Kai Ken
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| A Kai Ken | ||||
| Nicknames | Tora Dog | |||
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| Country of origin | Japan | |||
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| 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.
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[edit] Description
[edit] 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.
[edit] Temperament
The Kai Ken is intelligent, agile, alert and brave. They are naturally hunters and make good guard 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.
[edit] History
The Kai Ken is considered to be the most ancient, and purest dog breed in Japan.[citation needed] It was developed in the isolated district of Kai (Yamanashi Prefecture) as a hunting dog.[citation needed] Kai were used to hunt boar and deer. This breed was designated a natural monument in Japan in 1934.
[edit] In popular culture
- Many Kai Kens play important roles in the Yoshihiro Takahashi series Ginga: Nagareboshi Gin and its sequel, Ginga Densetsu Weed, including the brothers Kurotora, Chutora, 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, Burukin, Shouji, and Shigure.
- Another Yoshihiro Takahashi manga, Kacchu no Senshi Gamu featured a villainous Kai Ken named Gama.
