Swiss Shorthaired Pinscher vs Kishu - Breed Comparison

Swiss Shorthaired Pinscher is originated from Switzerland but Kishu is originated from Japan. Swiss Shorthaired Pinscher may grow 8 cm / 3 inches shorter than Kishu. Swiss Shorthaired Pinscher may weigh 12 kg / 26 pounds lesser than Kishu. Both Swiss Shorthaired Pinscher and Kishu has almost same life span. Both Swiss Shorthaired Pinscher and Kishu has almost same litter size. Swiss Shorthaired Pinscher requires Low maintenance. But Kishu requires Moderate maintenance

History

The Swiss Shorthaired Pinscher is an ancient dog breed and dates back to 1780. It is believed that this dog breed is extinct, but that the German Pinscher of today is family of this dog breed. The dog used to be good on the farm as an all-purpose working dog.

When you look at the history of dogs, there are so many that have come and gone, never to be seen or heard of again. Other animals become extinct because of environmental factors, but with dogs it’s a bit different and most, like the Swiss Shorthaired Pinscher, died out simply because it became unfashionable.

Maybe the jobs that this dog was designed to do no longer existed and he died out because he was no longer needed.

kishu - historyThe Kishu is a Spitz type hunting dog that originates from Japan. Many people believe he is a descendant of the wolf. Those who have studied the dog say that it has kept its genetic purity and that there has been very little cross breeding with other dogs.

The Kishu is also known as the Kumano Ken, a name given after the area the dog originated from. The breed was officially recognized and standardized in 1934, and is known as the Kishu Ken. In 1934 the dog was also designated a Living Natural Monument in Japan and is protected by law.

The dog is also included in the group ‘Asian Spitz and Related Breeds’ class of primitive dogs.

Basic Information

Group:
Working dog
Working dog
Origin:
Switzerland
Japan
Height Male:
40 - 48 cm
15 - 19 inches
43 - 56 cm
16 - 23 inches
Height Female:
40 - 48 cm
15 - 19 inches
43 - 56 cm
16 - 23 inches
Weight Male:
11 - 15 kg
24 - 34 pounds
14 - 27 kg
30 - 60 pounds
Weight Female:
11 - 15 kg
24 - 34 pounds
14 - 27 kg
30 - 60 pounds
Life Span:
10 - 14 Years
11 - 13 Years
Litter Size:
2 - 8
2 - 6
Size:
Medium dog
Medium dog
Other Names:
Glattharidge
Kumano Ken, Kishu Ken
Colors Available:
Black and tan
White, red or brindle
Coat:
Short and smooth
Short, straight and dense double-coat
Shedding:
Moderate
Moderate
Temperament:
Affectionate, Alert, Cheerful, Courageous, Curious, Energetic, Friendly, Gentle, Independent, Intelligent, Lively, Loving, Loyal, Outgoing, Playful, Protective, Quiet, Responsive, Social, Stubborn
Affectionate, Alert, Cheerful, Courageous, Curious, Docile, Energetic, Friendly, Independent, Intelligent, Lively, Loving, Loyal, Outgoing, Playful, Protective, Responsive, Social, Stubborn, Territorial
Grooming:
Low maintenance
Moderate maintenance
Trainability:
Easy
Easy
Hypoallergenic:
No
No
Kids Friendly:
Yes
Yes
New Owners Friendly:
Yes
Yes

Description

Described as a medium sized dog, the Swiss Shorthaired Pinscher is an extinct variety of the German Pinscher. Like that dog, the Swiss Shorthaired had a muscular, strong square build.

Possibly he also had his ears and tail docked at that time. It is thought that he stood between 40 – 48cm in height and weighed in the region of 11 to 15kg.

He had the typical looks of the Doberman Pinscher with short smooth hair in black and tan, short erect ears and a tail that was traditionally cropped. He was lean and muscular with brown eyes. They were working dogs in their day and were not considered the best dogs to have for the first time dog owner.

Tempeament

These dogs have always been hardworking, brave and fearless. They make good family pets too and get on well with children. They would have been adaptable too to life in the city or the countryside, so long as he got his exercise.

A well bred Swiss Shorthaired Pinscher was alert and a good guard dog, and one wonders why this dog with its good qualities died out.

kishu puppy - descriptionThe Kishu is a medium sized dog standing between 43 – 56cm in height and weight is between 14 – 27kg.

He has a short, straight double coat which can be white, red or brindle. The dog has minimal shedding, making him an easy dog to groom.

The nose of the dog is black, but particularly with the white coated dogs, the nose can be brownish or pink in color. The ears are erect and pointed forwards and the tail is carried slightly curved over the dog's back.

Temperament:

The docile Kishu is no pushover and he is a strong minded, courageous dog. He is also an amicable dog breed, getting on well with his human family as well as with other dogs in the home.

He is somewhat aloof and reserved around strangers. Even though he is a docile dog, it is a good idea to have him trained and socialized so that he can be obedient and balanced in all situations.

He is intelligent and learns easily. An interesting aspect with the Kishu Ken is that he likes to take in everything going on from a vantage point, often seeking out a higher spot from where he can look about.

Kishu Kens like to keep an eye on whatever is going on, and sometimes he looks for a high place so that he can survey everything. They can be aloof or shy around strangers.

Characteristics

The Swiss Shorthaired Pinscher is no longer around but he would no doubt have made a good family pet. He would have wanted to protect his human family.

He was a stubborn, bold dog, and maybe socialization and training didn’t exist then, but he would have benefited from it.

He’s the kind of dog that would have adapted well to life in the city or the countryside, but you could never neglect his exercise needs. In the right environment, this Pinscher would have made a loving, loyal pet.

kishu dog - characteristicsThe Kishu is a hardy dog breed known for his exceptional hunting instincts and loyalty. He is a brave, clever, playful, tenacious dog eager to please his master.

He isn’t so much a hunting dog anymore but is essentially a companion dog, bonding closely with his human family. He will get on well with children and pets in the home, but more so when he has been trained and socialized.

Apart from making a splendid companion, the Kishu promises to be an excellent guard dog to anyone who threatens his human family.

Health Problems

It is not too sure about the health status of this extinct dog but we can assume that he would have been prone to some of the typical dog illnesses there are.

Hypothyroidismd, bloat, cancer, cataracts, infections and obesity were just some of the diseases this dog would have had to contend with.

Hypothyroidism:

The thyroid glands in the neck produce hormones. These hormones affect the functioning of the body. Hypothyroidism in dogs is usually caused by shrinkage of the thyroid gland or inflammation.The disease occurs more often in Pinscher dogs.

You may notice a dulling or thinning of your dog’s hair, weight gain and reduced activity. Hypothyroid dogs also tend to battle more with ear- and skin infections. Veterinary treatment will become necessary.

Catarats:

It causes a whiteness,cloudiness or opacity on the lens of the eye. It's not painful for a dog but it can cause loss of vision. Surgery can improve vision for the dog.

kishu puppies - health problemsBefore you bring a new puppy or rescue dog into your home, you must be prepared for the responsibility of a dog. If you're just simply looking for a watchdog to stick into your backyard, you're being cruel.

A dog is a social creature and you need to spend time with them and care for them. Sometimes he can get sick and then you may need to get him to the vet.

Some of the illnesses your Kishu can get will be easily treatable, while others may be life-threatening and require surgery.

The health of your dog will depend a lot on the food you provide it with as well as your lifestyle. Common dog health problems can range from typical eye- and ear infections to bloat, hip dysplasia and cancers.

Hypothyroidism:

The thyroid gland doesn’t produce enough thyroid hormone which can lead to other health problems such as tiredness and weight gain. A daily thyroid pill from the vet can help sort this issue out.

Arthritis:

This is a common health problem, seen more in older dogs. Your once active dog will move around slower and battle to stand up after lying down.

Arthritis can’t be cured but you can alleviate the pain and suffering. Your vet will tell you that diet and nutrition are important factors to ward off arthritis in the first place.

If your dog has arthritis and is in pain, get him to your vet who can prescribe medications to alleviate the symptoms.

Kennel Cough:

This is a respiratory infection which can be transmitted from one dog to another. You’ll notice coughing, tiredness, runny nose and watery eyes and loss of appetite. Take him to your vet who will know what to do to speed up recovery for your pet.

Caring The Pet

Diet:

In those days of the Swiss Shorthaired Pinscher, maybe commercially manufactured dog foods weren’t available. If the dog were still around today, you would feed him dry kibble for medium sized dogs.

Probably the owners of these dogs fed them from the food they ate. It can be a good idea to feed any dog you have with some homemade food.

This can include things such as boiled chicken, brown rice or pasta and spinach, sweet potatoes and carrots. This is the kind of simple food that dogs love.

Being a farm dog in his day, he was probably tossed raw meat occasionally and this would have done him the world of good.

General Care:

Although the short, smooth hair of the Swiss Shorthaired Pinscher is looked upon as low maintenance, the dog would have needed a good brush twice a week just to keep it shiny and healthy.

After a hard day of work on the farm, the Swiss Shorthaired Pinscher would have required a nice warm, dry spot to sleep.

Grooming:

kishu dogs - caringThe Kishu will need to be brushed twice a week to keep the coat free of dust and loose hairs. Their ears should be checked regularly too for wax build up and dirt as ear infections are a common dog illness.

Their nails should also be trimmed regularly. Take him regularly to have his teeth cleaned because dental problems can put his entire body at risk for disease.

Exercise:

The Kishu needs a good sized garden to roam. He is best suited to country life because he needs regular exercise. If he lives in the city, put him on a leash and take him for walks.

Diet:

Apart from exercise, good food is imperative as nutritious food contributes to longevity. Top quality food and the right size portions can ensure lean, energetic, happy, healthy dogs.

Take trouble to understand the ingredients listed on the commercial dog food packaging. Generally the low quality, processed commercial foods are inflammatory.

Even if you go for the top brand kibble, don’t just provide your pet with dry kibble night after night. Mix in some cooked chicken, brown rice and vegetables.

Remember too, that fresh whole foods such as vegetables have live enzymes and are packed full of fiber which is so necessary for digestion. A good diet with fresh, cool water is guaranteed to provide an excellent dimension to your pet’s health.

Comparison with other breeds

  1. Swiss Shorthaired Pinscher vs American Bulldog - Breed Comparison
  2. Swiss Shorthaired Pinscher vs Border Collie - Breed Comparison
  3. Swiss Shorthaired Pinscher vs Sakhalin Husky - Breed Comparison
  4. Swiss Shorthaired Pinscher vs Alaskan Husky - Breed Comparison
  5. Swiss Shorthaired Pinscher vs Catahoula Leopard - Breed Comparison
  6. Swiss Shorthaired Pinscher vs German Pinscher - Breed Comparison
  7. Swiss Shorthaired Pinscher vs Portuguese Water Dog - Breed Comparison
  8. Swiss Shorthaired Pinscher vs Aidi - Breed Comparison
  9. Swiss Shorthaired Pinscher vs Puli - Breed Comparison
  10. Swiss Shorthaired Pinscher vs Griffon Bleu de Gascogne - Breed Comparison
  11. Swiss Shorthaired Pinscher vs Borador - Breed Comparison
  12. Swiss Shorthaired Pinscher vs German Spaniel - Breed Comparison
  13. Swiss Shorthaired Pinscher vs Canadian Eskimo Dog - Breed Comparison
  14. Swiss Shorthaired Pinscher vs McNab - Breed Comparison
  15. Swiss Shorthaired Pinscher vs Porcelaine - Breed Comparison
  16. Swiss Shorthaired Pinscher vs Finnish Lapphund - Breed Comparison
  17. Swiss Shorthaired Pinscher vs Berger Blanc Suisse - Breed Comparison
  18. Swiss Shorthaired Pinscher vs Griffon Nivernais - Breed Comparison
  19. Swiss Shorthaired Pinscher vs Hokkaido - Breed Comparison
  20. Swiss Shorthaired Pinscher vs Petit Bleu de Gascogne - Breed Comparison
  21. Swiss Shorthaired Pinscher vs Pumi - Breed Comparison
  22. Swiss Shorthaired Pinscher vs Australian Kelpie - Breed Comparison
  23. Swiss Shorthaired Pinscher vs Griffon Fauve de Bretagne - Breed Comparison
  24. Swiss Shorthaired Pinscher vs Basque Shepherd - Breed Comparison
  25. Swiss Shorthaired Pinscher vs Istrian Sheepdog - Breed Comparison
  26. Sakhalin Husky vs Kishu - Breed Comparison
  27. Portuguese Water Dog vs Kishu - Breed Comparison
  28. Puli vs Kishu - Breed Comparison
  29. McNab vs Kishu - Breed Comparison
  30. Porcelaine vs Kishu - Breed Comparison
  31. Hokkaido vs Kishu - Breed Comparison
  32. Petit Bleu de Gascogne vs Kishu - Breed Comparison
  33. Pumi vs Kishu - Breed Comparison
  34. Osterreichischer Kurzhaariger Pinscher vs Kishu - Breed Comparison
  35. Russo-European Laika vs Kishu - Breed Comparison
  36. Ryukyu Inu vs Kishu - Breed Comparison
  37. Seppala Siberian Sleddog vs Kishu - Breed Comparison
  38. Serbian Mountain Hound vs Kishu - Breed Comparison
  39. Shiba Inu vs Kishu - Breed Comparison
  40. Sulimov vs Kishu - Breed Comparison
  41. Swiss Shorthaired Pinscher vs Kishu - Breed Comparison
  42. Tahltan Bear Dog vs Kishu - Breed Comparison
  43. Standard Schnauzer vs Kishu - Breed Comparison
  44. Kishu vs American Bulldog - Breed Comparison
  45. Kishu vs Border Collie - Breed Comparison
  46. Kishu vs Alaskan Husky - Breed Comparison
  47. Kishu vs Catahoula Leopard - Breed Comparison
  48. Kishu vs German Pinscher - Breed Comparison
  49. Kishu vs Aidi - Breed Comparison
  50. Kishu vs Griffon Bleu de Gascogne - Breed Comparison

View/Compare Breeds

Popular Dog Breeds