Kai KenCharacteristics, history, training and care

Kai Ken. · Kei87c1 / Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 4.0. Cropped and resized.

The Kai Ken is a sturdy, medium-sized Japanese dog with a brindle coat, from the mountainous Kai region (Yamanashi Prefecture). It was used mainly to hunt wild boar and deer and was declared a natural monument in 1934. It is alert, agile and very attached to its family.

Quick facts

Common name	Kai Ken (Kai tora-ken, Tora Inu)
Scientific name	Canis lupus familiaris
Country of origin	Japan (Kai region, Yamanashi Prefecture)
Official recognition	FCI, definitively since 1 February 1982 (group 5, Asian spitz; standard no. 317); also recognised by the AKC
Lifespan	12–15 years, according to the AKC
Size (males)	50 cm at the withers (±3 cm); 13.5–18 kg according to the AKC
Size (females)	45 cm at the withers (±3 cm); 11–16 kg according to the AKC
Coat type	Double: harsh, straight topcoat, soft and dense undercoat
Common colours	Black brindle, red brindle, brindle
Energy level	Moderate to high
Suited to an apartment?	Not really
Temperament	Alert, watchful, energetic, attached to its family
Tendency to aggression	Low; reserved with strangers
Good with children	Average
Good with other animals	Poor with small animals; strong hunting instinct
Genetic predispositions	Allergies, luxating patella, progressive retinal atrophy, seizures

Primary category:Dog breeds
Explore this animal's categories:
Dog breeds Japanese dog breeds Low-drool dog breeds Low-maintenance dog breeds Medium dog breeds

History and origin

The FCI standard says the breed descends from the medium-sized dogs that lived in Japan in ancient times and took shape as a breed in the Kai region, surrounded by mountains. The dogs were used mainly to hunt wild boar and deer.

According to the standard, a strong tendency to live in packs helped preserve the purity of the breed. In 1934 the breed was declared a natural monument. The AKC says it is one of the six native Japanese breeds and is rare even in Japan.

How the breed developed

Ancient times – Medium-sized dogs live in the mountains of Japan.
1934 – The breed is declared a natural monument.
1 February 1982 – The FCI recognises the breed.
30 October 2016 – The current FCI standard is published.

Breed rating

Feature	Stars
Training and intelligence	★★★☆☆
Easy to train	★★★☆☆
Intelligence	★★★★★
Independence	★★★☆☆
Stubbornness	★★★☆☆
Behaviour and temperament	★★★★☆
Affectionate with family	★★★★★
Friendly with children	★★★☆☆
Good with other dogs	★★★☆☆
Good with cats and other animals	★★☆☆☆
Loyalty	★★★★★
Tendency to be aggressive	★★☆☆☆
Tendency to bark	★★★☆☆
Needs and care	★★★★☆
Shedding	★★★☆☆
Needs frequent grooming	★★☆☆☆
Activity and lifestyle	★★★★☆
Energy level	★★★★☆
Daily exercise needs	★★★★☆
Suited to apartment life	★★☆☆☆
Health and longevity	★★★★☆
Life expectancy	★★★★★
Predisposition to genetic diseases	★★☆☆☆
Working abilities and uses	★★★★☆
Good hunting dog	★★★★☆
Good companion dog	★★★★☆

Indicative rating: 5 stars means the highest level. It is based on the ratings the American Kennel Club gives the breed and on the FCI standard.

Physical characteristics

The standard describes it as a medium-sized, well-balanced, solid dog with well-developed muscles and the features of a dog from the mountains of Japan. The legs are strong and the hocks very well developed.

General appearance

The head is wedge-shaped and the ears are erect. The tail is curled over the back or carried like a sickle, with fairly long hair. The body is slightly longer than it is tall, in a ratio of 10:11.

Feature	Kai Ken
Size	Medium
Height at the withers	males: 50 cm; females: 45 cm (±3 cm)
Weight	males: 13.5–18 kg; females: 11–16 kg (AKC)
Coat	Double, harsh
Ears	Erect
Tail	Curled or sickle-shaped

The accepted colours are black brindle, red brindle and brindle. The standard says puppies may have a solid colour that becomes brindle as they grow.

Training and socialisation

The standard describes it as alert and very watchful. The AKC says it is very intelligent and learns quickly, but is considered a “sensitive” dog in training that should be taught with positive methods.

It has a strong hunting instinct and is reserved with strangers, so early socialisation is important.

Tips for effective training

Use positive methods. It is sensitive in training.
Start early. The AKC recommends early training and socialisation.
Keep it on a lead. Its hunting instinct is strong.
The fence must be high. The AKC says it can climb.

Activity needs and lifestyle

The AKC says it is a moderately active breed that needs daily exercise and mental activity: play in a fenced yard, walks several times a day or indoor games such as hide-and-seek.

Activity	How often	Why it matters
Walks	several times a day	Exercise and exploring
Search games	daily	Mental activity
Hikes or swimming	weekly	It is a good swimmer and climber

Tips for a balanced life

The fence must be high and solid.
Do not leave it unsupervised with small animals.
Spend plenty of time with it.

Care and health

Coat and skin care

The AKC says it is a naturally clean dog that needs only an occasional bath. It sheds its undercoat twice a year; at those times, brushing and more frequent baths help.

Common health problems

The AKC says it is generally a healthy breed, and responsible breeders screen their dogs for:

Condition	Description	Common symptoms
Allergies	Skin reactions to food or the environment	Itching, red skin, frequent scratching
Patellar luxation	The kneecap slips out of place	Suddenly holds a hind leg up for a few steps, then uses it again
Progressive retinal atrophy	The retina gradually degenerates	Has trouble seeing at night, then sees less and less well
Seizures	Neurological seizures	Trembling, convulsions

Other care

Check its paws after hikes.
Check for ticks after outings in nature.
Trim the nails regularly.

Diet and nutrition

The AKC recommends good-quality food suited to its age. Treats help with training, but too many lead to obesity.

Tips for a healthy diet

The table gives a starting estimate, calculated with the formula from the Merck Veterinary Manual. The first two calorie columns show the calories per day for a healthy adult dog. The last column shows what this means in dry food with 3,500–4,000 kcal per kilogram.

Dog's weight	Calories per day (neutered)	Calories per day (not neutered)	Dry food per day (approximate)
11 kg	680 kcal	760 kcal	170–220 g
15 kg	850 kcal	960 kcal	210–270 g
18 kg	980 kcal	1,100 kcal	240–310 g

Split the food into two meals a day.
Treats count towards the daily portion.
A dog is at the right weight when you can feel its ribs without pressing hard.

Foods to avoid

Some human foods are dangerous for dogs: chocolate, coffee, grapes and raisins, onions, garlic, xylitol (a sweetener used in chewing gum), macadamia nuts and alcohol.

Reproduction and development

Physical and emotional maturity

In dogs, sexual maturity usually comes between 6 and 12 months. Most breeds become adults at around 13–15 months.

Mating and pregnancy

Pregnancy lasts about 63 days, counted from ovulation. Mating a female on her first heat is not recommended. The FCI standard requires that only healthy dogs of typical breed appearance are used for breeding.

Caring for the puppies

In dogs, a litter has 5–6 puppies on average, and the number rises with the size of the breed. Socialisation starts in the first weeks: gentle handling, everyday noises and new people.

Interesting facts

“The tiger dog”. It is also called Tora Inu, after its brindle coat.
A natural monument. It was declared a natural monument in 1934.
It climbs trees. The AKC says dogs have been seen climbing trees after game.
The colour comes with age. Solid-coloured puppies may become brindle as they grow.
One of six. It is one of the six native Japanese breeds.