The dog is a popular pet and there are many breeds with different inner and outer appearance, so there is a dog to suit everyone. After all, to give your dog a good life and enjoy it yourself, you have to think carefully about what kind of dog suits you. In addition to the well-known and popular dog breeds, there are also some lesser-known breeds. The kai, a Japanese dog, is one of them.
Kai, the basics
The original name of the kai is ‘kai tora ken’ or ‘tora’ for short and comes from Japan. This is believed to be Japan’s oldest dog breed. However, it took until 1934 to have this medium sized inwardly and outwardly sturdy dog officially recognized as a breed.
The dog is originally from the mountainous region of Yamanashi and the breed belongs to the (Asian) spitz. The dog was originally used for hunting game. The kai can swim well and can even climb trees if it chases after prey. The dog is also very suitable as a companion dog.
The kai has two variants, namely:
- The Shishi-Inu-gata type, known for a muscular body and bear-like head.
- The Shika-Inu-gata type, known for hunting deer. The dog has a longer, thinner body and more like a fox head.
Characteristics
Appearance
The kai is easily recognizable as a dog belonging to the spitz. Spitz are dogs with typical external features, such as a pointed muzzle, fairly small, erect ears, a protruding coat and a curly tail. Perhaps better known under the name keeshond.
The height of the male is about 53 centimeters and the female 49 centimeters. The eyes are dark in color and the woolly coat is quite short. The dog has a thick outer coat and a woolly undercoat. This does not require extensive care, a weekly brushing is sufficient. The kai generally has a long tail, which is often carried downwards. The dogs weigh between 20 to 35 kilograms and the recognized coat colors are:
- gray-brindle
- red brindle
- black brindle
Character
This hunting dog, which can also be a pleasant companion animal, absolutely needs exercise. Take the dog regularly for long walks and challenge the dog. The dog likes to be busy, so he / she can do something with the original hunting instinct. The kai becomes like ?? lively ?? and ?? thoughtful ?? typed.
If the dogs grow up with young children from the start, a kai in the family is no problem. Introducing an adult kai to young children for the first time is not always good. The kai is also not always sympathetic towards other dogs and obedient this dog is not always optimal. The kai can be good against being alone. Realize that the kai can sometimes be dominant. Clear education from an early age is therefore important. Always avoid heavy-handed parenting methods, but be consistent in parenting.
Buy a kai
Pup
It applies to every breed, that you have to study it well. What kind of dog is it and what does the dog need? Then comes the answer whether this fits into your current life. Possibly with children, you are away from home a lot, do you have time or take the time to give the dog that extensive exercise, etc.
If the answer is still that the kai suits you, then it is good to find an officially recognized breeder and go to the breeder yourself. See with your own eyes what kind of dog it is, how it reacts to people, etc. Finally, see if the pregnant bitch, or perhaps she has already given birth, likes you and of course look at any puppies already born. Sometimes there are waiting lists for purebred dogs and sometimes not, depending on the breed. Every puppy is fun, but make sure you look beyond just a nice dog. You will soon have such a dog with you for 10 to 15 years.
Adult dog
You can also choose to relocate an (almost) adult dog. In that case it is good to know what the history of the dog is. This way you will find out more about it and therefore whether this dog fits in your family situation and whether you can give the dog what it needs.
Paperwork and costs
You also have to record everything for a dog. A breeder often has a standard contract detailing what to expect and since it is a living creature, it can always turn out later that something is wrong. Something for which the breeder may or may not be held responsible. You hope never to have to use it, but always record everything. A good breeder will often initiate this himself.
A dog costs money and you really have to think about that. Not only the purchase of the kai, but also the (annual) check-up at the vet, means against fleas / ticks and of course the food provide costs that keep coming back. The costs for a dog are sometimes underestimated and that can become quite a damper over time.
Finally
You take a dog for many years, so is not just something you ?? is doing. Sometimes it takes a long time before you make the final choice and that is good. No one gets complete certainty in life, but a well-considered decision has a better chance of success.