Shikoku vs Dutch Smoushond - Breed Comparison | Petzlover

Shikoku vs Dutch Smoushond - Breed ComparisonDutch Smoushond is originated from Netherlands but Shikoku is originated from Japan. Dutch Smoushond may grow 16 cm / 7 inches higher than Shikoku. Dutch Smoushond may weigh 42 kg / 92 pounds lesser than Shikoku. Both Dutch Smoushond and Shikoku has same life span. Both Dutch Smoushond and Shikoku has same litter size. Both Dutch Smoushond and Shikoku requires Moderate Maintenance.

Basic Information

Group:
Companion dog
Sporting dog
undefined
Netherlands
Japan
Height Male:
35 - 43 cm
13 - 17 inches
17 - 27 cm
6 - 11 inches
Height Female:
35 - 43 cm
13 - 17 inches
14 - 24 cm
5 - 10 inches
Weight Male:
9 - 11 kg
19 - 25 pounds
42 - 53 kg
92 - 117 pounds
Weight Female:
9 - 11 kg
19 - 25 pounds
40 - 50 kg
88 - 111 pounds
Life Span:
13 - 15 Years
13 - 15 Years
Litter Size:
2 - 6
4 - 6
Size:
Medium
Medium
Other Names:
Dutch Terrier, Dutch Ratter
Kochi-ken • Shikoku-Ken
Colors Available:
Yellowish, straw color
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)
Coat:
Rough, shaggy, wiry medium length
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).
Shedding:
Minimal
Seasonal
Temperament:
Affectionate, Alert, Cheerful, Courageous, Energetic, Friendly, Gentle, Intelligent, Lively, Loving, Loyal, Outgoing, Playful, Quiet, Responsive, Social, Territorial
Affectionate, Courageous, Independent, Intelligent, Lively, Loving, Loyal, Protective, Quiet, Stubborn
Grooming:
Moderate Maintenance
Moderate Maintenance
Trainability:
Easy
Easy
Hypoallergenic:
No
No
Kids Friendly:
Yes
No
New Owners Friendly:
Yes
Yes

History

dutch smoushondThe Dutch Smoushond, known also as the Hollandse Smoushond ,Hollandse Herdershond

or Dutch Ratter is a small to medium sized dog. The Smoushondenclub was formed in 1905 as it was thought that the breed was dying out and they wanted to register the dog as a purebred breed.

It is believed that the dog’s origins may have to do with the Schnauzer breed. It was in 1973 that a number of breeders looked to reconstruct the breed, using Border Terrier crosses.

Today this rare breed is popular in the Netherlands, but not particularly well known anywhere else. In 2001 it was recognized by the Federation Cynologique Internationale as well as by the United Kennel Club in the United States.

Although the dog was once a skilled ratter, most Dutch Smoushond are kept as companion dogs.

shikokuThe 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.

Description

dutch smoushond puppy - descriptionThe Dutch Smoushond is a small to medium sized dog breed related to the Schnauzer- and Pinscher breed. He stands at about 35 to 43cm at the withers and weighs about 10kg.

He has a rough, shaggy, wiry coat which is waterproof and which is a yellowish or straw color. You’ll notice that the hair around the face is long and fairly straight and forms a beard, eyebrows, and moustache, giving him wise, know-it-all look.

The forelegs are also feathered. He may well give the impression of being ungroomed and untidy with his different length hair. He has floppy ears, the eyes are small and dark, the nose black and the tail is long and feathery, hanging limply when the dog is relaxed.

Temperament:

Easy going, friendly and social, the Dutch Smoushond is a fairly quiet dog, but because he is intelligent and alert, he makes a good watchdog.

When not guarding you, he is cheerful and entertaining. He is an adaptable dog, being able to settle down to life in the city or in the countryside, getting on well with other pets in the home as well as with children.

He is a dog who wants to please, so training him isn’t going to prove difficult. He’ll do well with this training as well as socialization as he becomes obedient, easy-going and relaxed around strangers.

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.

Characteristics

dutch smoushond dog - characteristicsThe Dutch Smoushond, also known as the Dutchie, Dutch Ratter or Dutch Terrier may once have been used as a vermin hunter, but today this terrier dog shares some of the characteristics of the more popular terriers. He may have been a hunter in his day, but more recently he is used as a reliable companion dog.

He tends to be a bit of a barker, particularly when he isn’t getting attention.

He gets on well with other animals in the home as well as with children, but he will need to be trained and socialized. He is lively, friendly and social and is a dog who becomes devoted to his human family.

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

Health Problems

dutch smoushond puppies - health problemsThese dogs are a healthy breed, but nonetheless there are are some health problems that can crop up occasionally.

Ear- and eye infections and joint problems are always a major concern, even in young dogs. Bad diet, old age and being overweight can all contribute to your dog developing joint pain. Joint pain symptoms can include -

difficulty with sitting or lying down

limping or even holding a leg up off the ground

lethargic to take part in any activities

Take your pet to the vet who will examine your pet and perhaps request x-rays.

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.

Caring The Pet

dutch smoushond dogs - caringThe Dutch Smoushond is basically an easy care breed, and it won’t do to try and tame the coat as the dog has a naturally unkempt look.

You can brush him twice a week to keep the coat free of matting and to remove loose hairs. The Dutch Smoushond may require the hair being plucked and a professional groomer can do this.

At the same time, the groomer can remove excess hair from the ears and also clean your dog’s teeth. This is of critical importance as bad teeth can lead to a host of health problems.

Get into the habit of brushing your pet’s teeth 2 or 3 times a week, making use of special pet approved toothbrush and toothpaste.

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.

Comparison with other breeds

  1. Shikoku vs English Bulldog - Breed Comparison
  2. Shikoku vs German Shepherd - Breed Comparison
  3. Shikoku vs Golden Retriever - Breed Comparison
  4. Shikoku vs Labrador Retriever - Breed Comparison
  5. Shikoku vs West Highland White Terrier - Breed Comparison
  6. Shikoku vs French Bulldog - Breed Comparison
  7. Shikoku vs Beagle - Breed Comparison
  8. Shikoku vs Yorkshire Terrier - Breed Comparison
  9. Shikoku vs Poodle - Breed Comparison
  10. Shikoku vs Rottweiler - Breed Comparison
  11. Shikoku vs Boxer - Breed Comparison
  12. Shikoku vs English Pointer - Breed Comparison
  13. Shikoku vs Siberian Husky - Breed Comparison
  14. Shikoku vs Doberman Pinscher - Breed Comparison
  15. Shikoku vs American Bully - Breed Comparison
  16. Shikoku vs Abruzzenhund - Breed Comparison
  17. Shikoku vs Affenpinscher - Breed Comparison
  18. Shikoku vs Afghan Hound - Breed Comparison
  19. Shikoku vs Aidi - Breed Comparison
  20. Shikoku vs Airedale Terrier - Breed Comparison
  21. Shikoku vs Akbash Dog - Breed Comparison
  22. Shikoku vs Akita - Breed Comparison
  23. Shikoku vs Africanis - Breed Comparison
  24. Shikoku vs Askal - Breed Comparison
  25. Shikoku vs Atlas Terrier - Breed Comparison
  26. Dutch Smoushond vs English Bulldog - Breed Comparison
  27. Dutch Smoushond vs German Shepherd - Breed Comparison
  28. Dutch Smoushond vs Golden Retriever - Breed Comparison
  29. Dutch Smoushond vs Labrador Retriever - Breed Comparison
  30. Dutch Smoushond vs West Highland White Terrier - Breed Comparison
  31. Dutch Smoushond vs French Bulldog - Breed Comparison
  32. Dutch Smoushond vs Beagle - Breed Comparison
  33. Dutch Smoushond vs Yorkshire Terrier - Breed Comparison
  34. Dutch Smoushond vs Poodle - Breed Comparison
  35. Dutch Smoushond vs Rottweiler - Breed Comparison
  36. Dutch Smoushond vs Boxer - Breed Comparison
  37. Dutch Smoushond vs English Pointer - Breed Comparison
  38. Dutch Smoushond vs Siberian Husky - Breed Comparison
  39. Dutch Smoushond vs Doberman Pinscher - Breed Comparison
  40. Dutch Smoushond vs American Bully - Breed Comparison
  41. Dutch Smoushond vs Abruzzenhund - Breed Comparison
  42. Dutch Smoushond vs Affenpinscher - Breed Comparison
  43. Dutch Smoushond vs Afghan Hound - Breed Comparison
  44. Dutch Smoushond vs Aidi - Breed Comparison
  45. Dutch Smoushond vs Airedale Terrier - Breed Comparison
  46. Dutch Smoushond vs Akbash Dog - Breed Comparison
  47. Dutch Smoushond vs Akita - Breed Comparison
  48. Dutch Smoushond vs Africanis - Breed Comparison
  49. Dutch Smoushond vs Askal - Breed Comparison
  50. Dutch Smoushond vs Atlas Terrier - Breed Comparison