THE KISHU KEN STANDARD
Per NIPPO, Japanese dogs were standardized in 1934 as "small", "medium" or "large" in type. The Kishu Ken is one of four of the breeds that is shown in the "medium" sized category along with the Shikoku Ken, Kai Ken, and Hokkaido Ken. The breed name, "Kishu Ken" is used over the name "Kishu Inu" due to grammar practices: "Kishu" (紀州) is read using the "on" pronunciation of the kanji, so "Ken" should be used as the "on" pronunciation of the kanji "犬." However, it should be noted "Kishu Inu" and "Kishu dog" (or, simply, "Kishu") are used interchangeably outside of Japan when speaking about the same breed.
The following standard has been written in the AKC template as an example proposal. We encourage visitors view recognized standards posted in the sources. Right: illustrated standard, published by the Nihon Ken Hozonkai
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Note: current standards for the Kishu Ken breed in the UKC (US) and FCI are vague and do not include the NIPPO judging resolutions which help judges best assess type and quality of the Kishu Ken. This is because these judging resolutions exist separate from the standard and some material is only known through hands on experience and study of these breeds. The National Kishu Ken Club has written this standard to the best of their ability to bring these judging resolutions and independent material together in an English-language standard.
Kishu Ken Standard Proposition
I. General Appearance. The Kishu Ken is a large game hound used in the densely forested mountains of the Kii peninsula. They are spirited, alert, and rustic in appearance, with compact, but well-developed muscles. Kishu Ken are medium in size with erect ears, a tail held over the back, and a keen expression. The breed is observably sexually dimorphic. Dogs are larger and visibly masculine with a stern and ready-for-anything posture. Bitches are smaller and impart a more graceful impression of appraising intelligence.
II. Size, Proportion, Substance. Height is 20.5 inches for dogs and 19 inches for bitches. A deviation of 1.25 inches in either direction for both sexes is permitted. Proportions are very slightly longer than tall, at a ratio of 10:11. Bitches are very slightly longer than dogs. A In both sexes, the Kishu Ken is well-muscled with moderate substance.
* Kishu Ken are to be shown fit, never with excess weight. Ribs and hips may be especially visible on young dogs or dogs in summer coat. There should be no excess weight; ribs and hips may be easily felt on judge exam if they are not visible, even on dogs in good condition. A dog should never be overly fleshy (food-bowl conditioned for the appearance of substance) without appropriate muscle condition.
III. Head
- Expression is confident and intense. In males the expression is bold and sharp. In females the expression is somewhat kinder and evidently appraising. The Kishu Ken expression does not stop at the head and the expression of the face is in harmony with the Kishu Ken’s body language and temperament.
- Eyes are somewhat triangular and very dark in color. The bottom line of the eye is nearly straight and angled slightly upward from the muzzle to the outer eye. The top line of the eye is like the rounded top of a triangle. The flesh of the eye rim is dark.
- Ears are hooded. The inner line of the ear is straight. The outer line is somewhat curved. The ears are inclined forward at an approximately 90° angle when compared against the skull in profile. Faults--Those which are hanging or damaged due to injury are to be evaluated by the judge who may determine the severity of the fault. Disqualification--Hanging or dropped ears which are not related to injuries.
- Skull is broad and substantial, with a wide forehead. The skull is flat and extends behind the ears when viewed in profile.
- Stop is moderate and has a slight furrow to the brow.
- Muzzle is straight and firm. The shape resembles a thick wedge from the nose to the cheeks.
- Nose is black. Faded black or pink noses with black points are permitted in white dogs.
- Lips are tight and straight.
- Bite is strong and substantial enough to give the impression the Kishu Ken is capable of striking and holding a boar. Teeth come together in a scissor. Kishu Ken have a full set of healthy teeth. Teeth can be large in proportion to size and canines may be easily visible when the lips are tight. Severe Fault--Missing teeth. Broken or surgically removed teeth due to injury are not to be penalized. Disqualification--Malocclusion (underbite or overbite) is a disqualification.
IV. Neck, Topline and Body
- Neck is thick and muscular.
- Topline is straight from the back of the shoulder to the tail, and strong.
- Body is athletic and muscular. The Kishu Ken are presented in fit condition for hunting and other physical activity.
- Chest has an ovular shape and spans no less than 45% and no more than 50% of the total dog height. The forechest is robustly developed.
- Ribs are well sprung and may be seen or felt upon exam in dogs in fit condition.
- Underline is firm and tuck-up is apparent from the chest to the loin. The tuck-up may be exaggerated in very fit dogs.
- Loins are strong.
- Tail is moderately thick, expressive, and powerful. It is carried over the back as a saber, a sickle, or as a curl. Tails are set high and do not lie flat on the back. The tail is ideally a sickle which is carried parallel with the back or a single curl which rises well over the back before dropping below the topline. Tails which are carried erect vertically are permitted. The length of the tail reaches the top of the hock when measured by eye. Fault--Tight curls are a minor fault. Kinked tails are to be evaluated by a judge who may determine the severity of the fault. Disqualification--Hanging tails that cannot curl over the back and bobtails not caused by injury are a disqualification.
V. Forequarters
- Angulation is moderate.
- Shoulders are moderately sloping, and have well-developed muscle.
- Upper Arm meets the shoulder at a 110-120° angle.
- Elbows are held close to the body.
- Legs are spaced at the same width as the body, are straight, and parallel.
- Pasterns are strong, set at a open angle.
- Feet and toes are tight, with strong grip.
- Pads are thick and flexible.
- Nails are dark in color. Light nails permitted. White dogs are not to penalized for light nail color.
VI. Hindquarters
- Angulation is moderate, in balance with the front. The rear of the thigh and the front of the hock lie along a vertical line.
- Legs are strong, well-muscled, spaced the same width as the waist or lower back, and straight.
- Upper Thigh is well-developed, and somewhat long.
- Stifle is strong.
- Second Thigh is slightly shorter than the upper thigh.
- Hocks are tough, strong, and should not appear to turn significantly in or out.
- Dewclaws called “wolf claw”, are often removed but are permitted. When intact, the rear dewclaw is to be judged as in the primary toes.
- Feet, toes, and pads are as in the front.
VII. Coat. The guard hair is hard and coarse and stands when the Kishu has a dense undercoat. Undercoats are soft and dense when fully grown for the season. Winter coat is longer and more profuse than in the summer. Kishu have full seasonal sheds which diminish the undercoat and may cause the guard coat to lie flatter than in the winter. The tail hair is longer than the body but stands the same. During coat change the undercoat may roll from one seasonal type to the next or moult, leaving the undercoat entirely bare. Kishu Ken shown during this coat change are not to be penalized. The coat is always rustic and natural. Trimming is not permitted. Product is not permitted.
VIII. Color. Kishu have six (6) acceptable coat colors.
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On all but White coats the undersides are clearly paler than the body color especially on the chest, the cheeks, and the underside of the tail (“urajiro”). Black masks that interfere with the expression of the required urajiro markings are not desired. These masks are permitted in young dogs, but are ideally gone by 30 months of age. Severe Fault--Pinto markings - white markings that interrupt the body color by reaching up over the shoulder of a dog or form a collar, white markings on the top of the muzzle or skull, and white markings which reach past the elbow in the forequarters or knee in the hindquarters. Disqualification—Brindle coat color or any color not described.
IX. Gait. The Kishu Ken is a sharp and nimble dog with moderate reach and drive. The gait is elastic and light, imparting the ability to navigate steep, challenging terrain with minimal effort. The Kishu Ken is built for endurance: navigating mountainous and densely vegetated terrain at a casual pace for extended periods broken by explosive bursts of energy and speed in pursuit of wild boar or deer.
X. Temperament. Bold and dignified, but docile in nature. The Kishu Ken is exceptionally alert, noble, and a keen observer who appears to have the courage and spirit that makes them ready for a challenge. This concept is kan'i. Kishu Ken which turn their head or attempt to address a judge who approaches from the side or rear of the dog at any time is not to be considered a measure of shyness or aggression. Immature dogs are expected to be boisterous and quicker to react to stimuli. Kishu Ken can further be described by the phrase subarashii yaseimi or having a "wonderful wildness" to their character. The Kishu Ken is a rustic dog in both temperament and appearance; a Natural Monument of Japan, and a clear link from contemporary hounds to their wild ancestors. They are ultimately amenable when approached by friendly and neutral strangers. Kishu Ken are docile and faithful to their handler, willing to work as a team in harmony. This concept is ryosei. A correct Kishu Ken temperament is visible when evaluating the dog and is part of the natural beauty of the dog. The Kishu Ken is a dog with a moving presence and rustic charm. This concept is soboku. Kan’i, ryosei, and soboku are intrinsic qualities to the Kishu Ken breed. Severe Fault—Kishu Ken which lack any of the aforementioned qualities of temperament. Disqualification--Handler-targeted aggression of any kind.
References.
- “Kishu - FCI Standard.” Fédération Cynologique Internationale, 10 Feb. 2017, www.fci.be/en/nomenclature/KISHU-318.html.
- “日本犬標準.” 公益社団法人 日本犬保存会, www.nihonken-hozonkai.or.jp/standard/. [Japanese Language]
- "Subarashii Yaseimi": Knight, J. (2006). Waiting for wolves in Japan: an anthropological study of people-wildlife relations (p. 210-211). Honolulu: University of Hawaii Press.
- Final Illustrations From: Kishū Ken. 誠文堂新光社, 1978. [Japanese Language] [Amazon.com link for purchase]
- Japan Kennel Club Illustrated Standard (Fig. 1-3, Fig. 8)
- Alexis Amerosa of Boomlay Shiba Inu (Fig. 4, 6 - Kishu Ken photographed at various NIPPO Grand Nationals)
- C.J. Hammond (Fig. 5, 7 - Kishu Ken photographed in the USA)
- Coat color graphic: Black coloration donated thanks to "Kukku" the Shikoku Ken by Katie Greene, to help illustrate correct color
- coming soon