Is she a Kai Ken ? - reprise
I found this additional bit of information on the Kai Ken (note the purple version) on one of the breeders Webpages.
"There was originally two types of Kai's. There are two great foundation studs given credit for these distinct characteristics found in today's Kai dogs. KAIKURO willed the "shishi-inu-gata" type which is a thicker, stockier dog with a more bear type face. DAIRO famed for his deer hunting, is credited for the thinner longer bodies with foxier faces called the "shika-inu-gata" type. Each dog gave strength, speed, agility and quick thinking to its descendants as evidenced in the breed today. Currently in Japan, they do not distinguish the two types anymore and no one type is perferred over the other. "
Maybe this accounts for some of the differences that folks have pointed out between Josephine and the other known Kai Ken doggies out there. Well, the speculation continues. This week our favorite auto mechanic who has trained many dogs (bird-hunting and other outdoor sports involving dogs are big around here). He suspects she may be closer to a purebred than a mixed breed, based on his work with dogs, but has not seen a doggie that looks like her. I'm also recalling that my brother-in-law (the hunter of all manner of bird and beast) upon meeting her at 3 months of age or so performed a few basic "tests" with her and declared she should be trained to hunt birds. We love nature for the gazing and picture taking primarily, so that didn't happen.