ORIGIN : Japan.
DATE OF PUBLICATION OF THE ORIGINAL VALID STANDARD : 20.12.1994.
UTILIZATION : Hunting dog, companion.
CLASSIFICATION F.C.I. : Group 5 Spitz and primitive type.
Section 5 Asian Spitz and related breeds.
Without working trial.
BRIEF HISTORICAL SUMMARY : This breed originated from medium-sized dogs that existed in Japan in the ancient times. It became established as a breed in the Kai district (Yamanashi Prefecture), which is surrounded by mountains. Another name for this breed is « Kai tora-ken ». A distinguishing feature in this dog is its brindled coat. These dogs are used mainly for hunting wild boar and deer. Their strong inclination to form a pack is thought to contribute towards maintaining the purity of the breed. The breed was designated as a « natural monument » in 1934.
GENERAL APPEARANCE : Medium-sized dog, well balanced, sturdily built, muscles well developed. The dog has the characteristics of a dog living in mountainous districts of Japan. Limbs strong and hocks remarkably developed.
IMPORTANT PROPORTION : The ratio of height at withers to length of body is 10 : 11.
BEHAVIOUR / TEMPERAMENT : The temperament is keen and very alert.
HEAD
CRANIAL REGION :
Skull : Forehead broad.
Stop : Abrupt with slight furrow.
FACIAL REGION :
Nose : Black, nasal bridge straight.
Muzzle : Pointed, not very long, but moderately thick.
Lips : Tight.
Jaws/Teeth : Strong with a scissor bite.
Cheeks : Well developed.
Eyes : Relatively small, nearly triangular and dark brown in colour.
Ears : Slightly larger than those of other medium-sized Japanese dogs, triangular, slightly inclining forward and firmly pricked.
NECK : Thick, powerful and muscular.
BODY :
Withers : High.
Back : Straight and short.
Loins : Broad and muscular.
Chest : Deep, ribs moderately sprung.
Belly : Well tucked up.
TAIL : Set on high, thick, vigorously curled or carried curved like a sickle over the back. Tip nearly reaching the hocks when let down.
LIMBS
FOREQUARTERS :
Shoulders : Moderately sloping with developed muscles.
Elbows : Close to the body.
Forearm : Straight, heavy and muscular.
Pasterns : Slightly inclining.
HINDQUARTERS :
Upper thighs : Long.
Lower thighs : Short.
Hocks : Tough and elastic.
FEET : Toes well arched and tightly knit; pads thick and elastic; nails hard and preferably dark in colour.
GAIT / MOVEMENT : Light and resilient.
COAT
HAIR : Outer coat harsh and straight; undercoat soft and dense. The hair on the tail is fairly long and off-standing.
COLOUR : Black brindle, red brindle and brindle. As a feature of this breed, solid colour in puppyhood may turn brindle as the dog grows.
SIZE :
Height at withers : Dogs 53 cm.
Bitches 48 cm.
There is a tolerance of + 3 cm.
FAULTS : Any departure from the foregoing points should be considered a fault and the seriousness with which the fault should be regarded should be in exact proportion to its degree.
· Bitchy dogs/doggy bitches.
· Light-coloured nose.
· Slightly overshot or undershot mouth.
· Light-coloured eyes.
· Long or short hair.
· Shyness.
ELIMINATING FAULTS :
· Aggresive or overly shy.
· Extremely overshot or undershot mouth.
· Ears not pricked.
· Hanging tail, short tail.
· Faded colour.
· Coat with many white spots.
· Extreme shyness.
Any dog clearly showing physical or behavioural abnormalities shall be disqualified.
N.B. : Male animals should have two apparently normal testicles fully descended into the scrotum.