# About Brad Anderson

> Brad wasn't a dog person growing up — he came to dogs in his 20s through obsessive research, and his first dog was a Shiba Inu. His wife Jen's background as a CPDT-KA certified trainer deepened the interest into a lifelong mission.

Let's delve into my story — a preservationist and advocate for rare and primitive breeds who didn't start out as a dog person at all.

I wasn't into dogs growing up. I came to dogs in my 20s — I started researching breeds obsessively, the way I research everything, and got a Shiba Inu as my first dog. Jen, my wife, was a CPDT-KA certified dog trainer, and her background turned my research obsession into something much deeper. Once I was in, I was all in — true working breeds, landraces, and historically significant canines that have played vital roles in human survival for thousands of years. My work has been dedicated to preserving the integrity of these breeds, ensuring they maintain their original function, temperament, and purpose.

At the core of my journey are two breeds that I've worked tirelessly to protect and promote: the Nenets Herding Laika and the Kai Ken.

The Nenets Herding Laika, a breed developed by the indigenous Nenets people of the Russian Arctic, is one of the world's most resilient and capable herding dogs. These dogs have been indispensable for herding reindeer across some of the most inhospitable landscapes on Earth, demonstrating an unmatched level of endurance, intelligence, and adaptability. Despite their historical importance, the breed remained virtually unknown outside of its native region. That's why I made it my mission to introduce the Nenets Herding Laika to North America—not just to bring awareness, but to actively contribute to its preservation and recognition on a global scale.

The other cornerstone of my work is the Kai Ken, one of Japan's rarest and most intelligent hunting breeds. My dedication to this breed led me to become the first non-Japanese member of the Kai Ken Aigokai (KKA), Japan's official preservation society for the breed. This was more than just a membership—it was an acknowledgment of my work in promoting, preserving, and ensuring the authenticity of the breed outside of Japan. The Kai Ken is a naturally independent and highly adaptable hunting dog, and I have worked to ensure that it remains a functional, intelligent working breed, rather than being reduced to just another show or companion dog.

While the Nenets Herding Laika and Kai Ken have been at the forefront of my efforts, my work in preservation extends beyond these two breeds. I have personally imported Gampr, the ancient Armenian livestock guardian, and have also owned Sarabi dogs and other rare breeds that represent centuries of selective breeding for working ability. My commitment to these breeds goes beyond simply owning or importing them—I have actively worked to preserve their working temperament, genetic diversity, and historical significance.

But my work isn't limited to a single breed or region. I have personally imported dogs from five of the seven continents, always seeking out authentic working lines and helping to maintain genetic diversity in breeds that are at risk of losing their original purpose due to modern breeding trends. Whether it's livestock guardians, primitive hunting breeds, or rare landrace dogs, my passion has always been about preserving their heritage—not just for the sake of history, but because these dogs still have a vital role in the modern world.

Beyond importing and preservation, I founded the Nihon Ken Forum, a platform dedicated to the native breeds of Japan. The Kai Ken, Kishu Ken, Shikoku Ken, Hokkaido Ken, Shiba Inu, and Akita are all part of Japan's cultural heritage, and my goal has always been to bridge the gap between the North American and Japanese breeding populations, ensuring these breeds remain true to their origins. The forum has become a valuable resource for enthusiasts, breeders, and historians, helping to connect people who share a deep respect for Japan's native dogs.

Owning and working with these dogs isn't just a hobby for me—it's a way of life. There's a level of commitment and responsibility that comes with working breeds, particularly those that haven't been softened for the pet market. These dogs are not for everyone, and that's exactly why they need preservation efforts. If we allow their instincts, drive, and function to be bred out of them, we lose not only a piece of history but also the incredible working abilities that made these dogs so valuable in the first place.

I firmly believe that preservation is about more than just keeping a breed alive—it's about maintaining its integrity. That means prioritizing correct temperament, working ability, and structure over appearance or trends. It means making sure these dogs go to the right homes, where their natural instincts are understood and respected. And it means educating people about what these breeds truly are, rather than allowing misinformation or romanticized ideas to take over.

So, if you're someone who values the raw, unfiltered essence of working dogs—their history, their purpose, their spirit—you're in the right place.

## Details

- **Category:** Notes
- **Tags:** akita-inu, behavior, breeding, fighting, gampr, genetics, history, hokkaido-inu, hunting, import, kai-ken, kishu-ken, laika, landrace, lgd, nihon-ken, preservation, protection, sarabi, shiba-inu, shikoku, spitz

**Also read:** [All writing](https://bradanderson.org/writing?format=md) · [About Brad](https://bradanderson.org/about?format=md)

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