Kawakami Inu

Kawakami Inu
Kawakami dog bred at Suzaka Zoo in Nagano Prefecture
Other namesKawakami Ken, Kawakami Dog
OriginJapan
Traits
Height Males 15–18 in (38–45 cm)
Females 14–17 in (35–42 cm)
Color black, brown, red, and white.
Dog (domestic dog)

The Kawakami Inu (Japanese: 川上犬) is a small, Japanese dog breed originating in Kawakami Village, Minamisaku District, Nagano Prefecture.[1] It is considered to be a type of Shiba Inu[2] and is designated as a natural monument of Nagano Prefecture.[3][4][5][6]

The legend of the Kawakami Inu's origin tells how hunters tamed the wild wolves of the Chichibu Mountains,[7] and all Kawakami Inu are thus related to the now extinct Japanese wolf.[8][9][10][11] Because of this, it is believed that a Kawakami Inu will confront an opponent larger than itself. One story tells of a Kawakami Inu that protected its owner from a bear.[12]

  1. ^ "What is required for those who want to raise a Kawakami dog". animal-dog (in Japanese). Retrieved 2023-05-28.
  2. ^ "Kawakami Ken [Kawakami Dog]". kotobank (in Japanese). Retrieved 2023-05-28.
  3. ^ "Japan's Kawakami Dogs: Descended from wolves, adorable as puppies 【Video】". soranews24. 2015-01-20. Retrieved 2023-05-20.
  4. ^ "Kawakami dog basic information". Kawakami Village (in Japanese). 2022-04-26. Retrieved 2023-05-21.
  5. ^ "natural monument Kawakami ken". 82bunka (in Japanese). Retrieved 2023-05-28.
  6. ^ "Do you know "Kawakami dog"?". plala (in Japanese). Retrieved 2023-05-28.
  7. ^ "Introduction of Kawakami dog". Kawakami Village (in Japanese). 2022-04-26. Retrieved 2023-05-22.
  8. ^ "What kind of dog is "Kawakami Ken"?". yononaka (in Japanese). Retrieved 2023-05-22.
  9. ^ "Kikusen Hayashiya After two years of screening, Kawakami Dog, a natural monument, became his pet dog". news-postseven (in Japanese). 2015-04-22. Retrieved 2023-05-28.
  10. ^ "[Hidden Popular Rare Dog] What is the history and characteristics of Kawakami Dog, a natural monument of Nagano Prefecture?". min-petlife. 2019-03-07. Retrieved 2023-05-28.
  11. ^ "★Visiting Kawakami Village, the Kingdom of Highland Vegetables Part 1 - Kawakami Dog♪ Part 1 - Kawakami Inu". ameblo (in Japanese and English). 2023-04-16. Retrieved 2023-05-28.
  12. ^ "Tsuyo is so cute! A hidden dog with wolf's blood". JA Nagano (in Japanese). 2014-03-18. Retrieved 2023-07-23.