Kai Ken
Best-known for its striped coat, the brindle-patterned Kai Ken is also called the Tora Inu or Tiger Dog. Having originated long before the days of breeding standards and programmes, this ancient dog evolved naturally within the mountainous Honshu region of central Japan. Naturally able to run, jump, swim and climb they are sporty dogs that have traditionally been used to hunt.
The blocky head, erect ears and thick coat of the Kai Ken are reminiscent of other Japanese breeds, such as the Shiba Inu and Akita, and indeed, the Kai Ken shares many of their traits. Loyal and fearless, this breed will dedicate itself to its family members, protecting them at all costs.
About & History
A truly ancient breed, the Kai Ken is a Spitz-type dog that originated in Japan several thousand years ago. It is one of six Japanese dogs that exists today. They get the name ‘Kai Ken’ from the location in which they hail from: Ken, a province in central Honshu, which is to the west of Tokyo. They have also been given the nickname Tiger Dog due to their brindle colouring and courageous nature.
As the region from which they hail is very mountainous, the Kai Ken was kept isolated for many years, maintaining a certain genetic purity. This also allowed them to become adept at climbing hilly terrains and navigating uneven land. As well as its mountaineering skills, the Kai Ken is known for its strong swimming abilities.
Traditionally used as a hunting dog, this sturdy breed assisted in hunting boar, pheasants and deer, alongside other animals. One of the more interesting animals it has been used to hunt is called the ‘Japanese serow’ – a ‘goat-antelope’ that is currently protected for conservation purposes.
As with many breeds all across the world, the Kai Ken was negatively affected by the World Wars, and its breed numbers dwindled. Luckily for the breed, a Japanese man named Mr. Isogai took it upon himself to raise awareness of the ancient breed. In 1934, the Japanese Kennel Club officially recognised the Kai Ken. Not long after, in the 1950s, small numbers of the Kai Ken breed were brought to the USA. Today, there are a few Kai Ken dogs living in America, where they are kept as companion animals. In fact, nowadays, even in Japan, these dogs are most commonly kept as household pets.
Within its homeland, this dog is classified as a national monument and is highly prized. Despite this reverence, the Kai Ken is a very rare dog, with many Japanese people unaware of its existence. Currently, the AKC classify these dogs within their working group, while the UKC have designated them ‘Northern Breed’ dogs.
Appearance
The Kai Ken should be robust of body with those characteristics typical of Spitz dogs: Pricks ears, a dense coat and a curled tail. Their head should be wedge-shaped with a long muzzle that measures the same as the skull. They have a well-defined stop. Their lips are darkly pigmented and tightly fitted. Their nose is brownish-black or black, while their small eyes are a dark brown colour. Their triangular ears stand proudly on their head, at the edge of the face. The neck must not be weak and should be quite broad.
With a deep chest, moderate tuck-up and firm, short back, the Kai Ken has a body that is marginally rectangular in shape. Their powerful limbs are well muscled, ending in circular paws that have tough, durable pads and dark claws. Unlike many Spitz breed, the Kai Ken has a tail that does not necessarily curl over their back but may form a sickle shape. The tail fur is somewhat longer than the fur on the rest of the coat.
The plush coat of the Kai Ken is one of its most recognisable features. The double coat offers significant protection from the external environment; particularly the soft, close-fitting undercoat. Any brindle coat colour is allowable, with the stripes getting more prominent with age. Small patches of white may be acceptable.
A medium-sized dog, males measure between 47cm and 53cm, while females reach heights of 42cm to 48cm. The majority of breed members weigh between 14kg and 18kg. An obvious sexual dimorphism (different physical characteristics depending on the sex) is an important breed feature.
Character & Temperament
A keen and mentally ‘switched on’ animal, the Kai Ken has a superb personality that enables it to be a versatile companion. Incredibly brave and confident when working, yet sweet and relaxed at home, this dog is a good all-rounder. They are always alert, making them well suited to take on the role of watchdog. Equally, they make good guard dogs, as they do not initially trust new guests.
This dog will put its family first and is protective of its master, bonding closely to them from a young age and showing extreme levels of devotion. It is possible for these dogs to become over-reliant on one master in particular, and this kind of unhealthy relationship should not be encouraged.
Well-mannered with children and accepting of other dogs, the Kai Ken can adapt well to most homes. It would not be typical of this breed to show aggressive behaviour or hostility – though it would be wise to always supervise young children in the company of the Kai Ken, as they are such a powerful dog.
Trainability
As is often the case in dogs, with intelligence comes a degree of stubbornness. While training can sometimes pose a challenge, an experienced trainer will enjoy working with the clever Kai Ken. These quick-thinkers can master complex tasks faster than most and relish the opportunity to show off their skills.
The key with socialising this breed is to start young, exposing a Kai Ken puppy to all manners of other humans and animals, as well as a variety of scenarios, such as dog parks and busy streets. It can be difficult for an older dog to accept things that it has not experienced when young.
Health
In rare breeds with small gene pools, it is essential for the survival of the breed that sensible breeding restrictions are put in place. Health screening for conditions, such as hip and elbow dysplasia, should be the standard among breeders. This is particularly true for the exported population of Kai Ken dogs within the USA, as there are so very few individuals and a high risk of inbreeding.
In general terms, this dog is touted as being extremely healthy, though it is difficult to back this claim up as there have been no relevant health studies performed. Anecdotally, the Kai Ken has a very good life expectancy of 12-16 years.
Exercise and Activity Levels
A breed that is fairly adaptable, the Kai Ken can learn to live in smaller homes as long as they have plenty of opportunity to exercise and go outdoors. In fact, as this dog is so inactive indoors, they can cope well with life inside an apartment, despite their size. Caution must be exercised when out in public places, as it would not be unexpected for their prey drive to kick in if they spot a small animal, such as a cat or squirrel. Off-lead activities should only be under-taken in a secured, fenced-in area.
Though the Kai Ken has true athletic ability, they can be quite content lounging around the house and do not need huge amounts of daily exercise to keep them satisfied. Having said this, they can be mischievous and love to play any game they can, so should be kept occupied with ball games, obedience training, doggy puzzles and ‘chasing’.
Grooming
A thorough brush through once or twice a week should prevent the under-coat from becoming matted and should keep the top-coat in good condition. During shedding season, brushing will need to be carried out more regularly, perhaps even on a daily basis, to keep up with all the fur loss. Brushing the dog outside each morning can help to reduce the amount of loose fur shed indoors.
Anecdotally, this dog does not give off the typical ‘dog smell’ and is thought of as a ‘clean’ breed. Baths are not needed often, and over-bathing must be avoided to ensure their coat does not become dried out and lackluster.
Famous Kai Kens
The Kai Ken features in the popular Manga called Ginga: Nagareboshi Gin.
Cross-Breeds
There will always be owners out there that cross their Kai Ken dogs with other breeds, however, there are currently no well-established Kai Ken cross-breeds.