Quick Links: Table of Contents
- Kai Ken Versus Labrador Retriever: Introduction
- Kai Ken versus Labrador Retriever: Overview
- Kai Ken versus Labrador Retriever: Comparison Table
- The Most Remarkable Differences Between the Kai Ken and the Labrador Retriever
- The Similarities Between the Kai Ken and the Labrador Retriever
- Size (Weight and Height) of Kai Ken versus Labrador Retriever
- Lifespan of Kai Ken versus Labrador Retriever
- Temperament of the Kai Ken Versus the Labrador Retriever
- Health Problems of Kai Ken versus Health Problems of Labrador Retriever
- Tolerates Being Alone: Kai Ken versus Labrador Retriever
- Do Kai Kens shed more than Labrador Retrievers?
- Which one drools more, the Kai Ken or the Labrador Retriever
- Which is Easier to Groom, the Kai Ken or the Labrador Retriever?
- Does the Kai Ken Have a Higher Prey Drive than the Labrador Retriever?
- Do Kai Kens Bark and Howl? What about Labrador Retrievers?
- Can Kai Kens Tolerate Cold Weather? And can Labrador Retrievers Tolerate Cold Weather?
- Wanderlust Potential: Kai Ken vs. Labrador Retriever
- Can Kai Kens Tolerate Hot Weather? Can Labrador Retrievers Tolerate Hot Weather?
- Which Dog Breed is more Dog-Friendly, the Kai Ken or the Labrador Retriever?
- Are Kai Kens good family dogs? What about Labrador Retrievers?
- How Kid-friendly are Kai Kens and Labrador Retrievers?
- Is the Kai Ken Easier to Train than the Labrador Retriever?
- Other Dog Breeds That are Similar to the Kai Ken
- Other Dog Breeds That are Similar to the Labrador Retriever
- Other Breed Comparisons that Might Interest You
- Conclusion: Kai Ken versus Labrador Retriever. Which One is a Better Pet?
Kai Ken Versus Labrador Retriever: Introduction
Are you thinking of getting a new pet dog, and you have narrowed down your choices to the Kai Ken and the Labrador Retriever? 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 Labrador Retriever 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 Labrador Retriever.
Furthermore, we will let you know which one of the Kai Ken and the Labrador Retriever 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 Labrador Retriever. 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 Labrador Retriever.
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 Labrador Retriever.
Kai Ken versus Labrador Retriever: Overview
A very important difference between the Kai Ken and the Labrador Retriever is the size difference between the two dog breeds. The Kai Ken is a medium-sized dog while the Labrador Retriever is a large-sized dog.
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 Labrador Retriever belongs to the Sporting Dogs group. Sporting Dogs were bred to help hunters catch and retrieve feathered game. Some sporting dog breeds such as Retrievers, which were built for swimming, were bred to hunt waterfowl in water. Whereas sporting dog breeds like setters, spaniels, and pointing breeds were bred to hunt quail, pheasant, and other game birds nest on grasslands. Many Sporting Group breeds have thick, water-repellent coats that protect them from harsh hunting conditions.
Kai Ken versus Labrador Retriever: Comparison Table
The table below compares the Kai Ken to the Labrador Retriever 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 Labrador Retriever
| Factor | Kai Ken | Labrador Retriever |
|---|---|---|
| Life Span | 12 to 16 years | 10 to 12 years |
| Height | 17 to 22 inches | 21 to 24 inches at the shoulder |
| Adapts Well To Apartment Living | 2/5 | 1/5 |
| Good For Novice Owners | 2/5 | 3/5 |
| Easygoing | 4/5 | 1/5 |
| Friendly Toward Strangers | 2/5 | 5/5 |
| Does NOT Drool | 4/5 | 3/5 |
| Easy To Groom | 2/5 | 5/5 |
| Does NOT chew on things | 4/5 | 1/5 |
| Does NOT Bark or Howl | 4/5 | 2/5 |
| Weight | 25 to 45 pounds | 55 to 80 pounds |
| Tolerates Being Alone | 3/5 | 2/5 |
| Tolerates Hot Weather | 3/5 | 3/5 |
| Dog Friendly | 3/5 | 5/5 |
| Potential NOT to Gain Weight | 3/5 | 1/5 |
| Easy To Train | 3/5 | 5/5 |
| Tendency NOT to Wander | 3/5 | 3/5 |
| Potential For Playfulness | 3/5 | 5/5 |
| Tolerates Cold Weather | 4/5 | 3/5 |
| Affectionate With Family | 4/5 | 5/5 |
| Kid-Friendly | 4/5 | 5/5 |
| Does NOT Shed | 2/5 | 1/5 |
| General Health | 4/5 | 3/5 |
| Calmness/ Low Vigor | 2/5 | 1/5 |
| Intelligence | 5/5 | 5/5 |
| Low Prey Drive | 1/5 | 4/5 |
| NOT Rambunctious | 1/5 | 1/5 |
| Minimal Exercise Needs | 1/5 | 1/5 |
| Average Lifespan | 14.0 years | 11.0 years |
| Price Range | No Data | $850 – $1500 |
| Average Price | No Data | $1290 |
| Temperament Score | 100.0 percent | 92.2 percent |
| Common Health Problems and Recommended Health Tests |
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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 Labrador Retriever. 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 Labrador Retriever is 74 out of 125.
Based on their Better-Pet scores, the Labrador Retriever is a better pet than the Kai Ken. So, you should get the Labrador Retriever!
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 Labrador Retriever so that you can make your own well-informed decision on which pet to get.
The Most Remarkable Differences Between the Kai Ken and the Labrador Retriever
Below is a list of where the Kai Ken and the Labrador Retriever are most different:
The Similarities Between the Kai Ken and the Labrador Retriever
The Kai Ken and the Labrador Retriever are very similar in certain aspects. Below is the list of where the Kai Ken and the Labrador Retriever are most similar:
Size (Weight and Height) of Kai Ken versus Labrador Retriever
Now, let us discuss the difference in size between the Kai Ken and the Labrador Retriever.
Kai Kens weigh 25 to 45 pounds when fully grown. Kai Kens are 17 to 22 inches when fully grown.
On the other hand, Labrador Retrievers weigh 55 to 80 pounds when fully grown. Labrador Retrievers are 21 to 24 inches at the shoulder when fully grown.
Lifespan of Kai Ken versus Labrador Retriever
The lifespan of Kai Kens is between 12 to 16 years. The average lifespan of Kai Kens is 14.0 years.
The lifespan of Labrador Retrievers is between 10 to 12 years. The average lifespan of Labrador Retrievers is 11.0 years.
Kai Kens live longer than Labrador Retrievers.
Temperament of the Kai Ken Versus the Labrador Retriever
The Kai Ken has a better temperament than the Labrador Retriever.
This is because the temperament score for the Kai Ken is 100.0 percent while the temperament score for the Labrador Retriever is 92.2 percent, according to the American Temperament Test Society (ATTS).
The American Temperament Test Society (ATTS) is a non-profit organization whose mission is to provide fair and objective evaluations of the temperaments of dog breeds.
Dog breeds with low temperament scores tend to show unprovoked aggression, they easily panic without quickly recovering from the panic, and they tend to avoid people. However, dog breeds with high temperament scores are not aggressive and are not shy. Also, these dogs are generally friendly and are protective of their owners.
The average temperament score across all dog breeds (over 250 breeds) is 83.7 percent.
With its temperament score of 100.0 percent, the Kai Ken has an above-average temperament compared to other dog breeds.
With its temperament score of 92.2 percent, the Labrador Retriever has an above-average temperament compared to other dog breeds.
The ATTS obtained the temperament scores of the Kai Ken and the Labrador Retriever by measuring the temperaments of 1 Kai Kens and 842 Labrador Retrievers.
Health Problems of Kai Ken versus Health Problems of Labrador Retriever
Every dog breed has its own set of health problems that it has a tendency to develop. There is nothing like a perfect dog breed.
Both the Kai Ken and the Labrador Retriever are prone to certain genetic health conditions. The Orthopedic Foundation for Animals (OFA) is the organization that keeps track of health problems in dogs. Based on the extensive records that the OFA keeps, the OFA knows what health problems each dog breed is naturally prone to develop. Hence, the OFA recommends which health screening that breeders should perform on a dog breed to make sure that the breeders won`t breed `defective` dog parents that can pass down defective genes to their puppy offspring.
The more health problems a dog breed is prone to develop, the more health tests the OFA will recommend for that dog breed.
Based on our review of OFA records, we found that the Labrador Retriever is prone to more genetic health problems than the Kai Ken.
This is because the OFA recommends more screening health tests for the Labrador Retriever than for the Kai Ken.
2 health tests are recommended for Kai Ken while 8 tests are recommended for the Labrador Retriever.
Below is a detailed discussion of health problems in Kai Kens and in Labrador Retrievers.
Kai Ken Health Problems
Kai Kens are genetically prone to certain health problems. However, breeders can reduce the chances of producing Kai Ken puppies with genetic defects by making sure that a puppy`s parents are free from genetic health problems before allowing the parent to make puppies.
The OFA provides breeders recommendations on which genetic diseases that breeders should screen their dog parents and puppies for.
If you want a Kai Ken puppy that will grow up to be healthy, make sure that your Kai Ken breeder screens your puppy or your puppy`s parents for the health problems that the OFA recommends for your puppy`s breed. This will increase the chances that your puppy is free from genetic defects.
The following are the health tests that Orthopedic Foundation for Animals (OFA) recommends that breeders should screen Kai Kens for:
You can find out more about OFA`s recommended tests for Kai Kens here.
Labrador Retriever Health Problems
Labrador Retrievers are genetically prone to certain health problems. However, breeders can reduce the chances of producing Labrador Retriever puppies with genetic defects by making sure that a puppy`s parents are free from genetic health problems before allowing the parent to make puppies.
The OFA provides breeders recommendations on which genetic diseases that breeders should screen their dog parents and puppies for.
If you want a Labrador Retriever puppy that will grow up to be healthy, make sure that your Labrador Retriever breeder screens your puppy or your puppy`s parents for the health problems that the OFA recommends for your puppy`s breed. This will increase the chances that your puppy is free from genetic defects.
The following are the health tests that Orthopedic Foundation for Animals (OFA) recommends that breeders should screen Labrador Retrievers for:
You can find out more about OFA`s recommended tests for Labrador Retrievers here.
Tolerates Being Alone: Kai Ken versus Labrador Retriever
Kai Kens can be left alone only for a short time.
Labrador Retrievers do not like to be left alone.
Do Kai Kens shed more than Labrador Retrievers?
Kai Kens shed. They are not recommended for people with dog allergies.
Labrador Retrievers shed. They are not recommended for people with dog allergies.
Which one drools more, the Kai Ken or the Labrador Retriever
Kai Kens do have a very low tendency to drool.
Labrador Retrievers drool moderately.
Which is Easier to Groom, the Kai Ken or the Labrador Retriever?
Kai Kens require a lot of grooming and they are not very easy to groom.
Labrador Retrievers are very easy to groom.
Does the Kai Ken Have a Higher Prey Drive than the Labrador Retriever?
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.
Labrador Retrievers have a very low prey drive. This means they get won`t chase after smaller pets. They tend to get along well with other pets.
Do Kai Kens Bark and Howl? What about Labrador Retrievers?
Kai Kens are not very vocal. They do not tend to bark and howl.
Labrador Retrievers are highly vocal. They have the tendency to bark and howl.
Can Kai Kens Tolerate Cold Weather? And can Labrador Retrievers Tolerate Cold Weather?
Kai Kens can very well tolerate cold weather.
Labrador Retrievers can moderately tolerate cold weather.
Wanderlust Potential: Kai Ken vs. Labrador Retriever
Kai Kens have a moderate tendency to wander. This means that they sometimes get distracted by other animals or objects.
Labrador Retrievers have a moderate tendency to wander. This means that they sometimes get distracted by other animals or objects.
Can Kai Kens Tolerate Hot Weather? Can Labrador Retrievers Tolerate Hot Weather?
Kai Kens can tolerate hot weather as long as the weather is not too hot.
Labrador Retrievers 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 Labrador Retriever?
Kai Kens get along fairly well with other dogs.
Labrador Retrievers get along very well with other dogs.
Are Kai Kens good family dogs? What about Labrador Retrievers?
Kai Kens are great family dogs. They are very affectionate with family.
Labrador Retrievers are great family dogs. They are very affectionate with family.
How Kid-friendly are Kai Kens and Labrador Retrievers?
Kai Kens get along well with kids. They are kid-friendly.
Labrador Retrievers get along well with kids. They are kid-friendly.
Is the Kai Ken Easier to Train than the Labrador Retriever?
Kai Kens are fairly easy to train.
Labrador Retrievers are very easy to train.
Is the Kai Ken Better for Apartment Owners than the Labrador Retriever?
Kai Kens do not adapt well to apartment living.
Labrador Retrievers do not adapt well to apartment living.
Which is Better for New Dog Owners, the Kai Ken or the Labrador Retriever?
Kai Kens are not the best dogs for new dog owners.
Labrador Retrievers are OK 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:
Other Dog Breeds That are Similar to the Labrador Retriever
Furthermore, there are other dog breeds that are very similar to the Labrador Retriever 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 Labrador Retriever:
Other Breed Comparisons that Might Interest You
You may also be interested in how the Kai Ken and how the Labrador Retriever compares to other breeds. So, see below the comparison of the Kai Ken and of the Labrador Retriever to other breeds:
Kai Ken Versus Other Dog Breeds
Kai Ken versus Boxerdoodle Kai Ken versus German Longhaired Pointer Kai Ken versus Catahoula Bulldog Kai Ken versus Miniature Pinscher Kai Ken versus Greyhound Kai Ken versus Black and Tan Coonhound Kai Ken versus Dogue de Bordeaux Kai Ken versus Cocker Spaniel Kai Ken versus Black Mouth Cur Kai Ken versus Lakeland Terrier Kai Ken versus Field Spaniel Kai Ken versus Dalmatian Kai Ken versus Kooikerhondje Kai Ken versus Affenpinscher Kai Ken versus Westiepoo Kai Ken versus Bordoodle Kai Ken versus Wirehaired Pointing Griffon Kai Ken versus Cane Corso Kai Ken versus Berger Picard Kai Ken versus Bearded Collie Kai Ken versus Chesapeake Bay Retriever Kai Ken versus Caucasian Shepherd Dog Kai Ken versus Chow Chow Kai Ken versus Xoloitzcuintli Kai Ken versus Cavalier King Charles Spaniel
Labrador Retriever Versus Other Dog Breeds
Labrador Retriever versus Westiepoo Labrador Retriever versus Central Asian Shepherd Dog Labrador Retriever versus Gordon Setter Labrador Retriever versus Tibetan Terrier Labrador Retriever versus Stabyhoun Labrador Retriever versus Briard Labrador Retriever versus Finnish Spitz Labrador Retriever versus Kooikerhondje Labrador Retriever versus Icelandic Sheepdog Labrador Retriever versus American Hairless Terrier Labrador Retriever versus Siberian Husky Labrador Retriever versus Lancashire Heeler Labrador Retriever versus Shiba Inu Labrador Retriever versus Patterdale Terrier Labrador Retriever versus Rhodesian Ridgeback Labrador Retriever versus Kai Ken Labrador Retriever versus Standard Schnauzer Labrador Retriever versus Shihpoo Labrador Retriever versus American Bulldog Labrador Retriever versus Australian Kelpie Labrador Retriever versus Bracco Italiano Labrador Retriever versus Dogue de Bordeaux Labrador Retriever versus Goldador Labrador Retriever versus Dogo Argentino Labrador Retriever versus Standard Schnauzer
Conclusion: Kai Ken versus Labrador Retriever. 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 Labrador Retriever better suits you and your family.