| The Japanese have six native Spitz type dogs that | | | | striped like that of the Tiger. Some breeders will also |
| are unique to their part of the world. Among these | | | | say that the name implies the disposition of the dog |
| six, the Kai Dog or the Tora Dog is the Shika Inu | | | | also, for it is a strong willed and cunning hunter and |
| which means "medium sized" as opposed to Shiba Inu | | | | will not pass up the opportunity to hunt |
| which is smaller. The Kai Dog has the typical Spitz | | | | independently of its master.The common colors of |
| type of short stand-off brush coat and the tail curled | | | | the Kai Dog are brindled with black, red, or a |
| tightly over the back, while the head has the wedge | | | | generally dark brindle, sometimes with white markings |
| shaped look of a fox and the ears are prick.In the | | | | on the legs. However the white markings should not |
| early 1900s there was an influx of western dogs into | | | | extend above the knee on the legs. Size is usually |
| Japan due to the opening of their borders after the | | | | about 18-22 inches at the withers. The dog should be |
| first World War. The Japanese were impressed | | | | rather square in appearance and without legginess or |
| greatly by the larger size of the dogs and the unique | | | | ranginess. The Kai has made only a few inroads into |
| hunting abilities. The two breeds in particular which | | | | other parts of the world. It wasn't until 1990 that |
| made a big impression were the German Shorthair | | | | there were the first imports into the United States. It |
| Pointer and the Alsatian. For some time the Japanese | | | | is now recognized as a member of the United Kennel |
| abandoned their own breeds in favor of the | | | | Club in the U.S.A. and is a member of the group of |
| newcomers. In 1930 a Japanese breeder by the | | | | dogs which are listed in the F.S.S. registry of the |
| name of Haruo Isogai attempted to revive the | | | | A.K.C.If its function is that of a household pet the Kai |
| interest in breeding of these dogs. At that time he | | | | will be very affectionate and strongly loyal and |
| developed the categorizing of the native breeds by | | | | requires a strong owner or it will take over the alpha |
| size and somewhat by function.The function of the | | | | position in the household. The Kai Dog in Japan is |
| Kai Dog has always been that of a hunter. It is | | | | usually found in a hunting dog kennels but may be in |
| recognized by the F.C.I. as a member of Group 5 | | | | the house as a pet more frequently in the United |
| (Spitz type). The Kai Dog hunts deer and boar and | | | | States, in which case it is very often a "one man |
| small game. The alternate Japanese name of this | | | | dog". This is a breed which gets along well with other |
| breed "Tora Dog", which means "Tiger Dog", signifies | | | | dogs. |
| the common coloring of the coat, which is often | | | | |