Kishu

From the Kii Peninsula, today Wakayama and Mie, the Kishu was bred to work boar and deer quietly alongside a single hunter, stalking rather than barking, and that one-person focus still shows in many dogs. It was declared a natural monument in 1934. Most Kishu are now white, a fashion shaped by breeders, even though early records suggest most of the original dogs were sesame, red or other colours. It suits someone who wants a calm, composed house dog and can manage a serious prey drive. Cats and small pets are a genuine risk, and its headstrong streak means training takes patience rather than treats alone. Allergies, autoimmune skin problems and hypothyroidism are the conditions most often reported.