Welcoming an Adorably Cute Black Puppy at Home—Netizens Shocked: "Is That a Bear?"

Some of the editor's friends have rescued furry companions from the streets—poor little strays who were lucky enough to find warm and loving homes. Recently, a Japanese netizen shared photos of a new pet that took the online community by surprise.

A user named "Umi" (@_ukai_) posted about the newest family member. The small black furball cradled in his hands had big, round, innocent eyes and tiny paws curled up adorably. Umi explained that this is the first puppy welcomed into the family in seven years.

The super cute black puppy quickly attracted more than 21.7 million views because it looked just like a little black bear! Its paws resembled bear paws, and its face and ears were round, prompting netizens to exclaim, "Wow! Such a cute little bear!" and "It really looks like a little bear".

Umi clarified that the new arrival is indeed a dog—a Japanese breed called the Kai Ken. Some knowledgeable commenters added that real bear cubs have longer noses, and praised the Kai Ken for being wonderful dogs known for lifelong loyalty to their owners.

About the Kai Ken

The Kai Ken is one of Japan's native dog breeds, known for its distinctive "tiger" coat pattern and hunting heritage. This breed is intelligent, active, and fairly independent, yet affectionate and eager to please its owners. The Kai Ken's compact size and muscular build suit its origins in Japan's mountainous regions. It is a rare and treasured breed among the six traditional Japanese dog breeds known as "Nihon Ken", which also include the Shiba Inu, Akita, Kishu, Shikoku, and Hokkaido.

The Kai Ken: Japan's National Natural Monument Dog

According to the Nihon Ken Hozonkai (Japan Dog Preservation Society), the Kai Ken differs slightly in stature and coat color from the Kishu and Shikoku breeds. It is somewhat shorter in build and has a distinctive brindle coat pattern resembling tiger stripes.

The Kai Ken is renowned for its exceptional scenting ability. It is primarily found in the mountainous region of the Southern Japanese Alps in Yamanashi Prefecture. In January 1934, the breed was officially designated a National Natural Monument of Japan, highlighting its cultural and historical significance.

Local residents of Yamanashi highly value the Kai Ken, traditionally employing it as a hunting dog for wild boar and other game. Beyond its hunting prowess, the Kai Ken is also celebrated as a loyal and devoted family companion.