ORIGIN : Japan.
UTILIZATION : Hunting dog, companion.
FCI CLASSIFICATION : Group 5 Spitz and primitive type
Section 5 Asian Spitz and related breeds
Without working trial.
BRIEF HISTORICAL SUMMARY : This breed originated from medium-sized dogs that existed in Japan in ancient times. It became established as a breed in the mountainous districts in Kishu (Wakayama and Mie Prefecture). Initially, these dog's coats were often marked with conspicuous colours such as red, sesame or brindle. From 1934, however, only solid colours were accepted for this breed; conspicuously marked coats had disappeared by 1945, never to reappear. Currently, white coats may be found in this breed.
These dogs are used for hunting, now mainly wild boar, but at one time also deer. The breed took on the name of the region where it was bred. It was designated as a "natural monument" in 1934.
GENERAL APPEARANCE : Medium-sized dog, well balanced and muscles well developed. The dog has pricked ears and a curled or sickle tail. The conformation is strong, well boned and compact.
IMPORTANT PROPORTIONS : The ratio of height at withers to length of body is 10 : 11.
BEHAVIOUR/TEMPERAMENT : Dog of noteworthy endurance, showing nobility, dignity and naive feeling. The temperament is faithful, docile and very alert.
HEAD
CRANIAL REGION
Forehead : Broad.
Stop : Rather abrupt, with a slight furrow.
FACIAL REGION
Nose : Black, flesh colour permitted with a white coat.
Nasal bridge straight.
Muzzle : Fairly thick, wedge-shaped and tapering.
Lips : Tight.
Teeth : Strong, with a scissor bite.
Cheeks : Relatively well developed.
Eyes : Relatively small, nearly triangular, set well apart and dark brown in colour.
Ears : Small, triangular, slightly inclining forward and firmly pricked.
NECK : Thick and muscular.
BODY
Withers : High.
Back : Straight and short.
Loins : Broad and muscular.
Chest : Deep, ribs moderately sprung.
Belly : Well drawn up.
Tail : Set on high, thick, carried vigorously curled or curved like a sickle over the back, the tip nearly reaching to the hocks when let down.
FOREQUARTERS
Shoulders : Moderately sloping with well developed muscles. Shoulder joints moderately angulated.
Elbow : Set close to the body.
Forearm : Straight.
Pasterns : Slightly inclining.
HINDQUARTERS
Upper thighs : Long.
Lower thighs : Short.
Hocks : Tough and strong.
FEET : Toes well arched and tightly closed. Pads thick and elastic. Nails hard and preferably dark in colour.
GAIT : Light and resilient.
COAT
HAIR : Outer coat harsh and straight, undercoat soft and dense. The hair on cheeks and tail fairly long.
COLOUR : White, red and sesame.
SIZE :
Height at withers : Dogs 52 cm
Bitches : 46 cm
There is a tolerance of 3 cm.
FAULTS : Any departure from the foregoing points should be considered as a fault and the seriousness with which the fault should be regarded should be in exact proportion to its degree.
- Long hair.
- Bitchy dogs/doggy bitches.
DISQUALIFYING FAULTS :
- Ears not pricked.
- Extremely overshot or undershot mouth.
- Hanging tail, short tail.
- Shyness.
N.B. : Male animals should have two apparently normal testicles fully descended into the scrotum.