Psh you cant ask a question without answering it first :P
Originally i only had my eyes on the shiba, i grew up with them and they were the perfect breed for me. This forum actually made me open my eyes to the other breeds, over the years ive expressed desire to own all of the breeds at least once.
Well my story goes back to when I was a kid, I always had this admiration for japanese culture. I remember reading manga and watching anime, all my friends were doing the same, but I was always looking for the meanings and the backgrounds of these comics (Some mangas/anime characters and plots are based on folk tales and stories)
Lets get to the point, the first time I met an Akita I was 9, It was in Halloween and this guy was dressed as a samurai, he had a brindle Akita with him. I was stunned on how beautiful that dog was so I started researching. I used to go to dog parks to see If I could find Akitas so I could play with them, I remember the Akitas always had that expression of confidence and superiority, something that always intrigued me. There in the dog park I had the chance of interacting with some Shibas, a smaller version of the Akita with the same expression of being in control of the situation. When I knew they were Japanese breeds I started searching and reading more and more until I discovered that there were more breeds. Later on I got Kiba (Kai Ken), she was loyal, she would only do what I said and acted reluctant when other person told her to do something (I loved that), smart, clever and had the ability to escape from the harness (I still don't know how she did that). I discovered this forum and learned more about the other breeds, now someday I would like to own or at least interact with every one of them.
I got interested in NK first with the shiba inu when I lived in Louisiana I saw a red one for first time at pass pets in Lafayette IN, at the time I was young, but I knew the puppy couldn't have came from a good breeder. I bought a shiba book read it bought a magezine with shiba on it and bought a second shiba book. I'd draw various shiba inu at school during break.
At that time I couldn't get a shiba our three dogs we couldn't have done it due to various reasons.
I got Saya two years ago I really love the shiba inu breed Saya listens well and has her own unique personality she has her shiba quirks and humor and she has a nice personality.
I already knew about the other Japanese breeds seen them on dog books, but I wanted to start with a shiba first.
I'd really love to have a Hokkaido dog as my next dog breed big dream I know, but I really love the breed from the info and videos I've seen. I hope to one day have one or two in my life once I moved out on my own I hope to work towards that dream.
I also like the shikoku met one in person two times and I really love her personality and looks dunno if I'd like to own one, but who knows I might. They have such interesting look.
What captivated me to a NK is their looks, behavior and history. I'm into Japanese things I love the more primitive types of breeds. labs and boxers are OK I love Bella, but I love the NK with the way they are.
Saya loves me, but she doesn't contantly want to be petted or constantly wants to lick me. She wants affection she'll come to me or if I call her for a pet she will come, but most part she likes to hang around.
When I got to college, my roommates and I wanted to get dogs together (yea, i know, we went through that phase). I've always like smaller dogs and was researching all different types of breeds (my bff and I went on a dog-breed reading binge). I was intrigued my a Shiba at the time, but read from different sources that it was NOT a good dog to own for a first time dog owner so I was discouraged. Plus, I never had a dog growing up, my family does not like animals (except fish and to consume), so I was wary about getting a stubborn dog. I eventually settled on an American Eskimo (whom my father and I doted upon and loved very much). When he died last year (he passed away at a really young age, kidney failure ), and I finally got a house, I thought it was time to get a new dog, Shibas seemed like a great idea since we had a huge lot (well for CA that is) and had a rodent/mole/groundhog/snake infestation. I love her temperment, she is stubborn but yet loyal. Since I got her when she was older (7), she has does not tolerate it when dogs get all up in her face and bark at her, but I could work with that. I love her prey drive (very high, thus unrealiable off-leash). I love it when she kills rats but thankfully doesn't eat it! I love it when I come home and she gets so excited not only her tail wags, but her entire butt as well! hehee...
The bad thing is, shibas are pretty small and my fiance loves big dogs (think German Shepard) so I have been looking for bigger dogs (I personally, am wary of big dogs and I am the one who takes care of them so I get to make the ultimate decision). When I saw Kurenai, I really loved not only her looks, but her disposition and nature. Maybe she it's because she is still a puppy, but she is so happy! Then, I saw Shoushuu and I loved the fact that he was so regal looking (and he is a bigger Shikoku). He barked at me at first because he didn't know me but once Corina introduced us, he was very well-behaved, I loved that. Although, I may never probably want to own an Akita, I probably could get over it's large size, but it gets really hot in Riverside and it would just be miserable! And the fact that I couldn't do a lot of summer activities with it makes it a turn off. Though I do LOVE it appearance and nature. Maybe if I moved back to Northern CA it might be a possibility but here, I don't think so. Anyhow, that is why I love my shiba and I would like to get more nihon ken (in the future)!
Hmm... Personality. That about sums it up. I pick breeds based on their personalities and temperaments. There are some absolutely stunning dogs out there but most of them I wouldn't ever want to own. For me, after some research, I've found that the Shiba was a good fit. I don't know if it's the perfect dog for me, but I wouldn't mind owning most of the other Nihon Ken as well.
Well, originally it was because of Ginga Nagareboshi Gin, but then again, how else would I have learned about the Kai? There are also two Kai in Okami- one of my favorite games. Anyway, I soon fell in love with their personality. There's just something about the look in their eyes. Not to mention that two of my favorite qualities in a dog are intelligence and loyalty, so what else could I ask for?
Comments
Originally i only had my eyes on the shiba, i grew up with them and they were the perfect breed for me. This forum actually made me open my eyes to the other breeds, over the years ive expressed desire to own all of the breeds at least once.
Well my story goes back to when I was a kid, I always had this admiration for japanese culture. I remember reading manga and watching anime, all my friends were doing the same, but I was always looking for the meanings and the backgrounds of these comics (Some mangas/anime characters and plots are based on folk tales and stories)
Lets get to the point, the first time I met an Akita I was 9, It was in Halloween and this guy was dressed as a samurai, he had a brindle Akita with him. I was stunned on how beautiful that dog was so I started researching. I used to go to dog parks to see If I could find Akitas so I could play with them, I remember the Akitas always had that expression of confidence and superiority, something that always intrigued me. There in the dog park I had the chance of interacting with some Shibas, a smaller version of the Akita with the same expression of being in control of the situation. When I knew they were Japanese breeds I started searching and reading more and more until I discovered that there were more breeds. Later on I got Kiba (Kai Ken), she was loyal, she would only do what I said and acted reluctant when other person told her to do something (I loved that), smart, clever and had the ability to escape from the harness (I still don't know how she did that). I discovered this forum and learned more about the other breeds, now someday I would like to own or at least interact with every one of them.
:-)
At that time I couldn't get a shiba our three dogs we couldn't have done it due to various reasons.
I got Saya two years ago I really love the shiba inu breed Saya listens well and has her own unique personality she has her shiba quirks and humor and she has a nice personality.
I already knew about the other Japanese breeds seen them on dog books, but I wanted to start with a shiba first.
I'd really love to have a Hokkaido dog as my next dog breed big dream I know, but I really love the breed from the info and videos I've seen. I hope to one day have one or two in my life once I moved out on my own I hope to work towards that dream.
I also like the shikoku met one in person two times and I really love her personality and looks dunno if I'd like to own one, but who knows I might. They have such interesting look.
What captivated me to a NK is their looks, behavior and history. I'm into Japanese things I love the more primitive types of breeds. labs and boxers are OK I love Bella, but I love the NK with the way they are.
Saya loves me, but she doesn't contantly want to be petted or constantly wants to lick me. She wants affection she'll come to me or if I call her for a pet she will come, but most part she likes to hang around.
The bad thing is, shibas are pretty small and my fiance loves big dogs (think German Shepard) so I have been looking for bigger dogs (I personally, am wary of big dogs and I am the one who takes care of them so I get to make the ultimate decision). When I saw Kurenai, I really loved not only her looks, but her disposition and nature. Maybe she it's because she is still a puppy, but she is so happy! Then, I saw Shoushuu and I loved the fact that he was so regal looking (and he is a bigger Shikoku). He barked at me at first because he didn't know me but once Corina introduced us, he was very well-behaved, I loved that. Although, I may never probably want to own an Akita, I probably could get over it's large size, but it gets really hot in Riverside and it would just be miserable! And the fact that I couldn't do a lot of summer activities with it makes it a turn off. Though I do LOVE it appearance and nature. Maybe if I moved back to Northern CA it might be a possibility but here, I don't think so. Anyhow, that is why I love my shiba and I would like to get more nihon ken (in the future)!
I pick breeds based on their personalities and temperaments. There are some absolutely stunning dogs out there but most of them I wouldn't ever want to own. For me, after some research, I've found that the Shiba was a good fit. I don't know if it's the perfect dog for me, but I wouldn't mind owning most of the other Nihon Ken as well.