Kai ken 甲斐犬


Area of origin: Honshu island, Yamanashi prefecture


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Photo: Franco Lissandro, owner:  Shigeru Kato and Laura Quadri, from the left: Jousou Haruna go Saitou Kensha,  2x  Sai No Reihou

Size:

Second smallest of out all 6 original Japanese breeds

  • Height (NIPPO standard): male 47-55 cm, female 44-52 cm

  • Height (FCI standard): male 50 cm (+/- 3cm), female 45 cm (+/- 3cm)

  • Weight: 9-18 kg

Coat colors: Brindle - black brindle (kuro tora), brindle (chu tora), red brindle (aka tora)

Fun fact: 

Kai ken is the only original japanese breed that comes only in brindle color (note: white color can occur however is regarded as non-standard).

Kai was designated a living national monument in 1933.

Breeders in Slovakia: None


KAI is a bit bigger than Shiba inu, however in size it is still smaller than Shikoku, Kishu or Hokkaido. Thanks to its athletic body and skills it used to be one of the best hunting dogs used mainly for hunting mountain antelopes. Nowadays they are still used for hunting, mainly pheasants, boars and deer.

Similarly as Akita inu, there is a separate institution in Japan serving to protect and preserve this particular breed. Kai Ken Aigokai was established in 1931 and except for defining its own standard (note there are more standards for Kai in Japan => KKA, NIPPO, JKC) it also holds the main registry with the biggest number of all Kais being registered in KKA.

Interesting fact about this breed is that Kai never experienced such drastic downturn in its numbers during and right after WWII. That was mainly due to a fact that it was used often with the government offices or police and furthermore the owners were enjoying the tax benefits while having Kai.


 
 

Photo: Franco Lissandro , owner: Shigeru Kato and Laura Quadri, female Jousou Haruna go Saitou Kensha

Photo: Franco Lissandro , owner: Shigeru Kato and Laura Quadri, female Jousou Haruna go Saitou Kensha

Photo/owner: Lindsay Vangrootenbruel, male Tone No Beni-Fuji (P'Chibi) in front and female Sankt Xandor Ohana (Yuna) behind