Shomaisou Shiba Inu

Q. & A. with Rex

• Why did you start breeding?

  In 2007, my wife and I chose a Shiba Inu as her first dog. Initially not planning to breed, we showed him in AKC Conformation and realized he wasn't a breeding specimen. After over 3 years of research, we bought our first breeding-quality dam from an Oregon breeder. We started breeding to enhance the breed, building our program under close mentorship.

  Read more

• What makes your program special?

  Our program balances preservation, improvement, and responsibility. We never compromise health, temperament, or breed integrity for trends or fads. By maintaining a long-term vision for the Shiba Inu, we help ensure its survival as the intelligent, resilient, and uniquely spirited breed it has always been. The Core Goals of the Shomaisou Shiba Inu Breeding Program 1. Breed Preservation & Integrity • Maintain the historical and traditional traits of the Shiba Inu as defined by the AKC and Nippo breed standards. • Choose breeding stock based on proper structure, movement, and type to ensure our dogs embody the breed's essence. • Avoid trends that diverge from the breed’s fundamental characteristics (e.g., extreme features or exaggerated traits). 2. Health & Longevity • Prioritize health screenings for hereditary conditions like patellar luxation, hip dysplasia, eye disorders (PRA, glaucoma), and allergies. • Use genetic testing responsibly to maintain diversity while avoiding known issues. • Breed for long-lived, resilient dogs with strong immune systems and minimal health concerns. 3. Sound Structure & Functionality • Ensure correct conformation to maintain the breed’s agility, endurance, and natural athleticism. • Select for balanced movement, proper angulation, and strong toplines to support both form and function. • Avoid structural weaknesses that could compromise long-term soundness. 4. Stable, Breed-Appropriate Temperament • Select for the correct Shiba Inu temperament—alert, confident, independent, yet trainable. • Avoid extremes in temperament (e.g., overly shy, fearful, or excessively aggressive dogs). • Prioritize early socialization and stable rearing environments to produce well-adjusted companions. 5. Genetic Diversity & Sustainable Breeding Practices • Maintain genetic diversity by avoiding excessive inbreeding while still adhering to breed type. • Study pedigrees carefully to make informed breeding choices that enrich the gene pool. • Support responsible use of linebreeding and outcrossing within the breed to preserve important traits. 6. Ethical Breeding & Ownership Practices • Place puppies in suitable, committed homes that understand the breed’s needs. • Maintain a lifelong commitment to the dogs we produce, providing support, education, and rehoming if needed. • Promote responsible ownership by educating puppy buyers about training, health, and breed traits. 7. Contribution to the Breed Community • Participate in conformation shows to validate breeding stock against the standard. • Support working venues like dog sports, obedience, and temperament testing to demonstrate the breed’s versatility. • Engage with breed clubs and registries to help shape the future of the breed. • Mentor new breeders who share our values to ensure knowledge is passed down correctly. As a dedicated, conservative breeder of purebred Shiba Inu, our program emphasizes maintaining the breed’s historical integrity while producing healthy, well-structured, and stable-tempered dogs. Our commitment to preserving the defining characteristics of the Shiba Inu ensures our dogs stay true to breed standards and excel as companions and competitors in conformation and dog sports. With our experience in working dogs, each Shomaisou Shiba Inu serves a unique purpose. We carefully match our puppies with homes where they can flourish, whether in dog sports, as running companions, or in active environments. We assess them at 8 weeks to guarantee each puppy finds the perfect home that meets their abilities and needs.

  Read more

• What are the different breed coat colors in your program?

  Our puppies include cream, red, black and tan, and sesame. Colors will vary depending on the parent dogs.

• Where do your breeding dogs live?

  They live in my home and guardian homes.