Kai Ken

A Kai Ken

Other names

Kai

Common nicknames

Tora Dog

Origin

Japan

Traits
Weight	25–55 lb (11–25 kg)
Height	Male	50–56 cm (20–22 in)
	Female	45–51 cm (18–20 in)
Coat	Double coat of medium length
Color	Black brindle, red brindle and brindle.

Classification / standards
FCI	Group 5, Section 5 Asian Spitz and related breeds #317	standard
AKC	FSS
	The AKC Foundation Stock Service (FSS) is an optional recording service for purebred dogs that are not yet eligible for AKC registration.
UKC	Northern Breed	standard

Notes

The AKC does not have its own standard and instead links to that of the FCI

Domestic dog (Canis lupus familiaris)

The Kai Ken (甲斐犬, also called the Tora Inu or Tiger Dog) is a breed of dog that hails from Japan where it is a natural monument and has been bred for centuries. It is an extremely rare dog even in its native land and is related to the Japanese Spitz dog type.

Description

Stuffed specimen of Kai Ken named "Kai-kuro-go" at the National Museum of Nature and Science, Tokyo, Japan.

Appearance

The Kai Ken is a medium-sized dog with a wedge shaped head and prick ears. Males are typically 18 to 22 inches at the shoulder, while the females are slightly smaller, 17 to 20 inches at the shoulder. The tail may be curled over the back, or carried in a sickle position. Limbs should be strong and hocks should be well developed reflecting the dogs’ history of mountain life. The coat is of harsh texture, medium length, and comes in various shades of brindle (tiger stripes). The red is the Aka-tora, the black is the Kuro-tora and between them, the Chu-tora. Puppies are born a solid color and their brindle markings develop as they age, sometimes taking as long as five years before fully showing.

Temperament

The Kai Ken is intelligent, agile, alert and brave. They are natural hunters and make good watch dogs, being reserved with strangers but loyal to their families. They are friendly, often good with children and are not usually aggressive towards other dogs. Many love to swim, and have been known to cross rivers and climb trees while chasing their prey.^[1]

History

The Kai Ken is considered to be the most ancient, and purest dog breed in Japan. It was developed in the isolated district of Kai (Yamanashi Prefecture) as a hunting dog. Kai were used to hunt boar and deer. This breed was designated a natural monument in Japan in 1934.

In popular culture

Many Kai Kens play important roles in the Yoshihiro Takahashi's series Ginga: Nagareboshi Gin and its sequel, Ginga Densetsu Weed, including the brothers Kurotora, Chūtora, and Akatora. In the sequel, Ginga Densetsu Weed, Kurotora's son, Kagetora, stars as an important character, with his less prominently featured brothers, Harutora and Nobutora, and cousins Dodo, Buru, Shōji, and Shigure.
Another Yoshihiro Takahashi's manga, Kacchū no Senshi Gamu featured a villainous Kai Ken named Gama.
Chu, a Canine Warrior from the 2006 video game Ōkami, is also a Kai Ken.

References

External links

Dogs originating in Japan

Extant	Akita Hokkaido Japanese Chin Japanese Spitz Japanese Terrier Kai Ken Kishu Shiba Inu Shikoku Tosa

Extinct	Sakhalin Husky

Related articles	Japan Kennel Club Nihon Ken Hozonkai

Spitz-type dogs

Sled dogs	Alaskan Husky Alaskan Malamute American Eskimo Dog Canadian Eskimo Dog Chinook Eurohound Greenland Dog Labrador Husky Mackenzie River Husky Northern Inuit Dog Sakhalin Husky Samoyed Seppala Siberian Sleddog Siberian Husky Tamaskan Dog

Hunting breeds	Black Norwegian Elkhound East Siberian Laika Finnish Spitz Hokkaido Jämthund Karelian Bear Dog Kai Ken Kishu Korean Jindo Norrbottenspets Norwegian Elkhound Norwegian Lundehund Pungsan Dog Russo-European Laika Shiba Inu Shikoku West Siberian Laika

Herding breeds	Finnish Lapphund Icelandic Sheepdog Lapponian Herder Norwegian Buhund Swedish Lapphund Swedish Vallhund

Asiatic breeds	Akita Chow Chow Indian Spitz Japanese Spitz Nureongi Thai Bangkaew Dog

Miscellaneous	Alaskan Klee Kai Eurasier German Spitz (Keeshond, Kleinspitz, Mittelspitz & Pomeranian) Schipperke Volpino Italiano

Extinct breeds	Guejae Gae Hare Indian Dog Hütespitz Sakhalin Husky Salish Wool Dog Seskar Seal Dog Tahltan Bear Dog

Types	Husky Laika

Authority control	NDL: 01064862

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