NOTICE: We have been informed of websites using our wording, content, and photos to sell puppies these people are scammers stealing photos and content. Please know this is our ONLY WEBSITE ADDRESSes for Dakine Shiba Inu's and Dakine Exotic Cats is  www.dakineexoticcats.com  :  www.dragonflyreiki.org   www.mainecoonexoticcats.com    or www.dakineshibainus.com  warning: Also local BYBs of both my breeds are also copying our wording, content, and info and what I stand for in my breeding practices as dogs being fulltime family and how I raise my pups to look like they are like me and are in-home legitimate breeders, visit, talk, the question you potential breeder. and most of all verify for  yourself~
Thank you,
T

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Welcome to Dakine Shiba Inus and Dakine Exotic Cats – Oregon

At Dakine, we are a small, passionate, and ethical hobby breeder based in Oregon, specializing in purebred Shiba Inu dogs, Maine Coon cats, Highlander (also known as Highlander Lynx) cats, and a unique hybrid of Maine Coon x Highlander Lynx. This particular cross produces stunning, exotic-looking cats known for their exceptional temperament and unique appearance.

We take great pride in the quality and temperament of our animals. Our Maine Coon cats include lines from the highly sought-after Gonsior lineage, and our Highlander cats are carefully selected for their strong features and gentle personalities.

In addition to our cats, we occasionally have Shiba Inu puppies available from our extremely limited breeding program. We currently have only four dogs and seven cats in our entire program. Our breeding is purposeful, with a strong focus on producing potential therapy animals, and we only breed when the timing and circumstances are right for the health and well-being of our animals.

Dakine is not a traditional cattery or kennel. We are a close-knit family operation involving myself, my children, and close friends who all contribute by lovingly raising and housing these exceptional companions. We are committed to cleanliness, structure, and most importantly, the mental and emotional wellness of our animals. This mission is deeply personal to me and stems in part from a life-changing head injury I sustained in a past car accident. It shaped my belief in the healing power of animals and the importance of doing things with intention, care, and compassion.

Please note: We place our Shiba Inu puppies and exotic kittens in homes that align with our values—prioritizing companionship, emotional support, and the joy these animals bring.

Thank you for considering Dakine as a source for your next exceptional furry companion.

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All of our Shiba Inu dogs and exotic cats—including Highlander (Highlander Lynx), Maine Coon, and Maine Coon x Highlander crosses—return to me when it’s time to give birth and raise their litters. This is my area of expertise and the heart of my program.

Although many of our animals live with their loving forever families, I personally select and oversee each breeding. I'm fortunate to be supported by a close network of friends and family, including my son, who share my passion for Shiba Inus, Maine Coons, and Highlander Lynx cats.

My focus is on raising well-socialized, well-tempered animals, with an emphasis on producing exceptional companions and potential therapy or support animals. I structure my program carefully to ensure all dogs and cats are raised in calm, focused environments—an approach grounded in years of studying animal behavior.

This is simply how I run my program—with care, purpose, and a deep commitment to the wellbeing of every animal involved.

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Our Mission

At Dakine, we operate on a very small scale, raising Shiba Inus with just four dogs and working with a trusted circle of friends and family who care for and co-own our seven exotic cats, including Maine Coons, Highlander Lynx, and Maine Coon x Highlander hybrids.

Please note: We are not a kennel or cattery. All of our animals are family members, raised in loving home environments. While crates and containment are used responsibly when necessary for health, safety, and litter management, our program is centered on care, not volume. Many small, ethical hobby breeders do not breed every year and are often misunderstood due to having a website or online presence.

Our Therapy Focus

Our core mission is to produce well-socialized animals suited for emotional support and therapy, especially for individuals with PTSD, anxiety, and other mental health conditions. Having personally experienced the long-term effects of a head injury, this work is not only meaningful to others—it’s therapeutic for me as well.

Each kitten and puppy is raised with intention, using my knowledge of animal behavior to ensure they are calm, confident, and capable of becoming excellent support companions. We believe deeply in the healing power of animals and only breed when the time and energy are right to give each litter the full attention it deserves.

About Dakine Shiba Inus & Exotic Cats

A Purpose-Driven Hobby Breeder in Oregon & Northern California

At Dakine, we are a very small, home-based hobby breeder dedicated to preserving and improving the Shiba Inu, Maine Coon, Highlander Lynx and dabble in the  Maine Coon x Highlander hybrid breeds. We do not operate as a kennel or cattery—all our animals are beloved family members raised in home environments, never in outdoor cages.

We carefully plan occasional litters based on time, health, and need—especially for those seeking emotional support or therapy animals. Our program exists not for profit, but out of passion, purpose, and healing. Following a life-changing head injury from a car accident, working with animals has become my own form of therapy. I have since devoted myself to producing animals with excellent temperaments, socialization, and companionship potential.

Our Philosophy & Program

• Only 4 Shiba Inu dogs and 6 exotic cats are in our entire breeding program.

• We collaborate with close friends and family who co-own or house our animals in loving homes. They are owned by and loved by these families.

• All animals return to me for whelping, raising, and early socialization.

• We do not mass-produce and only breed when we can give 100% of our time, energy, and care. So breedings and litters may be limited.

• Puppies and kittens are raised underfoot in our home—not in kennels—and are never available year-round.

• Therapy and support placements take priority, and we often reserve puppies/kittens for these homes.

Shiba Inu Focus: Health, Temperament, and Legacy

Our Shiba Inus come from top NIPPO Japanese lines, including AKC, UKC, and FCI champions. We breed to preserve the breed's structure, health, and temperament, not just for the show ring. A well-adjusted Shiba Inu you can live with is worth the wait.

We’ve also placed many Shibas in therapy, service, and seizure-detection roles. Our puppies are carefully socialized, and we remain committed to lifetime support for every family we place with.

Exotic Cat Breeds: Companionship with a Wild Look

We raise:

• Purebred Maine Coon cats

• Maine Coon x Highlander hybrids also have been known as the Pharoha cat.

These cats have exotic looks but loving, social, and pet-friendly temperaments. My son is also involved in the program and is a dedicated cat enthusiast—many of our cats are his companions.

Location & Travel Note

We are based in Eugene, Oregon, during summer and early fall. Due to severe arthritis and health issues, I snowbird to Redding, CA and Southern CA , from November through early February. As a result, pick-up in Redding is often available for winter and spring litters. We do not use dog parks due to disease risk and prefer safe, controlled environments.

Breeding for Purpose, Not Profit 

• Every breeding is intentional and driven by purpose, never volume.

• Litters are only produced when we can fully commit to raising exceptional companions.

• We prioritize special needs placements and retain puppies/kittens when needed for therapy or personal purposes. We donate many of our kids to this.

• We maintain lifelong breeder support—from health to training and education—for every animal placed.

Why Choose Dakine

• We are deeply committed to genetic health, temperament, and education.

• Our Shibas and exotic cats are well-socialized, raised with love, and suited for real families, not kennel-raised. All of our Cats are family, even our tomcat is part of our family, only caged when we travel. All cats are in a crate when we travel until we arrive at our destination for their safety.

• We take the time to get to know you, ensure a great match, and remain a resource for the life of your pet.

• Communication is a top priority—you can expect timely, thoughtful responses via phone, email, or text.

Final Note

We are not a business; these animals are my hobby and my passion—we are a family with a mission. Our animals are raised with intention, love, and purpose. Thank you for understanding the heart behind what we do.

For availability or more information, please reach out—we’re happy to share more about our program and upcoming plans.

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 Do you need an expert speaker va/Zoom NOTE I DO NOT DO IN PERSON>on dogs' behavior, training, and breeding? I have done many interviews and I'm available on  Skype and Zoom. I've done this for classrooms, 4h, studies, and as an expert speaker for events and clubs. Please feel free to inquire I do this to educate and donate my time to educate.  Note I can not do in person.

 

 NOTE: There are a lot of issues of slamming and cutthroat slander of breeders with this breed as far as Shiba Inu breeders and Siberian Husky /exhibitors trashing Shiba Inu and Siberian Husky breeders or exhibitors.
Know this: A good breeder will not talk nasty specifically about other breeders, but will give you things to look for in your breeder and try to help educate you about the breed you have chosen as for what to look for in a good breeder. A good breeder will only have a few select dogs and they will be part of the family and not a kennel-full. Only replacing and improving as needed to progress. These are the breeders breeding for hobby and love and not for money. They are not in it to mass produce for profit, but for a few select breeding of purpose, Therapy Service dogs, Work, etc. Having just a few dogs means this is a tighter breeding program, for they have only a few and they choose the best to have in a breeding program. 

NOTE: The dog world can be an extremely jealous group of people. They can be quick to judge, and state things about other breeders based on assumptions and jealousy (I know this firsthand being a show breeder for many years).  I have had many emails from people looking for Shiba Inus asking me about other breeders they have heard bad things about, wondering if it was true. I say this: know that someone is always going to talk about someone. It's just the nature of people. Sad but true. Please visit those breeders and judge for yourself. Ask questions and trust your gut.  The Movie Best In Show wasn't just thought up, it can seriously ring true of dog breeders to the point of cunning and cruel statements that are slander and often unproven. I love to show for bonding time for my dog and me, the show people I can seriously do without. Not that there aren't a few nice people who show. I felt I needed to address this due to all the emails I receive questioning what people have heard about other breeders in the surrounding areas and beyond. Take it with a grain of salt, and do your own educated homework. Many times the ones talked about are truly the good ones everyone wants to be.