MyDogBreeds
Polish Hound is originated from Poland but Kai Ken is originated from Japan. Polish Hound may grow 9 cm / 4 inches higher than Kai Ken. Polish Hound may weigh 10 kg / 23 pounds more than Kai Ken. Both Polish Hound and Kai Ken has almost same life span. Polish Hound may have more litter size than Kai Ken. Both Polish Hound and Kai Ken requires Moderate maintenance.
It is thought that Polish Hounds descended from the Kostroma Hound. Other experts believe that the dogs were developed through crossbreeding of Bloodhounds with local Polish hounds.
The idea was to get a more lighter-boned, more athletic Bloodhound type of dog. In fact, this new standard was adopted in 1983 as the guide for the ideal Polish Hound.
The World Wars caused the numbers of these dogs to be drastically reduced, and attempts were made to revive the breed. The dog is rare outside his native country.
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 Polish Hound is a nice, big, solid looking dog. He stands at between 55–65 cm in height and weighs between 20 to 32kg, both male and female. If you were to try and think of him, you could think of a Labrador/Beagle/Bloodhound mix.
He is a medium to large sized dog. The coat is short to medium in length and is thick and hard with a soft, dense undercoat. The color of the coat is brown and tan and black and tan. The dog’s tail is set low and is thick and long.
This dog is a wonderful dog known to be clever and eager to please. He also has other attractive characteristics such as being energetic, gentle and he has an urge to protect his human family.
He is also loved because he is reliable and gentle around children who know how to treat dogs with respect. Some people who have owed this dog say that there is just one small fault – the dog’s bark – it is deep and mellow – and its why he isn’t suited to life in the city.
He is a rural dog, loving wide open spaces. It is why the dog will be an excellent pet if he is trained and socialized, becoming obedient and well balanced.
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.
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.
As a family pet, the Polish Hound just loves his human family, particularly when they are outdoor, active types. Your Polish Hound just loves spending time with his human family.
This is a wonderful dog as a family pet. More so when he has been trained and socialized. In exchange for the the wonderful companionship this dog offers you, you owe it to him to keep him happy and content.
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 Polish Hound has a reputation for good health. That doesn’t mean you can just leave your pet. Good preventative healthcare is still vital if you want to prevent your pet being attacked by fleas, ticks, worms and mosquitoes.
You need to be careful with the Polish Hound because it's a deep chested dog, and these kinds of dogs are more prone to bloat. This is a deadly disease when the stomach twists and gas can’t escape. Untreated, bloat can be a killer. Take immediate action when you see your dog with a swollen stomach, restlessness and drooling.
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.
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.
As a working dog, the Polish Hound is used to being busy and will be relying on you for a good dose of exercise. He loves the chance of a walk or a run and will be happy to run alongside you while you cycle or jog. Don’t forget ball games too.
The thick coat of the dog will need to be brushed twice a week to remove all that loose hairs. He is a moderate shedder so the coat becomes dull if not regularly brushed.
During the brushing session, check your dog over for fleas and ticks, and any odd lumps that weren’t there before. Trim your pets nails if they don’t wear down naturally. This is a floppy eared breed, so you will need to check the inside of his ears for dirt, wax and bacteria.
Pay close attention to your dog’s teeth.Bad teeth can cause a lot of pain but also be very detrimental to your dog’s health.
Just like humans, dogs rely on quality food for good health and longevity. There are many good commercially manufactured dog foods, but avoid the ones with low quality ingredients as these can make your dog ill.
Check the ingredients-list carefully so that you can be sure your pet is getting the right balances of vitamins and minerals. Home-made food is also important as it is nutritious and tasty. You can add it into the dry kibble as a treat sometimes. The simpler the better as dogs don’t like spicy, exotic foods.
Boiled chicken, brown rice or pasta, sweet potatoes, spinach and carrot can be chopped up and given to your pet. Also try and include some raw meat as this is beneficial for health. Fresh, cool water must be made constantly available.
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.