Meet The Breeder

About the breeder and kennel 

I'm the breeder behind sierra ohkami kennel

My name is Michelle Gori.
I'm the Preservation Breeder of Sierra Ohkami Kennel. I live in Norther California (Contra Costa County) with my husband and teen son. I'm a Full-Time Mom, Photographer and Artist. I've been involved with Japanese breeds for more than 20 yrs, owning my first Shiba in 2000. I am passionate about these breeds and showing all that they are capable of. I have a close relationship with all my dogs. As Owner/Handler in the ring I've personally put multiple titles on my dogs in Conformation (showing). I've also put performance titles on my dogs in Fast Cat and hunting titles in Barn Hunt. In addition I've put working titles on multiple dogs as Certified Therapy Dogs working in the community. As Trainer/Handler of my Certified Therapy Dogs  I visit hospitals, schools and even courtrooms. I am most passionate about providing this type of volunteer work in my community. At the same time I am able to show the diversity of these Primitive breeds. It is the highest priority in my program to breed for Temperament and Type. To produce well rounded, healthy, beautiful puppies that thrive in various settings. Whether it be performing in the show ring, therapy work in hospitals, hiking  in the woods or relaxing at home with family. I strive to produce dogs that exemplify both AKC (American) and NIPPO (Japanese) standards. I adhere to guidlines and health testing recommendations as showing my breeding dogs have their *CHIC Numbers as well as being an AKC Bred With A Heart kennel. I am a member of the National Shiba Club of America, NIPPO (Nihon Ken preservation org in Japan) , Shiba Fanciers of Southern California (Regional Shiba Club) and Del Valle All Breed Kennel Club (pending). 
*Chic Numbers are issued to dogs by OFA showing that the dog's has had all health tests performed as recommended by the breed's National Parent Club.

How it all began: I bought my fist Shiba from Reputable Breeder, Ronna Fuller of Sierra Shibas out of Montana as a pet back in 2000. My next Shibas I received from a local Reputable California Breeder, she encouraged me to show and also offered to mentor me for the next several years. I put multiple titles on her dogs of Championship, Grand Championship and Bronze Grand Championship, International Champion and a Therapy Dog Certification. My next dogs I received from a wonderful Reputable Breeder in Mid-West. That partnership gave me an amazing opportunity to work with another Mentor from Japan and she shared a love of the Shikoku breed with me and helped me import my first Shikoku from Japan. Learning all aspects of these breeds and the care and whelping of puppies I put at the forefront. I have devoted many years to education and preparation before breeding my first litters. Although considered a newbie as a Breeder, I have the support, mentorship and recognition of some of the top Shiba Breeders in the U.S. My goals are to continue to strive to better my breeds, lines and import new lines of Shikoku to strengthen the genetic diversity and health of the breed.

my kennel and program

I am considered and Small Hobby Preservation Show Kennel. 
That means that all my dogs are my pets that live in my home. I do not have outdoor kennels or pens. Many times I use outside studs from other Reputable Breeder/Friends. Having this wonderful network of other breeders around me is a reflection of my good standing in the breed community. It also allows me to move my program forward by bringing a diversity of new genes in my lines. Having a small kennel does mean I only produce a few litters a year, but I am very involvded with those litters and puppy clients. My puppies are born and whelped in the home and I do ENS (Early Neurological Stimulation) and the Puppy Culture enrichment and developmental program. I involve my puppy clients with many aspects of the process and regularly share updates with photos, ultrasound and or x-rays and videos with clients waiting for their puppies. I thoughally allow my puppy clients to experience the whole process of their puppy coming into the world from conception to the day they go home. In some cases I'm able to video the birth and offer it for viewing.
I breed to move my program forward. I match and pair my dogs with pedigrees that will help me as I strive to breed my ideal Shiba and Shikoku in accordance to the standards. I consider aspects such as health, features, temperaments and color. I don't breed my dogs depending on what the puplic wants or is popular. I strive for my dogs to exemplify the NIPPO look, while also reflect the AKC standard and receive acolades in the ring. I register my litters in my AKC or NIPPO (or both) . I show my Shibas in AKC and NIPPO and show my Shikoku in AKC, UKC and IABCA dog shows (U.S. NIPPO shows on hold due to Covid since 2020).

(Image: Shikoku Dam (mother) in spare room tending to newborn puppies in her whelping pen set up.)

dedication to preservation

We at Sierra Ohkami go to great extents to preserve these beautiful and in the case of Shikoku very rare breeds. I have imported dogs from Japan and Europe. Just as these breeds are not meant for every pet owner, they are not meant for every breeder. Therefore, there is a small group of breeders of Shiba & Shikoku. With a smaller genepool, we have to work harder than breeders with more common breeds. I am proud to say I work with and have close relationships with many of the top Breeders in the US and some in Europe.

Breed and kennel clubs

Member of our Shiba parent club, National Shiba Club of America, The Nihon Ken Hozonkai (NIPPO), Japan, Shiba Fanciers of Southern California, Del Valle Kennel Club (Pending - all breed club). 