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