The Japanese Kai Dog

by
Michael Russell

The Japanese have six native Spitz type dogs that are unique to their part of the world. Among these six, the Kai Dog or the Tora Dog is the Shika Inu which means "medium sized" as opposed to Shiba Inu which is smaller. The Kai Dog has the typical Spitz type of short stand-off brush coat and the tail curled tightly over the back, while the head has the wedge shaped look of a fox and the ears are prick.

In the early 1900s there was an influx of western dogs into Japan due to the opening of their borders after the first World War. The Japanese were impressed greatly by the larger size of the dogs and the unique hunting abilities. The two breeds in particular which made a big impression were the German Shorthair Pointer and the Alsatian. For some time the Japanese abandoned their own breeds in favor of the newcomers. In 1930 a Japanese breeder by the name of Haruo Isogai attempted to revive the interest in breeding of these dogs. At that time he developed the categorizing of the native breeds by size and somewhat by function.

The function of the Kai Dog has always been that of a hunter. It is recognized by the F.C.I. as a member of Group 5 (Spitz type). The Kai Dog hunts deer and boar and small game. The alternate Japanese name of this breed "Tora Dog", which means "Tiger Dog", signifies the common coloring of the coat, which is often striped like that of the Tiger. Some breeders will also say that the name implies the disposition of the dog also, for it is a strong willed and cunning hunter and will not pass up the opportunity to hunt independently of its master.

The common colors of the Kai Dog are brindled with black, red, or a generally dark brindle, sometimes with white markings on the legs. However the white markings should not extend above the knee on the legs. Size is usually about 18-22 inches at the withers. The dog should be rather square in appearance and without legginess or ranginess. The Kai has made only a few inroads into other parts of the world. It wasn't until 1990 that there were the first imports into the United States. It is now recognized as a member of the United Kennel Club in the U.S.A. and is a member of the group of dogs which are listed in the F.S.S. registry of the A.K.C.

If its function is that of a household pet the Kai will be very affectionate and strongly loyal and requires a strong owner or it will take over the alpha position in the household. The Kai Dog in Japan is usually found in a hunting dog kennels but may be in the house as a pet more frequently in the United States, in which case it is very often a "one man dog". This is a breed which gets along well with other dogs. The Kai Dog also functions as a guard dog, although it is usually within a fence for it will definitely run off and hunt if allowed to roam free. The Kai is a good household pet when introduced as a puppy to the household, being very affectionate and loyal.

Michael Russell Your Independent guide to Dogs

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Michael_Russell



Article Source: http://www.articleonlinedirectory.com/281906/the-japanese-kai-dog.html

How To Stop Your Dog From Pulling On The Leash While Walking

by
Michael Colucci

Dogs which pull on their leash while walking with you is a common problem seen among many different breeds. This problem can be seen in puppies as well as adult dogs. Dogs which pull on their leash while you walk this is more than just aggravating. If the leash breaks, the dog could run and put itself or others in danger. You should want to walk your dog, not have it walking you.

There are a number of different reasons why your dog will pull on the leash. Some dogs are so happy to go for a walk that they are out of control, and are anxious to move about. Other dogs see themselves as being the leader, and will move forward with force because they feel that they are moving ahead of the pack. If your dog is very happy about going out, it may help to give them some time to calm down. You can stand still with the dog for a few minutes until they become more relaxed.

If the dog feels that it is the leader, this is a sign that you should begin training him. The owner has to show the dog that they are the leader. When you don't have this understanding with your dog, it will be impossible to train them properly. If your dog shows signs of control, it is best to go back to simple obedience training. If you don't have the time to train the dog yourself, it may be best to send them to a dog training school.

The instructor can train you as well as your dog, and they can show you how to keep the dog from trying to be the leader. Skilled instructors should always work with both you and your dog. The first step in getting the dog not to pull on the leash is to get it to accept the collar. If the dog is moving around a lot while you are trying to put on the collar, this is a sign that your dog will pull against the leash. Start by commanding your dog to sit or stay while you put on the collar. If the dog gets up after you've put on the collar, make him sit back down quickly.

You should only walk the dog after it sits down calmly and allows you to put on the collar and leash. Once the collar is on, don't allow the dog to jump up and rush ahead towards the door. Gently pull back on the leash. Make him sit back down again, and repeat the process until he gets the message.

Michael Colucci is a technical writer for Free Dog Training, Dog Care and Pet Zine

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Michael_Colucci



Article Source: http://www.articleonlinedirectory.com/283200/how-to-stop-your-dog-from-pulling-on-the-leash-while-walking.html