Is the Kai Ken Better than the Kishu Ken as a Pet? Answer…

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Kai Ken Versus Kishu Ken: Introduction

Are you thinking of getting a new pet dog, and you have narrowed down your choices to the Kai Ken and the Kishu Ken? Well, you have come to the right place. Because in this article, we will provide you with a detailed comparison of these two dog breeds to help you decide which of the Kai Ken and the Kishu Ken better suits you.

We will provide you a detailed discussion and comparison of dog attributes such as intelligence, price, general health, friendliness, etc, for both the Kai Ken and the Kishu Ken.

Furthermore, we will let you know which one of the Kai Ken and the Kishu Ken is better suited for new dog owners, for owners with kids, for owners that live in apartments, for owners with dog allergies, etc.

Importantly, we did some analysis and calculation and we obtained a number that we call the Better-Pet Score™ for both the Kai Ken and for the Kishu Ken. The dog breed with the higher Better-Pet score is the `better` pet. We hope that these Better-Pet Scores will provide you with more insight into deciding which pet to get between the Kai Ken and the Kishu Ken.

Our only goal here is to help you make a well-thought-out decision on your next long-term companion, be it the Kai Ken or the Kishu Ken.

Kai Ken versus Kishu Ken: Overview

Both the Kai Ken and the Kishu Ken are similar in size. The Kai Ken and the Kishu Ken are both medium-sized dogs.

Furthermore, the Kai Ken belongs to the Companion Dogs group. Companion Dogs were bred to be companions for humans. Their main goal in life is to be with people, and they will be very sad if left to themselves for long hours day after day.

On the other hand, the Kishu Ken belongs to the Working Dogs group. Working Dogs were developed to assist humans in some capacity – including pulling sleds and carts, guarding flocks, guarding homes, and protecting their families. Breeds in the Working Group are known for their imposing stature, strength, intelligence, and fearless. Because of their size and strength, working dogs require a structured home life and firm, fair, consistent training by someone who can provide leadership without resorting to anger or physical force.

Kai Ken versus Kishu Ken: Comparison Table

The table below compares the Kai Ken to the Kishu Ken based on different important factors such as Price, Health, Kid-friendliness, etc.

When a dog breed scores higher for a factor than the other dog breed, the box of the breed that scores higher is shaded green and the box of the breed that scores lower is shaded red. When there is no difference between the breeds for a particular factor then the box is shaded gray for both pets. Also, when the factor is not important in picking a pet, or when the factor cannot be compared between two pets, the box for the factor is shaded gray for both pets

Most of the factors in the table for each dog breed are ranked on a scale of 1 to 5. “1” means “worst”, and “5” means “best”.

However, some factors such as “Price”, “Average Lifespan”, etc. cannot be on a scale of 1 to 5, so they are not on a scale of 1 to 5 in the comparison table.

Later in this article, we will further explain each factor as it applies to the Kai Ken and the Kishu Ken

Factor Kai Ken Kishu Ken
Life Span 12 to 16 years 9 to 13 years
Height 17 to 22 inches 17 to 22 inches
Adapts Well To Apartment Living 2/5 3/5
Good For Novice Owners 2/5 2/5
Easygoing 4/5 3/5
Friendly Toward Strangers 2/5 2/5
Does NOT Drool 4/5 4/5
Easy To Groom 2/5 3/5
Does NOT chew on things 4/5 4/5
Does NOT Bark or Howl 4/5 5/5
Weight 25 to 45 pounds 30 to 60 pounds
Tolerates Being Alone 3/5 3/5
Tolerates Hot Weather 3/5 3/5
Dog Friendly 3/5 2/5
Potential NOT to Gain Weight 3/5 3/5
Easy To Train 3/5 4/5
Tendency NOT to Wander 3/5 4/5
Potential For Playfulness 3/5 2/5
Tolerates Cold Weather 4/5 5/5
Affectionate With Family 4/5 3/5
Kid-Friendly 4/5 3/5
Does NOT Shed 2/5 2/5
General Health 4/5 4/5
Calmness/ Low Vigor 2/5 3/5
Intelligence 5/5 5/5
Low Prey Drive 1/5 2/5
NOT Rambunctious 1/5 3/5
Minimal Exercise Needs 1/5 2/5
Average Lifespan 14.0 years 11.0 years
Price Range No Data No Data
Average Price No Data No Data
Common Health Problems and Recommended Health Tests
  • Cardiac Evaluation
  • Progressive Retinal Atrophy (PRA) DNA Test
  • No Data

    Next, we added the scores of the factors that can be added together for the Kai Ken in the table (that is, `Ease of Grooming` score + `General Health` score + `Calmness` score + …etc) and we compared it to the corresponding total score for the Kishu Ken. We call these total scores the Better-Pet Scores, as we mentioned earlier. We called this score the Better-Pet score because the better dog breed will have a higher score. This is because the pet will the higher score will have minimal needs and be easier to have as a pet.

    The Better-Pet score for the Kai Ken is 73 out of 125 while the Better-Pet score for the Kishu Ken is 79 out of 125.

    Based on their Better-Pet scores, the Kishu Ken is a better pet than the Kai Ken. So, you should get the Kishu Ken!

    Although we have done our best to analyze these two dog breeds in a very unbiased way, however, we will like to let you know that there are some dog attributes that cannot be assigned a number for comparison. We cannot put a number on how cute a dog breed is, for example. Beauty is in the eye of the beholder.

    Also, the dog breed that best suits you will depend on your peculiar lifestyle, your taste, and your priorities, which we do not know. So, for you to decide on which breed is right for you, read through the rest of the article to further understand both the Kai Ken and the Kishu Ken so that you can make your own well-informed decision on which pet to get.

    The Similarities Between the Kai Ken and the Kishu Ken

    The Kai Ken and the Kishu Ken are very similar in certain aspects. Below is the list of where the Kai Ken and the Kishu Ken are most similar:

  • Both the Kai Ken and the Kishu Ken do not adapt well to apartment living.
  • Both the Kai Ken and the Kishu Ken are not the best dogs for new dog owners.
  • Both the Kai Ken and the Kishu Ken are not very sensitive to their enviroment. They can tolerate noisy environments. They are also not very sensitive to the tone of your voice, firm or gentle.
  • Both the Kai Ken and the Kishu Ken are not very friendly towards strangers.
  • Both the Kai Ken and the Kishu Ken do not have the tendency to drool.
  • Both the Kai Ken and the Kishu Ken require a lot of grooming and are not very easy to groom.
  • Both the Kai Ken and the Kishu Ken are not prone to nip and chew at things.
  • Both the Kai Ken and the Kishu Ken are not very vocal. They have very low tendency to bark and howl.
  • Both the Kai Ken and the Kishu Ken can tolerate cold weather.
  • Both the Kai Ken and the Kishu Ken are great family dogs. They are very affectionate with family.
  • Both the Kai Ken and the Kishu Ken get along well with kids. They are kid-friendly.
  • Both the Kai Ken and the Kishu Ken shed. They are not recommended for people with dog allergies.
  • Both the Kai Ken and the Kishu Ken are very healthy. They do not suffer from a lot of health problems compared to other dog breeds
  • Both the Kai Ken and the Kishu Ken do things with high intensity. They can be very forceful.
  • Both the Kai Ken and the Kishu Ken are highly intelligent.
  • Both the Kai Ken and the Kishu Ken have a high prey drive. They do not get along well with other pets.
  • Both the Kai Ken and the Kishu Ken require a lot of exercise. They are good for owners who like to exercise.
  • Size (Weight and Height) of Kai Ken versus Kishu Ken

    Now, let us discuss the difference in size between the Kai Ken and the Kishu Ken.

    Kai Kens weigh 25 to 45 pounds when fully grown. Kai Kens are 17 to 22 inches when fully grown.

    On the other hand, Kishu Kens weigh 30 to 60 pounds when fully grown. Kishu Kens are 17 to 22 inches when fully grown.

    Lifespan of Kai Ken versus Kishu Ken

    The lifespan of Kai Kens is between 12 to 16 years. The average lifespan of Kai Kens is 14.0 years.

    The lifespan of Kishu Kens is between 9 to 13 years. The average lifespan of Kishu Kens is 11.0 years.

    Kai Kens live longer than Kishu Kens.

    Tolerates Being Alone: Kai Ken versus Kishu Ken

    Kai Kens can be left alone only for a short time.

    Kishu Kens can be left alone only for a short time.

    Do Kai Kens shed more than Kishu Kens?

    Kai Kens shed. They are not recommended for people with dog allergies.

    Kishu Kens shed. They are not recommended for people with dog allergies.

    Which one drools more, the Kai Ken or the Kishu Ken

    Kai Kens do have a very low tendency to drool.

    Kishu Kens do have a very low tendency to drool.

    Which is Easier to Groom, the Kai Ken or the Kishu Ken?

    Kai Kens require a lot of grooming and they are not very easy to groom.

    Kishu Kens are moderately easy to groom.

    Does the Kai Ken Have a Higher Prey Drive than the Kishu Ken?

    Kai Kens have a high prey drive. They have the tendency to chase after smaller animals and pets. They do not get along well with other pets.

    Kishu Kens have a high prey drive. They have the tendency to chase after smaller animals and pets. They do not get along well with other pets.

    Do Kai Kens Bark and Howl? What about Kishu Kens?

    Kai Kens are not very vocal. They do not tend to bark and howl.

    Kishu Kens are not very vocal. They do not tend to bark and howl.

    Can Kai Kens Tolerate Cold Weather? And can Kishu Kens Tolerate Cold Weather?

    Kai Kens can very well tolerate cold weather.

    Kishu Kens can very well tolerate cold weather.

    Wanderlust Potential: Kai Ken vs. Kishu Ken

    Kai Kens have a moderate tendency to wander. This means that they sometimes get distracted by other animals or objects.

    Kishu Kens do not have the potential to wander after things that capture their attention. They tend to stay around where you leave them.

    Can Kai Kens Tolerate Hot Weather? Can Kishu Kens Tolerate Hot Weather?

    Kai Kens can tolerate hot weather as long as the weather is not too hot.

    Kishu Kens can tolerate hot weather as long as the weather is not too hot.

    Which Dog Breed is more Dog-Friendly, the Kai Ken or the Kishu Ken?

    Kai Kens get along fairly well with other dogs.

    Kishu Kens do not get along well with other dogs.

    Are Kai Kens good family dogs? What about Kishu Kens?

    Kai Kens are great family dogs. They are very affectionate with family.

    Kishu Kens are good family dogs. They are affectionate with family.

    How Kid-friendly are Kai Kens and Kishu Kens?

    Kai Kens get along well with kids. They are kid-friendly.

    Kishu Kens get along fairly well with kids. They are quite kid-friendly.

    Is the Kai Ken Easier to Train than the Kishu Ken?

    Kai Kens are fairly easy to train.

    Kishu Kens are very easy to train.

    Is the Kai Ken Better for Apartment Owners than the Kishu Ken?

    Kai Kens do not adapt well to apartment living.

    Kishu Kens adapt moderately well to apartment living.

    Which is Better for New Dog Owners, the Kai Ken or the Kishu Ken?

    Kai Kens are not the best dogs for new dog owners.

    Kishu Kens are not the best dogs for new dog owners.

    Other Dog Breeds That are Similar to the Kai Ken

    Furthermore, there are other dog breeds that are very similar to the Kai Ken that you can consider on your quest to get the best pet.

    We crunched the numbers and found that the following dog breeds have similar personality and temperament as the Kai Ken:

  • Icelandic Sheepdog (78 percent match with Kai Ken). Here is our comparison of the Kishu Ken vs Icelandic Sheepdog.
  • Other Dog Breeds That are Similar to the Kishu Ken

    Furthermore, there are other dog breeds that are very similar to the Kishu Ken that you can consider on your quest to get the best pet.

    We crunched the numbers and found that the following dog breeds have similar personality and temperament as the Kishu Ken:

  • Alaskan Klee Kai (76 percent match with Kishu Ken). Here is our comparison of the Kai Ken vs Alaskan Klee Kai.
  • Dutch Shepherd (78 percent match with Kishu Ken). Here is our comparison of the Kai Ken vs Dutch Shepherd.
  • Other Breed Comparisons that Might Interest You

    You may also be interested in how the Kai Ken and how the Kishu Ken compares to other breeds. So, see below the comparison of the Kai Ken and of the Kishu Ken to other breeds:

    Kai Ken Versus Other Dog Breeds

    Kai Ken versus Mountain Cur     Kai Ken versus Wirehaired Pointing Griffon     Kai Ken versus Belgian Malinois     Kai Ken versus Keeshond     Kai Ken versus Dalmatian     Kai Ken versus American Hairless Terrier     Kai Ken versus Kishu Ken     Kai Ken versus Shiba Inu     Kai Ken versus Pyrenean Shepherd     Kai Ken versus Fila Brasileiro     Kai Ken versus Borzoi     Kai Ken versus Golden Retriever     Kai Ken versus Central Asian Shepherd Dog     Kai Ken versus Briard     Kai Ken versus Border Collie     Kai Ken versus Mastiff     Kai Ken versus Mastiff     Kai Ken versus Sloughi     Kai Ken versus Chinese Shar-Pei     Kai Ken versus King Shepherd     Kai Ken versus Catahoula Bulldog     Kai Ken versus Whoodle     Kai Ken versus Appenzeller Sennenhunde     Kai Ken versus Tibetan Terrier     Kai Ken versus Norwegian Lundehund     

    Kishu Ken Versus Other Dog Breeds

    Kishu Ken versus Shihpoo     Kishu Ken versus Silky Terrier     Kishu Ken versus Spinone Italiano     Kishu Ken versus Pyrenean Shepherd     Kishu Ken versus Sloughi     Kishu Ken versus Siberian Husky     Kishu Ken versus Australian Cattle Dog     Kishu Ken versus Basset Hound     Kishu Ken versus Chorkie     Kishu Ken versus Dogo Argentino     Kishu Ken versus Field Spaniel     Kishu Ken versus Yorkshire Terrier     Kishu Ken versus Dandie Dinmont Terrier     Kishu Ken versus Bouvier des Flandres     Kishu Ken versus Border Collie     Kishu Ken versus Lhasapoo     Kishu Ken versus Cockalier     Kishu Ken versus Pomchi     Kishu Ken versus Scottish Terrier     Kishu Ken versus Pomchi     Kishu Ken versus Manchester Terrier     Kishu Ken versus Border Collie     Kishu Ken versus Shiloh Shepherd     Kishu Ken versus Greyhound     

    Conclusion: Kai Ken versus Kishu Ken. Which One is a Better Pet?

    In summary, there is nothing like a better dog breed or a worse dog breed. The important question to ask is which dog breed better matches your interests and lifestyle. We hope our discussion above will help you in deciding which dog breed between the Kai Ken and the Kishu Ken better suits you and your family.