Hovawart vs Shikoku
Compare Hovawart and Shikoku side by side and get a clear picture of what sets the breeds apart. Explore differences in size, weight, temperament, activity level, and other key traits to more easily decide which breed best fits your lifestyle and circumstances.
Characteristic
Hovawart
Shikoku
Breed type
Purebred
Purebred
Height
58 – 70 cm
48 – 52 cm
Weight
25 – 50 kg
16 – 25 kg
Life expectancy
10 – 14 years
10 – 12 years
Child friendly
4/5
3/5
Energy level
4/5
3/5
Intelligence
4/5
3/5
Trainability
4/5
4/5
Health
4/5
4/5
Grooming needs
2/5
2/5
Shedding
3/5
3/5
Barking level
3/5
4/5
Aggressiveness
4/5
3/5
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Characteristics
Hovawart
Great with kids
High energy
Super smart
Low grooming
Protective
Easy to train
Giant
Shikoku
Low grooming
Easy to train
Medium
Summary
About Hovawart
Large, powerful German farm guardian with medium‑long weatherproof coat in black, black and tan or blond. Deeply loyal, calm and family‑focused, but reserved with strangers and strongly territorial. Intelligent, independent and late‑maturing, needing consistent training, mental work and ample exercise.
About Shikoku
The Shikoku is an ancient Japanese medium‑sized hunting spitz from Shikoku Island, bred for boar in steep mountains. Athletic, loyal, and reserved with strangers, it has a dense sesame double coat, strong prey drive, and needs experienced, active owners and regular mental and physical work.
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