The Kai Ken Standard
Kai Ken Aigokai Breed Standard, as translated by Shigeru Kato
Introduction to the Standard v11
The Kai Ken Society of America aligned itself in 2011 with the American Kennel Club and coordinated that AKC would accept translated registrations from the Kai Ken Aigokai (the breed’s preservation society in Japan, which registers nearly all Kai Ken in their native country) into the Foundation Stock Service directly. In this way, the AKC has supported our aims with regard to importing dogs into the current US population and increasing the diversity of our foundation stock to the maximum. In rare breeds, the gene pool is already severely limited by population size, and the KKSA is grateful that AKC understands and supports the needs of Foundation Stock breeds to have smooth registration access for the greatest number of Kai dogs possible, with the ability to register FCI, UKC and KKA Kai Ken all into the AKC-FSS.
While working on our standard for AKC submission, the KKSA has been through 11 revisions to date and many hours of discussion, research, comparison, and review with Kai owners, Kai breeders, breeders and exhibitors of other Japanese breeds, judges, and members of the Kai Ken Aigokai itself to produce the document before you. We looked at all current standards for the Kai Ken: KKA, NIPPO (the preservation society in Japan for the native breeds- but effectively only Shiba, Kishu and Shikoku), JKC/FCI, and UKC and the history and intention of each, as well as an article shared with us by our friends at the North American Kai Association (a UKC club) written by the past president of the KKA, Yanagisawa-san.
In our proposed standard, the KKA standard (as translated by Mr Shigeru Kato) always speaks first and as completely as it can, but it is a deliberately more broad standard than AKC requires for specificity of each body part. So we looked to the other standards to flesh out areas that needed greater description to comply. The NIPPO standard applies to all six native breeds from Shiba to Akita alike, except for size and color. The attempted homogeneity of the NIPPO standard provides a basic core description for all Japanese breeds, something the KKA standard takes a bit on assumption. History also tells us that the Kai Ken Aigokai standard split from NIPPO over two main points: that the height of Kai should not be increased to align with the other medium sized breeds, and that the tongue spotting tolerance of NIPPO was too strict for the reality of the extent of this feature in the population, which is very high. Since this attribute does not affect the historic shape or function of the Kai as a brindle mountain dog, the KKSA feels that tongue pigment is too marginal a feature to fault in the ring or in breeding decisions for such a small gene pool with an aim of diversity protection.
The FCI standard is useful because it provides a view of the realistic range of Kai heights in today’s world population, and we are aware that as an American club representing and promoting the American population of Kai dogs, we don’t have the numbers of exhibiting dogs as Japan does to put too fine a point on any single attribute. The UKC standard is also a valuable reference as it is the standard that has guided the breed in the US since 1990, and the population into which the last decades imports have been introgressed. Our standard needs to root itself in the authenticity of the country of origin standard, but where reasonable with an inclusivity that supports our diversity goals and gives voice to the broad interpretation of the KKA.
The beauty of the KKA standard and judging is that the Aigokai allows for variation in type and is not too strict in this regard. It specifically mentions the old “Shishi-inu-gata” or “boar type dog” and the “Shika-inu-gata” or “deer type dog” and while these two regional forms of the breed are by necessity now combined, the rangier deer type body with it’s higher tuck up, and the stockier boar type body with a slighter tummy are still evident in the population and should be given equal consideration in judging, neither preferred to the other. The Kai Ken is a rugged mountain dog of function and moderation and possessing a beautiful, wild simplicity and sincerity, and never of extremes, slickness or stylishness. It is our intention with this standard that the Kai Ken in AKC will also be admired, bred and judged for the same ‘mountain country values’ as it is in its homeland.
The Illustrated Kai Ken Standard, v.11
This standard has as its foundation the standard of the Kai Ken Aigokai (KKA), which has been the primary registry and preservation society for the Kai in Japan, since its formation in 1931. The Kai Ken Society of America (KKSA) honors the mission of the KKA and the authenticity of its breed standard and has only elaborated upon it with specifics to illustrate clearly and conform to the requirements of the American Kennel Club for breed standard clarity and thoroughness. It is our aim that a dog who would succeed and qualify in AKC conformation would also meet the traditional standard for the Kai in Japan.
All Kai should appear alert and keen, ready for action, and capable of climbing and balancing on ledges, leaping fallen logs and weaving their way through thick cover after their quarry, regardless of type.
II. Size, Proportion, Substance
Kai are slightly longer than tall, with a height at withers to length of body of 10:11.
- The height at the withers averages 17” for females to 19.75” for males, with an allowance of an inch and a quarter above or below.
- Kai are well balanced dogs, with good bone and agile limbs.
There were originally two types of Kai from two great foundation males, Kaikuro founded the “shishi-inu-gata” (translates to “boar type dog”) lines which are a thicker, stockier frame with a more bearlike head.
The other male, Dairo, was famed for deer hunting and his lines produce the lithe- framed Kai with foxier faces called the “shika-inu-gata” or “deer type dogs.”
Faults: height over 18.25” for females, 21” for males; below 15.75” for females and 18.5” for males.
vii. Tail is set on high, thick and strong. Either sickle, sword or curled when the dog is at ease and feeling confident, roughly reaching the hock when let down. The Kai has an expressive, flexible tail that lends balance when running, climbing or swimming.
Disqualifying fault: a tail that cannot be held up.
i. Shoulders are moderately sloping, well developed. The point of the shoulder forms a roughly 105-110° angle with the upper arm bone.
i. Hips are powerful and tight.
The Kai has a medium length, double coat. The outer guard hair coat is coarse and should stand off from the body with a soft, dense and thick undercoat. Kai Ken have a mane. The hair on the head, legs, and ears is shorter than the coat on the body while the coat on the tail is somewhat longer and stands open in a brush. Kai should be presented in a natural state. Fault: long or wooly coat, lack of breed characteristic mane.
IX. Gait
The Kai should be gaited in the ring on a loose lead at a brisk trot. Movement nimble, light and elastic, with single track strides of moderate length. The topline remains level and firm, reach and drive are moderate and efficient. Weight should be balanced and responsive.
The Kai is a dog of exceptional astutenes and sensitivity. He is a natural hunter with a strong prey drive and while an independent thinker, he is extremely devoted to his owner, and it is from the depth of this relationship that his cooperation and workability springs. With strangers the Kai tends to be reserved, but friendly and affectionate with those it knows. Keen and alert, the Kai Ken has a strong homing instinct and propensity toward loyalty to one master for life.
• Lack of sexual dimorphism
• White feet