Is a Kai Ken the right dog for you?
The Kai Ken is a unique dog breed known for its natural hunting instincts and loyalty. They have a unique brindled coat, which gives them a distinct appearance. The Kai Ken is one of the few dog breeds native to Japan and has a strong sense of independence and self-reliance.
The Kai Ken, also known as
the Tora Inu, Kai, kai-inu, tora, kai tora ken, kosh-tora or Tiger Dog, is a relatively ancient Japanese dog breed that is believed to have originated in the mountainous region of Yamanashi Prefecture in Japan. While the exact year of origin is unknown, it is believed that the Kai Ken has been in existence for hundreds, if not thousands, of years. They were originally bred for hunting and were used to hunt wild boar, deer, and bear.
The Kai Ken is one of the six
native Japanese breeds, along with the Shiba Inu, Akita Inu, Hokkaido Inu, Kishu Inu, and Shikoku Inu. It is unclear which specific breeds were involved in the development of the Kai Ken, but it is believed that they are descendants of the hunting dogs used by the indigenous people of the Kai region, which may have included breeds like the Hokkaido Inu and the Shikoku Inu. The Kai Ken is known for its distinctive brindle coat, which is not common in other Japanese dog breeds. The Japanese government designated the Kai Ken as a Living Natural Monument in 1934.
When Kai Ken are Born
they will usually have a solid black double coat, but as they grow older, their coat becomes brindle and will actually change during the first 5 years of life. This means that every Kai Ken dog has a one-of-a-kind coat that is unique to them.
The Kai Ken was almost
extinct after World War II. In 1931, the Kai Ken Aigokai club was founded for the preservation of the breed. The Nihon Ken is an association dedicated to the preservation of the 6 native Japanese breeds.
The first known Kai Ken
in the United States were gifted to a Utah zoo in 1960 where they were exhibited but never bred. It was not until the 1990’s that the Kai Ken began to be bred in the U.S. While the breed was recognized by the Japanese Kennel Club in 1934, they are not fully recognized by the American Kennel Club (foundation stock service).
According to FCI Breed Standard
the Kai Ken can reach up to 20 inches in height and up to 55 pounds in weight. Accepted coat colors are:
Black Brindle (Kuro-Tora), Brindle (Chu-Tora), and Red Brindle (Aka-Tora). Red brindle is the rarest of all colors.
The Kai Ken is known for
its intelligence, strength and willingness to learn. They are skilled hunters and swimmers with a high energy level, and have been known to climb trees to chase their prey. The Kai Ken is a hunting breed with a high prey drive that will chase smaller animals.
Growing Up Kai Ken
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How Fast Can a Kai Ken Run?
The American Kennel Club Conducts Dog Racing Trials each December in Orlando, FL. called the Fast CAT Invitational. This is a 100 yard race where dogs run individually chasing a lure. The average running speed by Kai Ken is about 25 mph. The fastest recorded speed by a Kai was by a dog named Hayaikaze’s No. 1 Hero Bakusatsu at 27.59 mph!
The Kai Ken is said to be one
of the rarest dog breeds in the world. They originate from an isolated region of Japan-Yamanashi Prefecture on Honshu Island. They also have one of the purest bloodlines of any dog breed. At one time, they were under strict quarantine in their native land making it difficult to send dogs to other countries.
There are two types of Kai Ken.
The Shika-Inu-Gata has a foxlike head and long and slender body and the Shishi-Inu-Gata has a bear-like head and larger, well-muscled body.
The Kai Ken is considered a primitive
breed by the FCI. They are very intelligent, territorial and independent and may NOT be the right choice for a novice dog owner or first time owner. They are a rare breed and it is imperative to locate a reputable breeder. The Kai Ken society of America has a list of breeders on their website.
The Kai Ken Breed generally lives
to 12-15 years. They are considered a very healthy breed with very few of the congenital or hereditary health issues seen in other breeds. This is due to their relatively pure genetic strain. Hip dysplasia and progressive retinal atrophy have been reported in the breed.
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