cumulus shiba
Canada’s only kennel exclusively dedicated to the NIPPO-standard Shiba Inu
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About US
We relocated to Canada in 2022. Our breeding practice began in Japan in the 1980s and has continued through three generations of family involvement in Japanese native dog preservation.
Our roots trace back to post-war Japan and the preservation movement led by the Nihon Ken Hozonkai, commonly known as NIPPO. The family’s early work began with the Hokkaido Ken before gradually expanding its focus to the Shiba Inu. The Hokkaido Ken remains one of our preservation breeds. However, due to breed recognition limitations in Canada, most of our Hokkaido Ken-related preservation work remains in Japan and Taiwan with trusted families.
After the retirement of the 1st generation, much of the family’s breeding work continued from Japan to Taiwan. The third generation relocated to Canada and established Cumulus Shiba as the Canadian continuation of this Japanese preservation breeding background. There, our family remains focused on NIPPO-standard Shiba Inu, maintained Japanese-line Shibas and continued to follow NIPPO-based evaluation, structure, temperament, and preservation principles. Since moving to Canada, our Shibas have participated in Canadian Kennel Club events. CKC shows serve as a platform for training, social exposure, public education, and outreach, while our breeding direction remains guided by the Japanese standard and the long-term preservation of Japan’s native dog breeds.
News & update & Plans
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CKC Animal Welfare UPDATEs
Over the past little while, we have gone through a difficult period involving concerns about dog welfare during off-site kennel and show travel, primarily in Ontario, together with personal safety issues that arose during the same period. This has been stressful for everyone involved — most importantly, for the dogs.
Given the Canadian Kennel Club’s regulatory role within the Canadian purebred-dog community, we, as the new member of this club approached its internal complaint process with the understanding that it could function, in part, as a mechanism for reviewing welfare-related concerns.
Unfortunately, once we raised these welfare concerns, the person reporting the concern increasingly became the subject of the process. Allegations against us — including criminal allegations concerning the possession of our dogs — became intertwined with the assessment of our motives, while the welfare concerns themselves moved further from the centre of the discussion.
Our CKC complaint concerning dog welfare and welfare-management practices has now reached the end of the internal process. The conclusion of that process does not, in itself, resolve the broader welfare questions that originally gave rise to the complaint.
Those technical issues are matters we will leave to the appropriate professionals as we consider what steps, if any, should follow.
We are sincerely grateful to those who were willing to take personal risks to contribute evidence, provide witness accounts, and share information relevant to the concerns raised. We also appreciate everyone who has followed this matter, asked questions, and continued to care about the safety and welfare of the dogs, helping to support a healthier culture of public awareness and accountability.
2_NEW SHOW Plan & Management
Current Clarification
No third party is authorized to show, handle, exhibit, transport, or publicly represent any dog bred, owned, or co-owned by Cumulus Shiba without our express written authorization. The clarification applies in particular to the following dogs that have not returned to us:
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Seiun No Shota Go (Shota) — Excused from the show ring due to an inappropriate physical condition as a adult male. Further details are unknown, and no subsequent update regarding his health status has been made available. - also have been re-named to different versions including "Peanut", "Mr. [ ]"
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Qi Yun Hua Ya (Yaya) — Current condition unknown, with no updated or accessible information regarding her health status.
Show Activities under CKC and Elsewhere
CKC Events
Our participation in Canadian Kennel Club events is primarily for training, breed promotion, public education, and selected breed-specific opportunities, such as National and Regional Specialty shows. Dogs entered in CKC events are handled exclusively by us.
CKC National Specialties 2026 Breed Specific show
Events Elsewhere
In Japan and Taiwan, our participation is focused primarily on Japanese native breed events, particularly NIPPO, where dogs are handled by family members. On limited occasions, we may also participate in all-breed events under FCI-affiliated Kennel Clubs; in those cases, dogs may be presented by qualified on-site professional handlers. NO off-site practices will allowed.
NIPPO - Japanese Breed Specific (6 breeds) exhibition
FCI ALl-BREED SHOW
3_Breeding Plan Updates
Breeding plans 2026 FALL
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All Fall breeding plans are designed in parallel, with Yamame as the sire across Azuki’s maternal line for red Shibas and Chai’s maternal line for sesame Shibas. This means the expected puppy outcomes may be relatively samilar in temperament and learnability, while coat color may vary between the different pairings.
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September 28 will be the final date for our decision regarding a potential move to Ontario. Accordingly, all breeding plans with an expected BOD before November will proceed as planned, while later breeding plans will be placed on hold until the relocation decision is finalized. Please email us about specific plan availability regarding the timeline.
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Timeline DOB (confirmed with availability):
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Sep: Guan (Azuki's maternal line) X Yamame
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Oct: Wanwan (Chai’s maternal line) X Yamame
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Puppies can be picked up or delivered by either the new family themself or us; NO 3rd-party transportation is accepted.
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Please see more information about puppy and how to proceed under our Puppy and Process & Price
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Pictures shows previous red/red sesames/black puppies related to these lineage for reference, please refer to OUR SHIBAS for more parents information.
Commitment & Breed Preservation
We do NOT follow the current CKC Shiba Inu standard. As a Japanese kennel with over 30 years of experience, our breeding decisions prioritize long-term health, moderation, and functional soundness over changing show trends.
↓ Learn About Our Preservation Commitment ↓
Breeding Framework
After evaluation, we chose not to follow the 2025 CKC Shiba Inu standard, as certain directions prioritize appearance and competitiveness over long-term health and functional soundness. We continue to breed strictly within the NIPPO framework, which we believe best preserves the Shiba Inu as a complete, resilient, and naturally functional breed.
Long-term Responsibility
Our responsibility extends to understanding and tracking our population over time — not just producing litters. Through careful placement, ongoing guidance, and long-term follow-up, we maintain continuity across generations. This long-term perspective allows us to make informed decisions that serve both individual dogs and the future of the breed.
OUR SHIBAS & OUR environment
Our Shiba are raised within a socially structured, interactive environment that reflects their origins as a native breed developed to live and learn within a canine group. Our dogs live in close daily interaction with both people and other dogs. Before entering any breeding program, each dog developing stability, clear boundaries, and the ability to guide younger dogs. Individuals with strong mentorship qualities and natural leadership aptitude may take on a kennel leader role, helping maintain structure and balance within the group. This system requires exceptionally stable dogs and clear rules, and it is how we preserve the Shiba Inu’s native temperament through responsibility, social learning, and lived experience.
CEO
HARUTA
Haruta serves as the CEO of the canine group, ensuring the kennel runs according to well-established house rules. She manages space, boundaries, and daily order — and everyone reports to her, whether they realize it or not.
The Grind Squad Manager
MOMOKO
Momoko leads the grind squad — our go-to dog for outings, travel, and public-facing activities. She keeps things calm, organized, and safe on the road, making sure every trip runs smoothly from start to finish.
Visual Representative
UMA
Uma is our visual representative and structural benchmark, showcasing the Shiba Inu’s ideal balance and movement. As the group’s morale booster and primary Meet the Breed ambassador, he brings clarity, confidence, and joy wherever he goes.
Puppy Education Manager
MUYOU
Known as our “kindergarten teacher,” Muyou is often the first adult male puppies encounter in their early education. Myou have finished his show and breeding jobs, now he introduces structure, gentle correction, and happy energy to help puppies learn how to exist confidently within a group.
K9 Nurse and Health Care Aid
Rae
By profession, Rae is a registered nurse; within the kennel, she serves as our canine-care lead. She oversees day-to-day health assessments, emergency response, monitoring, and long-term wellness tracking, bringing a careful and systematic approach to care.
The Photographer
Sameen
Sameen is responsible for the program’s photography and videography. With the support of experienced family members, she also oversees breeding plans and long-term preservation strategies, shaping the program with intention, restraint, and respect for the Shiba Inu as a native Japanese breed.
Across species socialization team
L & Q
L & Q were part of this household before our dogs ever moved to Canada. We respect their living space, routines, and boundaries. In return, they gently introduce our puppies to the feline species from the very beginning of their lives, helping our baby Shibas learn early how to behave like elegant, cat-ish little creatures.
SO, you want a puppy
Bringing a puppy home is an exciting step, but it also comes with real responsibility and change. We encourage families to take time to consider their lifestyle, daily routine, and readiness for the early adjustment period that every puppy goes through. As a preservation-focused breeder, we provide carefully raised puppies, honest guidance, and ongoing support — but successful placement depends on partnership, preparation, and shared responsibility.
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Things to Consider:
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Do you really want a Shiba as your breed?
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Is your home ready for a puppy?
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time management
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financial needs
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puppy blue
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Purchase process
MEET THE BREED NIPPO SHiBA INU PET EXPO (2025)
Thanks to everyone who dropped by our booth. We had a great weekend showcasing our beloved Shibas and answering all questions about this breed! It has been a pleasure to bring our shibas outside the show ring to the public, connecting this charming breed to a weekend family educational event like this.
Thanks to all who have supported us in making this event happen!
I summarize a list of questions that I received at MEET the BREED and updated on our website.
