MyDogBreeds
Shikoku is originated from Japan but Schnorkie is originated from United States. Both Shikoku and Schnorkie are having almost same height. Shikoku may weigh 47 kg / 104 pounds more than Schnorkie. Both Shikoku and Schnorkie has same life span. Shikoku may have less litter size than Schnorkie. Both Shikoku and Schnorkie requires Moderate maintenance.
The 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.
This dog is a cross between the Miniature Schnauzer and the Yorkshire Terrier.
It’s not a purebred dog and is known as a designer dog. These dogs inherit characteristics from both of its purebred parents.
The origins and history of these breeds is often unknown with their being no records as to when or where breeders started developing them. This particular mixed breed dog originated in the United States.
Today’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.
The Schnorkie is a small dog standing at between 12 to 30cm in height and weighing just 3 to 6kg.
Schnorkies have an athletic build but they are lean and you want to keep them that way.
Their double coat is mostly silky and straight, but can be wavy too. The double coat can be grey, silver, fawnish and have a mix of colors while also being available in solid colors.
The ears are half erect, half floppy and the tail tends to be medium length, plumed and held up.
Schnorkies are high spirited little dogs and they can also prove to stubborn. There is nothing that a bit of training and socialization won't do for stubborn dogs, making them obedient and responsive to their owners.
Because they are hybrid dogs, they can inherit temperaments or looks from either of the parent dogs.
1.Children friendliness – They might be a little aloof with children. They are hunters.
3.Adaptability with your commitment to exercise they can live anywhere even in an apartment.
Your Schnorkie is a jaunty little dog who is going to love playing games with you. Children will need to treat him with gentleness and respect simply because he is small.
He is social, friendly and loving with his human family, though sometimes, coming from the Schnauzer, he gets a bit moody.
He makes a great family pet though and and while he loves to be outside playing, he also loves to come indoors and be everybody’s lap dog for the evening.
Being 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.
Otherwise this is an agile and hardy breed with no known congenital health issues.
Your Schnorkie, as a hybrid breed, can inherit some health problems from either parent – the Schnauzer or the Yorkshire Terrier.
Then again, mixing pure bred dogs can eliminate some common dog ailments. Overall, the Schnorkie is a healthy dog and can live up to 15 years of age.
A couple of major health concerns with the Schnorkie are dental problems and pancreatitis.
If your dog has tooth problems he might be in terrible pain and that is why it is so important to look inside his mouth.
Dogs can break their teeth and they can also get gum disease. Dogs have a more alkaline mouth and this is what encourages plaque. Try and brush your pet’s teeth with special canine toothpaste and toothbrush because dental disease can cause lots of problems for your pet.
The pancreas helps with the digestion of food and to regulate blood sugar. Pancreatitis is more common in Schnauzers, and then the pancreas is swollen and inflamed.
Dogs with this disease will lose their appetite, be lethargic, restless and have stomach pain. You may see your pet hunching his back. Pancreatitis can lead to organ damage and you will need to get your dog to the vet.
Feeding 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.
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.
Puppies will need 4 small meals a day, but by 8 weeks your Schnorkie will be ready to move onto dry dog food. As he grows into an adult you will cut the meals down to two a day.
The best commercially manufactured dry dog food is able to meet your dogs nutritional needs and it’s super convenient too. It can be a good idea to feed your pet some home-made food too. Twice a week will be sufficient to add in this home-made food - boiled chicken, brown rice or pasta, sweet potatoes, carrots and spinach will be excellent for him and his digestion and be a tasty treat for him. You can simply chop it up and add it to the dry kibble. Some raw meat occasionally can help to ward off nasty skin ailments. Make sure that your Schnorkie has a constant supply of cool fresh water.
Schnauzers and Yorkies both have high maintenance coats and your Schnorkie will also require regular brushing, though he doesn’t shed much. Some people prefer to hand their dogs in and have them professionally groomed.
Just because a Schnorkie is a little dog, doesn’t mean he doesn’t need exercise. You don’t want a small dog like this getting obese and unfit. Take him for walks and give him some ball games.