Kishu
The Kishu is a hunting dog that generally has a white coat with triangular ears and a short curled up tail.
Breed Profile
Height
17 - 22
Inches
Weight
30 - 60
Pounds
Life Span
10 – 13
Years
Health
health
Hypothyroidism
What is it?:
Hypothyroidism is a disease where the metabolic system slows down. It is inherited through genetics.
Clinical signs
The clinical symptoms of this condition may include -
The dog may gain weight
Slowed down the heart rate
Shedding of hair, baldness
High blood cholesterol
Increased susceptibility and occurrence of skin and ear infections
Feels cold easily
Feels tired and does not feel like exercising
Treatment
Unfortunately, Hypothyroidism is not curable but can be treated. An oral thyroid replacement hormone is to be given to the dog. This treatment may be given to the dog for the rest of his life. The dose is to be given according to the weight of the dog. Blood tests must be conducted to check the levels. Periodically the dosage can be adjusted according to the needs of the dog.
Eligible vet bill
$500
*Hypothetical reimbursement examples illustrate reimbursement of an eligible vet bill at the noted reimbursement rate, assuming the annual deductible had already been satisfied and the annual coverage limit has not yet been met. Annual deductible, co-insurance, benefit and coverage limits, and exclusions may apply. Eligibility may vary. Visit https://spotpet.com/spot-sample-policy.pdf for full terms. For Canada enrollments only, reimbursement rate is based on the pet's age.
health
Entropion
What is it?:
In dogs, entropion occurs when their eyelids grow inward and rub against their corneas. It can affect the lower lid, upper lid or both. It is a condition that could be inherited or can happen at any other point in the dog’s lifespan.
Clinical signs
The symptoms of the condition are as follows:
Redness in the eye
Keeping eyes shut
Discharge in the eye also known as mucus
Production of tears
Swelling in the eye
Scarring in the eyelid
Infectious disease
Treatment
Entropion can only be treated by surgery, the outer layer of the eyelid needs to be removed so that the eyelid can go back to its original state. In younger pups a procedure called eyelid tacking is performed. In this the excess part of the eyelid is tucked away with stitches so as to let their features develop. The complications which can be faced in the surgical process are
under-correction and over-correction. Under correction is when not enough eyelid rubbing the cornea. Over-correction is when additional eyelid skin is removed which causes discomfort while shutting the eyes.
Eligible vet bill
$2,000
*Hypothetical reimbursement examples illustrate reimbursement of an eligible vet bill at the noted reimbursement rate, assuming the annual deductible had already been satisfied and the annual coverage limit has not yet been met. Annual deductible, co-insurance, benefit and coverage limits, and exclusions may apply. Eligibility may vary. Visit https://spotpet.com/spot-sample-policy.pdf for full terms. For Canada enrollments only, reimbursement rate is based on the pet's age.
Personality
Active
The Kishu is an energetic dog and is a great hiking and walking companion. It is best for them to have active owners who can take them for their daily walks.
Friendly
The Kishu are friendly and affectionate with their own family. They may come off as aloof to strangers but they are loyal and obeying to their owners.
Dominant
The Kishu is a strong willed dog breed. They have strong prey instincts and are very alert.
Lifetime Care
Coat
The Kishu has a double coat, with the undercoat being soft and thick while the outer coat is coarse.
Colors
The Kishu is generally white, sesame or red in color.
Hypoallergenic
No
Grooming
The Kishu has a short coat and generally does not shed much. They are easy to groom and do not need more than once a week brushing and occasional bathing.
Training
The Kishu are an intelligent breed and can be trained at an early age. They are people pleasing and love to learn new things.
The Kishu also known as Kishi ken has its origins in the Kishu region of Japan. They were hunting dogs found in the mountains. They are said to be the descendants of the wolf. They are actually not huge in size but are capable of hunting boars and deer. Outside of Japan, these dogs are a rare occurrence, they have also been declared a protected species.
Kishu: Introduction to the Breed
The Kishu Ken is docile, calm, and loving in nature.
Physical Characteristics:
Medium-sized
Energetic
Short coat
Erect ears
Muscular limbs
Kishu is best suited for pet owners:
Who have active lives
Who have older children
Who doesn't want any other pets
Who likes to spend much time outdoors
Who have had pets before
Things to watch out before deciding to own a Kishu
Kishu is more comfortable in a house that has space for him to move around and exercise due to his size.
The Kishu is a very healthy breed with very few health risks.
Kishu is good with children but it’s necessary to set boundaries with them.
The Kishu is generally a docile breed but with other pets around they might get a little aggressive so it’s better to just have Kishu as your pet.
The Kishu Ken is actually a hunting dog used to hunt boars in Japan.
What should a Kishu eat?
The Kishu requires at least 2.5 cups of food per day to maintain their health. Some Kishu may need supplements for their thyroid regulation. They are also very energetic dogs that require a good balance of nutrients and vitamins to balance their diet.
Conclusion
The Kishu is counted as one of the national treasures of Japan as one of the rare breeds. They may be hunting dogs but they are also loyal, protective, and alert. If you are looking for an excellent guard dog they are the ones for you. They also have a beautiful coat which may look like it needs a lot of maintenance but it does not. Just like the Kai ken they are also very active and love to hike, climb and swim. So, if you are looking for someone who will push you to hike, then they are the one.
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