# Brad Anderson Update Video: Preservation Breeding & Management

> Brad Anderson discusses his multi-breed preservation program, covering management logistics, genetic selection for working ability versus show standards, and the specific roles of his Akitas, Tosas, and LGDs in a high-predator environment.

### Management Logistics & Environment

I manage roughly 10 dogs on my own, with my wife and daughter helping with socialization [02:46]. The daily routine is heavily structured around cleaning and feeding, consuming about three to four hours a day [03:00]. This doesn't include exercise or specific training tasks.

I utilize a tethering system for many of the dogs. This isn't just about containment; it’s a management tool that allows for high-volume interaction and rotation. It lets me move dogs around efficiently for breeding, separation, or specific socialization needs [03:30]. We have a large, securely fenced property that serves as the primary containment, but the tethers provide individual stations.

The environment here is high-desert, with significant predator pressure. We have cougars, bears, and coyotes in the immediate vicinity [04:00]. This necessitates a robust Livestock Guardian Dog (LGD) presence.

### LGD & Flock Protection Dynamics

My LGD team is primarily composed of Central Asian Shepherds (CAS) and Caucasian Shepherds. I recently added a Kangal to the mix to evaluate its specific working traits compared to the Russian breeds [05:00].

The LGDs are not just "pasture ornaments." They are actively deterring predation. I run a mixed flock of goats and other livestock. The LGDs are selected for low prey drive towards the stock but high defense drive against threats.

I've observed distinct differences in how these breeds operate. The Caucasians tend to be sharper and more reactive to perimeter threats, while the CAS often display a more measured, lower-threshold response until a threat is imminent [05:45]. The integration of the Kangal is an experiment to see if the Turkish landrace genetics offer a different style of perimeter patrol or engagement threshold.

### Japanese Breed Preservation: Akita, Kai, & Shikoku

My involvement with Japanese breeds—specifically the Akita, Kai Ken, and Shikoku—is deeply rooted in the preservation of the original working type, distinct from the Western show ring interpretations.

**Akita:**
I focus on the pre-WWII type, often referred to as the "Matagi" type. These dogs are less angulated, have tighter skin, and possess a more functional, athletic build compared to the heavy, substantial American Akita or the strictly stylized modern Japanese Akita Inu [07:30]. My goal is to preserve the gameness and hunting drive that the original Matagi hunters relied on for bear and boar.

**Kai Ken:**
I serve as the Vice President of the Kai Ken Aigokai in the US [08:15]. The Kai is a "tora" (tiger) dog, a medium-sized hunter. They are exceptionally athletic and vertical—they can climb trees. Preservation here means maintaining that intense prey drive and agility. They are not just companion dogs; they are serious hunters.

**Shikoku:**
Similar to the Kai, the Shikoku is a high-drive hunting dog. They are often mistaken for small Akitas or Shibas by the public, but their temperament is sharper and more primitive [09:00]. They require an experienced handler who understands primitive dog psychology.

### Tosa: The Fighting Dog Reality

The Tosa is perhaps the most misunderstood breed I work with. There is a massive public misconception that they are uncontrollable monsters.

**Verbatim Nuance:**
"The Tosa is actually a very quiet, dignified dog. They are not man-eaters. In the fighting ring in Japan, silence is a virtue. A dog that growls or barks is disqualified. They are sumo wrestlers, not street brawlers." [11:20]

My Tosas are surprisingly soft with my family. They bond intensely. However, their dog-aggression is a genetic reality that cannot be "trained out" entirely. It's a management issue, not a training failure. You have to respect what they were bred for—combat with other dogs [11:45]. I imported my stock directly to ensure I had the correct temperament—stoic, confident, and physically imposing without being nerve-bag aggressive.

### West Siberian Laika & The "Bark Pointer"

I use West Siberian Laikas as my primary hunting engine. They are "bark pointers."

**How it Works:**
They range out, locate the game (bear, squirrel, raccoon), and then tree it or bay it. Once the game is stationary, they begin a rhythmic barking. This tells me exactly where they are and that they have the game held. They are not catch dogs; they are bay dogs [13:10].

I selected the West Siberian variety over the Russo-European or East Siberian because of their specific range and hunting style suitable for this terrain. They are a landrace breed, meaning their selection has been functional for centuries, not aesthetic.

### Breeding Philosophy: PADS & Function over Form

I am heavily involved with PADS (Primitive and Aboriginal Dog Society). My philosophy is strict: if the dog cannot perform the function it was historically bred for, it should not be bred, regardless of how it looks in a show ring [15:00].

"Kennel blindness" is a major threat. It’s easy to love your own dogs and ignore their faults. To combat this, I try to work my dogs in real-world scenarios or use mentorship from the countries of origin (Japan, Russia) to verify my evaluations.

I don't breed for the pet market. I breed for preservation. If a puppy goes to a pet home, that’s fine, but the *goal* of the breeding is to produce the next generation of working stock [16:30].

### Specific Dog Mentions

* **Ginko:** An Akita bitch I imported. She represents the old working lines. She is smaller, more athletic, and has a much higher prey drive than what you see in the AKC ring [18:00].
* **Smokey:** A Tosa male. He illustrates that "gentle giant" aspect with humans but requires strict management around other males [19:10].
* **Ike:** My main CAS. He is the anchor of the LGD team. He takes his job with deadly seriousness but is safe with the family.

### Contradictions & Corrections

**Myth:** Tosas are unpredictable man-killers.
**Correction:** True Tosas are stoic and human-safe. Their aggression is strictly directed toward other dogs (specifically males) due to their fighting lineage. They should be calm and dignified, not reactive [11:20].

**Myth:** LGDs need to be "wild" to work.
**Correction:** My LGDs are socialized. They need to be handled for vet checks and management. A human-aggressive LGD is a liability, not an asset. They can bond to stock and still respect the handler [06:15].

**Myth:** Akitas are just big teddy bears.
**Correction:** The original Akita is a hunting dog with significant gameness. The "American" version has lost much of this edge, but the preservation lines I work with still have that fire. They are not suitable for the average dog owner [07:45].

## Details

- **Category:** Interviews and media
- **Tags:** akita, tosa, central-asian-shepherd, caucasian-shepherd, kangal, west-siberian-laika, kai-ken, shikoku, preservation, hunting, lgd, breeding, genetics, management, import, landrace, gameness, nippo, aigokai, pads, japan, russia
- **Date:** 2018-12-21
- **Originally published at:** [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bpm4RDksmY8](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bpm4RDksmY8)

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

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