The Kai Ken is a rare breed of dog from Japan.  Originally used for hunting, the breed developed in the province of Kai.  Few Kai Ken were ever imported from Japan, but the amount of dogs outside of its native land is slowly growing.
   
    Kai Kens stand between 17-22 inches at the shoulder and weigh between 25-55 pounds.  They are a medium sized dog, with prick ears; they have a spitz "look" and are thought to share the spitz ancestry.  Their tail is either curled in a spitz fashion or carried in a sickle position.  The coat is harsh and medium in length.  The color of the Kai Ken is either black or brindle.
   
    The Kai Ken is from an isolated area in Japan.  Kai is located on an island and then further isolated by mountains, because of the type of area geographically; it is believed this Kai Ken is the purest of all the Japanese breeds.  Traditional writings tell of a dog that is a natural hunter, known to swim and even climb trees in pursuit of game.  At one time their were two types of Kais, the Kaikuro, which was stocker and had a bear-like face, and the Dairo, a deer hunter with thinner bodies and fox-like faces.  Today there is neither type has preference over the other.  First recognized by the Japanese Kennel Club (JKC) in 1934, the dog was named as a national monument by the Japanese government.  The first dogs arrived in the United States in the 1950s and later more arrived in 1990.  Still a rare breed even inside Japan, these few dogs made up the entire gene pool for the Kai Ken that have been bred in the United States.
   
    Kai Kens are an intelligent and loyal breed.  It is said in Japan that they will readily lay down their own life to protect their masters.  Although a wonderful dog around their family (including children) the breed can be timid and fearful to strangers and new situations which can lead to aggression.  It is extremely important to socialize this breed from a pup and to continue the socialization throughout their lives.  Never let a Kai Ken off leash in an unconfined area, as their hunting nature will have them taking off after anything they see as prey.