Kai Ken vs Dogo Cubano - Breed Comparison | Petzlover

Dogo Cubano is originated from Cuba but Kai Ken is originated from Japan. Both Dogo Cubano and Kai Ken are having almost same height. Dogo Cubano may weigh 24 kg / 53 pounds more than Kai Ken. Dogo Cubano may live 6 years less than Kai Ken. Both Dogo Cubano and Kai Ken has almost same litter size. Dogo Cubano requires Low Maintenance. But Kai Ken requires Moderate Maintenance

Basic Information

Group:
Working dog
Working dog
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Cuba
Japan
Height Male:
48 - 55 cm
18 - 22 inches
43 - 56 cm
16 - 23 inches
Height Female:
48 - 55 cm
18 - 22 inches
43 - 56 cm
16 - 23 inches
Weight Male:
42 - 46 kg
92 - 102 pounds
14 - 22 kg
30 - 49 pounds
Weight Female:
42 - 46 kg
92 - 102 pounds
14 - 22 kg
30 - 49 pounds
Life Span:
8 - 10 Years
14 - 16 Years
Litter Size:
2 - 8
2 - 7
Size:
Large
Medium
Other Names:
Cuban Mastiff, Mastin de Cuba
Tiger Dog, Tora Inu
Colors Available:
brindle, Brown, fawn, tan
Brindle color in black or red shade
Coat:
Short and smooth
Medium length and coarse
Shedding:
Minimal
Moderate, Seasonal
Temperament:
Affectionate, Aggressive, Alert, Cheerful, Courageous, Curious, Energetic, Friendly, Independent, Intelligent, Lively, Loving, Loyal, Outgoing, Playful, Protective, Responsive, Social, Stubborn, Territorial
Affectionate, Alert, Cheerful, Courageous, Curious, Energetic, Friendly, Independent, Intelligent, Lively, Loving, Loyal, Outgoing, Playful, Protective, Responsive, Social, Stubborn, Territorial
Grooming:
Low Maintenance
Moderate Maintenance
Trainability:
Moderate
Easy
Hypoallergenic:
No
No
Kids Friendly:
Yes
Yes
New Owners Friendly:
No
Yes

History

The Cuban Mastiff which came from Cuba, was developed from breeds of Mastiffs, Bulldogs and cattle dogs, with the breed being thought to be extinct since the end of the 19th century.

The Dogo Cubano had a number of roles to fulfill in its day and they were used for guarding stock, for dog fighting and for chasing runaway slaves. After the abolishment of slavery, the large dog had no real role and it died out.

Known also as the Cuban Mastiff or Mastin de Cuba, there isn’t much accuracy as to its origins, with the most common story for their origin being that they are descendants of the Molossus.

The dogs were later introduced into Western Europe, becoming fairly common in England and Spain. The dog was also was also mentioned in the works of canine authors Stonehenge and George Wood.

kai kenThe 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.

Description

The Dogo Cubano was generally similar to other Mastiffs and stood at rough 48 – 55cm in height and weighing in the region of 45kg.

He was a large dog, powerfully built, muscular and strong. Images of the dog show that it had strong, straight legs with a long tapering tail and medium-sized floppy ears that were sometimes cropped upwards and close to the head.

The dog breed came in a variety of colors such as brown, tan, fawn and brindle. The muzzle was broad and short and black. The dog had pronounced jowls with its face being fairly wrinkly.

Temperament:

This large dog was known for being a courageous, independent and aggressive dog. He became attached to his owner, showing protective characteristics .In those days the dog would have received simple training and certainly if such a large dog still existed today, it would have to receive training and socialization as well.

The Dogo Cubano was an intelligent dog and easily trainable, requiring an owner with a firm hand. Being an aggressive breed, the dog possibly wouldn’t have been the best companion for children. He also wouldn’t have got on too well with pets in the home as he was trained to be a fighter in his day. Independent and strong-willed, the dog would not have suited a novice dog owner.

kai ken puppy - descriptionThe 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.

Characteristics

The Dogo Cubano was bred to be a guard dog as well as for dog fighting, but this large dog, with training and socialization, no doubt became a loyal and devoted family pet.

It was actually a social dog, being aggressive towards other dogs. He would be described as a dog better suited to a home with older children.

He was protective with his human family but not very active, being too big to be leaping around like other dog breeds. It is a pity that this large dog has disappeared as he had some good qualities.

kai ken dog - characteristicsThe 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.

Health Problems

The Dogo Cubano was a generally healthy breed, but just like with most other dog breeds, they were also prone to some of the more common dog problems. The chances of him getting sick were slim though.

When the dog first originated, there were unlikely to have been health clearance certificates, but today, you’d want health clearances from the Orthopedic Foundation for Animals.

The reason for this is that hip dysplasia is a heritable condition, seen more often in large dogs, where the thigh bone doesn’t fit into the hip joint properly. The dog suffers with pain and discomfort and the condition can lead to lameness with the dog.

Gastric Torsion or Bloat is a life threatening condition that affects large dogs like the Dogo Cubano and those with deep chests. The stomach is distended with gas and it can twist.

The gas can’t escape and blood flow is hindered. The dog vomits, is lethargic and weak, and immediate veterinary help will be required.

kai ken puppies - health problemsWith 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.

Caring The Pet

Exercise:

The Dogo Cubano was a large dog, so if he did become used to living in the city, he would have adapted better to life in the country.

He wasn’t a dog requiring too much exercise but he would have needed to go for walks. They were used as guard dogs long ago, and if he had been in existence today, you wouldn’t have been able to include him in your jogging and cycling as he was a dog that could easily overheat.

Diet:

Not all dogs require the same amount of food. Long ago the Dogo Cubano wouldn’t have had the same variety of dog foods available today. Maybe the dog in those days was fed the same kind of food that his owner ate.

Today, if these dogs were still around, they would require the best quality ‘large dog breed’ kibble.

The better the dog food, the more nourishing it is and the healthier the dog is. The Dog Cubano would likely have been a dog that drooled, leaving quite a bit of backwash in the water bowl, so it would have been important to wash out the drinking bowl and to regularly replace it with cool, fresh water.

kai ken dogs - caringEven 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.

Comparison with other breeds

  1. Dogo Cubano vs English Bulldog - Breed Comparison
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  4. Dogo Cubano vs Labrador Retriever - Breed Comparison
  5. Dogo Cubano vs West Highland White Terrier - Breed Comparison
  6. Dogo Cubano vs French Bulldog - Breed Comparison
  7. Dogo Cubano vs Beagle - Breed Comparison
  8. Dogo Cubano vs Yorkshire Terrier - Breed Comparison
  9. Dogo Cubano vs Poodle - Breed Comparison
  10. Dogo Cubano vs Rottweiler - Breed Comparison
  11. Dogo Cubano vs Boxer - Breed Comparison
  12. Dogo Cubano vs English Pointer - Breed Comparison
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  14. Dogo Cubano vs Doberman Pinscher - Breed Comparison
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  16. Dogo Cubano vs Abruzzenhund - Breed Comparison
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  18. Dogo Cubano vs Afghan Hound - Breed Comparison
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  24. Dogo Cubano vs Askal - Breed Comparison
  25. Dogo Cubano vs Atlas Terrier - Breed Comparison
  26. Kai Ken vs English Bulldog - Breed Comparison
  27. Kai Ken vs German Shepherd - Breed Comparison
  28. Kai Ken vs Golden Retriever - Breed Comparison
  29. Kai Ken vs Labrador Retriever - Breed Comparison
  30. Kai Ken vs West Highland White Terrier - Breed Comparison
  31. Kai Ken vs French Bulldog - Breed Comparison
  32. Kai Ken vs Beagle - Breed Comparison
  33. Kai Ken vs Yorkshire Terrier - Breed Comparison
  34. Kai Ken vs Poodle - Breed Comparison
  35. Kai Ken vs Rottweiler - Breed Comparison
  36. Kai Ken vs Boxer - Breed Comparison
  37. Kai Ken vs English Pointer - Breed Comparison
  38. Kai Ken vs Siberian Husky - Breed Comparison
  39. Kai Ken vs Doberman Pinscher - Breed Comparison
  40. Kai Ken vs American Bully - Breed Comparison
  41. Kai Ken vs Abruzzenhund - Breed Comparison
  42. Kai Ken vs Affenpinscher - Breed Comparison
  43. Kai Ken vs Afghan Hound - Breed Comparison
  44. Kai Ken vs Aidi - Breed Comparison
  45. Kai Ken vs Airedale Terrier - Breed Comparison
  46. Kai Ken vs Akbash Dog - Breed Comparison
  47. Kai Ken vs Akita - Breed Comparison
  48. Kai Ken vs Africanis - Breed Comparison
  49. Kai Ken vs Askal - Breed Comparison
  50. Kai Ken vs Atlas Terrier - Breed Comparison