Any Sacramento Shikoku owners?
Hello Everyone! I was wondering if any shikoku owners lived out in the Sacramento CA area? I live north in Yuba City and want to find a way to socialize my finnish lapphund with this breed. I am meeting a breeder in southern CA this summer but won't be there long enough to see how my lappie will get along with the breed. We really like how the shikoku looks on paper but want to get a better idea of what having one would be like. Our lappie is our first priority and the next dog we get has to be compatible with her 
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I THINK @Oakland is nearby in the bay area with her new pup!
I've found my Shikoku plays best with LGD breeds, Labradors, and Boxers. Dogs that generally don't care when he pulls their tail and tries to employ take-downs. He plays REALLY well with the puppies and LGD breeds I've fostered (mostly Pyrs or Pyr mixes).
I've found northern breeds, other Japanese breeds, and primitive-type dogs kind of hate him. He has one Shiba friend who goes just as hard as he does, but we would have to call them back and break them up a lot otherwise they'd just get snarky with one another.
Shikoku can be really pushy, very noisy, and can get frustrated or overwhelmed very quickly. Siblings can probably get used to one another, but I know in my house, it would have worked out better if the Shikoku was here first and I got my Malamute afterward.
Another thing to consider is that the Shikoku might not be comfortable playing with your dog right away. It might take a couple of visits. I know my shikoku hates other dog intruding in her play with my other dog at the dog park. She doesn't like strange dogs sniffing her or playing with her. I think you'll have better luck visiting someone with a male shikoku. It's worth the drive, especially since they are such expensive dogs and different from anything you'll ever experience... You got to see it to understand it.
How did you decide this was the right breed for you? Did you have a strong feeling before you met the breed or did you meet them before you knew anything about them? Did you have other dogs?
Our lappie is a herding dog and my husband wants a hunting partner so we figured we should find a spitz breed that liked hunting. The shikoku just fit the description. Any breed suggestions if the shikoku doesn't work with my lappie?
Depends on what husband wants in a hunting dog though. I can't speak for other Hokkaido, but, mine would mutilate birds he's got such a hard mouth. I'll probably try him on them sometime just to see, but I doubt it'll go well, which is why I'm training him on stuff he can smash up a bit.
I have never heard of a Laika! Is that another spitz breed? Do you have any links to breeders?
http://www.laikaforum.org/forum/
I adopted my Shikoku right away when I found out she needed a home. Aside from being a gorgeous dog, she was great with Brad and Jen's 3 year old daughter, which was VERY important to me since we're a young couple. I emailed everyone with a shikoku/kai that had kids and asked them a ton of questions. One of the biggest factors of me wanting a Shikoku FIRST was that they were ok being the only dog and were amazing with babies and kids, while the Kai tends happier in a home with more than one dog (I was always planning on getting both. It was just a matter of which to get first). Since she was up to adaption the decision was easy. Since she was having a really hard time adapting to her new home (A REALLY HARD TIME), we decided to go ahead and get a Kai pup. Our Kai was/is amazing. He helped our Shikoku overcome some of her fears and open up. He was a little ball of love, terror, and silliness. And their relationship is one of a kind. They are perfect for each other. I'm so grateful Brad (Yamabushi Kennel) knew just what our lady needed.
If I had to recommend a Japanese breed it would be a Kai, hands down. They are just that amazing. I will always want a Kai my family and many Kai owning members will say the same.
For hunting the Shikoku might not be the great choice. Especially for a beginner. They have high prey drive and will run off and get lost if not trained properly. Training a Shikoku to hunt takes extensive knowledge and experience with the breed and know how to hunt with it.
It's honestly not the breed to get because they are beautiful, due to the fact that they are so quirky sometimes. I would totally recommend you go meet a few in person, like you said you were, before you decide. And have your husband go too. Our Shikoku is scared of most men. Some men understand it and are careful with not further scaring her, while others think it's stupid that she's scared of them and are bothered by it. Some people tend to NOT understand her and assume she was either abused or is mentally not all there... Shikoku are not your normal dog. They really are different and some times irrational and neurotic, at least from what I've experienced.
We have a few members who are knowledgable hunters on the forum. One hunts birds with his Kai and lab, another hunts boar and deer with his pack of Kishu (both in the states), and one in Japan who hunts boar with his Kishu as well (he has hunted with Kai and Shikoku, but really enjoys the Kishu). I'm sure they would love to share insights with your husband.
From what I've seen Shikoku tend to bond with girls more, so if your husband is looking for a hunting buddy he might want to keep that in mind lol. I know Brad has had this problem with all the Japanese breeds lol. They all bond with his wife and he has turned to Laikas and mastiffs for buddies lol
(Sorry for any typos. I'm on my phone!)
@Hinata23 In the end the dog has to be good with our lappie
As for quail hunting, a Kai would be an OK choice. Also a Laika. Shikoku tend to not bark enough. My Hokkaido is too young to have an opinion on how they would do. My Kishu is an amazing hunter and will tree most things, but tends to prefer larger game.
Just keep in mind, with a NK or a Laiki, your husband will need to hunt quail in a non-western hunting style. He should *not* expect a retriever-type hunting dog from a spitz.
@Hinata23 I will definitely keep you posted and will let you all know how my visits go
My breeder said someone oh here lived by me and had a shikoku...Nyx was the name, at least I think so!