Kai Ken Breed Standard
The Kai Ken Club of Great Britain strives towards breeding to the standard set out in the country of origin by the Kai Ken Aigokai.
The Kai Ken Aigokai standard is much more broad than what is required for recognition by the Royal Kennel Club, and as such we are currently in the process of putting together a proposed breed standard that not only respects and highlights the original KKA standard, but also clarifies these broader points for judging in the UK. Our standard will draw from the KKA standard as its primary source, but will use information from the NIPPO and FCI standards as supporting material.
The NIPPO standard acts as a detailed standard for all six Nihon Ken breeds and gives us a good description of the spirit, temperament and structure of the Japanese dog, though there are discrepancies with the KKA standard when it comes to certain aspects of the Kai Ken, such as the height and and the allowance for tongue spotting.
The FCI standard, as the main standard for the Kai in Europe, may be used to clarify any points that the KKA and NIPPO standards do not specify, and allows us to encourage showing our dogs in FCI countries.
The KKA standard shall come first and is the primary origin for our standard.
It is important to us not to enforce too strict requirements on our standard as to preserve the rustic variation in type that the Kai Ken have. First and foremost, the Kai is a functional and agile hunting dog with an unrefined, simplistic beauty.
The NIPPO standard acts as a detailed standard for all six Nihon Ken breeds and gives us a good description of the spirit, temperament and structure of the Japanese dog, though there are discrepancies with the KKA standard when it comes to certain aspects of the Kai Ken, such as the height and and the allowance for tongue spotting.
The FCI standard, as the main standard for the Kai in Europe, may be used to clarify any points that the KKA and NIPPO standards do not specify, and allows us to encourage showing our dogs in FCI countries.
The KKA standard shall come first and is the primary origin for our standard.
It is important to us not to enforce too strict requirements on our standard as to preserve the rustic variation in type that the Kai Ken have. First and foremost, the Kai is a functional and agile hunting dog with an unrefined, simplistic beauty.
While our proposed standard is in progress, please enjoy the Kai Ken Aigokai standard which has been kindly translated by Mr. Shigeru Kato.
Kai Ken Aigokai
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The Kai Dog Standard
Kindly translated by Shigeru Kato of the Nihon Ken Blog Physical Proportions Substance and Appearance: Showing proper sexual dimorphism, and an unadorned unsophisticated air coupled with composed boldness. Movement light and nimble, the breed is agile and powerful with strong homing instinct and a propensity toward loyalty to one master for life. The outer coat standing upright, undercoat thick, and animals should have a mane. The breed is split into three coat colours, black brindle, medium brindle, and red brindle. There are two body types, boar type, and deer type. Height roughly 40-50 centimetres at withers. |
Images © 日本犬 by Hirota Naotaka & Nagakura Yoshio, Published by Kodansha (1972)
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Ears:
Moderately thick, triangular in form, of good shape and angled forward, spacing between ears neither too wide apart or close together, lines clean and without looseness, and ears slightly larger than the other Japanese dog breeds.
Eyes:
More or less triangular in shape, the iris dark brown, which depending on coat colour may show some shading.
Muzzle:
Lips tight, with good pigmentation, teeth strong, proper bite.
Head & Neck:
Forehead wide falling to a moderate stop, neck having appropriate thickness and length, without looseness.
Moderately thick, triangular in form, of good shape and angled forward, spacing between ears neither too wide apart or close together, lines clean and without looseness, and ears slightly larger than the other Japanese dog breeds.
Eyes:
More or less triangular in shape, the iris dark brown, which depending on coat colour may show some shading.
Muzzle:
Lips tight, with good pigmentation, teeth strong, proper bite.
Head & Neck:
Forehead wide falling to a moderate stop, neck having appropriate thickness and length, without looseness.
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Back & Hips:
Line of the back straight, hips powerful and tight. Tail: Tail thick and strong, either sickle tail or curl tail type, roughly reaching the hocks in length. Limbs: Robust with hocks especially well developed, firm while providing for excellent leaping ability and speed. |
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Additional Information (RKC)
This additional information is published by the Royal Kennel Club when the breed is accepted onto the breed register.
BREED WATCH Category 1
Currently no points of concern specific to this breed have been identified for special attention by judges, other than those covered routinely by The Royal Kennel Club's breed standard.
Currently no points of concern specific to this breed have been identified for special attention by judges, other than those covered routinely by The Royal Kennel Club's breed standard.
COLOURS
Breed Standard Colours
Breed standard colour means that the colour is accepted within the breed standard and is a traditional and well-known colour in this breed.
Breed standard colours in this breed include:
Non-Breed-Standard Colours
Colour is only one consideration when picking a breed or individual dog. Health and temperament should always be a priority over colour.
Other Colour/s
'Other' means you consider your puppy to be a colour not currently known within the breed and one that does not appear on either the breed standard or non-breed-standard list. In this instance you would be directed through our registration process to contact a breed club and/or council to support you on identifying and correctly listing the new colour.
Breed Standard Colours
Breed standard colour means that the colour is accepted within the breed standard and is a traditional and well-known colour in this breed.
Breed standard colours in this breed include:
- Red Brindle (Akatora)
- Medium Brindle (Chutora)
- Black Brindle (Kurotora)
Non-Breed-Standard Colours
- (NBS) White
- (NBS) Cream
- (NBS) Red
- (NBS) Sable
- (NBS) Pinto
- (NBS) Black & Tan
Colour is only one consideration when picking a breed or individual dog. Health and temperament should always be a priority over colour.
Other Colour/s
'Other' means you consider your puppy to be a colour not currently known within the breed and one that does not appear on either the breed standard or non-breed-standard list. In this instance you would be directed through our registration process to contact a breed club and/or council to support you on identifying and correctly listing the new colour.
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SIZE: Medium
EXERCISE: More than 1 hour per day SIZE OF HOME: Small House or Apartment GROOMING: Less than once per week COAT LENGTH: Short SHEDS: Yes LIFESPAN: Over 12 Years VULNERABLE NATIVE BREED: No TOWN OR COUNTRY: Either SIZE OF GARDEN: Small/Medium Garden |
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Other Standards
NIPPO Breed Standard
Standard for NIPPO
The NIPPO standard for the Kai Ken is outlined in a single standard for all four of the medium sized Nihon Ken.
FCI Breed Standard
Standard for FCI
AKC Breed Standard
Standard Proposed for AKC
UKC Breed Standard
Standard for UKC
Standard for NIPPO
The NIPPO standard for the Kai Ken is outlined in a single standard for all four of the medium sized Nihon Ken.
FCI Breed Standard
Standard for FCI
AKC Breed Standard
Standard Proposed for AKC
UKC Breed Standard
Standard for UKC