Frequently Asked Questions

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The average weight of a female is between 70-100 and males average between 90-130.

They do.  This is Mel- that question always makes me laugh.  I was SUPER! worried about my ability to cope with the hair of one Akita, let alone 3, who live in the house alongside of us! As part of our investment when we got the puppies, we purchased a robot vacuum/mop.  We aren't sponsored, but should be!, because we use it daily, and recommend it to EVERYONE!!  Honest to goodness, anyone who visits would never guess we have 3 sheddy dogs- which is why we get asked that all the time!  One other note on their fur-  when they shed it's unlike a labrador for instance;  it comes out in tufts that can easily be picked up.

There are two recognized breeds – the Japanese Akita Shiba Inu and the American Akita though both have the same origins from Japan.  While the Akita usually stands anywhere between 24 and 48 inches tall, the Shiba Inu stands at around 13 to 17 inches.  And as far as weight is concerned, Akitas can weigh between 70 to 130 pounds while the Shiba Inu only weighs up to 23 pounds.  American Akitas are known for their big, blocky heads and are often lovingly referred to as 'Bears'.

Though we are in Illinois, Edwardsville is actually much closer to St. Louis, Missouri.  We are located about 40 minutes from St. Louis Lambert International Airport and you can see the Arch from our exit.

We FULLY understand what it is like when you find your dream dog, it's available to become YOURS, and then you find out that it is a GREAT distance away (we drove 15 hours each way to get Gia). We feel so fortunate to be centrally located in the United States and we are hopeful that our location enables more people greater access to obtaining our puppies.  We are willing to meet part way for an agreed upon fee to cover gas but we highly encourage families to come here if they are able so that they can meet the parents and see the other siblings.  We are 35 mins from STL Lambert International Airport and are happy to meet you at the airport with your baby, however proof of a companion pass must provided. Our puppies are not to be shipped in cargo and health guarantee will be void.  Puppies may be couriered to you by us- so that we can meet you in person and deliver your puppy to you in his or her healthiest, HAPPIEST, self!  We will not ship unattended puppies.

We would love NOTHING more than for you to meet the puppies and our adult crew.  We are so proud for them to meet new people and love getting to know other dog lovers.  Please reach out and we'd be happy to set up a time for you to stop by for a visit!

Puppies need to be 8 weeks old before they leave our care.  Our Mommas begin weaning them around 4-5 weeks and they are eating solid kibble for a few weeks before they leave our care.  At times, we have had families travel great distances for our babies and because of the travel or the holidays happening around the time of homecoming, some have not picked up until 12-13 weeks. We are happy to keep the babies extra time to ensure that things are settled and ready for them in their new homes.  These options may be discussed as needed - depending on the length of time,  the training protocols that you wish to be started, etc. a weekly fee beyond 8 weeks may apply.  

 Puppies come home with all shots, wormings, a week of food to transition, and a bag of goodies to help ease their transition into their new home.  They are fully registerable with the AKC (we do not limit their registration).  

 We determine price based on the litter composition and markings.  Please contact us and we will be happy to share a very close ballpark that can be anticipated depending on previous litters, which parents have been bred, etc.

After we’ve had a chance to meet (in person or via FaceTime), and we have all agreed that moving forward with your family through the adoption process is in fact, a great fit- we collect a $300 deposit to hold your position of choice in the litter. That fee will be applied towards the total adoption fee and the final amount is due at 8 weeks when they are ready to go home.   

If you'd like to set something up to chat, text my Husband -Ritchey at 6182509009 or myself at 3304205563 (you can inquire here and we will respond- we just don't see these messages as easily or quickly as we do texts). We look forward to meeting you soon!

 We conduct interviews to get to know you and to offer an opportunity for you to meet us and our crew via FaceTime or in person! We like to get to know you, see where the baby will live, meet cannine siblings already in the home, and to see the yard/space where your new addition will spend his/her freetime.  We love to show our crew off and to have you meet them so that you can see their personalities and how they live, and to find out more about our family and to ask any questions that you have to determine whether you are interested in moving forward.