Kishu
A calm, dignified Japanese hunting dog, usually white, loyal to its family and wary of strangers and other dogs.
At a glance
- Size
- Medium
- Height at the withers
- Males 49–55 cm · Females 43–49 cm
- Weight
- Males 18–27 kg · Females 13–18 kg
- Life expectancy
- 11–14 years
- Exercise
- 60–90 min a day
- Grooming
- Once a week
- Coat
- Double coat, short
- Colours
- White, Red, Sable
- Bred for
- Hunting by scent, Companionship
- Country of origin
- Japan
- FCI
- Group 5, no. 318 · Spitz & primitive types
Breeders on Kuldo
No breeders on Kuldo have this breed yet.
Living with the breed
| Affectionate with family | 4/5 – High |
|---|---|
| Good with children | 3/5 – Moderate |
| Good with other dogs | 2/5 – Low |
| Good with cats | 1/5 – Very low |
| Open to strangers | 1/5 – Very low |
| Energy | 4/5 – High |
| Playfulness | 3/5 – Moderate |
| Needs mental stimulation | 4/5 – High |
| Easy to train | 3/5 – Moderate |
| Prey drive | 5/5 – Very high |
| Watchful and protective | 4/5 – High |
| Barking | 2/5 – Low |
| Shedding | 4/5 – High |
| Grooming effort | 2/5 – Low |
| Drooling | 1/5 – Very low |
| Good for first-time owners | 2/5 – Low |
| Suits apartment living | 2/5 – Low |
| Adaptability | 3/5 – Moderate |
| Copes with being alone | 2/5 – Low |
| Copes with heat | 3/5 – Moderate |
| Copes with cold | 4/5 – High |
Kuldo's own guidance from the breed's typical traits. Every dog is an individual, so talk to the breeder.
Is it the right breed for you?
Great if you …
- want a quiet, loyal companion
- enjoy long walks and hiking
- have experience with independent breeds
Think twice if you …
- have cats or small pets
- want to visit dog parks often
- want a dog that greets everyone
Care
Temperament
Calm, loyal and dignified, it is affectionate with family and aloof with strangers. It can be dog-selective and has a strong prey drive.
Exercise
Daily walks and hikes of an hour or more suit it, along with scent games or tracking.
Grooming
The short double coat needs a weekly brush, more during shedding. White coats show dirt but tend to dry and brush clean.
Training
It learns readily but has an independent mind; use calm, consistent, reward-based training and socialise widely.
Health
Little published data exists; hypothyroidism, allergies and occasional hip and eye problems are reported. Ask the breeder for hip, eye and thyroid results.
Health tests breeders usually do
- Hips (HD)
- Eye examination
- Thyroid
Ask the breeder to show you the parents' results.
About the breed
The Kishu comes from the mountainous Kii peninsula in Wakayama and Mie prefectures, where it hunted boar and deer, holding them at bay quietly. It was designated a natural monument of Japan in 1934, and selective breeding later favoured the white coat that is most common today.
It is quiet and calm indoors, clean and loyal. Kishu tend to be reserved with strangers and often do not enjoy other dogs, especially of the same sex, and their prey drive is high. They suit owners who want a serious, devoted companion and are ready to manage their hunting instincts and socialise them carefully.
Did you know?
Kishu were bred to hunt silently, unlike many spitz breeds that bark to mark game.