The appearance of the kai-ken, his appearance, characteristic behavior and health, how to care for the breed: walking, diet and other procedures, training. Puppy price. Kai-ken is an old Japanese dog breed. These dogs are born hunters. They behave a little alienated towards unknown people because of their "wild" roots. As a national gem of Japan, their numbers are small. But, dog handlers are trying to build the breed and bring it to an ideal state.
The emergence of the kai-ken breed
The kai-ken or kai ken dog breed has many names. They are also called kai, tora-inu or tiger dogs. Kai is nicknamed the dog "Tora", which means tiger in Japanese, due to the tiger color of their "coat". These dogs require careful attention to their person, because for many times, nature has worked hard to create the breed exactly as it appears to us in its modern guise.
If we turn to reliable information, then Japan is the birthplace of kai. The modern kai-ken is a descendant of ancient, wild Japanese dogs that lived in the mountainous province of Kai three thousand years ago. Due to the geographic isolation of this province, it is believed that these dogs may be the most purebred of all Japanese dog breeds. In this country, the variety has been known for many centuries. It is unclear when they first became domesticated, but it is known that for centuries they have been used in Japan to hunt deer, wild boars, and bears. At this time, the people of Japan consider the kai-ken to be the pride of the nation and the living wealth of the country.
Kai-kens are extremely rare breed, even despite the fact that the Japanese take care of them and restore their livestock with all their might. Even in their native land, their number is very small. The species came to such a deplorable state due to the import of new European purebred dogs. Cynologists and the people of Japan, carried away by the newly introduced breeds and ceased to be interested in the national species of canines and control their condition.
Kai-kens were recognized by the Japanese kennel club in 1934 and were first brought to the United States of America in the 1950s by military personnel. It is unknown if any of these original dogs survived, but young males and several female puppies were brought to the States in the 1990s. These dogs became the backbone of the modern Kai-ken breed in the United States.
Traditional Japanese written records describe the dog as a natural hunter and master in its field. It is known that the kai-ken in hunting excitement goes to the last and can swim or even climb trees.
Kai-ken is considered an excellent four-legged hunter. He can chase a deer and many ungulates, including a wild boar. Their instinct to chase the beast is expressed at the highest level. Kai are not tame dogs, this is how they differ from their closest relatives.
Kai-ken's appearance description
Representatives of the breed are compactly built. Their body is correctly proportioned. In adulthood, they grow to medium size and acquire a wonderful proportionate appearance that expresses strength, power and noble disposition. The musculature is excellently developed. The height at the withers in males is 53–59 cm and in bitches 46–51 cm. The weight of males is 19–21 kg and bitches are 16–18 kg.
- Head perfectly balanced. She is in the correct proportion to the body and harmonious in size. The widened skull tapers towards the nose. The frontal area is slightly rounded.
- Muzzle sharp, but never long or wide. Its base is strong and the tip is not sharp. The bridge of the nose is wide and even. The stop is quite pronounced. The lips close tightly. The dentition is naturally strong in a scissor bite.
- Nose black is preferred. A red or brown nose is acceptable for individuals with a red tiger.
- Eyes kai-kena have a triangular cut, and a small, even small size, dark in color.
- Ears slightly different from other species because they are slightly enlarged. Their shape is triangular, slightly raised upward.
- Neck - strong, powerful.
- Frame - with a pronounced, rather distinct withers, which turn into a straight and not very long back. The loin is broad and muscular. The breed has a deep and low-set chest. The ribs are not very bent. The belly is harmoniously matched.
- Tail - located high. Has a crescent shape or curls like a ring.
- Front limbs dogs are powerful, parallel to each other, with strong joints. Hindquarters - Parallel, very strong, with powerful hocks and muscular thighs.
- Paws kai-kena are round, tightly compressed with springy pads.
- Coat on feel, rough and hard, straight in structure. The undercoat is soft and dense.
- Color - a distinctive feature of the breed due to its variegation. One of the common colors is brindle. It can be red-brindle, black-brindle and gray brindle.
The characteristic behavior of a kai-ken dog
Tora Inu are brave, fearless, intelligent, vigorous, agile and loyal dogs with a natural hunting instinct. These qualities make them amazing guard dogs. Kai-ken are wonderful and loyal to their family members, but reserved and far from outsiders.
Although, the breed was bred and developed to have outstanding hunting dogs, but these dogs are very friendly and gentle with children, and also behave without any aggression with their brethren. Most of them not only love to swim, but also know how to cross the river and climb a tree while chasing prey.
Kai are distinguished by increased sensitivity. Pets desperately need affection, like all other dogs. They require careful and gentle training. Dogs need a lot of care, attention and praise from their owner to stay happy and cheerful.
The Torah Inu can have only one owner. Animals themselves determine which family they will obey. And, if they do choose, they will be devoted to him until their last breath. It is better not to keep cats or other small animals in the house. Since the hunting instinct may wake up in dogs, and pets will become victims for them.
Kai-ken's health
A kai-ken with a good immune system can live on average twelve to fifteen years and longer. Although it is generally a hardy breed, there are a small number of individuals with hip dysplasia or progressive retinal atrophy.
Dysplasia of the hip joints is a pathology of the development of the hip joints, provoked by both a genetic predisposition and environmental factors. Symptoms of the disease are manifested in the difficulty of moving the hind limbs, manifested by lameness and painful sensations. Dysplasia is determined by taking an x-ray of the joints in the hip region.
The mild form, with therapeutic treatment, relieves the animal from disability. The doctor prescribes massages, physiotherapy, external ointments, and internal pills. When recovering, in the future, the pet should be clinically observed several times a year by a veterinarian.
With an advanced form and manifestation of lameness, surgical intervention is required. But, the correct diagnosis requires not only a visual and tactile examination, but also an X-ray. After the operation, the patient usually gets rid of pain, but is not completely cured.
Rules for the maintenance and care of kai-ken
- Wool such a dog has its decoration. It requires more careful maintenance during the molting period, but instead of a slicker, it is better to use a furminator. This is a device that was invented in the United States of America by professional groomers. It is similar in shape to a safety razor, but in essence, it is a comb for removing dead hairs. In construction, the furminator is very simple. It is a special comb-blade with a rubber-coated handle. The selection of the device is individual and depends on the size of the pet and the type of its coat. The device is completely safe, easy to use and does not require any special skills. Furminator makes wool of higher quality also because it evenly distributes grease throughout the wool. Natural lubricant is a natural moisturizer for the coat, which protects and makes the coat smoother and shinier. Using this device will reduce by ninety percent the amount of hair shed in the dog. And, removing the fallen hairs, the furminator will not damage the central spine of the coat and gently remove the dead undercoat. To help the dog fade quickly, it is brushed every day. On weekdays, the pet is combed out once a week. Of course, during the procedure, the hair will fall to the floor. If you want your apartment to be clean, carry out the manipulation on the street while walking. Bathing kai-ken should be done every 2 weeks or just before the dog show. Before washing, the coat is thoroughly soaked. Next, the dog is lathered with diluted water, a typical shampoo. After each soaping, the concentrate is thoroughly washed off. The use of a conditioner will perfectly soften the pet's coat. After all the remedies, the dog's coat must be rinsed well.
- Teeth Tora-Inu needs to be cleaned several times, every week, with bactericidal gel pastes with different tastes (meat, liver, fish). These products effectively remove plaque and remove unpleasant odors from the pet's mouth. The pastes are applied to a soft silicone brush and brush the dog's teeth. If you do not carry out this manipulation, then after a while the animal will have tartar and periodontal disease. In this case, the removal of the stone will need to be carried out by the veterinarian using ultrasound. Prevention of dental diseases can be created by giving the dog dry food, edible, pressed bones, purchased at the pet store.
- Ears The Torah Inu should be examined regularly. They have erect ears, but thick hair grows inside them. Therefore, it will be better to trim or pluck the hair. It is not difficult - you just need to hold the ear and pluck the hair in the direction of its growth. When cleaning sulfur and mud accumulations, hold the dog's head when instilling liquid lotion, since the animal can shake off. Then, gently massage the base of the ear and the dirt that has come out, wipe it off. Hydrogen peroxide, alcohol and other irritants should never be used.
- Eyes kai-kena do not have saggy eyelids, so the dust does not irritate their mucous membranes so much. Of course, they need to be wiped, but rarely. But, after hunting or walking a dog in a forest park area, they must be checked for mechanical injuries. Because the Torah Inu moves, sometimes very quickly, not noticing what is growing around. Even the most elementary branch, whipping in the eyes, can injure the fundus. If you suspect that something is amiss, then you should not wait, but rather take your pet to the veterinarian for a checkup.
- Claws always shortened with excessive regrowth, so that the dog's gait does not change and his fingers are not deformed. This is done with claws or a file.
- Feeding kai-kena is a purely private affair of the owner. But, it is best to check with your veterinarian or breeder about the dog's diet. This is the best way to determine both the puppy's meal frequency and the best adult diet to increase the pet's lifespan. Clean and fresh water should be available at any time when feeding dry concentrates, which are now in great abundance on the zoo market. You should find a premium professional food for medium dogs. Choose natural food from lean meat and offal by eighty percent. And the other twenty are cereals. It is not recommended to give pearl barley, corn grits and millet. Fish oil, vitamins and minerals with such a diet, the owner should give the doggie constantly, with short breaks. These additives serve as a prophylactic against heart pathologies, strengthen ligaments and tendons, hair and skin.
- Walking active kai-ken must include the necessary loads. Exercise options vary. This is the time to play in the backyard, preferably in a fenced-in area or while walking several times a day. You can play hide and seek with your pet, serve a ball, stick, ball, flying saucer, or teach them new tricks. Outdoor activities such as swimming, hiking, and serving items can be a good way to use up the energy of the Torah Inu. Training and engaging your dog in sporting sports such as agility, obedience, and agility can also be a great way to meet your dog's demands.
For such a strong, hunting dog, early socialization and gradual introduction to urban areas is very necessary. Pets need enough daily exercise to stay happy and healthy. However, don't trust your dog and use a leash. Release only when she is in a safe place. The kai-ken has a chasing instinct, so keep him in a fenced-in yard.
Kai-ken training
The indigenous wild roots of the kai-ken force the owners to start socializing such pets very early. This must also be done because of the genetically inherent in the Torah Inu ability not to trust strangers and even sometimes familiar people.
In order to bring up a pet well, and he did not grow up aggressive and not suitable for living in a family, this must be done with “young teeth”. Introduce the dog to the manifestations of natural phenomena, various animals and other people.
When training, consistency and patience are the main factors for success. The pet will understand you perfectly without being cruel to itself. Rudeness breeds uncontrollable aggression. The dog will be afraid of you and bite for self-defense.
Kai-kens accept better and gratefully when a person treats them with warmth and affection. Then, the dog will try to demonstrate to its owner how good he is, pleasing in everything. And, the learning process will become pleasant not only for him, but also for you.
It is necessary to establish contact between the owner and the pet. Then the owner will know what to expect from the dog and what actions to expect from the owner. The reflexes of the animal, with each correctly executed command, must be reinforced with a piece of something tasty or with praise.
Interesting facts about kai-ken
In 1934, kai-ken was named a "natural treasure" in Japan and protected by law. Tora Inu were first imported into the United States in the early 1990s.
Puppies of this breed are born black with fuzzy, fuzzy lines and develop their brindle markings as they grow. The color begins to appear most vividly by the age of five years of the dog's life.
Kai is an excellent swimmer and climber, and is known to be able to climb trees and swim in rivers and bodies of water in pursuit of the beast.
Kai-ken price
If you are ready to have a Tora Inu puppy, then find responsible breeders for acquisition. People who wish to have a kai-ken can consult with them and inquire about specific health problems in the breed. Good breeders use genetic testing of their breeders to reduce the likelihood of disease in their offspring. The price of puppies is $ 700-900.
More interesting information about the breed in the following video:
