The Kishu Ken was recognized in 1934 by the Nihon Ken Hozonkai (NIPPO) as a Natural Cultural Monument and is a relatively young breed on paper-- but the breed's roots are deep and old. The breed originated from the large-game hunting dogs of the Kii Peninsula, where modern day Wakayama, Mie, and Nara prefectures sit. This area is steep, well-vegetated, and and the volcanic mountains can be difficult terrain (much like what we hike, here in Oregon). This is the terrain the Kishu Ken and their predecessors hunted in.
While the modern Kishu is a primarily white-coated breed, the original dogs were not so, and many coat colors existed in the foundation stock. As popular sires and lines emerged, the breed slowly transformed into what it is today.
The Kishu has, in the past, been called by other names based on the area where the founding dogs came from - the Kumano Ken and Taichi Ken, are among these historic names. Today, all registered dogs are recognized as "Kishu Ken." Like the other Japanese breeds, the Kishu Ken's population suffered in the wake of World War II but were mostly spared due to the mountainous and isolated region they originate from and the hunters who valued them.
Kishu Ken remained one of the most populous and popular of the medium-sized breeds in Japan in the modern age and the most common native purebred dog used for boar hunting in their native country. This popularity and population has recently been dropping drastically, and according to numbers recorded by the Nihon Ken Blog, the Kishu dropped from nearly 1000 registrations a year in 2011 to just about 300 in 2017. Without interest, the purebred Kishu Ken may very well become the next of the Japanese breeds to suffer extinction. Their numbers outside of Japan remain slim, but they are also the most-used of the native Japanese dogs for hunting boar abroad, with proven boar-hunting dogs residing in the USA and Europe. These are versatile and loyal companions, deserving of being preserved for a modern household.
While the modern Kishu is a primarily white-coated breed, the original dogs were not so, and many coat colors existed in the foundation stock. As popular sires and lines emerged, the breed slowly transformed into what it is today.
The Kishu has, in the past, been called by other names based on the area where the founding dogs came from - the Kumano Ken and Taichi Ken, are among these historic names. Today, all registered dogs are recognized as "Kishu Ken." Like the other Japanese breeds, the Kishu Ken's population suffered in the wake of World War II but were mostly spared due to the mountainous and isolated region they originate from and the hunters who valued them.
Kishu Ken remained one of the most populous and popular of the medium-sized breeds in Japan in the modern age and the most common native purebred dog used for boar hunting in their native country. This popularity and population has recently been dropping drastically, and according to numbers recorded by the Nihon Ken Blog, the Kishu dropped from nearly 1000 registrations a year in 2011 to just about 300 in 2017. Without interest, the purebred Kishu Ken may very well become the next of the Japanese breeds to suffer extinction. Their numbers outside of Japan remain slim, but they are also the most-used of the native Japanese dogs for hunting boar abroad, with proven boar-hunting dogs residing in the USA and Europe. These are versatile and loyal companions, deserving of being preserved for a modern household.
More Reading
Kishu Ken history is recorded in spoken lore, in books, and on pedigrees made available to the public through various publications.
- The Kishu Ken (Japanese) offers a comprehensive look into the breed with a handful of founder photos and pedigrees, as well as a total overview of Kishu Ken care and traits.
- Waiting for Wolves in Japan (English) is an anthropological study on human-wildlife relations that covers Kishu Ken history in its sections about boar and wolves in Japan.
- Nihon Ookami o Ou (Japanese) is a look at Japan's lost wolf population which includes Kishu Ken folklore and the history of crossing native Japanese hounds to wolves.
- The Kishu Kennel Houren sou (Japanese) has a look at some historic and modern Kishu Ken NIPPO winners.
- The Nihon Ken Blog by Shigeru Kato (English)
The three essential traits of the Japanese dog are Kan'i, Ryousei, and Soboku. If you are familiar with the Shiba Inu, these may be terms you are likewise familiar with, as they were first translated and brought to English via the NIPPO standard for Shiba Inu, but this is the standard for all Japanese dogs under the NIPPO standard.
Kan'i, Ryousei and Soboku are the essence of the Japanese dog and are of immense importance. Kan'i is spirited vigour and dignified majesty; Ryousei is faithful devotion and gentle obedience; Soboku is rustic, sober and unadorned elegance. A good Japanese dog possesses and expresses these fundamental inborn characteristics by its very nature.
Temperament is among the utmost importance to Akiyama no Roushya. It is among our goals to produce dogs that embody the NIPPO and NAKC standard. We seek to breed stable Kishu Ken with outgoing and human-social personalities. The temperament of the Kishu Ken is the primary reason we selected this breed, among all others. The Kishu Ken has a combination of spirited boldness, docility towards people, and drive that we found uncommon among dogs of similar type, and magnetized us to the breed.
Our hope is that by proving our Kishu in venues where temperament must be evaluated, we can show the world that Kishu Ken can be solid companions for any walk of life. Our hope for our puppies is that with early neurological stimulation, socialization, and foundation training program, and our owners' continued work, every Kishu Ken we place can be a balanced and well-adjusted dog.
These traits and those that make the Kishu Ken a skilled boar hound can also make Kishu Ken a versatile and confident companion dog. Akiyama no Roushya will always prioritize producing dogs who can wear the well-rounded companion-dog hat that is demanded in modern society. Our own dogs are - first and foremost - household companions who go to education venues to promote the breed, join us at bars and breweries, and go camping and hiking regularly. These are not delicate, aggressive, or even particularly stubborn animals, but will demand a partnership with their handler to work and learn the best.
Our hope is that by proving our Kishu in venues where temperament must be evaluated, we can show the world that Kishu Ken can be solid companions for any walk of life. Our hope for our puppies is that with early neurological stimulation, socialization, and foundation training program, and our owners' continued work, every Kishu Ken we place can be a balanced and well-adjusted dog.
These traits and those that make the Kishu Ken a skilled boar hound can also make Kishu Ken a versatile and confident companion dog. Akiyama no Roushya will always prioritize producing dogs who can wear the well-rounded companion-dog hat that is demanded in modern society. Our own dogs are - first and foremost - household companions who go to education venues to promote the breed, join us at bars and breweries, and go camping and hiking regularly. These are not delicate, aggressive, or even particularly stubborn animals, but will demand a partnership with their handler to work and learn the best.
The Kishu Ken is a generally healthy breed that does not currently appear to be severely affected by many of the more common issues in some purebred dogs - especially in regard to structural soundness. However, there are some observable health concerns, and one that is quite pervasive among all Kishu Ken. Bolded conditions are those which may need immediate treatment, complicated diagnostics, or have a more serious impact on a dog's longevity and quality of life. I encourage owners familiarize themselves with these illnesses ONLY to know the signs and symptoms should their dog need medical intervention.
Known Health Conditions
- Cancer
- More commonly seen in older dogs, reproductive cancers (testicular, prostate, and mammary cancers in dogs left intact for long periods) and lymphoma are the cancers in Kishu Ken. Neutering before old age is not entirely preventative but can significantly decrease the risk of reproductive cancers. Lymphoma has some evidence of being both genetic and environmental so knowing family history and environmental risk factors is important. Cancer in young dogs is rare, but may be seen in some family lines.
- Food intolerance
- Some Kishu Ken are intolerant to overly starchy kibbles, chicken, beef, and/or pork. Some Kishu do not have these intolerances but common signs of issues include chronic soft stool, itching, and yeast build up in the ears. There is no strict test for food intolerances or allergies in breeding dogs. Diagnostic work can be done in individuals who suffer from intolerances but the reliability of such tests is debated.
- Environmental allergies
- Another more commonly seen health condition is environmental allergies. Flea and mite allergies are not terribly uncommon. Grass appears to be another common allergy for those dogs which suffer. Chronic itching, chewing, and licking are common signs for environmental allergies. There is no strict test for food intolerances or allergies in breeding dogs. Diagnostic work can be done in individuals who suffer from environmental allergies. Skin reaction testing is more widely used and accepted by veterinary specialists.
- Hypothyroidism
- The most common form of hypothyroidism in Kishu Ken is known as autoimmune thyroiditis, a condition where the body begins to attack the thyroid. This form of hypothyroidism is more easily seen by the blood value of TgAA rather than T4, as some dogs may have normal levels of T4 or T3 while their TgAA is high (abnormal.) Thus, in both breeding and pet dogs, tests which include TgAA may be more effective at capturing dogs who will become or are becoming hypothyroid than only testing T4 and T3 values. Hypothyroidism is treatable via daily medication once diagnosed.
Uncommon to rare Health Conditions
- Addison's Disease
- Entropion
- Fragmented Coronoid Process
- Hip Dysplasia
- Missing Dentition
- Myasthenia Gravis
- Persistent Pupillary Membranes
- Systemic Lupus Erythematosus
- Ventricular Septal Defect