Examine individual changes

'{{refimprove|date=April 2014}} <!-- Begin Infobox Dogbreed. The text of the article should go AFTER this section. See: --> <!-- http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wikipedia:WikiProject_Dog_breeds#Infobox_Dogbreed_template --> <!-- for full explanation of the syntax used in this template. --> {{Infobox dog breed |name = Kai Ken |image = Image of Kai (dog).jpg |image_alt = |image_caption = A Kai Ken |altname = Kai |nickname = Tora Dog |country = Japan |patronage = <!-----Traits-----> |weight = {{convert|25|-|55|lb|kg|0|abbr=on|invert}} |maleweight = |femaleweight = |height = |maleheight = {{convert|50|-|56|cm|in|0|abbr=on}} |femaleheight = {{convert|45|-|51|cm|in|0|abbr=on}} |coat = Double coat of medium length |color = Black brindle, red brindle and brindle. |litter_size = |life_span = <!-----Classification and standards-----> |fcigroup = [[FCI Spitz and Primitive Types Group|5]] |fcisection = 5 Asian Spitz and related breeds |fcinum = 317 |fcistd = http://www.fci.be/Nomenclature/Standards/317g05-en.pdf |akcgroup = [[Foundation Stock Service|FSS]] |akcstd = |akcfss = yes |akcmisc = |ankcgroup = |ankcstd = |ckcgroup = |ckcstd = |ckcmisc = |kcukgroup = |kcukstd = |nzkcgroup = |nzkcstd = |ukcgroup = [[Northern Breed Group|Northern Breed]] |ukcstd = http://www.ukcdogs.com/Web.nsf/Breeds/NorthernBreed/Kai07012008 <!-----Notes-----> |note = The AKC does not have its own standard and instead links to that of the FCI }} <!-- End Infobox --> The {{nihongo|'''Kai Ken'''|甲斐犬||also called the '''Tora Inu''' or '''Tiger Dog'''}} is a [[Dog breed|breed]] of [[dog]] that hails from [[Japan]] where it is a national monument and has been bred for centuries. It is a [[Rare breed (dog)|rare]] dog even in its native land and is one of the six native Japanese dog breeds protected by the [[Nihon Ken Hozonkai]]. ==Description== [[File:Kai-kuro-go Stuffed specimen.jpg|thumb|180px|left|Stuffed specimen of Kai Ken named "Kai-kuro-go" at the [[National Museum of Nature and Science]], [[Tokyo]], [[Japan]].]] ===Appearance=== The Kai Ken is a medium-sized dog with a wedge shaped head and prick ears. Males are typically 18 to 22&nbsp;inches at the shoulder, while the females are slightly smaller, 17 ??? Lol ===Temperament=== The Kai Ken is intelligent, agile, alert and brave. They are natural hunters and make good watch dogs, being reserved with strangers but loyal to their families. They are friendly, often good with children and are not usually aggressive towards other dogs. Many love to swim, and have been known to cross rivers and climb trees while chasing their prey.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.canadasguidetodogs.com/kaiken.htm|title=Kai Ken - Canada's Guide to Dogs|website=Canadasguidetodogs.com|accessdate=11 December 2017}}</ref> ==History== The Kai Ken was split off from the Nihon Ken (Japanese Dog) landrace during the creation of the [[Nihon Ken Hozonkai]] (NIPPO) and named after [[Kai Province]] in [[Yamanashi Prefecture]] where the breed is said to have originated. Being an agile and effortless climber, the Kai Ken was used to hunt in steep mountainous terrain in Yamanashi where's its primary quarry was the [[Japanese serow]] (Kamoshika), deer, wild boar, and occasionally bear. After the creation of NIPPO in 1928, the Kai Ken was designated a national monument in Japan in 1933. In 1931 the [http://kaiken.org/ Kai Ken Aigokai] (KKA) was formed and became the primary Preservation Society for the breed in Japan and still is today. ==In popular culture== * Many Kai Kens play important roles in the [[Yoshihiro Takahashi]]'s series [[Ginga: Nagareboshi Gin]] and its sequel, [[Ginga Densetsu Weed]], including the brothers Kurotora, Chūtora, and Akatora. In the sequel, [[Ginga Densetsu Weed]], Kurotora's son, Kagetora, stars as an important character, with his less prominently featured brothers, Harutora and Nobutora, and cousins Dodo, Buru, Shōji, and Shigure. * Another [[Yoshihiro Takahashi]]'s manga, [[Kacchū no Senshi Gamu]] featured a villainous Kai Ken named Gama. *Chu, a Canine Warrior from the 2006 video game [[Ōkami]], is also a Kai Ken. ==See also== * [[Japan Kennel Club]] ==References== {{Reflist}} ==External links== *[http://www.kai-ken.org/index.htm The North American Kai Ken Association] *[http://www.canadasguidetodogs.com/kaiken.htm Canada's Guide To Dogs, Kai Ken] *[http://ginya73.wix.com/ginyaso#!about-kai-dog/cetc About Kai Ken, Hozonkai (Japanese Dog Preservation Association) registered kennel Kai Dog Kennel- GINYASO] {{Japanese dogs}} {{Spitz}} {{Authority control}} [[Category:Dog breeds]] [[Category:Rare dog breeds]] [[Category:Dog breeds originating in Japan]] [[Category:Natural monuments of Japan]]'