Standard No 317 / 20.12.1994 / GB

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KAI

ORIGIN : Japan.

DATE OF PUBLICATION OF THE VALID ORIGINAL STANDARD : 20.12.1994.

UTILIZATION : Hunting dog, companion.

FCI CLASSIFICATION : 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 PROPORTIONS : 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 :
Forehead broad.
Stop abrupt with slight furrow.

FACIAL REGION :
Nose : Black, nasal bridge straight.
Muzzle : Pointed, not very long, but moderately thick.
Lips : Tight.
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 drawn 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.

FOREQUARTERS :
Shoulders : Moderately sloping with developed muscles.
Forearm : Straight, heavy and muscular.
Elbows : Close to the body.
Pasterns : Slightly inclining.

HINDQUARTERS :
Upper thighs : Long.
Lower thighs : Short.
Hocks : Tough and elastic.

FEET : Toes well arched and tightly closed; pads thick and elastic; nails hard and preferably dark in colour.

GAIT : 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.
- Light-coloured nose.
- Slightly overshot or undershot mouth.
- Light-coloured eyes.
- Long or short hair.
- Shyness.
- Bitchy dogs/doggy bitches.

DISQUALIFYING FAULTS :
- Extremely overshot or undershot mouth.
- Ears not pricked.
- Hanging tail, short tail.
- Faded colour.
- Coat with many white spots.
- Extreme shyness.

N.B : Male animals should have two apparently normal testicles fully descended into the scrotum.