Description

Also called the Kishu Ken, the Kishu Inu is a member of the Spitz group.  The breed has the typical Spitz appearance, with upright ears and a curled tail. The muzzle is thick and wedge-shaped. The ears are triangular, and the eyes are small and dark. The thick neck leads down to a muscular body, with a deep chest and strong, straight back. The high set tail is either curled or curved up over the back. The legs are straight, and the feet have thick pads for protection.

Origin: Japan

Look

The Kishu Inu has a thick double coat with an outer layer of guard hairs, and a fluffy inner layer for warmth.  The fur on the tail and cheeks is slightly longer. Their fluffy coat sheds significantly, but especially as the seasons change. Brushing your Kishu Ken weekly will help to keep the outer coat clean and remove excess undercoat. 

Typical coat colours are red, white, and sesame (a mixture of white, red, and black hairs). Pinto dogs (where the coat has patches of colour) do exist but are not accepted by the breed standard. 

Health

While the Kishu Inu is generally a healthy dog, they are prone to a few health conditions: 

• Addison’s disease
• Allergies
• Elbow dysplasia
• Entropion
• Persistent Pupillary Membranes

At Newdoggy.com we promote reputable breeders, who use genetic testing and good breeding practices to remove genetic conditions from their breeding lines. Newdoggy.com’s Health Guarantee certifies that all promoted puppies are in good health.

Learning

The Kishu Inu is a clever dog that is a talented problem-solver. As they are quite independent by nature, Kishu Inus do best with patient, experienced owners who are willing to take the time to understand what motivates their dog. As the Kishu Inu was bred to work with people (as a hunting dog), they do have a certain willingness to listen, which can be channelled into their training. Consistency is key with this breed: stick to the rules, and do not deviate from them. Your Kishu Inu should clearly understand what the boundaries are. 

Temperament

The Kishu Ken is a one person dog, though sometimes their affection may extend to the entire family. They are fiercely loyal, but proper socialisation is important to prevent aggression. The Kishu Inu is generally disinterested in strangers, but often loving to their humans. They are not usually cuddly, but like to be with their people. Kishu Inus tend to be wilful, but if properly trained your Kishu Inu will be unfalteringly loyal.   

Living with

Although a well-socialised Kishu Ken can get along with others dogs and sometimes cats, they do better as the only pet. Their prey drive means that they love to chase small animals, so do not keep little pets such as hamsters if a Kishu Inu is in the house! 

The Kishu Ken has a natural urge to protect. While this makes for a good watch dog, you’ll need to teach your Kishu Ken to be polite to visitors. This breed can live with children, although it is not especially playful or affectionate. Make sure your children do not play too roughly with your Kishu Inu. Do not leave young children alone with your dog. 

The Kishu Inu needs a moderate amount of exercise. This intelligent breed appreciates variety, so don’t do the same thing every day: change the route of your walk, or play of game of fetch instead. You can also provide enrichment such as puzzle toys, or create fun games for your Kishu Inu.