the pictures you have. It wouldn't hurt to ask Katja first, though. ## jikjak · 2008-10-17T05:24:19.000Z i sent her an email and she would like to see them before i post anything on the board. shes going to be away at a show till monday though. ## jikjak · 2008-10-29T03:21:16.000Z sorry for the long delay. ive been quite busy. anyhow here are some pics from my visit to akashima. ## Sangmort (moderator) · 2008-10-29T03:28:56.000Z TERENCE!!! Oh my God! Those photos are AMAZING!!! I feel like I'm right there at Katja's kennels!!! :O!! Wow. Just. Wow. I'm in shock! Shikoku....just so...pretty! Please, give me your photography skills :p btw; the Bokeh on the grasshopper is amazing!~ --- **Navigate:** [Forum home](https://nihonken.org/community/?format=md) · [Sitemap](https://nihonken.org/community/sitemap.xml)