The Humans of Tenshaku Shiba Inu

Hello! We are Piper Leiper and Ariel Woodruff, twin sisters that have been captivated by the Shiba breed since 1998. We acquired our first Shiba in sixth grade, after an intensive research process aimed at finding a breed of dog that fit our family’s lifestyle and needs, while ensuring we could do the same for the dog. At a time when the internet was dialup, breeders did not have websites, and Shibas were largely unknown by the greater public, this was quite the task! A year-long research campaign resulted in our first puppy, San Jo Yuki Mai Tai. He sparked the beginning of a decades-long held ambition: to breed, handle, and own dogs that would be a credit and boon to Shiba Ken both inside and outside of the ring.

Shibas aren’t the only animals we work with, but the way we work with them is informed by what we do! We work professionally as zookeepers, training and caring for a diverse list of species across a wide range of taxa. From tapirs to tigers, clouded leopards to lemurs, we prioritize excellent husbandry, R+ training, strong behavioral observational skills, continued education, and the cultivation of awe. The animal comes before the ego!