Official ICCF breed description
Brief historical background
The Kishu is an ancient Japanese breed that developed on the Kii Peninsula and preserved purity of type thanks to the region’s isolation and strong hunting traditions. These dogs were used to track and hold large game, including boar and deer, which reinforced courage, endurance, and independence combined with complete orientation toward the owner. For centuries, the breed was passed down within local families and was not crossed with foreign dogs, remaining closely connected to the culture of the region. In 1934, the Kishu was declared a national treasure of Japan, which helped preserve population numbers and ensure strict breeding control. Despite limited distribution outside its homeland, the breed is still valued for reliability, stable character, and unwavering attachment to a single owner.
General appearance
The Kishu is a harmoniously built medium-sized dog with a strong but dry constitution and a well-defined working type. The format is close to square, the body compact without elongation or heaviness. The topline is straight and stable in movement. The head is wedge-shaped with powerful jaws and a calm, confident expression. Bone is strong, musculature well-developed but without excess volume. The neck is strong and smoothly transitions into the withers. Limbs are straight and placed under the body, providing endurance and stability on uneven terrain. The tail is typically curled in a ring or sickle shape. The coat is dense and double, protecting against harsh weather. The overall impression emphasizes strength, balance, and natural composure without aggressiveness or ornamentation, preserving the traditional hunting appearance.
Important proportions
The Kishu’s format is close to square: height at the withers is almost equal to body length, ensuring maneuverability and stability. Chest depth reaches half the height at the withers, providing sufficient volume for respiratory and cardiac function during prolonged work. The head is proportional, with skull-to-muzzle ratio approximately 6:4 and a moderately defined stop. The neck corresponds to head length, allowing free carriage and controlled movement. Limbs are set at correct angles: shoulder and scapula form adequate inclination, hind angulation is moderate and functional without excessive steepness. The tail is of medium length and balances the topline. All proportions highlight the breed’s natural purpose—long work in difficult conditions without loss of efficiency or manageability.
Behavior and temperament
The Kishu has a balanced, calm, and confident temperament without excessive excitability. The breed is traditionally oriented toward a single owner, showing deep loyalty and a stable emotional bond. At work, it demonstrates independence, determination, and the ability to make quick decisions while remaining manageable with proper training. With strangers, it is reserved, not showing unjustified aggression but maintaining alertness and dignity. It does not tolerate rough handling or excessive stress and responds best to calm, consistent training. It coexists well with children when properly socialized and may show dominance toward other dogs. High self-control, emotional stability, and innate courage make the Kishu a reliable working and family dog under responsible ownership.
Head
The head of the Kishu is wedge-shaped, dry, proportional to the body, without coarseness or heaviness. The skull is moderately wide, slightly convex, tapering smoothly toward the muzzle. The median groove is defined but not sharp. The stop is moderate and smooth, without abrupt step. The muzzle is strong, slightly shorter than the skull, with a straight nasal bridge and well-developed under-eye area. Cheeks are dry and not protruding. Lips are tight and dry, without pendulousness, with dark pigmentation. The nose is large, preferably black. Jaws are powerful, with a scissor bite and full dentition required. Expression is calm and confident, reflecting balance and natural composure without harshness or softness. The overall head shape emphasizes the breed’s hunting type.
Facial part
The facial part is dry and neatly formed, without pointedness or refinement. The nasal bridge is straight, without bump or dip. The nose is large with wide nostrils, preferably black; slight lightening may occur in light-colored dogs but without pink tone. Lips are thin and well-closed, the corner of the mouth not pronounced. The chin is moderate, without projection, forming a clean finish to the muzzle. The cheekbones are smooth, neither broad nor flared. Cheeks are dry, without looseness, and the skin fits tightly without folds. The overall appearance of the face emphasizes focus, attentiveness, and inner composure typical of a hunting breed. Facial lines must remain clean and balanced, preserving the expression of calm dignity and self-control characteristic of the traditional Kishu type.
Eyes
The eyes of the Kishu are medium-sized, almond-shaped, slightly slanted, set deep, giving an expression of calm concentration. Iris color is dark brown or dark hazel; light eyes are undesirable as they disrupt typical expression. Eyelids are tight-fitting, without droop, fully pigmented and preferably dark. The sclera should not be visible in normal position. The gaze is direct and confident, but not aggressive or anxious. The eyes are a key element of breed expression, highlighting inner composure and steadiness. Any signs of panic, cowardice, excessive suspicion, or harshness are undesirable and contradict the traditional Japanese type. Harmony of shape, placement, and expression is essential for a correct representative of the breed.
Ears
The ears are erect, triangular, medium-sized, with slightly rounded tips, set high and directed forward or slightly outward, emphasizing alertness and focus. Cartilage is firm, ensuring stable ear position during movement and work. Ears must not be overly large, soft, wide-set, or low-set. The inner side is covered with short hair, the outer outline clean and neat. Cropping is not permitted. Correct ear carriage reinforces the breed expression—calm, confident, and self-contained. Deviations suggesting softness, uncertainty, or decorative appearance are considered faults. The ears must harmonize with the head silhouette and preserve the traditional working type of the Japanese hunting dog.
Neck
The neck is strong, of medium length, blending smoothly into the withers without abrupt transition and without heaviness. The topline of the neck is slightly arched, giving noble posture and supporting confident head carriage. The skin is tight and elastic, without dewlap; slight folds are acceptable due to coat density but should not appear loose. Neck thickness corresponds to the dog’s format, being strong enough for long work but without coarseness. Smooth connection to shoulders and chest ensures freedom of movement and proper forelimb reach. A neck that is too short and thick, or excessively long and weak, is undesirable for a working type.
Body
The body is compact, strong, close to square format. The topline is straight and stable in movement. The withers are moderately pronounced and well connected to the neck and back. The back is firm, of medium length, neither sagging nor arched. The loin is short, muscular, slightly convex, ensuring transmission of drive. The croup is broad and moderately sloping, creating strong propulsion. The chest is deep, reaching the elbows; forechest is moderately wide; ribs are well-arched but not barrel-shaped. The underline is slightly tucked up without excessive dryness. The body emphasizes strength, stability, endurance, and ability to work for long periods on uneven terrain without loss of maneuverability and control.
Tail
The tail of the Kishu is set high, thick at the base, gradually tapering toward the end. At rest, it is typically curled in a ring or sickle over the back but should not lie flat or be tightly pressed. A slightly relaxed tail may appear when fully at ease, if correct carriage and balance are maintained. Too short, low-set, straight, or hanging tails are deviations from type. Docking is not permitted. The coat on the tail is dense and matches the overall coat, slightly longer on the underside but without excessive brush. Correct tail carriage emphasizes balance, confidence, and body stability, preserving the traditional Japanese type. Its shape and position must not disrupt the silhouette or overall proportions.
Forequarters
The forelimbs of the Kishu are straight, parallel, with strong bone and well-developed but dry musculature. Shoulder blades are long, moderately sloping, fitting closely and forming correct angle with the upper arm, ensuring freedom of stride and stability. Elbows point backward, not turning in or out, moving in the same plane as the body. Forearms are straight and sufficiently long; pasterns are slightly sloping, elastic but not weak, providing shock absorption on uneven ground. Feet are compact, round or oval, with arched toes and thick pads. Nails are strong, preferably dark. Toe-in, toe-out, weak pasterns, or narrow front are considered faults as they reduce functionality and working ability during prolonged hunting and activity.
Hindquarters
The hind limbs are powerful and well-muscled, with moderate, functional angulation providing strong drive and stability. Thighs are long and broad; stifles well defined, not turning in or out. Lower legs are dry and sufficiently long. Hocks are strong, moderately low-set, neither over-extended nor weak. Metatarsi are straight and parallel when viewed from behind. Feet are compact and arched with thick pads and strong nails. Insufficient angulation, cow-hocks, sickle-hocks, weak hindquarters, or signs of lameness are serious faults as they negatively affect working ability. Dewclaws are not typical and may be considered a fault if not firmly attached.
Gait and movement
Movement of the Kishu is free, springy, and stable, with good forelimb reach and strong hind drive. The topline remains steady without sway or bounce. The stride is economical, allowing the dog to maintain working pace without fatigue. As speed increases, limbs tend toward single-tracking while maintaining parallel planes. A slight narrowing at the trot is acceptable, but crossing lines is not. Restricted movement, short stride, pacing, toeing-in/out in motion, or visible lameness are unacceptable. Correct movement emphasizes strength, balance, and functionality, enabling the breed to work on uneven terrain and change speed without losing coordination. Movement should convey composure, confidence, and practicality in keeping with the traditional Japanese working type.
Coat
The Kishu has a dense, double coat adapted to harsh weather and long work outdoors. The outer coat is straight, harsh, of medium length, lying close and evenly covering the body without waviness or excessive softness. The undercoat is thick and soft, changing seasonally and providing insulation and moisture protection. On the tail, back of thighs, and neck, the coat is slightly longer but does not form decorative furnishings. On the muzzle and ears, it is shorter without excessive trimming. Extremely soft, long, curly, or open coats, as well as lack of undercoat, are unacceptable. Trimming is limited to hygiene and must not alter the natural silhouette or texture of the breed.
Acceptable colors
Traditional Kishu colors include white, red, and sesame, expressed in various shades where dark and light hairs are evenly mixed. White must be clean without cream shading. Red ranges from light to rich but without excessively dark tones. Sesame is allowed only in the classic balanced form without black masks or shading that disturbs harmony. Small white markings on the chest and feet may occur if not dominant. Piebald, spotted, merle, black, brindle, or any nonstandard color affecting pigmentation are not permitted. Pigmentation of eyelids, lips, and nose should be as dark as possible, corresponding to coat tone and preserving breed type stability.
Size
The Kishu is a medium-sized dog with a strong but not heavy build. Height at the withers in males and females corresponds to the breed standard, with females slightly smaller and lighter while remaining functional and feminine. Absolute size is less important than harmony of proportions between height, body length, and chest depth. Dogs that are too large or heavy lose maneuverability and endurance, while those too small lose strength and stability. Weight must correspond to condition, maintaining dry musculature and working format. Minor deviations are acceptable if type, balance, and functionality are preserved.
Faults
Faults include any deviations from the standard that do not critically affect health but reduce breed type. These may include weak musculature, insufficient chest depth, mild limb deviations, slightly light eyes, incomplete pigmentation of nose and eyelids, soft or wavy coat, excessive shyness without cowardice, weak breed expression, insufficient reach in movement, or unstable topline. Minor deviations must be evaluated in context with overall impression and preservation of working functionality. Priority is given to health, mental stability, and movement.
Disqualifying faults
Disqualifying faults include severe deviations from the standard and any signs questioning breed identity or health. These include unprovoked aggression or pronounced cowardice, absence of pigmentation on nose, lips, or eyelids, pink skin, light “glass” eyes, serious bite defects, absence of numerous teeth, nonstandard colors including piebald, merle, or black, severe movement disorders or lameness, lack of undercoat, tail or ear docking, or artificial alteration of appearance. Any characteristics violating the traditional Japanese type are grounds for disqualification.
Important notes
When evaluating the Kishu, its origin as a traditional Japanese hunting breed intended for work in difficult conditions must be considered. Minor cosmetic deviations should not be overemphasized compared to functionality, mental stability, and correct movement. Seasonal shedding and temporary coat thinning are acceptable. Females after whelping may be assessed with consideration for temporary body changes. Special attention is given to expression—calm, composed, and confident. Priority is balance, health, manageability, and preservation of the ancient breed type.
Conclusion
The Kishu is a rare but highly valued breed that has preserved the traditional Japanese working type characterized by courage, balance, and reliability. A correct representative combines a strong but compact body, functional limbs, stable movement, and a dense protective coat. Temperament must be stable, without unjustified aggression or cowardice, with deep attachment to the owner. Preservation of the breed requires responsible breeding with priority on health and character. With proper care and respect for its natural independence, the Kishu becomes a reliable working partner and devoted family companion.
