Shigeru Kato, who is the driving force behind 4 of my 5 Kishu Ken imports (he helped secure and export Nami, Toutarou, and Reiko - and he did the same for Jason's parents in Finland), a huge asset to the Nihon Ken community, and combating misinformation on these breeds, has taken up another project to develop a Kishu and Kai Ken pedigree database using the same system he has for the Shikoku Ken.

This database is extremely useful in searching common ancestors and his location, skill, labor, and connections may help him enter more dogs than we could hope to do on our limited pedigree generations.

Please read about the project, and if you have wanted to help the Kishu Ken in the past, but didn't know how, consider donating even a dollar or three to Shigeru's hard work.
​
Going forward, because I think funding this project and seeing it done will help all Kishu Ken breeders and owners, I will accept an equivalent donation to this project for a portion of a holding fee for my wait list.

Effective immediately, Akiyama no Roushya will require a holding fee from anyone who would like a puppy from us in order to secure a place on our waiting list. Those who do not want to put down a holding fee will not be considered as a potential puppy home until they do.

This is not an avenue I wanted to go down as I am a firm believer in the thought that a well-qualified home with a real desire for a puppy will wait for a puppy whether or not they have a monetary commitment - and I, personally, flat out dislike taking money.

However, historic issues with individuals dropping off at the last second and recent issues internationally with placing Kishu puppies and few committed homes have made me concerned for placing Kishu Ken domestically. This, in addition to results from Kishu genotypes and revelations about total diversity in the breed have made me alter what health services I perform in my foundation Kishu and what services I provide to my puppies.

Kishu Ken from Akiyama no Roushya are now $2200 USD. This does not include late boarding (beyond 10 weeks) or transportation. Here is what your puppy price pays for:

• A well bred puppy from intelligently paired parents using any applicable available testing and pedigree knowledge
• A dedicated, 24/7 ENS and socialization plan for each puppy (house-made + Puppy Culture)
• Dual AKC & NIPPO registration. My puppies are ONLY sold on full registration
• A complete Embark Vet genotype on your puppy
• Proper nutrition, deworming (2, 4, 6, and 8 weeks), and vaccination (7 & 10 weeks) protocol
• A puppy package to go home with
• LIFELONG support enforced via contract

This price increase is NOT to make my puppies inaccessible. I am happy to work with any well-qualified homes who are communicative about their needs and limitations. It is to permit me to continue to educate the public and obtain health data on as many Kishu Ken as possible.