We do not make
"paper" breedings (a common practice of only matching "names" on
pedigrees rather than evaluating living dogs). Instead, we use deep knowledge and
experience gained through more than 30 years of breed involvement to breed "better"
Akitas.
Breedings are made limitedly (usually only one or
two litters each year) and
only after careful planning. Potential parents are honestly evaluated, physically &
temperamentally, based in our personal knowledge of many generations of their
ancestors.
We agree with the Akita Club of America that there is only
one Akita breed in America. There are not two "breeds"
of Akitas, merely different types. "American
Akitas" and "Japanese Akitas" are the same
breed with identical genetic profiles (based in DNA analysis & nearly identical breed standards (differing in
allowable colors & markings).
We
like (and breed) both types. It is
our belief that breeding Akitas of Japanese origin
with those of American origin results in healthier, more
beautiful dogs. By choice, we breed only recognized
Japanese colors & marking patterns. These include
reds, brindles, & whites. Our
dogs either have no masks or white masks. Brindles
may have silver masks ("shimofuri").
We hold ourselves
accountable for producing healthy Akitas.
We screen all breeding
animals for inheritable physical and temperamental problems. Not only
do we meet the minimum health screenings suggested for the
Akita breed, but exceed them! We screen
& officially certify against orthopedic disorders including
hip
dysplasia, elbow dysplasia, luxating patellas (slipping "knee caps"),
eye defects, and thyroid function by use of 
experienced,
licensed,
board-certified veterinarians. We certify, where appropriate, these finding by
nationally-recognized, public registries including the Orthopedic Foundation for Animals
(OFA), the Canine Eye Registry Foundation (CERF) and Michigan State
University (thyroid screening). We are members
of the "President's Council" of the AKC Canine Health Foundation.
We believe that
stable, reliable, non-aggressive temperament is so important in Akitas that we
have, for decades, rigidly excluded from our breeding program Akita bloodlines we believe to be derived
from temperamentally unstable dogs. Our Akitas are naturally
protective, but sane, calm, reliable and loving family companions. We have consciously worked
to breed out of our stock excessive dog to dog aggression. The AKC
breed standard says that
"Akitas are aggressive toward other dogs." "Aggressive" and
overly reactive behavior are not the same. The standard calls for a dignifed carriage and
temperament. We prefer Akitas that can get along with other Akitas,
other dogs, and other animals (e.g. cats). We raise puppies toward that goal.
We do not believe in "production" breeding. Usually, females used in our breeding
program are bred only twice in their lives; none is bred two consecutive seasons. We
usually have only one litter a year (sometimes two). Some years we do not
make any breedings. Our stud dogs are not available at public stud but only by
limited, private agreement. We do not aspire to have our Akitas 
achieve
"top producing" status. We do not repeat breedings of the
same parents...we see this practice, except in rare circumstances, to
be a form of "puppy marketing." Intelligently planned breedings should,
every time,
produce quality dogs suitable to allow one to move ahead
with a breeding program rather than to merely tread water.
We believe in
maintaining our Akitas at the highest level of physical and emotional
well-being. Puppies are raised "underfoot" and are kept with their litter
mates until at least 12 weeks of age to insure improved social stability as
adults. We also allow good mothers to be good mothers longer than many
breeders. We believe this, too, results in happier, emotionally healthier, more
socially adaptable adult Akitas.
We feel
responsibilities, as longtime breeders and fanciers, to serve as an informed resource for
questions about the Akita breed, its care, its genetics, its health and behavior.
We realize that everyone was once "just a
newcomer" to Akitas. There are no "stupid" questions--only varying
degrees of knowledge.
We do not see
ourselves in "competition" with other breeders. We believe those
interested in 
Akitas are capable of distinguishing the knowledgeable from the unknowing.
Though well-known within the breed, we don't produce so many puppies that advertising
to a mass audience is required for placements. We freely encourage those seeking an Akita to talk
to other breeders before choosing a puppy or adult Akita.
We willingly
subscribe to (and exceed) the requirements of the Akita Club of America's Code
of Ethics. We guarantee all puppies (including pet
puppies) by a comprehensive written
contract. This is to protect the Akitas as well as
the owners. We always stand ready to reclaim any Akitas we have produced,
should any ever be in need. We identify, by microchip, all puppies prior to placing them
in new homes.
