Welcome to Paradise Akitas. Let me introduce myself and my Akitas. I grew up on a small family ranch so I have always been involved with animals in one way or another. Growing up my family had Labs and Pointers as well as a few horses. I saw my first Akita 14 years ago and was fascinated with its size and over-all appearance. That's when my love affair with the breed started.  I set out to find a breeder, not knowing about all the health questions that I should ask, and bought my first Akita. She was my best bud and a true friend, but, as it turned out, she was also dysplastic. This started my hunt to find a reputable breeder with a lot of experience, which led me to Ranchlake Akitas, where in 1993 I purchased my first show dog. With the guidance and support of Dorothy Warren I became hooked on a whole new world of the Akita. That was 11 years ago!

I have met many wonderful people who are also interested in this breed. I have shown and finished many of my own dogs with only one being shown by a handler from start to finish. I am a small kennel now located in Northern Idaho. I do not  breed frequently and when I do decide to breed a litter, it is something I have planned.  When a breeding takes place it's only to better my breeding program and to produce healthy, happy, sound Akitas with great temperaments. All of my puppies leave with health guarantees and solid Show/Companion contracts.

The biggest thrill I have had with my dogs was participating in a parade in Paradise, California.  It was the Johnny Appleseed Festival and my friend and I entered to promote our new dog grooming business.  I dressed Nash and Tonka in saddlebags and cowboy hats and Secret in a sun hat with feathers. There were thousands of people present and we all marched down Main Street together.  The dogs were a real hit!

Whether in the show ring or outside of it, I have always included my dogs in every part of my life. From fishing and hunting trips with CH Tonka, skiing the slopes of Tahoe with CH. Nash, or camping and hiking with the whole gang, I have tried to find activities that we can all enjoy. After all, that's what it is all about.