Health & Ethics

Health Testing

At Furuisugi, health testing is not optional — it is the foundation of our breeding program. Every dog in our breeding program is evaluated by veterinary professionals for hereditary conditions relevant to the Shiba Inu breed before being considered for breeding.

The specific tests we perform, and the results for each of our dogs, will be confirmed and published here.

All health results are available to prospective puppy families. We believe in full transparency.

Ethical Breeding Philosophy

We breed for the love of the Shiba Inu, not for profit. Our breeding decisions are made with the next fifteen years in mind — the expected lifetime of a Shiba Inu. We breed only when we plan to keep a puppy from the litter for our own program, and only when we have homes lined up for the rest.

We do not breed our girls on every heat cycle. We limit litters to preserve the health and well-being of our mothers. Our dogs retire young and live out their lives as our pets.

Socialisation & Early Neurological Stimulation

From day three of life, our puppies begin Early Neurological Stimulation (ENS), a series of gentle exercises that have been shown to improve cardiovascular health, stress tolerance, and immune system function. As puppies grow, we introduce them to:

• New surfaces, sounds, and environments
• Children, adults, and other dogs
• Crate training and basic manners
• Leash walking and car rides
• Novel objects and challenges

By the time our puppies go home at eight to ten weeks, they are confident, curious, and ready to learn.

Why We Don't Mass-Breed

We produce one to two litters per year — sometimes none. This is intentional. Quality over quantity is not a slogan for us; it is our practice. Each litter receives our full attention, and each puppy is matched carefully to their family.

We do not sell to pet stores, brokers, or puppy mills. We do not ship puppies sight unseen. Every puppy goes to a carefully screened, loving home.

Lifetime Support

When you take home a Furuisugi puppy, you become part of our extended family. We are here for you for the lifetime of your dog — for questions, for advice, for help with training, and for celebration of milestones. If life circumstances ever change and you can no longer keep your Shiba, we will always take our dogs back, no questions asked.