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| Kai Ken | |||||||||||||||||||||||
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 A Kai Ken | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| Other names | Kai | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| Common nicknames | Tora Dog | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| Origin | Japan | ||||||||||||||||||||||
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| Dog (domestic dog) | |||||||||||||||||||||||
TheKai Ken (甲斐犬,Kai Inu,[1][2] Kai-ken[2][3];Japanese pronunciation:[kaꜜii.nɯ],[1] also called theTora Inu orTiger Dog) is abreed ofdog native to the Kai region,Yamanashi Prefecture,Japan,[4] where it is a national monument. It is arare dog even in its native land and is one of the six native Japanese dog breeds protected by theNihon Ken Hozonkai.[5]
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 ofbrindle ("tiger" stripes). There are three main recognized shades of brindle: the Aka-tora (red), Chu-tora (middle), and Kuro-tora (black).[6] Puppies are born a solid color, and theirbrindle markings develop as they age, sometimes taking as long as five years before fully showing.
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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.[7]
The Kai Ken was split off from the Nihon Ken (Japanese Dog) landrace during the creation of theNihon Ken Hozonkai (NIPPO) and named afterKai Province inYamanashi Prefecture where the breed is said to have originated.
Being an agile and effortless climber, the Kai Ken was used to hunt in steep mountainous terrain in Yamanashi where's its primary quarry was theJapanese serow (Kamoshika), deer, wild boar, and occasionally bear.
After the creation of NIPPO in 1928, the Kai Ken was designated a national monument in Japan in 1933. In 1931 theKai Ken AigokaiArchived 2017-04-05 at theWayback Machine (KKA) was formed and became the primary Preservation Society for the breed in Japan and still is today.
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