Kishu dog

A mammalian animal of the order Carnivora and family Canidae. A breed of domestic dog, it is a medium-sized native Japanese dog. It has been used as a hunting dog for large animals such as wild boar and deer in the Wakayama and Mie prefectures. In the past, the coat was red, sesame, and white, but after the acquisition of excellent white-haired breeding dogs, the number of colored dogs became very small, and most of the dogs are white. Its ears are small and tilted forward, and its tail is curled or pointed. Its head is well developed, its cheeks are firm, and its trunk muscles and tendons are well developed. In addition to its performance as a hunting dog, it is also well trained as a general household dog, and it has many fans. Its height is about 46 to 55 centimeters and its weight is about 15 to 20 kilograms. It was designated a national natural monument in 1934 (Showa 9). In addition, some dogs of this breed develop supernumerary toes on the inside of their hind legs. Hunters call this "iwa-kake" and it has been used to advantage in climbing steep cliffs. However, in domestic dogs, this is usually removed when they are puppies.

[Mitsuko Masui]

"Friends of My Dog: Kishu Inu by Breed Series" (1989, Seibundo Shinkosha)

Source: Shogakukan Encyclopedia Nipponica About Encyclopedia Nipponica Information | Legend

哺乳(ほにゅう)綱食肉目イヌ科の動物。家畜であるイヌの1品種で、中形の日本在来犬。和歌山県、三重県地方でイノシシ、シカなど大形獣の猟犬として用いられてきた。毛色は、かつては赤、胡麻(ごま)、白などがみられたが、白毛の優秀な種犬を得てからは、有色犬はきわめて少数となり、ほとんどが白色犬となった。耳は小さく前傾して立ち、尾は巻き尾または差し尾。頭部はよく発達し、頬(ほお)の張りもよく、躯幹(くかん)の筋腱(きんけん)もよく発達している。猟犬としての性能のほか、一般家庭犬としての訓練性能もよく、多くの愛好者をもつ。体高は46～55センチメートル、体重15～20キログラムほどである。1934年（昭和9）に国の天然記念物の指定を受けている。なお本犬種のなかには、後肢の内側に過剰趾(し)を生ずるものがときどきみられる。これを猟師は岩懸(いわがけ)と称し、険しい崖(がけ)地を登るのに有利としてきた。しかし、家庭犬では普通子イヌのときに切除する。

［増井光子］

『愛犬の友編『犬種別シリーズ　紀州犬』（1989・誠文堂新光社）』

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