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Kawakami Ken

Kawakami Ken

The Kawakami Inu (Japanese: 川上犬) is a small, Japanese dog breed originating in Kawakami Village, Minamisaku District, Nagano Prefecture. It is considered to be a type of Shiba Inu and is designated as a natural monument of Nagano Prefecture. The legend of the Kawakami Inu's origin tells how hunters tamed the wild wolves of the Chichibu Mountains, and all Kawakami Inu are thus related to the now extinct Japanese wolf. Because of this, it is believed that a Kawakami Inu will confront an opponent larger than itself. One story tells of a Kawakami Inu that protected its owner from a bear.

Life Span 10-14 years
Weight 10-30 kg

What to Know Before Buying a Kawakami Ken

Finding a responsible Kawakami Ken breeder requires more than browsing classified ads or responding to social media posts. The USDA requires any breeder who sells dogs commercially — especially those selling online or through third-party dealers — to hold a federal license and submit to regular inspections. A legitimate breeder should be willing to provide their USDA license number, invite you to visit their facility, and show you where the animals are housed and socialized.

Before committing to a purchase, ask the breeder for veterinary health records, vaccination documentation, and any genetic testing results relevant to the Kawakami Ken. Reputable breeders will also ask you questions in return — about your living situation, experience with animals, and ability to provide long-term care. A breeder who asks no questions and is eager to ship an animal immediately is a significant red flag.

Use the search tool below to check whether any USDA-licensed facilities breeding Kawakami Kens appear in our database. If they do, review their inspection history carefully. Look for patterns of violations, pay attention to severity levels, and compare their compliance grade with other breeders in the same state. This due diligence takes minutes and can save you from supporting a facility with documented animal welfare problems.

Looking for a Kawakami Ken breeder?

Search our database of USDA-licensed facilities to find inspected breeders and check their compliance history.

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