CJ's Sho-Me Akitas was founded by Barbara Lawson in 1989... over 30 years ago!

Originally the kennel name was simply "CJ's Akitas" (the initials of Barb's children's first names; Casey and Josh. The Sho-Me (because we live in the Show-Me state) was added several years later to separate us from another kennel that started using the CJ's name.

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Barb didn't always have time to go to a lot of shows while raising 2 children, working a full time job, etc. but she went as often as possible, spent countless hours reading Akita World magazines, researching pedigrees, the AKC standard, etc. and educating herself through books, speaking with others and good old fashioned experience. After many years she went relatively inactive for a few years and basically lost a lot of her foundation bloodlines but about 12 years ago Barb and her daughter Casey began working together to build a program back up.  

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We usually make it to one or two shows each month and handle all of our own dogs. 

We typically have 1-2 litters a year. We pride ourselves on being ethical breeders and have always done our best to raise beautiful, well rounded, happy Akitas and carefully place them into well fitting, loving homes. All pet puppies are sold with a 2 year health guarantee on LIMITED registration WITH a spay/neuter contract AFTER a home application is approved. We also require any puppy/dog from us that can not be kept for whatever reason at any point is returned to us so they do not end up in a bad home or a shelter.

Our puppies are raised in our homes. We limit taking them out to stores and such until they have all of their puppy shots at 16 weeks but they are socialized by family and friends who visit, going to the vet, etc. They are usually at least started on leash training, crate training and possibly sit and down commands. 

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All of our dogs pass OFA tests at the minimum before being bred. Most are at least AKC pointed. If they do not pass their OFA tests, they are not bred. They are either placed into approved pet homes or they live out their lives with us. We do NOT; never have & never will; sell our dogs to breeding operations, puppy mills, or just anyone. We care immensely for every puppy we raise and are extremely picky about where they go.