Official ICCF Breed Description

Brief Historical Background

The Shikoku is an ancient Japanese breed originating from the island of Shikoku, where local hunters used these dogs for centuries to pursue wild boar and other large game in difficult mountainous terrain. The breed developed naturally, selected for endurance, courage, agility, and the ability to work on rugged ground. The Shikoku has preserved the typical traits of Japan’s ancient spitz-type dogs: a wedge-shaped head, erect ears, curled tail, and confident, wolf-like expression. In the 20th century, systematic breeding began, aimed at preserving the original hunting type and natural temperament. Today, the Shikoku remains a rare but highly valued breed, retaining its primitive spirit, natural balance, and strong working heritage.

General Appearance

The Shikoku is a medium-sized dog of dry, strong, harmonious build, combining power, lightness, and high agility. The body is slightly elongated; the musculature is firm but not coarse. The head is wedge-shaped, with an alert and confident expression and a characteristic “wild” appearance. The limbs are strong and resilient, with well-defined angulation providing stability and precision of movement in mountainous terrain. The topline is straight, the chest deep, the abdomen moderately tucked-up. The coat is double, dense, and protective against harsh weather. Overall, the Shikoku displays balance, compactness, and working potential, maintaining the historical type of a Japanese hunting dog.

Important Proportions

The format is slightly elongated; height at withers approximately equals body length with a slight extension. The head is proportional to the body, wedge-shaped; muzzle length is about 40% of total head length. The chest is deep, reaching the elbows; ribs are moderately arched, providing stability and lung capacity during work. The neck is medium in length, dry and strong. Limb angulation is balanced, allowing sharp turns and confident movement on uneven terrain. The tail is set high, curled or carried in a sickle shape. All proportions serve agility, endurance, and precise movement.

Behavior and Temperament

The Shikoku has a balanced, attentive, and determined temperament, preserving the natural independence typical of Japan’s ancient hunting dogs. The breed is oriented toward close cooperation with its owner but retains decision-making independence, important when working with large game. The Shikoku is brave, persistent, quick-reacting, and has a strong chase instinct. At home it is calm but always alert and responsive to environmental changes. With strangers it is reserved but not aggressive without cause. In the family it is loyal, affectionate, and trainable, yet requires consistent upbringing and sufficient physical activity. Nervousness, shyness, or unprovoked aggression are serious deviations.

Head

The Shikoku head is wedge-shaped, dry, clearly defined, proportional to the body. The skull is moderately broad, slightly convex, with a non-coarse forehead. The stop is moderately marked, smooth and not abrupt. The muzzle is strong yet dry, tapering toward the nose while maintaining a firm, confident profile. Cheeks are moderate and not protruding. Lips are tight, not pendulous, well-pigmented. Jaws are strong, with a full set of teeth and correct scissor bite. The head overall conveys focus, confidence, and natural concentration typical of Japanese hunting breeds. Excessive coarseness, weakness, or poor pigmentation are unacceptable.

Facial Region

The facial region is defined by a straight profile and wedge-shaped, but not sharp, muzzle. Nose is black and well pigmented, nostrils open. Lips are dry, tight, without folds, giving a clean outline. Jaws are strong; teeth large and even. Cheeks are dry, slightly taut, highlighting the muzzle shape without adding coarseness. The chin is moderately defined but not protruding. The facial region must show strength, focus, and natural hunting expression with a characteristic “wolf-like” nuance. Weak jaws, overly sharp muzzle, coarse wrinkling, or insufficient pigmentation are unacceptable.

Eyes

The Shikoku’s eyes are medium-sized, almond-shaped, slightly slanted, creating an expressive and attentive “wolf-like” look. The iris is dark brown, even, harmonizing with coat color and enhancing the typical expression. Eyelids fit tightly and are well pigmented, emphasizing clean lines and a dry muzzle. The gaze is lively, focused, confident, without signs of aggression or nervousness. Light, round, overly large, or protruding eyes, as well as eyelid defects or weak pigmentation, are unacceptable. Proper eye shape is an important breed feature reflecting the breed’s hunting temperament.

Ears

Shikoku ears are small, triangular, erect, set high, with a slight forward tilt, giving the head an alert, collected expression. Tips are slightly rounded; the ear canal faces forward. The ears are firm, well-furred, and mobile, reacting instantly to sounds—important for hunting work. Oversized, low-set, soft, or widely spaced ears are unacceptable. Correct ears emphasize the wedge-shaped head, dry lines, and traditional Japanese type.

Neck

The Shikoku’s neck is medium in length, dry, well-muscled, smoothly flowing into the withers. The carriage is confident but not overly vertical, providing flexibility and maneuverability. Skin is tight, without dewlap, reinforcing the clean silhouette and working type. The neck must be strong enough to support dynamic head movements and sharp turns while pursuing game. A short, weak, coarse, or overly long neck disrupts breed balance. Correct neck structure highlights harmony and functionality.

Body

The body is compact, strong, dry, and harmonious, reflecting the breed’s purpose as a hunter working in mountainous terrain. Withers are well defined, blending into a straight, firm back. The back is medium in length, strong, without sway or roach. The loin is short, powerful, muscular, supporting stability and force. The croup is slightly sloping, broad, aiding speed and agility. The chest is deep with well-arched ribs, reaching the elbows and offering sufficient lung capacity. The abdomen is moderately tucked-up, emphasizing the dry format. The body must demonstrate balance, endurance, and functionality without coarseness or excessive lightness.

Tail

The Shikoku tail is set high, thickly covered with dense hair forming a full, expressive Japanese plume. In motion it is curled or carried in a sickle shape over the back without excessive stiffness or breaks. At rest it may lower slightly while retaining its natural curve. The tail is strong at the base, tapering toward the tip. It completes breed balance and silhouette, enhancing the wedge-shaped head and dry body. A short, overly long, tightly curled, low-set, or straight hanging tail is unacceptable. The tail is a key hallmark of Japanese spitz-type dogs.

Exterior Description

Forelimbs

The Shikoku’s forelimbs are straight, parallel, dry but strong, with well-defined bone providing stability on uneven terrain. Shoulder blades are long, sloping back, creating correct scapular angle and contributing to movement precision. The upper arm corresponds in length to the shoulder; elbows are directed straight back, not turned out. Forearms are straight and strong; wrists firm and slightly elastic. Feet are round, compact, with thick pads and strong nails for grip on rocky ground. Soft pasterns, incorrect alignment, overly narrow or wide limbs are unacceptable.

Hindlimbs

The hindlimbs are powerful, well-angulated, with firm, dry musculature ensuring strength, agility, and stability on rugged terrain. Thighs are long, broad, elastic, creating a strong drive. Knees are strong, with clearly defined but not exaggerated angulation, allowing light, flexible movement and rapid direction changes. Lower legs are moderate in length, muscular, leading to strong, low hocks without weakness, cow-hocks, or splayed stance. Metatarsals are vertical, strong, not deviating. Feet compact and round with thick pads suitable for rocky slopes. Any incorrect angulation, lameness, joint weakness, or excessive heaviness are serious faults.

Gait and Movement

The Shikoku’s gait is free, springy, confident, highly maneuverable, easily transitioning from trot to gallop. Movements are light yet powerful; the topline remains steady. Forelimbs extend cleanly forward; hindlimbs provide strong propulsion, maintaining good speed and smoothness. A defining trait is the precision and economy of movement with the ability to change direction instantly while hunting. Elbows must move parallel to the body; feet must not splay or cross. Paddling, cow-hocks, short steps, heavy or loose gait are unacceptable. Correct movement reflects agility and endurance.

Coat

The Shikoku coat is double and dense, adapted to the humid, mountainous climate of the breed’s homeland. Undercoat is thick and soft, forming strong insulation. Guard hair is straight, harsh, medium-length, lying close and protecting from moisture, wind, and abrasion. Tail hair is dense, forming a plume. On limbs and body the coat is moderate in length, without excessive fluffiness or silkiness. Overly long, soft, curly, sparse coat, lack of undercoat, or signs of artificial alteration are unacceptable. The coat must retain its natural working type.

Acceptable Colors

Traditional Japanese colors typical of ancient spitz-type breeds are acceptable. Main variants: sesame (mix of black and red hairs distributed evenly), black-sesame, red-sesame, as well as black and tan and red in various shades. Colors must be clean, rich, and even, without patches violating breed type. Classic sesame is most valued, emphasizing the breed’s wolf-like type. Pigmentation of nose, lips, and eyelids must be black and stable, minor seasonal lightening allowed. Pure white, brindle, merle, large white patches, or depigmentation are unacceptable.

Size

The Shikoku belongs to medium Japanese hunting breeds; size must support functionality, allowing fast movement on rocky trails and pursuit of game. Males typically stand 49–55 cm; females 46–52 cm at the withers. Weight varies within a balanced, dry format without coarseness or excessive lightness. Oversized or undersized dogs disrupting balance and agility are unacceptable. Bone must be strong but not heavy; musculature dry and well developed. Correct size ensures endurance, speed, and precision of movement.

Faults

Faults include any deviations affecting functionality, breed type, or working ability. Weak bone, loose body, soft topline, insufficient chest depth. Incorrect limb angulation, paddling, cow-hocks, soft pasterns, weak joints. Overly light or coarse head, insufficient pigmentation of nose, eyelids, or lips, light eyes or incorrect eyelid shape. Soft, long, sparse, or wavy coat; lack of undercoat. Incorrect color, large white patches, depigmentation. Temperament faults—fearfulness, unjustified aggression, unstable behavior, excessive nervousness, or lack of working motivation. Any signs reducing the dog’s ability to work effectively in natural conditions are significant faults.

Disqualification

Disqualifying faults include severe deviations eliminating breed type or working function. Complete depigmentation of nose, lips, or eyelids; serious eye defects—lack of pigment, incorrect eyelid position, pronounced strabismus. Undershot, overshot, absence of several teeth (age-related exceptions apply) exclude the dog from breeding. Major limb deformities, lameness, severe movement faults, joint weakness, or loss of stability. Non-standard colors: brindle, white, merle, large white patches, or albinism. Complete lack of undercoat, excessively long or curly coat, artificially altered coat. Cryptorchidism in males. Fearfulness, unjustified aggression, or pronounced behavioral instability are absolute disqualifying factors under ICCF rules.

Important Notes

The Shikoku preserves the ancient Japanese hunting type; evaluation must consider functionality, focus, and working ability. Minor cosmetic deviations in color or coat volume are acceptable if they do not affect the dog’s ability to move or work effectively. Any artificial alteration of coat, ear shape, tail, or color is forbidden. Judging considers age, sex, physical condition, and temperament. Character must be stable, balanced, confident, without nervousness or panic. Maintenance of “wild-type” traits — alertness, precise movement, and balance — is essential.

Conclusion

The Shikoku is an ancient, rare, and highly functional Japanese hunting breed combining natural instinct, agility, and a characteristic wolf-type appearance. To participate in ICCF shows and breeding, the dog must have official ICCF documents confirming origin, breed standard compliance, and absence of disqualifying faults. Evaluation includes coat quality, pigmentation, body proportions, mental stability, and correct movement. Only healthy, typical, balanced dogs fully meeting ICCF requirements are approved for breeding. The Shikoku must retain its working format, natural temperament, and historical Japanese type, giving the breed high value and unique character.