Our Dogs
Who's who here at Takikawa?

Keiko
Emiko Keiko Chronicles CGC TKI
Keiko was my first Shiba Inu. Little did we know she would change our lives by becoming our daughter's Autism Service Dog.
Keiko is patient with puppies, loving with everyone she meets, quiet, gentle, and loyal. She is just a very special dog! She will never be a momma dog, but she excels at being an honorary Auntie to all the puppies who are either born here or come to attend puppy preschool.
Keiko is also a friend to all the children she meets. She helped my toddler nephew learn to walk by patiently and gently walking next to him, as he held onto her back.

Kuma
Gaylord's Kuma Lisa Shomaisou CGC FDC TKN
Kuma is my first show dog. She introduced us to the world of Conformation dog shows. She is an amazing dog and we are so grateful to Shomaisou Shiba Inu for blessing our lives with Kuma.
Kuma is an extraordinary momma dog. She LOVES being a mom! I have never seen a dog so enamored with her puppies. She teaches them many things, which make them better dogs.
My daughter who has autism learned to handle Kuma in shows. Read about her experiences in an AKC article.

Manami
Takikawa Manami of Shomaisou CGC TKN
Manami, the first-born daughter of Kuma, is co-owned with Shomaisou Shiba Inu in Ohio. She will be competing in conformation shows with her co-owner, then returning to me to eventually raise her puppies.
Manami is very intelligent and loves to learn. She passed her tests for both Canine Good Citizen and Novice Trick Dog at 4.5 months old.
She loves to travel to shows, and especially enjoys "Meet the Breed" events, where she gets to meet lots of people. She LOVES people!!!
New faces

Journey
Gaylord's Great Adventure at Takikawa
Journey and Addy are litter mates, who are both amazing, smart, friendly little puppies.
I'm excited to see what the future holds for them.
Journey lives here full time.

Addy
Gaylord's Addiko @ Shomaisou
Addy is co-owned with
Shomaisou Shiba Inu in Ohio. She will be competing in conformation shows with her co-owner, then returning to me to eventually raise her puppies, which will be placed through Shomaisou.







Guardian Home Opportunity
At Takikawa, our commitment to providing the best life for our dogs is at the heart of everything we do. We're incredibly grateful to our Guardian Homes for their invaluable partnership in helping us achieve this mission. Our Guardian Home Program is built to benefit all parties involved, ensuring that every dog experiences happiness, health, and exceptional care. We work hand-in-hand with our dedicated guardian parents to cultivate a nurturing environment where each dog can thrive, enjoy a fulfilling life, and receive all the love and attention they deserve.
We take great care in selecting our future breeding dogs. We carefully choose only those with exceptional qualities that align with our vision for continuing our breed lines. When we place a potential future breeding dog with one of our Guardian Homes, it means they are receiving the best of what we have to offer. Not only are these dogs chosen for their potential to carry on a legacy, but we also ensure they undergo thorough health testing, at our expense, once they reach the appropriate age. By the time one of our puppies is raised and tested to meet our strict standards, we have made a significant investment in ensuring they are both healthy and genetically sound.
Our puppies are placed with families across the country, spreading joy and happiness wherever they go. As a guardian family, you have the unique opportunity to be a part of that journey. You’ll play a key role in contributing to the joy these dogs bring to their forever homes. It’s a rewarding experience, knowing that you are helping to shape the future of our breed while being surrounded by love and companionship, without the expense of purchasing a puppy.
Being a Guardian Family offers the rewarding experience of hosting a future momma dog. You will care for her and return her to us when it's time for breeding and again when it's time to raise her puppies. Once her puppies are weaned, you will take her back into your home, and when she’s ready to retire from motherhood, she’ll stay with you permanently. Throughout this process, guardian families are welcome to visit their dog and her puppies while she is at our home. To be considered as a Guardian Home, we require that you live within 30 minutes of Kentwood, Michigan. If you're interested in joining our mission and providing a loving home for one of our future breeding dogs, please reach out to us for more information!
Guardian Home Requirements
We are dedicated to ensuring that our dogs are placed in the best possible environments. Guardian dogs are usually place in their new homes between 8-12 weeks old, but occasionally an older dog could be placed in a Guardian Home. If you're interested in becoming a guardian family for one of our current or future breeding dogs, here are the minimum requirements you must meet to be considered:
- No Other Dogs: Your guardian dog must be the only dog you currently have in your home.
- Fenced Yard: Your home must have a physically fenced yard. In some cases, we will consider a home without a fenced yard, but only if the guardian family agrees to keep the dog on a leash at all times when outside a fenced area.
- Diet and Supplements: You must provide the food and supplements we require and recommend to ensure your dog’s optimal health and well-being.
- Training: Families must attend a conformation class monthly until the puppy is 8 months of age. These classes not only help train the puppy for the show ring, but also help with socialization and manners. If you successfully test for the Canine Good Citizen (CGC) and your dog passes, we will honor you with a special gift for your hard work!
- Vaccinations and Healthcare: You must follow our guidance for vaccinations and healthcare as we deem necessary.
- Monthly Visits: As a puppy, we will visit regularly for playdates and training every 3-4 weeks, until around 5-7 months. This helps with socialization and strengthens our relationship with your dog.
- Work Schedule: You should have a work schedule that doesn’t leave the puppy home alone for more than 4-5 hours a day. If both adults work full time, at least one must be able to come home during breaks to walk the puppy.
- Transportation: You must be able to transport the puppy/dog to us for visits, health testing, and breeding when needed.
- Dog Shows: You must make the dog available to us when we want to attend a dog show with her. You are welcome to attend too, and cheer her on.