The quay – a “natural monument” on four paws

He once hunted big game in the pack, today the Kai, or more correctly: Kai Inu or Tora Inu, is a dog that is one of the absolute exotics outside of Japan. The reason: Exports from the country of origin are prohibited, breeding lines abroad are rare. The four-legged friends have an instinctive nature with a “natural sharpness” that is more pronounced than in some other domestic dog breeds.

Profile Quay

Kai: Race History

The Kai get their name from their Japanese region of origin, the Kai District in Yamanashi Prefecture. In the mountainous terrain, the animals were used to hunt wild boars and deer. The existence of the breed can be traced back to pre-Christian times. The Kai is closely related to the Kishu and Shikoku types.

The fact that the breed has been able to develop so stringently over time is due to the fact that the dogs form packs and therefore prefer to mate with each other. Influences from other breeds are of little importance. Since 1934, the quay has been a Japanese cultural monument.

The character of the quay

Clever and capable of learning, but just as independent and self-confident: Kai is a very self-absorbed dog. He proves to be sociable and curious. However, he is not the type of sleuth who easily subordinates himself or takes over people with a “will to please” – the urge to please. He is loyal and friendly to his owners, even if he does not necessarily see them as “superior” pack members. Kai is reserved and suspicious of strangers. Kai are typical “one-man dogs” that focus on a single person. This character trait does not make keeping Kai as a family dog unproblematic. Kai meets conspecifics with sociability, especially since in the history of the breed cooperation in the dog group was elementary when hunting.

Raising and keeping the Kai

The Kai Inu tends to dominate behavior. He needs a person who gives him clear guidelines and to whom he can willingly subordinate. You need a lot of patience and consistency for the training of Kai, because the dog is so smart that it can easily evade attempts at education and training. Once trust has been established, Kai proves to be a loyal and faithful companion.

The four-legged friend is very active and needs long walks every day at the side of a sporty and active owner and ideally access to a secure garden. Kai are extremely lively dogs with a hunting instinct that can hardly be stopped. Tasks such as sniffing and rummaging games and tracking work suit him. His nature corresponds to a real work assignment in which he can live out his skills as a hunting dog. The attentive animal also shines as a guard dog, especially since he only makes a sound in “urgent” cases.

When it comes to food, Kai is not picky. Traditional feeding with fresh meat, i.e. BARF, is ideal. Grooming does not have any special requirements either. It is sufficient to brush the animal regularly, daily during the coat change – the dogs shed quite heavily.

Special features of the quay

Due to the export ban since the thirties, there are only a few Kai breeders outside of Japan. It is therefore appropriate to be suspicious if you come across seemingly attractive offers when looking for a supplier. You can get a list of reputable breeders from the Association for the German Canine Society (VDH).

Let yourself be inspired by other breeds from the Lace family:

• German Spitz: Especially in rural areas, a German Spitz was omnipresent in ancient times as a domestic and farm dog and had a good view of its territory.
• Eurasians: The Eurasier is an interesting choice for families looking for a warm, active and cuddly companion for their everyday life.
• Finnish Spitz: The Finnish Spitz cannot be overheard: it indicates visitors directly with loud barking. This makes it a reliable guard dog – but it can do much more.
• Japanese Spitz: Nihon Supittsu – that’s the name of the Japanese Spitz in its Far Eastern homeland. The elegant small dog has not been at home there for long, compared to time-honored traditional breeds.
• Icelandic Sheepdog: The Icelandic Dog is one of the rare dog breeds, but is finding more and more enthusiasts among dog lovers who are looking for an intelligent, active and affectionate companion.
• Kleinspitz: The Spitz is one of the oldest German dog breeds, the Kleinspitz is one of its smallest representatives. However, you should not underestimate the handy companions.
• Mittelspitz: The Mittelspitz is a classic family dog with a long pedigree. As a former guard dog, he still keeps a close eye on your house and yard.
• Samoyed: With its characteristic “smile”, the Samoyed inspires dog lovers all over the world. It was once used as a working dog and fluffy warmer by the Siberian nomadic peoples.
• Dwarf spitz: Small, lively and a living ball of fur on four paws, so to speak: Pomeranian horses are very popular as companion and family dogs. The reasons for this are obvious.