The AKC has grouped all of the breeds that it registers into seven categories, or groups, roughly based on function and heritage. Breeds are grouped together because they share traits of form and function or a common heritage.
Kai Ken are athletic and intelligent with a strong desire to hunt. The Kai is an independent thinker and can form a strong bond with their family. They are excellent swimmers and climbers and have been known to climb trees and swim rivers in pursuit of game. Kai have a distinct brindle coat that comes in three colors: Black Brindle (Kuro-Tora), Brindle (Chu-Tora), and Red Brindle (Aka-Tora). Red brindle is the rarest of the coat colors. The distinct coloring and brindle pattern enabled the dog to blend in to the mountainous forests in which it hunted, camouflaging it against prey and predators in ancient times. The amount of brindle will vary from dog to dog as well as the brindle pattern. Most puppies are born completely black and their brindle will emerge as they age and will continue to change for around the first five years of their life. In the home, the Kai Ken requires basic canine care. They can be kept in an apartment setting provided they receive regular exercise in the form of leashed walks. Being a naturally clean breed, bathing should be limited to only when dirty. Brushing is recommended, especially during twice-a-year coat blowing.
Club Contact Details
Club:Kai Ken Society of America
Name: Stacey Pestel, Communications Officer
Address: 1808 Penfield Ct S, Columbus, OH 43227
Email: club@kaisociety.com
Phone: 614-313-8456
TheKai Ken should do well on a high-quality dog food, whether commercially manufactured or home-prepared with your veterinarian’s supervision and approval. Any diet should be appropriate to the dog’s age (puppy, adult, or senior). Treats can be an important aid in training, but giving too many can cause obesity. Learn about which human foods are safe for dogs, and which are not. Kai Ken are a breed known to self-regulate their food intake, so it is not unusual to see variability in the quantity of food consumed.Check with your vet if you have any concerns about your dog’s weight or diet. Clean, fresh water should be available at all times.
Kai Ken have a medium-length double coat. They are a naturally clean dog that only requires the occasional bath. Being a double-coated breed, they do lose their undercoat twice a year. During this time, additional bathing and brushing will help remove the thick undercoat. When not shedding their undercoat, occasional brushing will keep their coat in good condition. Their nails should be trimmed regularly with a nail clipper or grinder to avoid overgrowth, splitting, and cracking. Their ears should be checked regularly to avoid a buildup of wax and debris, which can result in infection. Teeth should be brushed regularly.
The Kai Ken is a moderately active breed. They require daily exercise and mental stimulation. Options for exercise include play time in the (preferably fenced) backyard or walks several times a day. Exercise can also come in the form of indoor activities such as hide-and-seek, chasing a ball rolled along the floor, or learning new tricks. Kai Ken can be good apartment dogs if their exercise needs are met. If the Kai does not get the proper amount of exercise, they can become destructive inside the home.
Kai Ken can make excellent companions if given the attention, training, and exercise they need. Kai Ken are often considered to be soft dogs when it comes to training, and positive training methods should be used. Early training is encouraged to establish a solid foundation and also offer socialization. Due to the strong desire to hunt, it is not recommended that Kai Ken be allowed off leash in unfenced areas.
Kai Ken are an overall healthy breed, and responsible breeders screen their stock for health conditions such as allergies, luxating patella, and seizures. Those wishing to own a Kai Ken can work with a responsible breeder to gain the education they need to know about specific health concerns within the breed. Good breeders utilize genetic testing of their breeding stock to reduce the likelihood of disease in their puppies.
Recommended Health Tests From Parent Club
| Description | Standard Colors | Registration Code |
| Black Brindle | Check Mark For Standard Color | 279 |
| Gray Brindle | Check Mark For Standard Color | 107 |
| Red Brindle | Check Mark For Standard Color | 148 |
