Norrbottenspets vs Kai Ken - Breed Comparison | MyDogBreeds

The Norrbottenspets is an ancient dog breed whose purpose has been to hunt, although these days he is a companion dog.

Hailing from Noorbotten, Sweden, it was after the second world war that the breed almost became extinct. This was because hunting dogs were no longer needed.

Luckily a breeding program was started, and in 1967 the Swedish Kennel Club registered the dog and a new standard was written. His friendly, amicable nature makes him a sought after companion today.

The Kai Ken dog hails from Japan and is both an ancient and rare dog. In fact the dog was discovered in 1929 in the Kai province near Mount Fuji. The dog has the nickname Tora Inu in Japan which means 'Tiger Dog'. Maybe its got to do with the brindle striped coat or his bravery.

He falls into the working class category. In 1931, the Kai Ken Aigokai registry was formed to preserve the dog. In fact in this year Dasuke Adachi discovered these dogs and in 1934 was actually designated a Natural Monument in Japan and also protected by law.

The Kai Ken was recognized in 1934 by the Japanese Kennel Club. It is not 100% certain but it is thought that the dog was brought to the United States in the 1950s.

The Norrbottenspets is a small to medium sized spitz- type dog but he is muscular and compact. He stands at between 42 – 46cm in height and weighs in at between 8 and 15kg.

With good care he can live to be up to 15 years of age. The coat of the dog is straight and dense and you find quite a few colors such as white, yellow and reddish and sometimes there is a bit of ticking. He has a short to medium length waterproof coat which is dense.The outer coat is coarse with straight hair and the undercoat is soft and thick and the dog is a moderate shedder.

The head is wedge-shaped with erect ears, black nose and brown almond-shaped eyes. The muzzle is pointed and slim and the dog's tail is long and curls up over his back

Temperament:

Confident, alert and active, the Norbottenspets is an active, happy-go-lucky kind of dog, always looking for a game. It is why he gets on well with children in the home – he can sense that there is perhaps a better chance of a game with them.

He isn’t a prey-driven dog and gets on well with other pets in the home. He makes an excellent family pet and his very presence brings joy into a room as he is always cheerful.

He is stubborn and independent and will therefore require training and socialization to become obedient to your basic commands such as sit, lie-down and come.

The Kai Ken has always been used for hunting purposes. He comes as recommended for hunting people and those who are active.

It is a medium sized dog standing at between 43 to 56cm in height both male and female and weighing between 14 and 22kg.

The ears of the dog are erect, the muzzle is fairly tapered and the nose is black. The tail is bushy like that of a fox and curls over the back. The double coat of the dog is of medium length and harsh and is a brindle color in a reddish or black shade.

Puppies are born black and then the brindle stripe-like pattern comes in later. He has an athletic body and is a keen swimmer.

Temperament:

The Kai Ken is an intelligent dog, loyal to his human family while being somewhat reserved around strangers. They are amicable with both children in the home as well as other pets.

He is a friendly, intelligent dog, forming close bonds with his family. Have him trained and socialized and he'll make you a splendid pet who will be willing to guard you if anyone threatens.

One look at that bright face and you can see that he is an intelligent, independent dog. He is also courageous and fearless and makes a great watchdog, especially because he is naturally reserved and suspicious with strangers.

The Norrbottenspets is such an amicable, easy going pet and he is going to make you a loyal and loving canine companion. He bonds closely with his human family and will be bored and frustrated if left alone day after day in the back yard.

He is social and friendly and wants to be involved with the activities of his family. Feed him well, give him plenty of exercise and give him the love and care he deserves and he will make you an awesome canine companion.

The Kai Ken is a working- and hunting dog, so he is used to being active and will want a home where he can be played with and exercised regularly.

He can be slightly stubborn and independent so training and socialization are imperative. This is also because the dog’s curiosity and his athletic skills can lead to trouble if he isn’t properly trained.

Treat him the way he deserves and you’ll see that he is able to develop a strong bond with you and be altogether an excellent family pet.

The Norrbottenspets life expectancy is between 12 and 15 years. These dogs are fairly healthy but there are always health concerns with any dog breed.

There are small numbers of the breed which are prone to a genetic condition affecting the brain and the result is poor coordination. It is sad to see because there is no known treatment and some dogs reach the stage where they can’t eat and they can’t control their toilet habits.

Hip Dysplasia:

Dogs with hip dysplasia have an abnormal formation of the hip socket which can lead to arthritis, pain and the inability to get around. It is a genetic trait and you will need to get your pet to the vet for treatment and pain management.

With a lifespan of 14 to 16 years, and given the genetic purity of the Kai Ken, you aren't likely to battle with congenital health problems with your dog, but it is always good to be aware of certain minor health issues that he could succumb to.

He can suffer from a few common dog diseases such as progressive retinal atrophy or hip dysplasia.

Progressive Retinal Atrophy:

This is a disease of the eye where there is wasting of certain parts, and in this case the cells of the retina develop abnormally. This can eventually lead to blindness. It’s an inherited disease that can occur in pure- and mixed breeds, and dogs with PRA shouldn’t be used for breeding.

It isn’t a painful condition, and the first symptom usually noticed in a dog is night blindness where you may notice him bumping into things at night and being reluctant to walk around in the dark.

Diet:

Your Norrbottenspet will be requiring a high-quality dog food if you want him to stand the best chances of being healthy. Home made food is always a good choice, but there are also some good commercially manufactured dog foods which are convenient.

You want the food to have the necessary vitamins and minerals to ensure good health. Every dog will love a little bit of raw meat added to his kibble from time to time. Dogs love their meals to be consistent – no exotic, spiced foods to upset the stomach.

Boiled chicken, brown rice or pasta and cooked vegetables such as sweet potatoes, carrots and spinach can be chopped up and added to his kibble occasionally and this makes a splendid tasty treat for your pet.

You want to avoid your dog becoming overweight as this brings on a host of problems. Make sure he always has access to cool, fresh water.

Grooming:

The Norrbottenspets short to medium length coat will need brushing twice a week. They are clean looking dogs and you’ll find that they don’t have an unpleasant dog-smell around them.

Always check his eyes and ears for infections. Also check his teeth. A bad tooth may not be evident but it can negatively impact the immune system and cause illness with your dog.

The nails should also be cut to avoid them hooking on things.

Even though the coat is thick, the Kai Ken will require basic canine care, so a brush twice a week will be enough to keep the coat free of loose hair. He sheds more heavily a couple of times a year and then he will require more brushing.

He has always been used to hunt so he is a dog that will require regular exercise such as walks, hikes, swimming and ball games.

The nails of the dog should be trimmed regularly once they become long as long nails can be hazardous and can hook onto things, causing injury to the nail area.

The ears of the dog should be checked regularly for fleas and ticks, and teeth should also be brushed with canine toothbrush and toothpaste.