Shinkai Kensha is officially registered as “新海犬舍”, kennel #3135 in Japan through the Kai Ken Aigokai (KKA); the main Kai Ken breed registry in Japan. With Kai registrations on the decline, we are hoping to contribute to preserving this wonderful breed both in the states (via AKC) and back in Japan (via KKA).

Kai Ken are a rare breed even in their native country with an estimated population of around 12,000-14,000, and yearly registrations of around 800. In comparison, the Shiba Inu has approximately 30,000 new puppy registrations per year with Japan’s largest Shiba registry: NIPPO.

Our kennel name was inspired by the thought of bridging the ocean – connecting the US and Japan. Shinkai translates to “new ocean”, and Kensha means “kennel”. We also appreciate that “kai ken” is in the middle of our kennel name and will always remain our central focus point.

What does it take to register puppies back to Japan?

For puppies to be registered under KKA the following items have to happen:

• Both dogs need to be registered with KKA
• Both dogs owners need to be the named owner on their respective KKA pedigrees
• Both owners need to have an individual KKA membership (annual membership)
• Whoever is submitting registrations to KKA, needs to be a registered kennel with KKA (annual membership)
• Provide photographic documentation of
  • the breeding tie (live cover, no AI)
  • mother and puppies at 20 days old
  • mother and puppies at 30 days old
• Proof-of-breeding form
• Handwritten pedigree form
• Submit all registration fees and paperwork to KKA before the puppies are 4 months old

If only one parent is registered through KKA, puppies are not eligible for KKA registration. Similarly, if any litter registration is not complete by the time the puppies are 4 months of age, they can never be registered through KKA.

References

• http://nihonken.blogspot.com/2013/09/registering-litter-kka.html
• http://nihonken.blogspot.com/2018/02/houston-we-have-problem.html
• http://nihonken.blogspot.com/2013/08/kai-ken-registration-and-registries.html