History of the Shikoku

The Shikoku breed originates from two main bloodlines, named after the regions where they were found: Hongawa (sometimes referred to as the Chōshun line, after one of its founding sires) and Hata. Other lines were described in the original research documents of NIPPO, including dogs from regions such as Awa, Aki, and Uwajima, among others.

Because Shikoku Island is a remote and mountainous region with very challenging terrain, there was little interbreeding between the different areas. This resulted in the development of distinct bloodlines, each with their own characteristics. During the period around World War II, the number of Shikoku dogs declined significantly. The lines from the less mountainous and more accessible regions, such as the Awa and Aki lines, were the first to disappear. Modernization had led to a rapid decline in wild game, reducing the need for hunting dogs. Combined with the already small population and the influence of crossbreeding with Western dogs, this ultimately led to their disappearance.

As a result, the modern Shikoku is primarily a combination of Hata and Hongawa influences.

The Hongawa line

Dogs from the Hongawa line closely matched the NIPPO standard for medium-sized breeds. They were light on their feet and, as the standard describes: “…their movement is light and elastic.” Their bodies and legs had good length, with particularly well-developed rear angulation, resulting in dogs with great springy agility and speed. Their ears were well set and erect, their eyes correctly placed with good pigmentation. The chest was broad and deep, the abdomen well tucked up, and the neck strong, though slightly longer than that of the Hata line.

They were dry-built dogs—one might say lean—with muscles rippling beneath their skin like those of thoroughbreds. Their drawbacks were that they could appear somewhat lightly built and even a bit refined, making them seem less soboku in type. They had a harsh outer coat but lacked the dense undercoat seen in the Hata line. Sesame-colored dogs were the most common, followed by black sesame, along with red and white individuals.

The Hata line

Compared to the dogs of the Hongawa line, the Hata line was more heavily built, with strong bone structure and a rich undercoat, although they tended to be slightly shorter in body. Their forequarters were more developed than their hindquarters, and they had fuller heads and smaller ears. However, their eyes often lacked the sharpness and pigmentation seen in Hongawa dogs.

They had strong necks, shorter than those of the Hongawa line, broad chests, and slightly rounded bodies. Most dogs were sesame-colored, though red dogs were also well represented. In contrast to the Hongawa line, black and tan dogs were almost nonexistent. They were often described as having a “regal presence.” Their drawbacks included a tendency to carry excess fat beneath the skin and to gain weight easily, which could result in a lack of the correct light and elastic movement. However, due to their impressive appearance, they were often favored by newcomers to the breed over the more refined Hongawa dogs.

Evolution of the Shikoku

During the first half-century of the breed’s existence, the Hata and Hongawa lines were generally kept separate by different breeder groups, often with strict rules regarding membership and breeding direction. This began to change around 1970, with the birth of dogs such as the famous Iyoshunryū Go, who was bred from a combination of the two previously distinct lines. This marked a turning point, and from that moment on, the breed began to develop more rapidly into what we see today: a blend of both lines, with some dogs leaning more towards either the Hata or Hongawa type.

In recent decades, certain influential dogs have played a significant role in the development of the breed. These dogs were bred by groups led by individuals with a clear vision of the Shikoku and what they considered to be the ideal. These groups were established to share and pass on a highly detailed, experience-based understanding of the breed standard. Many of these groups still exist today and have produced some of the most influential Shikoku of modern times.