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Thank you for your post.
This board is sponsored by Jeannine De Palma -FoxFire Farms Central Asians Shepherd dogs.
Mrs. De Palma a rescue advocate for over 30 years. Has stepped on quite few toes in her time.
Standing up for ethical breeding practices.
This has resulted in net stalking & fake rip off reports.
.
Posted by Admin on June 17, 2009, 10:00 am
Is this truly for the dog the breed or the ego of the owner?
Loyalty is not indicative of only show dogs
Gary man bases career around Japanese dog breed
Comments
June 17, 2009
BY JANIS MOORE Post-Tribune correspondent
The story of a dog's loyalty inspired Anthony Tyler to acquire Thor, his first Akita Inu, in 2004.
Tyler's inspiration was Hachiko, an Akita who lived in the 1920s and '30s in Japan and developed a strong loyalty to his owner, a professor.
If you go
* Just 4 Dogs is at 7861 Taft St., Merrillville.
* Anthony Tyler may be reached at (312) 286-6711.
"Every morning the dog followed his owner to the train and was waiting for the professor when he got off the train at 3 p.m.," Tyler said. "One day, the owner had a stroke and died, and never returned to the (station)."
Hachiko at first tried to return to his home, but when he found out his master was no longer there, he began returning to the suburban Tokyo train station at 3 p.m. to greet his master.
Tyler's experience with Thor has led the Miller resident to make dogs, particularly Akitas, his life's work.
After moving to the Miller area of Gary in January, Tyler walked into Just 4 Dogs, a grooming shop in Merrillville.
"Misti Labs, the owner, took me under her wing and gave me a job," Tyler said.
The fact that Thor is a long-coated Akita helped guide Tyler to that occupation.
"It is a genetic variable that requires a lot more grooming than a standard-coated Akita, so I was forced to learn how to groom just by owning Thor," Tyler said.
Thor is from the Double Take Ranch in California, owned by Beth Nemeth.
"Beth Nemeth has bred Akitas for 20 years," Tyler said. "She has been my mentor as I got started showing and breeding dogs."
Tyler established Hachiko Legacy Akita Kennels in late 2007, when he acquired quality breeding stock from Missouri and Michigan.
"I strive to preserve the Akita standard, which is the written blueprint of what a purebred dog is supposed to look like, rather than breed toward whatever trends are currently in favor in the show ring," he said.
The Akita is a beautiful and intelligent breed, Tyler said, but it absolutely is not for everyone.
"They are aggressive to other dogs, and their problem-solving skills are almost frightening," Tyler said. "If, however, you are qualified to own one, they can be a very rewarding breed."
Tyler purchased his first show dog in 2005 and entered the show ring in 2007.
He has had limited success so far but remains ambitious.
"Before I die, I want to go Best of Breed at Westminster (Kennel Club dog show)," he said. "I want the big ribbon at the (Madison Square) Garden. It's the pinnacle of showing dogs."
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We cannot control the evil tongues of others; but a good life enables us to disregard them.
Cato the Elder (234 BC - 149 BC)
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