Shikoku vs English Water Spaniel - Breed Comparison

Shikoku is originated from Japan but English Water Spaniel is originated from United Kingdom. Shikoku may grow 24 cm / 9 inches shorter than English Water Spaniel. Shikoku may weigh 33 kg / 73 pounds more than English Water Spaniel. Both Shikoku and English Water Spaniel has almost same life span. Both Shikoku and English Water Spaniel has almost same litter size. Shikoku requires Moderate maintenance. But English Water Spaniel requires Low maintenance

History

shikoku - historyThe Shikoku is from the Shikoku Island in Japan and they are very much like the Japanese Shiba Inu. There are six native Japanese dog breeds and the Shikoku is medium sized and sits in between the smaller Shiba Inu and the very large Akita Inu. All of the Japanese native breeds are members of the Spitz family. The Japanese have sorted their six breeds into 3 categories by size. Being medium size, the Shikoku is a member of the Shika-inus group. Others in this group are the Ainu Ken, the Kai Ken and the Kishu Inu. There are small differences between the three dogs in the Shika-inus group.

The Shikoku was bred to be a hunting dog in Kochi Prefecture to hunt boar and deer. Other names for the breed include Kochi-ken and Kishu dog or boar hound. This dog is considered to be the purest of the Japanese native dogs or Nihoken. They are today very , very rare. There are very few outsides of Japan, but some in North America are attempting to save the breed.

The are od Kochi Prefecture is a mountainous region with rough terrain that anyone outside of the area would have a hard time accessing. That is why the Shikoku is considered to be so pure as they were pretty well isolated in the mountains. The breeders were also isolated by the mountains and there was very little interbreeding. Although breeding the same dog, these different groups developed different lines of the Shikoku.

Documentation tells us that the number of originals lines was just two and these were the Western and Eastern Shikoku. The Western dog was known as the Mount Ishizuchi Shikoku and the Eastern as the Mount Tsurugi Shikoku. Within these two lines of Shikoku there are additional strains.

Within the Eastern line there is the Tokushima (lya) and the Koci-Aki strains. Within the Western line there is the Hata Uwahara, the Ehime-ken Shuso-gun and the Honkawa. Among these lines and strains, there are different coats and different colors; some heavier and some taller, but all figure into the development of the breed.

Finally, in the Showa Era the Japanese established the Dog Protective League and they began collecting the native dogs from around the country. They protected them so that the breed will go on. The Shikoku is today recognized as Foundation Stock by the AKC and it is fully recognized by the Japan Kennel Club, the Canadian Hound Club and the Shikoku has been declared a living Japanese “natural monument”.

Two bloodlines became the way the Shikoku were know after the war – the Honkawa and the Hata lines The Honkawa line were the descendants of the Choshun-go and the Hata line were the descendants of the Matsukaze-go. They bred the lines separately until 1955, when they mixed them to make the breed stronger. They are no longer considered separate in any way.

Because they are such primitive dogs, the Shikoku are good watch dogs and quite reserved with strangers. They need a lot of socialization to be a family pet but once they are, they make great companions. Intelligent, quick to learn and eager to please. Of the two lines of Shikoku dogs from the Western strains, the current Shikoku owes much of its current development to the Honkawa and Hata strains.

The Shikoku are recognized by the following organizations.

The American Canine Association Inc.

The United Kennel Club.

The Canadian Kennel Club.

The American Rare Breed Association

The AKC Foundation Stock Service Program.

The Japanese Kennel Club.

The Dog Registry of America Inc.

The English Water Spaniel breed is extinct and has been since the early 1900’s. It was last seen in the 1930s. The breed was a hunting breed, diving for duck and hunting other waterfowl. Legend has it that Shakespeare was referring to this breed of dog in Macbeth when he refers to the “water rug”. Again, in Two Gentlemen of Verona one of the character states about another that “She hath more qualities than a water-spaniel.’

The English Water Spaniel came along before the Irish Water Spaniel and had a part in the development the Curly Coated Retriever, the American Water Spaniel and the Field Spaniel. The English Water Spaniel looks somewhat like a Poodle/Springer Spaniel cross or a Collie. It is not known whether the English Water Spaniel was part of the development of the Irish Water Spaniel.

When the English Water Spaniel was first developed the UKC had a “Water Spaniels other than Irish” and the English Water Spaniel had no standard written and accepted for it yet. But by 1967 the breed was extinct. Still the American Water Spaniel and the Flat Coated Retriever are believed to be descendants of the English Water Spaniel.

Basic Information

Group:
Sporting dog
Sporting dog
Origin:
Japan
United Kingdom
Height Male:
17 - 27 cm
6 - 11 inches
49 - 51 cm
19 - 21 inches
Height Female:
14 - 24 cm
5 - 10 inches
45 - 47 cm
17 - 19 inches
Weight Male:
42 - 53 kg
92 - 117 pounds
16 - 20 kg
35 - 45 pounds
Weight Female:
40 - 50 kg
88 - 111 pounds
14 - 18 kg
30 - 40 pounds
Life Span:
13 - 15 Years
10 - 14 Years
Litter Size:
4 - 6
4 - 8
Size:
Medium dog
Medium dog
Other Names:
Kochi-ken • Shikoku-Ken
Water Dog, Water Rug
Colors Available:
and red sesame (ground color of red mixed with black hairs)., black sesame (more black than white hairs), Sesame (equal mix of black and white hairs)
liver and white
Coat:
Sesame (equal mix of black and white hairs), black sesame (more black than white hairs), and red sesame (ground color of red mixed with black hairs).
dense, waterproof, doublecoated
Shedding:
Seasonal
Moderate
Temperament:
Affectionate, Courageous, Independent, Intelligent, Lively, Loving, Loyal, Protective, Quiet, Stubborn
Affectionate, Independent, Intelligent, Loving, Loyal, Stubborn, Territorial
Grooming:
Moderate maintenance
Low maintenance
Trainability:
Easy
Moderate
Hypoallergenic:
No
No
Kids Friendly:
No
Yes
New Owners Friendly:
Yes
Yes

Description

shikoku puppy - descriptionToday’s Shikoku is a medium sized breed with a Spitz like body – square with a head that is wedge shaped. The ears are pointed, and the tail is curved and feathered. They have arched toes and hard pads with dark, hard nails.

The two lines of the Shikoku are slightly different in built and look. The Honkawa strain is slender and athletic; agile and single coated. They have dark eyes and most of them are black and tan.

On the other hand, the Hata strain is much heavier boned, with the front more muscular than the rear. They have small ears, a wide skull and a strong undercoat. His eyes are shaped differently than the Honkawa. Their coats are also mostly red and tan.

Resembling the Springer Spaniel, poodle, collie and setter the English Water Spaniel has very little in common with the Irish Water Spaniel in respect to looks. The English has a narrow and somewhat longer head their than other spaniels and they have long furry ears. Their body is stout, and they are shaped like a barrel – more like a Clumber. With long legs and large feet, it is ready to take to the hunt. There coat was waterproof, and their toes were webbed.

Characteristics

shikoku dog - characteristics1.Children friendliness – They might be a little aloof with children. They are hunters.

2.Special talents – speed and endurance.

3.Adaptability with your commitment to exercise they can live anywhere even in an apartment.

4.Learning ability - highly intelligent fast learners

The English Water Spaniel was aloof with strangers but loyal with his hunter. He was a little stubborn and an excellent water dog. They loved being in the water and could enter it without making any noise so as not to frighten his prey. He was highly intelligent and trainable. He also was very affectionate with his people.

Health Problems

shikoku puppies - health problemsBeing isolated as they were, the Shikoku was a fairly healthy breed, no genetic testing has been done. Despite this they suffer a few of the same potential issues as other breeds their size.

  • Hip, knee and elbow dysplasia.
  • Food allergies.
  • Gland infections.
  • Digestive or urinary infections and issues.

Otherwise this is an agile and hardy breed with no known congenital health issues.

The English Water Spaniel is a fairly healthy breed given to some fairly common disorders such as:

Hip Dysplasia

Can lead to lameness and arthritis

Cardiac abnormalities

Arterial fib and flutter and other problems that could lead to death.

Degenerative Myelopathy

This is a disease seem in several “Dwarf” breeds such as Corgis, as well as in many spaniels. This is the canine version of Lou Gehrig’s Disease or ALS and it is fatal.

Caring The Pet

shikoku dogs - caringFeeding the puppy Be careful with feeding the puppy and adult as the breed is known to have a tendency toward obesity. Fresh food is better as it is what the breed has been used to, but a high quality puppy kibble is acceptable. Feed three times per day.

2.Feeding the adult He is a high energy dog so feed a high energy food designed for a medium sized dog. Feed in two meals each day.

3.Points for Good Health The breed has remarkable endurance.

4. Games and Exercises You will need a fenced yard for this breed and time to play with them. If not, you would need time to walk her more than once a day. They love to play indoors as well, chasing balls, learning new things. The breed make great companions for hiking, swimming, play frisbee or catch outside. They do well at agility, rally, obedience and flyball.

Feeding

The English Water Spaniel is not an overly energetic dog and has a tendency to over eat. Feed him 1 to 1.5 cups of high quality dry dog food over two meals each day.

Health issues

In addition to the health issues mentioned earlier, the English Water Spaniel is also prone to:

Baldness

Pattern baldness – is genetic and occurs on the neck and back of the hind legs.

Cataracts

English Water Spaniels can have these in old age like most other breeds.

Retinal Dysplasia

Clumps form in the retinal tissue and can lead to blindness

Exercise and games

The English Water Spaniel was a worker and an outdoor athlete at a time before organized canine games and activities such as agility and flyball. They loved to swim, and they loved to hunt. Without a job to do they could become barky and destructive.

Comparison with other breeds

  1. Shikoku vs East Siberian Laika - Breed Comparison
  2. Shikoku vs English Pointer - Breed Comparison
  3. Shikoku vs French Spaniel - Breed Comparison
  4. Shikoku vs Flat-Coated Retriever - Breed Comparison
  5. Shikoku vs Finnish Spitz - Breed Comparison
  6. Shikoku vs Ariegeois - Breed Comparison
  7. Shikoku vs Beagador - Breed Comparison
  8. Shikoku vs Nova Scotia Duck-Tolling Retriever - Breed Comparison
  9. Shikoku vs English Water Spaniel - Breed Comparison
  10. Shikoku vs Field Spaniel - Breed Comparison
  11. Shikoku vs Artois Hound - Breed Comparison
  12. Shikoku vs Curly Coated Retriever - Breed Comparison
  13. Shikoku vs Lagotto Romagnolo - Breed Comparison
  14. Shikoku vs Braque Francais - Breed Comparison
  15. Shikoku vs Formosan Mountain Dog - Breed Comparison
  16. Shikoku vs Kooikerhondje - Breed Comparison
  17. Shikoku vs Braque Francais (Pyrenean Type) - Breed Comparison
  18. Shikoku vs Braque Saint-Germain - Breed Comparison
  19. Slovakian Hound vs Shikoku - Breed Comparison
  20. Small Munsterlander vs Shikoku - Breed Comparison
  21. Sussex Spaniel vs Shikoku - Breed Comparison
  22. Welsh Springer Spaniel vs Shikoku - Breed Comparison
  23. West Siberian Laika vs Shikoku - Breed Comparison
  24. Wetterhoun vs Shikoku - Breed Comparison
  25. Wirehaired Pointing Griffon vs Shikoku - Breed Comparison
  26. French Spaniel vs English Water Spaniel - Breed Comparison
  27. Flat-Coated Retriever vs English Water Spaniel - Breed Comparison
  28. Finnish Spitz vs English Water Spaniel - Breed Comparison
  29. Nova Scotia Duck-Tolling Retriever vs English Water Spaniel - Breed Comparison
  30. English Water Spaniel vs East Siberian Laika - Breed Comparison
  31. English Water Spaniel vs English Pointer - Breed Comparison
  32. English Water Spaniel vs Ariegeois - Breed Comparison
  33. English Water Spaniel vs Beagador - Breed Comparison
  34. English Water Spaniel vs Artois Hound - Breed Comparison
  35. English Water Spaniel vs Curly Coated Retriever - Breed Comparison
  36. English Water Spaniel vs Braque Francais - Breed Comparison
  37. English Water Spaniel vs Braque Francais (Pyrenean Type) - Breed Comparison
  38. English Water Spaniel vs Braque Saint-Germain - Breed Comparison
  39. Field Spaniel vs English Water Spaniel - Breed Comparison
  40. Lagotto Romagnolo vs English Water Spaniel - Breed Comparison
  41. Formosan Mountain Dog vs English Water Spaniel - Breed Comparison
  42. Slovakian Hound vs English Water Spaniel - Breed Comparison
  43. Small Munsterlander vs English Water Spaniel - Breed Comparison
  44. Sussex Spaniel vs English Water Spaniel - Breed Comparison
  45. Kooikerhondje vs English Water Spaniel - Breed Comparison
  46. Welsh Springer Spaniel vs English Water Spaniel - Breed Comparison
  47. West Siberian Laika vs English Water Spaniel - Breed Comparison
  48. Wetterhoun vs English Water Spaniel - Breed Comparison
  49. Wirehaired Pointing Griffon vs English Water Spaniel - Breed Comparison

View/Compare Breeds

Popular Dog Breeds