Shiba Inus at SunoJo

shiba inu sunojo

The SunoJo Shiba Story

We obtained our first Shiba Inu with the intention of her being a good starter dog for our upcoming junior handler - Ha! Gin was a wonderful pet, and she has taught us just what a Shiba is all about, but a Juniors dog she wasn't! Her intelligence, stubbornness, and ability to stack like an old cow soon convinced me that the show ring just wasn't ready for this kind of Shiba. We lost her at age 15 - and miss her greatly.

Our next girl, Smidge, was our true foundation. Classic type, superb movement, and a great pedigree combined to create a breeder's dream. Unfortunately, with true Shiba zeal, she lost part of her ear in a fight at an early age, and was not able to be shown. She was bred to Ryu, a beautiful Nippo import; of the three resulting puppies, we kept two (only because my husband said we couldn't keep three!).

Those two puppies became Toshi and Mitsu - finished as puppies, winning their championships from the Group. Their kids & grandkids ARE SunoJo Shibas - they are the look we are known for: the dark slanted eyes, wide cheeks, and small correct ears. At top left are BISS Am/Can Ch. SunoJo's Toshiba Go, AOM, and the future Am/Can Ch. SunoJo's Buigi-Go, each ranked in the Top 10 in the US the years they were shown.

We have introduced import bloodlines; Mitsu was bred to Ch. Cutter; and produced three girls (this time, I DID keep all 3!); Rosie, Abby & Lily finished their Canadian championships in short order. Rosie is now living in Alberta with Renee Stcherba; Abby is here at home, and Lily has now retired to be queen of her own domain. To the right are Lily, Rosie, and Mitsu in the background.

We were fortunate to obtain Nishi, a young import - we finished growing him out, and put his Canadian championship on him. He was bred to both Mitsu and Lily, and produced Ch. Player and Ch. Pearl. A week after he went to live with Marianne Ross, he won Best in Show – from the classes!

Player went on to become the #1 Shiba in Canada, with multi group wins and placements, and a never to be forgotten Best in Show. "Mr. Attitude" never gave us a moment to rest - he always had a trick to try. He was lost in the prime of life, doing his escape act and meeting an oncoming car. We miss him terribly, even that annoying bark.

Player's daughter Ch. SunoJo's Playmate of the Year ("Bunny") was #2 Shiba in Canada in 2000 - and she was only shown a few weekends! Mind you, she did win the Group, along with multi Best Puppy in Group and a Best Puppy in Show.

Player's granddaughter (through AmCh SunoJo's Tamama Nomei, sired by Toshi) arrived here at 5 months - at 6 months she was in the ring, at 7 months she was finished. Baby Diva (Ch. SunoJo's Divine) is all grown up now, and happily retired.

Another Player grandaughter, SunoJo's Play It Again ("Sami") finished quickly as well, had a litter of puppies, and is now Queen Bee in her retirement home. (Note: we "retire" dogs not because of age, but because we believe Shibas deserve to have families of their own, where they can be "only" dogs and have their own couches! We ask the girls to work in the ring for a brief time, and to produce a litter to continue on to the next generation. Often they are 3 years old when "retired").

Mitsu's son, sired by Ch. Nomo, Ch. SunoJo's Field of Dreams ("Costner") finished his championship as a puppy, was awarded Best Puppy in Show, and on the way to his American championship was Winners Dog at the Evergreen Specialty. He is a proven producer, and a tremendous public relations Shiba. He now lives with Lynea McDonald, of Regal Shibas.

Our Lily daughters, Pearl & Vixen are continuing the SunoJo style. Ch. Pearl (owned by Shannon Rehsler) was bred to Zen Satori's Big Mack, and produced Jewel (owned by Kim MacRae) who made her ring debut at the 2001 US National, and after a years absence to grow up, quickly finished her CKC championshiop. Vixen (owned by Marg Jones) produced our Anautuk's Love Goddess of SunoJo "Venus", who is already a Canadian champion, and made her American debut at the US National. She did her daddy proud (Am/Can Ch. Sanjo's Lucky in Love - US National BOW).

And then there was Bob.....
At 8 months of age, this awkward, kinda dorky red boy came to our house, via Leslie Ann Engen. He had just arrived from Japan, and certainly wasn't used to the hugs and kisses we were dishing out! A slow but steady maturing process has seen him blossom into a stunning "stallion" of a Shiba - his headpiece is magnificient, he has a hard-to-come-by good front assembly, his coat is harsh and full (not to mention a rich fiery red). He has been #1 Shiba twice in Canada, and #2 the year we showed him only one weekend. Not only does he "look" great, he is wonderful to live with. His happy, gracious attitude, his sense of fun tempered with dignity, embodies the essence of the breed. Combine that with his excellent health (OFA, CERF, knees, heart, full dentition, "never sick a day in his life"), what more could you ask for? Well - how about REPRODUCING that? Read on for more....

Venus was bred to Bob,and produced 4 beautiful bouncing boys - "Apollo" we have kept for ourselves, and he is now an American & Canadian champion. His litter brother Toshi also finished in quick order, owned by Barbara Mallar. A repeat of this breeding produced Am/Can Ch. SunoJo's Aphrodite Go (finished in one weekend, Arizona 2005) and Group Winning Can. Ch. SunoJo's Serenity at Satika, owned by Sherri Davidson of Satika Kennels.

Bob was also bred to CanCh San Jo's Danielle, and produced BPIS/Group placing CanCh SunoJo's New Day (Neo) who was Best Puppy in Breed at the 2003 Specialty. Neo and his brother Rion (needing only one point to finish, but promised into a pet home) were a different look for SunoJo, being sesame. The little girl out of this litter is just starting her show career, watch for Miss Kahlua, owned by Barbara Mallar. We liked them so much, we repeated the breeding: this time we kept a girl for ourselves, with the other girl going to Renee Stcherba of Usheens Shiba Inus. They are just babies at the moment, but watch out!

We have bred Bob to several of our bitches, and are just way too happy with the results! We are now working with Bob grandkids, having taken his daughter out of Vixen, "Sedun" and breeding her to a double Nishi grandson. Kept a boy and a girl - I'm thinking I have a brace.

Bob's son Apollo is coming into his own, having produced Am/Can Ch. SunoJo's Wild Ride (Ryder) owned by Bonnie Gibbons, Can Ch SunoJo's Coke, owned by Stu & Sherin Laurie, and BPIS/Group placing Can. Ch. SunoJo's Bad Moon Rising (Kojin), here at SunoJo.

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