Dog Breed Guide

Kai

Profile

Size

Medium

Country of origin

Japan

Origin

Ancient

Bred for

Hunting (wild boar, deer, serow)

Height

male about 50cm (20in), female about 45cm (18in)

Weight

14 - 18kg (31 - 40lb)

Life span

12 - 15 years

The breed's most striking feature is its brindle coat, called "tora-ge" (tiger coat) in Japanese. It comes in black brindle, red brindle and an in-between shade. Puppies are almost solid black, and the stripes become clearer as they grow. The coat is thought to have served as camouflage among the trees and rocks of the mountains.

Brave, with a strong wild streak and nimble movements, the Kai can bound over steep, rocky mountainsides like a serow. It is extremely loyal to its owner and is sometimes described with a Japanese phrase meaning "one master for life." On the other hand, it is very wary of strangers and does not easily open up to them.

It is important to accustom it to many people and things from puppyhood and to build trust. It needs plenty of exercise and suits a home where it can be properly active every day.

Good to know

For centuries local hunters in the deep mountains of Yamanashi Prefecture (the old province of Kai), including the Southern Alps, kept these dogs to hunt wild boar, deer and serow. Surrounded by steep mountains, it had little contact with other dogs and is said to preserve the old form of the Japanese dog particularly well.

In the early Showa era, fanciers in Yamanashi recognized the dog's value and set out to preserve it, and in January 1934 it was designated a Natural Monument of Japan. Only six Japanese breeds have this designation: the Shiba, Akita, Kai, Kishu, Shikoku and Hokkaido.

The Kai is still highly valued in the hunting field for the intelligence and courage to find game and corner it on its own judgment. It is not numerous, however, and is a precious Japanese breed rarely seen outside Yamanashi, let alone outside Japan.