Do Shikoku dogs Need To Be Groomed Regularly?

Thinking to adopt a Shikoku dog and need to know how often do a Shikoku dog need to be groomed or should you bathe a Shikoku dog?

According to dog experts, Shikoku dogs score 3 star out of 5 in the scale of dog breeds that require grooming regularly.


Shikoku dog Grooming Tips

Tips on Grooming Your Shikoku dog

    They blow coat once or twice a year. A good undercoat rake makes grooming easy. Over-bathing may dry out their skin and therefore a bath every few months is usually sufficient. They do not have a strong doggy smell.

    Why Brush or Groom Your Shikoku dog?

    Brushing and combing your dog's hair coat is an imperative part of standard pet care. Combing really helps to keep your Shikoku dog dog's coat in good condition by removing loose hair and avoiding hair mats/knots.

    Brushing also assists to spread healthy natural skin oils over the hair shaft, promoting a shining coat and helping dust to slide off the hair. This can also help to minimize the need to bath and therefore decrease the frequency of bathing.

    Brushing and grooming of your Shikoku dog dog are activities that help to strengthen the good connection bond between your dog and you. Brushing should be a pleasant and comfy experience for your pet and you.

    How Often to Groom Your Shikoku dog

    How often to brush and groom your dog will depend upon each individual dog. Dogs tend to differ in their need for brushing because of their coat type and length and also depending on their more recent activities.

    Dogs with short coats generally require much less brushing and grooming compared to dogs with medium to long haired coats as these longer coats can get tangles, mats and debris trapped in them more easily.

    Some very short-haired dogs may not need traditional 'brushing' and for these dogs, owners may instead like to try a soft grooming glove to gently remove loose hair, occasionally.

    Canines should be brushed 'as required'. Owners should monitor the condition of their dog's coat, searching for any tangles/mats or dullness which indicates they might need a brush. Grooming can take anything from a couple of minutes to several hours a week depending on your type of dog.

Do Shikoku dogs Need to Be Groomed Regularly?

Shikoku dog Information

The Shikoku stands 17–21 inches (43–53 cm) high and comes in sesame (red, black), black and tan (nonstandard color), or cream (nonstandard color). These colors consist usually of a light brown, a light red-brown, or a light black-brown. In addition, there is a cream colored coat that tends to be very rare. In all of these colors there is usually a mixture of white found around the underside of the body, near the eyes, snout, and legs. The Shikoku tends to shed its coat at least one to two times a year. The dog has a fairly thick coat with pointed ears and a curved tail. The body conformation is typically of the spitz-type: the square body, the wedge-shaped head, the prick triangular ears, and feathered curled tail.

It is cautious and brave; a temperate dog with good judgment. The Shikoku is also very loyal and submissive to its owner; it loves to be touched and often likes to give kisses. Although, it may be slightly aloof with strangers. This breed needs socialization early to avoid becoming aggressive toward other dogs. Dogs that do become dog aggressive need a competent owner/trainer who knows how to communicate to the dog that this is unacceptable behavior. Shikokus can get along with children if they are raised properly and vice-versa. They have a high prey drive and therefore may not be for everyone; should not be trusted with non-canine pets such as guinea pigs and hamsters.

What to do if you lose your Shikoku dog

If your Shikoku dog or any other pet has gone missing and it does not have an identification tag with a phone number, you can:

1. Register your missing pet details at Pet Reunite website here.

2. List the lost pet on the Local Lost Pets Facebook Groups Here.

3. Telephone the local vets to see if someone has handed in your lost pet.

4. Contact the RSPCA or Visit the RSPCA Lost Pets website and complete a Lost Pet Report.

5. Visit Lost Pets Pages of Animal Pounds.

What to do if you find a lost Shikoku dog

If you find a Shikoku dog or any other pet and it does not have an identification tag with a phone number, you can:

1. List the found pet details at Pet Reunite website here.

2. Register the missing pet on the Local Facebook Lost Pets Groups.

3. Contact the Local Authority to collect the lost animal.

4. Take the pet to the local Animal Shelter near to your area.

5. Take the pet to the local Vet who normally scan the animal’s microchip and call the registered pet owner.

Laws Regarding Missing Pets

1. It is against the law to keep any animal that you find.

2. Pets are generally considered property and it is illegal to take and keep someone else’s property.

3. You must contact your local animal control unit and file a FOUND AN ANIMAL report for any dog or cat you find.

4. To reclaim your lost dog, cat or other pet from the animal shelter you must pay a release fee.

5. If your dog or cat is unregistered, you will have to register your pet before you can take it home.