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Over the years I've received a lot of mail from people interested in owning one of the Japanese breeds. I thought I would put together a basic step by step of what it takes to find a Nihon Ken pup, and get it home.

1.Finding a Breeder

Most breeders of the Japanese breeds are non-profit kennels. They work to preserve these rare breeds as part of their national cultural heritage. A large percentage of the breeders are older, most are not very tech savvy, and nearly all do not speak English. So how do you go about finding a pup?

If you know someone who has imported from and already has connections to a kennel in Japan, it will make your search much easier. Personal connections are very important in Japanese culture, so being introduced by a mutual acquaintance will help you get your foot in the door.

Internet searches, and directly mailing kennels with websites is another method you can use, albeit a very hit and miss one. You have no idea of the quality or nature of the kennel you are buying from. They could be the worst kennel in the world, but just happen to have a website. If you choose to go this route it is preferable to have your letter translated into Japanese before you mail the kennel you are interested in. I've heard from many of my friends here who run kennels, that they have been rather offended to have people send them mail in foreign languages. It shows a level of seriousness and good manners that you have taken the time to have your letter translated so the breeder can understand you!

Perhaps the best method is to contact the breed club. All the Japanese breeds have dedicated clubs, and if you contact the office, even in English, they will usually make the effort to help you find what you are looking for. Here is a list of the clubs and their contact information.

Akita:
Akita Inu Hozonkai (Akita Dog Preservation Society aka AKIHO) http://www.akitainu-hozonkai.com/index.html
Japan Kennel Club- http://www.jkc.or.jp/

Shiba:
Nihon Ken Hozonkai (Japanese Dog Preservation Society aka NIPPO)- http://www.nihonken-hozonkai.or.jp/
Shiba Inu Hozonkai (Shiba Dog Preservation Society aka SHIBAHO)- http://www.shibaho.net/
Japan Kennel Club- http://www.jkc.or.jp/

Kishu:
Nihon Ken Hozonkai (Japanese Dog Preservation Society aka NIPPO)- http://www.nihonken-hozonkai.or.jp/

Kai: 
Kai Ken Aigokai (Kai Dog Protection Society aka KKA)- http://www7a.biglobe.ne.jp/~kaikenaigo/
Nihon Ken Hozonkai (Japanese Dog Preservation Society aka NIPPO)- http://www.nihonken-hozonkai.or.jp/
Japan Kennel Club- http://www.jkc.or.jp/

Hokkaido:
Hokkaido Ken Hozonkai (Hokkaido Dog Preservation Society)- http://hokkaidoinu.jp/
Hokkaido Ken Kyokai (Hokkaido Dog Association)- http://www.doukenkyou.com/

Shikoku:
Nihon Ken Hozonkai (Japanese Dog Preservation Society aka NIPPO)- http://www.nihonken-hozonkai.or.jp/ or http://www.shikokuken.jp/

The better your relationship and communication with the breeder, the better your chances of getting a quality pup as opposed to getting say the runt of the litter, or a pup with faults. Be as honest, clear, and polite in your communications as possible.


2.Costs

Puppy prices will vary by breed and kennel. I can only give you what I have found to be the norm within Japan, and what I generally consider to be reasonable, which is anywhere between 75,000-150,000 yen. I have found pups for under this price, and heard of numbers as high as 1,000,000 yen. You will probably be paying an additional 100,000JPY (at least) for Akita and Shiba puppies.

This price should usually include registration, deworming, and the first round of vaccination. It is good to be clear with your breeder on this point. You will also need an IATA approved crate to ship your pup in. Some breeders will include this for free.

Here are some ballpark figures for how much things usually cost over here in Japan.

Crate: @8,000 yen
Combination Vaccine: @8,000 yen
Rabies Vaccine: @5,000 yen
Deworm: @3,000 yen
Standard Health Exam: @3,000 yen


3.Export/Import Regulations

-The dog must be at least 8 weeks old
-The dog will need to be examined by a certified veterinarian in the week preceding its flight and have a health certificate issued.
-The dog will need to undergo an examination at Animal Quarantine Services at the airport on the day of departure, after which an export certificate will be issued. Examinations take place 3 hours before departure, and reservations for the exam should be made a week in advance.
The official site of Animal Quarantine Service Japan can be found here.

Importing a dog to the United States:
In my experience, shipping to the United States is fairly straight forward. As long as the dog is over 2 months old and has the export certificate issued by AQS, it will be allowed into the country. Dogs not up to date on their vaccinations may need to be quarantined at home until they are vaccinated, and the owner may have to sign a confinement agreement to have the dog released to them at customs. Many airlines also have their own regulations regarding the international shipping of animals, so it is important to check with your airline when making plans to ship an animal. The USDA website can be found here.

Importing a dog to an EU country:
To bring a dog into an EU nation you will have to first microchip, and then vaccinate for rabies before the dog leaves Japan. 21 days must elapse after vaccination before the animal can enter the EU. Most rabies vaccination protocols call for the animal to be at least 3 months old (91 days) for a rabies vaccination to be valid. Some EU nations also require treatment for parasites.

Importing a dog to Australia:
As of February 2014, export to Australia involves a minimum 10 days of quarantine, and numerous tests on top of the usual vaccinations and micro chipping. Details can be found here.


4.Shipping

There are two ways ship a dog, accompanied (in cabin, or as check in baggage) and unaccompanied (as cargo). If you are planning to fly with a pup, you will need to make arrangements in advance with your airline. Most airlines require a minimum of 72 hours notice, but it's best to make arrangements when you book your flight as there is limited space for animals on any given flight. To make your reservation you will need to give the airline information regarding the weight/age/breed of dog, and the dimensions of the crate. Some airlines allow dogs that fit under a size/weight limit to be crated and taken into the cabin.

To ship a pup unaccompanied (as cargo), you will need to make arrangements with a shipping company at least 10 days prior to shipping. In Japan regulations require that you use a shipping agent to ship live animals. Shipping agencies have offices near the international airports, and you will usually have to arrange some sort of transport to the office. Some companies offer a pick up service. A reservation will need to be made with AQS for the dog to be examined. The shipping agent can make the reservation, fill out the paperwork, and take the dog to its inspection for you for a fee (@25,000 yen).

The Crate: Airlines have regulations regarding crates. Most follow IATA guidelines. To put it simply the crate must be big enough for the dog to stand at full height and not have its ears touch the roof. The dog must also be able to turn around and lie down comfortably. Each airline has its own rules, so check with your airline or shipping agent.

Shipping Costs: Obviously costs will vary according to destination. Taking a dog back with you 'accompanied' is often surprisingly affordable. As an example, shipping a kennel on most airlines internationally costs around 20,000-40,000 yen.

Shipping a dog as cargo internationally is much pricier, and it is generally much cheaper to fly to Japan to pick up your pup. For example, a dog in a medium size crate being flown to Australia or Europe will easily cost over 200,000JPY.

Lastly I will mention that these are the costs if you are able to do everything yourself. If you go through an intermediary, or have the breeder taking care of all these preparations, prepare to pay for the service.

Comments

  1. I came across your blog while doing research on the Shikoku Inu. It would have helped to have a bit more technical data on each breed standard, but what you've provided is still excellent and very helpful.

    We currently own two American Akitas. Japanese Akitas are, regrettably, all but impossible to get here unless you want to deal with a fly-by-night operation trying to profit on the popularity of Hachiko.

    I'm currently exploring the possibility of getting another pair of akitas or perhaps shikoku once our current pair have passed on.

    I'm curious about the possibility of bringing puppies home as carry-on. I don't think Air Canada allows such a thing due to allergy concerns. Are there airlines that allow carry on puppy crates inside the cabin for the flight?

    Regards,

    Geoff
    Toronto
    gpeby@bell.net

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. There are some airlines that allow dogs in cabin, but unfortunately all the NK breeds other than the Shiba will most likely not fit the in cabin size restrictions (even at 2 months).

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  2. You've mentioned that you've worked with individuals as a translator looking to export breeds from Japan, in your experience, would you be able to recommended good breeders in Japan that you've come across?

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    Replies
    1. Thanks for the excellent question. I'm writing a post to answer it, so check the blog later.

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    2. I'll look forward to it

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  3. hello!

    I'm Alex from the Philippines and I plan to own purebred Japanese Akita Inu.
    Can you suggest for a reputable breeder as well as a shipping company to send it here?
    I'm very afraid of getting this done on-line since I have been scammed once.
    Please let me know, I'm hoping for a positive response on this matter.

    Respectfully,

    Alex J. Lumbera Jr.
    Dasmarinas City, Cavite, Philippines
    alexjlumberajr@gmail.com
    alexjlumberajr@yahoo.com

    ReplyDelete
  4. Hello,

    Your link to Kai Ken Aigokai's website is no longer working. Is there an updated link you could give? Thanks!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Unfortunately the KKA is no longer maintaining a website.

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  5. Do I remember right that there is a newer regulation whereby pups cannot be cargo shipped but must be accompanied by a person?

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Dogs can still be shipped cargo, but when there is a transfer of ownership, Japanese law now requires a face to face sale and contract signing.

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  6. Hi can you clarify above comment.You now have to travel to Japan to export a dog?

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Basically the law was updated and now requires a face to face sale of dogs. For export/import it basically means that to stay within the law there needs to be a physical transfer of ownership, either in Japan or overseas. But then again, it's a bit of a gray area since once the dog is out of the country, it's no longer under Japanese jurisdiction.

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  7. hi everyone, im from the philippines and im planning to take care of a shiba inu. but i dont really know who and where to buy one. any suggestion pls. and if possible to list the down hows the process for getting one?

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    Replies
    1. Hello. you can email matthew.hk@rslog.com / she may still have some from her current litter

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    2. You can contact me through my export site if you need more information. http://japandogexport.com/ There's quite a bit of information regarding export on my site as well.

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  8. hi kato. im from manila, philippines. do you have the list of breeders that you can refer to us ? tnk u

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Unfortunately I do not give out lists of breeders since none of them speak any English, and very few have websites. You can contact me through my export site if you need more information. http://japandogexport.com/

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  9. I am wondering when is a good time to speak with you over the phone?

    I will need your services and I am very happy that you offer this.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I don't do phone calls very often since they are time consuming, there is always a timezone difference involved, and I have a very busy schedule (I'm out of the country often, or in the mountains). I do most of my correspondence via email. Of course if necessary I take a call every now and again. kato.the.walrus@gmail.com is my email address.

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  10. Can you refer a seller of akita inu female?gicelgel@gmail.com here's my email thanks.

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  11. What if someone (me) were interested in buying imported shiba/shikoku for breeding? I am over the moon in love with these breeds and am not ready to take on the task but in the meanwhile I am gathering as much information and collecting contacts to help me when I can afford it. I am looking to import Japanese Shiba Inu and Shikoku Ken in the hopefully near future, but I do not speak Japanese. I'd be willing to fly out and pick up my pups personally. Looking for potential show quality, but more interested in preserving the breed and bringing attention to these dogs where I am locally. I am looking for guidance more than anything. If you have time to share some insight please do. I currently have a Shiba Inu now. Looking to acquire a Shikoku in the near future soon.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Send me an email at kato.the.walrus@gmail.com

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  12. Just a heads-up, in case you weren't already aware, Delta Airlines is changing their pet policy:

    CHECK YOUR PET
    EFFECTIVE MARCH 1, 2016:
    Delta will only accept the following animals as checked baggage: (1) pets for members of the US military and their dependents with active transfer orders; and (2) service and emotional support animals that comply with federal regulations, including proper documentation based on current policies and procedures. All pets or other animals not meeting these exceptions and not able to travel as checked baggage will only be accepted for travel as freight through Delta Cargo.

    Please be aware of the following information before booking your pet on Delta Cargo.


    A separate booking from their flight itinerary is required. Additional fees and charges may apply.
    A pet shipped domestically via Delta Cargo cannot be booked until 14 days prior to departure.
    Pets are not guaranteed to be shipped on a customer’s same flight or flight schedule.
    Shipping a pet requires dropping it off at a Delta Cargo location at least three hours before departure time at a location separate from passenger check-in.
    Picking up a pet would also occur at a Delta Cargo location.
    Delta Cargo only accepts international pet shipments from known shippers. Delta suggests that international customers use a pet shipper approved by the International Pet and Animal Transportation Association. Customers would then need to follow acceptance procedures set by the shipper.
    Customers with flights prior to March 1, 2016 must book pets as checked baggage at least 48 hours before departure.

    https://www.delta.com/content/www/en_US/traveling-with-us/special-travel-needs/pets/pet-travel-options.html#check

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  13. Hopefully it was useful. I'm disappointed because Delta does non-stop flights from Narita to US airports I need to fly to. This is a setback, but I think Air Canada may be an alternative.

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  14. Hello, I will be visiting Japan this year and would like to bring home shiba inu with me. Can you give me some breeders over there?

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Unfortunately none of the breeders I work with speak English. Do you speak Japanese? my email is kato.the.walrus@gmail.com

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    2. Hi Kato! Do you have a phone number that I can speak to you directly?

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  15. Hi kato, I recently emailed one of the breeding groups for Japanese Akitas and no one answered. Is it because I speak English and no one understood my email? I really would like to have an Akita but nobody speaks English and I know very little Japanese. Could you help me in any way? Thank u

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  16. Hello from Finland ! I need some help. I very interested at bying NIHON TERIA and searching breeders of this breed. I know that this breed is very rare even in Japan. Can't find any information about breeders at Internet. Maybe you can help me? I don't know Japanese , so it difficult to find something at Japanese websites. I am searching dog for show with good pedigree . Ready to come even in Japan to pick up a puppie by myself by plain. Please I'm desperate ....
    BRG Natalia Samelin
    e-mail n.samelin@gmail.com
    Facebook Natalia Samelin

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  17. Hello Kato
    I´m very intrested in a female shiba inu could you help me?
    Do you have a number o e-mail where can find you?
    Regards

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  18. Hi I'm interested to get a Hokkaido Inu. Would you be able to help

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    Replies
    1. You can drop me an email at kato.the.walrus@gmail.com

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  19. Hi, i am looking at getting a shiba inu myself and im from Australia. Ive read through your blog and its super helpful but its so hard to find a breeder or even read the websites! Please help!

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    Replies
    1. Due to Australian import regulations, bringing in a Shiba is going to set you back around 600,000-700,000 JPY. If you want more information, email me at kato.the.walrus@gmail.com

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  20. Hello, Im looking to travel to Japan in July and would like to look into bringing a Shiba Inu pup back to the US with me. I did check out the website but it is in Japanese.. could you help me at all with this process? Thanks!

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  21. Hi Kato, i'm interested in getting a shiba inu and i'm from singapore. Could you advise at the average cost i will be looking at

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  22. hello there- i am wondering if you can help me? I am in the USA I am looking for a Japanese Spitz- it is a rare breed here-- i do breed them. I am looking to import a male. I cannot find your email address here- I am wondering if you can help me with this (I do not know any breeders) or could you point me in the right direction?? thank you in advance! my email is: mooki707@yahoo.com

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    Replies
    1. Hello. I am no longer offering my services to help find pups to import/export. Best of luck to you in your search.

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  23. Hi there,

    I'm from the UK and this is definitely the most informative import piece I have found so far - so thank you very much.
    Whilst I really want a standard Shiba Inu, I have my heart absolutely set on a Mino Shiba. I am aware of how rare they are, but aside from a few people on instagram, I can find minimal information on the Mino Shiba and how to obtain one for import to the UK.
    I don't know if you would be able to help with that information? I'm stuck in a major research rut and I am so in love with the breed!

    Thank you!

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    Replies
    1. Hello. Mino Shiba are generally not available for export, and import to the UK is pretty much impossible due to COVID.

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  24. Hello,
    Can I export Akita to another country rather thank EU countries, USA and Australia?
    Thank you in advance.

    ReplyDelete

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