Are Kai Ken rare?

Yes, Kai Ken are rare, both in Japan and internationally. Although they are one of Japan’s six native dog breeds, they are less common compared to other Japanese breeds, such as the Shiba Inu or Akita. Kai Ken developed in relative isolation, which limited their spread and population growth outside the region. In Japan, the breeding population of Kai Ken has remained relatively small. Outside of Japan, Kai Kens are even rarer.