Step 1: Find Ninja Dogs

The first step to getting the Japanese Ninja Dog recognized as a breed with AKC will be to gain a listing as a rare breed in the Foundations Stock Service Program. The name of the program is derived from the fact that owners have a rare breed they are working to establish and the dogs that are registered therein form the foundations stock from which an AKC fully recognized breed may result. We have to get 150 individual Japanese Ninja Dogs registered before the breed can participate in AKC events.

While this wouldn't be a problem in Japan — the Japanese Ninja Dog is still a popular breed there — it will present quite a struggle in the United States. This is due primarily to the prevalence of spay/neuter programs in this country, which limit breed reproduction.

Even with 150 registered dogs, it will not be an easy move into full recognition by the AKC. Among the dogs still on the Foundations Stock Service Program list, if you can believe it, are Jack Russell Terriers and Bluetick Coonhounds. Blueticks are the state dog of Tennessee and the mascot of the University of Tennessee and yet that, apparently, isn't enough for AKC!

But still, first things first. We have to find 150 Japanese Ninja Dogs. Internets here we come!