MyDogBreeds
Small Munsterlander is originated from Germany but Shikoku is originated from Japan. Small Munsterlander may grow 29 cm / 12 inches higher than Shikoku. Small Munsterlander may weigh 27 kg / 59 pounds lesser than Shikoku. Both Small Munsterlander and Shikoku has almost same life span. Both Small Munsterlander and Shikoku has same litter size. Small Munsterlander requires Low maintenance. But Shikoku requires Moderate maintenance
Known also as the Kleiner Munsterlander or just plain Munster, the Small Munsterlander comes from the Munster region of Germany and is a beautiful hunting dog.
The dog is recognized by the Fédération Cynologique Internationale as well as other kennel clubs. It is believed that the Small Münsterländer is an ancient breed, more than 500 years old.
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.
Standing at between 52–56cm in height and weighing between 17–26 kg, this dog is thought to be medium sized, muscled and athletic.
Looking like a large Spaniel he also has feathering around the legs and the tail. The coat is medium length and silky and tends to be slightly wavy. The coat is essentially white with large brown patches as well as some ticking.
Small Münsterländers are very intelligent dogs and they won’t have any trouble being trained and socialized. The Small Munsterlander is a natural born hunter and he is in his element when he is outdoors.
For this particular dog, it would be a shame to get a pet like this if you’re a couch potato. It is why this dog is better suited to living in the countryside as opposed to the city. He needs lots of exciting outdoor activities - hikes, walks, ball games, running and he loves swimming.
He is a loving, social dog and just wants to be 100% part of his human family and will adapt well to life with children in the home and with other pets.
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 Small Munsterlander is such a pretty looking dog with his silky hair. He isn’t only about good looks either and he is intelligent and alert and will learn easily.
He is a well balanced dog and will make a great pet and companion. He is social, friendly, loving and loyal and makes a great playmate for children.
He has always been a hunting dog and likes to be busy with games and work. Go on a hike and he will love to join you, sniffing along woodland paths and chasing birds. He is in his element when outdoors.
When you bring this beautiful dog into your home, you’re guaranteed to have an ideal pet and companion for the entire family.
There are many clubs and breeders who have a strong commitment to the health of the breed, and this is a healthy, robust dog breed.
The Small Munsterlander can succumb to one of the many common dog illnesses there are. These can be ear infections, dental problems, cancer, diabetes, hip dysplasia, obesity, bloat and many others.
There are so many things that can cause skin problems with your dog, and while it doesn’t sound particularly serious, it can drive your pet crazy as he tries to bite and scratch the itchy parts on his skin.
These nightmarish skin problems are one of the most common reasons pet owners seek veterinary assistance.
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.
⠂ Give your Small Munsterlander the best chance to be healthy and happy by being giving him the best dog food there is.
Commercially manufactured dog foods can be a good choice as they’re convenient, and some of the best ones have a good balance of vitamins and minerals in them. Avoid the ones that are packed full of useless ingredients such as toxins and colorants.
Break the monotony of the dry kibble by giving your dog some home-made food. It can be added into the dry kibble about twice a week as a treat. Boiled brown rice and chicken, sweet potatoes, carrots and spinach as well as some pasta can be a nutritious treat. It can be chopped up and added to the dry kibble in small portions.
To avoid skin infections, try to include some raw meat into his diet occasionally.
⠂ Reduce excess hair with shedding by brushing your dog twice a week. Check for fleas and ticks at the same time.
⠂ Just like you, your dog needs a warm, dry, quiet place to sleep undisturbed.
⠂ Keep your garden free of dog poop so that your pet can enjoy a clean place to play and relax. Its hygienic too to pick up his feces regularly.
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.
