Kai Ken info panel
BREED FCI STANDARD (HERE)
Kai Ken, also known as Tora Inu, is a medium-sized dog from Japan. It is an original breed that comes from the Kai region on the island of Honshu¹.
According to FCI standards, Kai Ken belongs to group V (spitz and primary type dogs), section 5¹³.
Here are some characteristics of this breed¹:
- **Size**: Males reach approximately 50 cm, females approximately 45 cm.
- **Weight**: Dogs of this breed usually weigh between 14 and 18 kg.
- **Color**: Black brindle, red brindle or brindle. Puppies are most often born black, with brindles appearing during growth and puberty.
- **Coat**: The outer coat is straight and hard, and the undercoat is soft and dense.
- **Construction**: Kai Ken dogs are characterized by a stocky and robust build with strong, strong legs adapted to life in the mountains. They have strong paws, a tail that is curled and set high, erect, triangular ears tilted forward, and a massive, wide neck.
Kai Ken dogs are balanced and independent, but at the same time very attached to their handler². They are great hunters and guards, although now they also serve as companion dogs.
ABOUT BREED
The Kai Ken, also known as the Japanese Tiger Dog, is a unique breed of dog originating from Japan¹. Originally from the Kai region (now part of Yamanashi Prefecture) on the island of Honshu in Japan, this medium-sized hunting dog was primarily used for hunting deer and wild boar². There are reports that this breed existed over 1,000 years ago, but the first written sources come from the Edo period (1603-1868)².
During the feudal times of Japan, Kai Ken dogs were valued for their hunting skills and reliability². Due to the difficult-to-reach mountainous terrain in which these dogs lived, they developed isolated from other breeds for many years². In 1934, Kai Ken was declared a national cultural treasure by the Japanese Emperor, and from then on his popularity began to grow².
Kai Ken are medium-sized dogs with a strong body build. Their weight ranges between 9 and 14 kg, and the height at the withers is usually about 45 cm¹. They are distinguished by a dense, two-layer coat with a characteristic tiger pattern, which is the breed's hallmark¹. The color of the coat can vary from black to reddish-brown, always with distinct striping¹.
Kai dogs are intelligent, capable of learning and have a strong hunting instinct¹. This makes them excellent guard dogs or even dogs used to search for missing people¹. They can work independently, but are always loyal to their owner¹. Kai are brave but gentle dogs. They are balanced, loyal and caring¹.
Kai Ken is one of six dog breeds that come from Japan³. The breed is protected by the Japanese government as "national natural monuments"³. Kai Ken is one of the few breeds that has spots. Until recently, Kai Ken dogs were bred only in Japan³. Kai Ken are very well adapted to work in difficult mountain terrain³.
HISTORY
The Kai Ken breed, also known as the Japanese tiger dog, has a long and rich history. It comes from the Kai region (now part of Yamanashi Prefecture) on the island of Honshu in Japan². There are reports that this breed existed over 1,000 years ago, but the first written sources come from the Edo period (1603-1868)².
Kai Ken dogs were valued for their hunting skills and reliability. Due to the difficult-to-reach mountainous terrain in which these dogs lived, they developed isolated from other breeds for many years. Thanks to this, they have retained their unique features both in terms of appearance and character².
In 1934, Kai Ken was declared a national cultural treasure by the Japanese Emperor, and from then on his popularity began to grow². Nowadays, the Kai Ken breed is still rare outside Japan, but is becoming more and more popular around the world². Organizations such as Nihon Ken Hozonkai (NIPPO) and Kai Ken Aigokai (KKA) work to protect and promote this extraordinary breed².