Kai Ken vs Japanese Terrier - Breed Comparison | MyDogBreeds

Kai Ken vs Japanese Terrier - Breed ComparisonBoth Kai Ken and Japanese Terrier are originated from Japan. Kai Ken may grow 23 cm / 10 inches higher than Japanese Terrier. Kai Ken may weigh 17 kg / 38 pounds more than Japanese Terrier. Both Kai Ken and Japanese Terrier has almost same life span. Both Kai Ken and Japanese Terrier has same litter size. Kai Ken requires Moderate maintenance. But Japanese Terrier requires Low maintenance

History

kai ken - historyThe Kai Ken dog hails from Japan and is both an ancient and rare dog. In fact the dog was discovered in 1929 in the Kai province near Mount Fuji. The dog has the nickname Tora Inu in Japan which means 'Tiger Dog'. Maybe its got to do with the brindle striped coat or his bravery.

He falls into the working class category. In 1931, the Kai Ken Aigokai registry was formed to preserve the dog. In fact in this year Dasuke Adachi discovered these dogs and in 1934 was actually designated a Natural Monument in Japan and also protected by law.

The Kai Ken was recognized in 1934 by the Japanese Kennel Club. It is not 100% certain but it is thought that the dog was brought to the United States in the 1950s.

japanese terrier - historyThe Japanese Terrier is native to Japan and is a rare pure bred dog. It is believed that the dog comes from Smooth Fox Terriers who arrived way back in the 17th century.

Certainly he looks very much like a regular Fox Terrier. It is thought that these smooth Fox Terriers were then interbred with local, Japanese dogs and used to hunt rats. Gradually he became a lap dog and companion.

Planned breeding of the dog began in 1920, and it was in 1930 that the dog was admitted to the Japanese Kennel Club with a breeding program being started.

Today you will find the Japanese Terrier in his home country and small numbers elsewhere. He was admitted to the United Kennel Club in 2006.

Description

kai ken puppy - descriptionThe Kai Ken has always been used for hunting purposes. He comes as recommended for hunting people and those who are active.

It is a medium sized dog standing at between 43 to 56cm in height both male and female and weighing between 14 and 22kg.

The ears of the dog are erect, the muzzle is fairly tapered and the nose is black. The tail is bushy like that of a fox and curls over the back. The double coat of the dog is of medium length and harsh and is a brindle color in a reddish or black shade.

Puppies are born black and then the brindle stripe-like pattern comes in later. He has an athletic body and is a keen swimmer.

Temperament:

The Kai Ken is an intelligent dog, loyal to his human family while being somewhat reserved around strangers. They are amicable with both children in the home as well as other pets.

He is a friendly, intelligent dog, forming close bonds with his family. Have him trained and socialized and he'll make you a splendid pet who will be willing to guard you if anyone threatens.

One look at that bright face and you can see that he is an intelligent, independent dog. He is also courageous and fearless and makes a great watchdog, especially because he is naturally reserved and suspicious with strangers.

japanese terrier puppy - descriptionThe Japanese Terrier is a small sized dog who stands at 20 – 33cm at the shoulders and weighs in at about 2 to 5kg.

He is a short, smooth haired dog with a tight skin and in colors of white and black. Sometimes you may find a little bit of tan color on the face too as well as 'freckles' around the neck area and legs. The black shading of the coat is essentially found around the head of the dog and also his ears.

His ears are set high on the head and are semi-erect, semi-floppy. The tail has always been traditionally docked, giving the dog a nice compact look but these days it is unfortunately often left long and then its a medium length tail which is thinly covered in short hair. The nose is black and the eye are brown, bright and alert.

Temperament:

Gentle, cheerful, intelligent, loving and loyal are some of the characteristics of the Japanese Terrier. People who have kept him as a pet will vouch for him being a wonderful companion.

He is an active dog, but he still loves to be petted and won’t do well if left alone and not part of his human family. Being a clever dog, he is easy to train, learning easily and quickly. He is quite amusing at times and you can even teach him some tricks.

He gets on well with other pets in the home as well as with children. He is alert and will make a good watchdog, alerting you to an intruder.

Because of the Japanese Terrier’s small size and sensitive nature, this breed needs a calm owner and a quiet household. It is not recommended for boisterous households.

Characteristics

kai ken dog - characteristicsThe Kai Ken is a working- and hunting dog, so he is used to being active and will want a home where he can be played with and exercised regularly.

He can be slightly stubborn and independent so training and socialization are imperative. This is also because the dog’s curiosity and his athletic skills can lead to trouble if he isn’t properly trained.

Treat him the way he deserves and you’ll see that he is able to develop a strong bond with you and be altogether an excellent family pet.

japanese terrier dog - characteristicsAs a pet of yours, the Japanese Terrier is an animated, contented little dog. He loves playing games and gets on well with children who aren't rough and disrespectful of him.

He is smart and gentle and loves nothing more than to sit on your lap in the evenings and be your reading- or watching-TV companion. Give him the right amount of attention as any other family member receives and he is guaranteed to make you an excellent, low maintenance pet.

Health Problems

kai ken puppies - health problemsWith a lifespan of 14 to 16 years, and given the genetic purity of the Kai Ken, you aren't likely to battle with congenital health problems with your dog, but it is always good to be aware of certain minor health issues that he could succumb to.

He can suffer from a few common dog diseases such as progressive retinal atrophy or hip dysplasia.

Progressive Retinal Atrophy:

This is a disease of the eye where there is wasting of certain parts, and in this case the cells of the retina develop abnormally. This can eventually lead to blindness. It’s an inherited disease that can occur in pure- and mixed breeds, and dogs with PRA shouldn’t be used for breeding.

It isn’t a painful condition, and the first symptom usually noticed in a dog is night blindness where you may notice him bumping into things at night and being reluctant to walk around in the dark.

japanese terrier puppies - health problemsThe Japanese Terrier has no particular health issues and has a lifespan of 12 – 15 years if looked after well.

There are always one or two illnesses to watch out for such as eye- and ear infections. Some dogs also develop conditions such as Patella Luxation. This happens when your dog's kneecap is dislocated. It can only be returned to its normal position when certain muscles in the back legs are relaxed and lengthened.

With this condition, your dog holds up one of his hind legs. This condition is more prevalent in small dog breeds.

Caring The Pet

kai ken dogs - caringEven though the coat is thick, the Kai Ken will require basic canine care, so a brush twice a week will be enough to keep the coat free of loose hair. He sheds more heavily a couple of times a year and then he will require more brushing.

He has always been used to hunt so he is a dog that will require regular exercise such as walks, hikes, swimming and ball games.

The nails of the dog should be trimmed regularly once they become long as long nails can be hazardous and can hook onto things, causing injury to the nail area.

The ears of the dog should be checked regularly for fleas and ticks, and teeth should also be brushed with canine toothbrush and toothpaste.

japanese terrier dogs - caringThe Japanese Terrier is an active dog and will require exercise every day. He’ll love to join you on your walks or have ball games in your garden. He can adapt to life in the city or in the country but will always need to have good exercise.

Grooming:

The Japanese Terrier is a medium shedder and you want to be sure then to brush him twice a week to get rid of all those loose hairs.

Diet:

The Japanese Terriers will require the best commercially manufactured dog food, and instead of one large meal a day, rather feed him 2 smaller meals. You can mix some tasty home-made food into his dry kibble from time to time. Excellent home-made food would be something like cooked chicken, brown rice or pasta and some vegetables.

If you can, try to also include some raw meat occasionally. If you’re in any doubt as to how to feed your Japanese Terrier so that he remains healthy, speak to your veterinarian.

Your dog should never ever be without a continuous supply of fresh, cool drinking water.

Basic Information

Group:
Working dog
Terrier dog
Origin:
Japan
Japan
Height Male:
43 - 56 cm
16 - 23 inches
20 - 33 cm
7 - 13 inches
Height Female:
43 - 56 cm
16 - 23 inches
20 - 33 cm
7 - 13 inches
Weight Male:
14 - 22 kg
30 - 49 pounds
2 - 5 kg
4 - 12 pounds
Weight Female:
14 - 22 kg
30 - 49 pounds
2 - 5 kg
4 - 12 pounds
Life Span:
14 - 16 Years
12 - 15 Years
Litter Size:
2 - 7
4 - 7
Size:
Medium dog
Medium dog
Other Names:
Tiger Dog, Tora Inu
Nippon Terrier
Colors Available:
Brindle color in black or red shade
White, black and some tan
Coat:
Medium length and coarse
Short and smooth
Shedding:
Moderate, Seasonal
Minimal
Temperament:
Affectionate, Alert, Cheerful, Courageous, Curious, Energetic, Friendly, Independent, Intelligent, Lively, Loving, Loyal, Outgoing, Playful, Protective, Responsive, Social, Stubborn, Territorial
Affectionate, Alert, Cheerful, Courageous, Curious, Energetic, Friendly, Gentle, Independent, Intelligent, Lively, Loving, Loyal, Outgoing, Playful, Protective, Quiet, Responsive, Social, Sweet, Territorial
Grooming:
Moderate maintenance
Low maintenance
Trainability:
Easy
Easy
Hypoallergenic:
No
No
Kids Friendly:
Yes
Yes
New Owners Friendly:
Yes
Yes

Comparison with other breeds

  1. Schnauzer vs Japanese Terrier - Breed Comparison
  2. Kerry Blue Terrier vs Japanese Terrier - Breed Comparison
  3. Lakeland Terrier vs Japanese Terrier - Breed Comparison
  4. Japanese Terrier vs American Pit Bull Terrier - Breed Comparison
  5. Japanese Terrier vs Bull Terrier - Breed Comparison
  6. Japanese Terrier vs Airedale Terrier - Breed Comparison
  7. Japanese Terrier vs Fox Terrier - Breed Comparison
  8. Japanese Terrier vs Bull and Terrier - Breed Comparison
  9. Japanese Terrier vs Bedlington Terrier - Breed Comparison
  10. Japanese Terrier vs Irish Terrier - Breed Comparison
  11. Japanese Terrier vs Fox Terrier (Smooth) - Breed Comparison
  12. Japanese Terrier vs Austrian Pinscher - Breed Comparison
  13. Japanese Terrier vs Atlas Terrier - Breed Comparison
  14. Japanese Terrier vs Jagdterrier - Breed Comparison
  15. Japanese Terrier vs Blue Paul Terrier - Breed Comparison
  16. Japanese Terrier vs Indian Bull Terrier - Breed Comparison
  17. Japanese Terrier vs Irish Bull Terrier - Breed Comparison
  18. Japanese Terrier vs Brazilian Terrier - Breed Comparison
  19. Japanese Terrier vs Irish Staffordshire Bull Terrier - Breed Comparison
  20. Old English Terrier vs Japanese Terrier - Breed Comparison
  21. Scoland Terrier vs Japanese Terrier - Breed Comparison
  22. Skye Terrier vs Japanese Terrier - Breed Comparison
  23. Soft-Coated Wheaten Terrier vs Japanese Terrier - Breed Comparison
  24. Staffordshire Bull Terrier vs Japanese Terrier - Breed Comparison
  25. Welsh Terrier vs Japanese Terrier - Breed Comparison
  26. Sakhalin Husky vs Kai Ken - Breed Comparison
  27. Portuguese Water Dog vs Kai Ken - Breed Comparison
  28. Puli vs Kai Ken - Breed Comparison
  29. McNab vs Kai Ken - Breed Comparison
  30. Porcelaine vs Kai Ken - Breed Comparison
  31. Hokkaido vs Kai Ken - Breed Comparison
  32. Petit Bleu de Gascogne vs Kai Ken - Breed Comparison
  33. Pumi vs Kai Ken - Breed Comparison
  34. Karelian Bear Dog vs Kai Ken - Breed Comparison
  35. Karelo-Finnish Laika vs Kai Ken - Breed Comparison
  36. Kintamani vs Kai Ken - Breed Comparison
  37. Osterreichischer Kurzhaariger Pinscher vs Kai Ken - Breed Comparison
  38. Russo-European Laika vs Kai Ken - Breed Comparison
  39. Ryukyu Inu vs Kai Ken - Breed Comparison
  40. Seppala Siberian Sleddog vs Kai Ken - Breed Comparison
  41. Serbian Mountain Hound vs Kai Ken - Breed Comparison
  42. Shiba Inu vs Kai Ken - Breed Comparison
  43. Sulimov vs Kai Ken - Breed Comparison
  44. Swiss Shorthaired Pinscher vs Kai Ken - Breed Comparison
  45. Tahltan Bear Dog vs Kai Ken - Breed Comparison
  46. Kai Ken vs American Bulldog - Breed Comparison
  47. Kai Ken vs Border Collie - Breed Comparison
  48. Kai Ken vs Alaskan Husky - Breed Comparison
  49. Kai Ken vs Catahoula Leopard - Breed Comparison
  50. Kai Ken vs German Pinscher - Breed Comparison

View/Compare Breeds

Popular Dog Breeds