Hoshi No Ko Sou
- Norfolk, VA
- Responds within a few days
Available puppies
Blaze
3 months old · Male
Dot
3 months old · Female
Meet the breeder
I'm Monica F., the breeder behind Hoshi No Ko Sou located in Norfolk, VA. We are a preservation breeding program of Japanese Kai-ken. Our dogs are titled in conformation, sports, & temperament, through AKC/UKC/IABCA. We perform comprehensive health testing. We stand behind every dog we produce and offer life-long support. We're an active member of our national breed club.
Q. & A. with Monica
Why did you start breeding?
When you have a good dog, the potential is there, but when you have a dog breed with critically low numbers the imperative becomes evident. I was hoping to contribute to breed preservation through maintaining a stud dog and ambassadorship, but I found my breed would benefit from more and breeders are the backbone of breed preservation. I'm dedicated to carrying this breed into the future for all.What makes your program special?
I credit my time spent in Japan, the kai-kens country of origin, as invaluable in helping me have a greater understanding of my breed. Exposure to the breed is the most important thing. My breeding program is centered around preserving the original form and function of the kai-ken. A rugged dog that is highly in tune with its owner, capable of sustaining a family through hunting.What are the different breed coat colors in your program?
Our puppies include red brindle, brindle, and black brindle. Colors will vary depending on the parent dogs.Where do your breeding dogs live?
They live in my home.
Matched dogs
These dogs are already reserved or have gone home.
Black
Went homeMale
Getting a puppy from Monica
Monica has been certified by Good Dog’s screening team for responsible and trusted breeding practices. When you’re ready, reach out to ask about the puppies or anything else on your mind. You’ll get to know each other through messaging, phone, or video and pay securely, all on Good Dog.
Monica partners with buyers to find the best match as the puppies develop and their personalities take shape. Typically, matches are finalized when the puppies reach about 8 weeks old.
“As a preservation kennel we prioritize placing puppies that will contribute the greatest to the breed among preservation homes, as they are available. We expect all puppies to be of excellent quality and able of excelling in show and pet homes. Puppies are matched to homes based on the individual factors at play within the homes.”
Price
“This nonrefundable deposit demonstrates your commitment to acquiring a puppy. If you are not able to recieve a puppy it can be transferred to a future litter.”
Contract & health guarantee
Monica may provide a written contract or health guarantee when you purchase a puppy. This helps protect both you and your breeder, ensuring that you both have a clear understanding of the terms of your puppy purchase. If Monica offers a contract or guarantee, the details will be personalized by them. If you have any questions or want to know more, don't hesitate to reach out to Monica directly.
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on Good Dog
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What's included
From Good Dog
- Lifetime support from Good Dog’s Care Team
- 10% lifetime discount on Figo pet insurance
- Puppy Training Program & private community
Enrichment & socialization
- Various sounds
- Car rides
- Surface & tactile stimulation
- Socialized in new places
- Scent introduction
- Daily handling
- Socialized with other dogs
- Introduced to people of different ages and appearances
- Socialized with other animals
Puppy health practices
- Vet check
- First round of shots and deworming
- Microchip
- Vet records
Extras
- AKC registration
- Blanket with mom & littermates’ scent
- Basic obedience & manners
- Food & treats
- Toys
- Puppy starter kit
- Initial potty training
Location & pick-up
You can drive or fly to pick up your puppy from Monica.
Breeder's location
Meet in Norfolk, VA
Other pick-up locations
Meet at Norfolk Airport
More about Monica
Club memberships
Monica is a member of Virginia Beach Kennel Club and Kai Ken Society of America.
Certifications & recognitions
CHIC Certified.
Monica has been a member of Good Dog for 3 months
Monica was screened for responsible practices and has been a member since 2026.
Monica is a trusted Good Dog breeder
Hoshi No Ko Sou meets or exceeds our community standards in these areas:
- Responsible breeding practices
- Health of breeding dogs and puppies
- Puppy environment and enrichment
- Buyer education and policies
Litter and program updates
Monica F.
Litter update on 30 June •…Puppies are 10 weeks old. They've gotten so big now, around 13 lbs. They recently had their second set of puppy vaccines and were microchipped. They're on flea/tick/Heartworm meds and puppy kibble. They're doing better about sleeping through the night in the crate without messes. This litter is only being released on co-own agreements, with stipulations for exhibiting at dog shows. Momma Mika is bouncing back, she's returned to her pre-pregnancy weight, but her overall condition is lacking muscle tone and coat quality. Puppies have enjoyed outings to the blackberry farm, pet store, and farmers market, among other places. We're still working on some basic training, stacking, luring, manners with the cats whom they love love love a little too much.
Hoshi and Mika's litter
Monica F.
Litter update on 07 June •…Pups are 7 weeks and we have been very busy! We went and got first set of shots so puppies have the most protection possible for their age, and we are housebreaking puppies in the yard now. We are continuing to encourage potty pad usage inside between potty breaks in the yard. We've also opened up more space in the house to puppies. Their personalities are blooming! One is a smarty (I can actually see the gears turning), one is adventurous (new places don't phase them and they're always exploring), and one is the most confident and empathetic (gentle with siblings unless provoked, very patient). They're able to get up on the sofa now and spend a lot of time tumbling, wrestling, exploring, cuddling, and practicing how to be family dogs. The puppies also did the Volkhard temperament test with members of the Virginia Beach Kennel Club, Colonial Shiba Fanciers, and American Shikoku Ken Club acting as evaluators and the puppies definitely impressed our little referendum of nihonken specialists and dog conformation experts. I've got to port my photos and videos over to post them, so this update just consists of a few short videos and pics I've collected recently. I am very behind on responding to messages. I've been carefully considering what to do with this litter. 7 weeks has flown by in the blink of an eye and now that we're here I expect it will be maybe 12 weeks before I get these guys truly settled. This litter was smaller than I expected, and the puppies have been, to my eye, without faults. Now that they've also been looked over by my vet and several people with years, if not decades, in dog conformation , showing, judging, and breeding, this has been corroborated. And so, I'm moving forward with all three of them as potential breeding dogs who should be titled and evaluated. I always planned to repeat this breeding, but I must make decisions based on the puppies I have right now - not these puppies plus the puppies of a litter I plan to have in the future. For me, that means settling these puppies in the best possible situation for them, before embarking on future breeding. This is in part from having a very young program. It is all the more important to show what these pups can do. They have the burden of being the first, and for now, the only offspring of my foundation pair. I want to thank everyone who has applied thus far, it's very heartening to see so many wonderful families who want to welcome the kai-ken as a companion. That being said this litter will not be released to strictly pet homes, as puppies. I want them in conservation/guardian/co-own homes that will cooperate in proving them through titling and health checks so they can be evaluated for breeding, ideally while receiving all the individual love and attention they need in their forever homes to grow into their best selves. If you are curious about my co-own requirements please reach out. These puppies might not all turn out to be titled show champions - they might be sports stars or obediance geniuses actually, or maybe all of the above! For the breed, my program, and from what I've seen of them, every one of them deserves the opportunity to show what they're made of. To that end I'm considering homes along the Eastern seaboard who would benefit from my guidance with showing and titling. If an experienced applicant applies I would consider a home further away. I have one puppy in particular, our adventurous one, who would likely excel in dog sports. With the right guidance I expect they could do well in the show ring too, but I would consider placing them in a sport-focused home with the right applicant. My ideal goal is for these pups is still ultimately for them to be settled in loving forever homes who will develop incredible beautiful bonds with them, give them patience and puppy cuddles, and shepherd them into the best versions of themselves. I'm looking for owners who understand this breed needs to be visible and shared with the public, their health and conformation needs to be evaluated and documented, and if their quality is proven they should contribute to ensuring the breed continues another generation. If this sounds like you, please reach out to me, I'm happy to go over the particulars.
Hoshi and Mika's litter
Monica F.
Litter update on 01 June •These little tiger dogs are getting introduced to the crate. We're building positive associations through treats and nap time
Hoshi and Mika's litter
Monica F.
Litter update on 01 June •Blaze, why are you napping in that position?
Hoshi and Mika's litter
Parent dogs
Hoshi, dad
Kai Ken
About Hoshi
Hoshi is a confident and versatile dog. He loves being with his human and visiting family. He's suspicious of other dogs but always gives them the benefit of the doubt. He's a Japanese import and show dog champion. He's also titled in a handful of dog sports and has AKC temperament/behavioral titles/certificates and OFA/CHIC health clearances. He loves being physically active but spends most of his time laying around with his people. He is tolerant of cats and affectionate with children. He is a mischievous and will keep you on your toes if you leave a treat out, but he's respectful of boundaries. He's a goofy fun loving dog!
Uploaded health tests
Hip Dysplasia Finals (OFA, PennHIP, BVA, SV, FCI).
Mika, mom
Kai Ken
About Mika
Mika is a sweetheart who loves cuddling with her people. She will follow you around and if she's in the same room prefers to be by your feet. She's very alert and aware of what's happening around her. She's respectful of, but interested in cats. She's friendly with other dogs but prefers to play with those she knows. She is wary of strangers, but warms quickly to repeat visitors. She's gentle with the toys and chews.
Uploaded health tests
Cardiac Evaluation (registered with OFA), Elbow Dysplasia Finals (OFA, BVA, SV, FCI).
Parent health testing
Hoshi No Ko Sou reports to performing the health tests below on their breeding dogs. Ask your breeder about the tests performed on the parents of your litter. Learn more about health testing for Kai Kens.
Hip Dysplasia
Hip testing reduces the chance of passing down hip dysplasia, which is primarily found in large breed dogs and can cause hip pain and the eventual loss of the function of the hip joint.
Elbow Dysplasia Finals (OFA, BVA, SV, FCI)
Elbow testing reduces the chance of passing down elbow dysplasia, which is primarily found in large breed dogs and can cause arthritis in the elbow joint and front leg lameness.
Cardiac Evaluation (registered with OFA)
Heart testing reduces the chance of passing down congenital heart disease, which can cause a range of symptoms ranging from trouble exercising to heart failure.
Vet Wellness Exam
A breeder may perform additional tests on their dogs that do not fall into these general categories. These tests may be more uncommon or very specific to a particular breed.
DNA Disease Panel, PRA, Rod-Cone Degeneration (PRA-prcd)
Genetic testing reduces the chance of passing down a wide variety of hereditary diseases of differing prevalence and severity such as Progressive Retinal Atrophy (an eye disease) and Von Willebrand's Disease (a blood disease).
