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The Beginnings
My name is Ali, and I have been involved in the dog fancy since 2007. Showing, training, and trialing dogs has been a passion of mine since childhood, leading me to become a dog breeder in 2023.
Like many, I started out with a not-so-responsibly bred Shiba. Lola grew too tall to be shown, and came registered with an illegitimate registry. Because of this, she was not able to be shown in anything other than performance events and juniors. Lola became my first juniors dog, and was less than friendly to judges when they attempted to examine her.
Not long after attempting to show Lola in juniors, my first well-bred Shiba found his way into my life. Troy (CH Mogollon's Trojan Horse) became a wonderful partner for me in juniors and conformation.
I continued to dabble in Rally and Agility with Lola, eventually getting my first Rally Novice title with her. We never did trial in agility, as Lola had no interest in actually being an agility partner (she would rather complete the courses herself, as she pleased).
Towards the end of my time in juniors, I ended up dipping my toes into the world of Collies. Though I co-owned one on paper, I didn't actually acquire my own Collie until 2019.
Despite getting an early start in the dog world, nobody in my family was active in dog sports or shows. I owe that beginning to the unending supply of library books on dogs that I checked out, my supportive (and often confused by this whole thing) grandparents, and the retirement town that I grew up in.
Photo of myself and CH Mogollon's Trojan Horse "Troy" at the 2010 National Shiba Club of America specialty in juniors.
About Alcyone Collies & Shibas
Why Alcyone?
Alcyone is the brightest star in the Pleiades star cluster. While I do enjoy stars and stuff, the real reason Alcyone was my chosen kennel name is a bit more silly.
The Pleiades star cluster also shows up on the Subaru logo, with the biggest star on the logo being Alcyone. Since my husband and I met at a car meet and I have an affinity for "collecting" stray Subaru cars, it was a fitting label for my preservation breeding program. Further excuses for choosing this name include: I grew up with a Japanese dog breed and Subaru is a Japanese car brand; Stars are pretty neat; You get the point.
It's also just a pretty word!
Why Collies & Shibas?
Collies and Shibas are not exactly what most people would choose as two breeds to
coexist in a singular household, much less two breeds to show and breed simultaneously.
So why the heck would I do this to myself?
Both breeds played a part in my upbringing. Shibas taught me about myself and about patience and persistence. Growing up, I got to watch the Shiba temperament improve through thoughtful breeding decisions, and I always knew that I wanted to be part of that when my life allowed.
Collies came to me a bit later in life, and in a bit of a different way. One of my high school friends owned and showed Smooth Collies, and I was fascinated by the breed and their willingness to work with people. Closer to adulthood, one of my neighbors passed away and her dog stuff was given to me (being that I was the token neighborhood weird dog girl). Within her dog items were several Collie trinkets and a CCA keychain from the 70s. Though I ended up giving the bulk of the Collie themed items to my Collie junior friend, I felt that this was kind of a weird sign to get more involved in this breed.
I like to say that the Collies help build my confidence, reassure me, while Shibas remind me to keep myself in check and remain humble.
Not my car!
A photo of Huck with a vintage Subaru van at the Old School Reunion car show in Western Washington.
Alcyone Breeding Philosophy
Overarching values at Alcyone Collies & Shibas:
Puppy Culture & Early Developmental Skills
I use Puppy Culture frameworks to help guide my puppies through age-appropriate developmental and social skills. My goal is to give my puppies the foundation for the confidence and resilience to grow into capable members of their homes and communities.
Health Testing
Health testing is important to my program as a tool to guide breeding decisions and in efforts to better my respective breeds. For Collies. I maintain my membership for the Collie Health Foundation to remain looped into health testing improvements and research. Shibas, as a fairly healthy breed overall, I continue to test to maintain the reputation of health that they currently have.
Breed Standards
For both breeds, their respective breed standards are important for my program to follow. Without those written standards and the shows in which they are based upon, breed type and important traits would be lost. Remaining in touch with the breed standards for my breeds is a very important part to preserving both breeds.
Thoughtful & Responsible Placement
As mentioned in my FAQ, I do not let prospective puppy buyers choose their puppies. It is my responsibility as a breeder to get to know each puppy and evaluate their development and temperaments to match them with the best home possible. Ideally, this means matching couch potatoes with homes that desire such a dog, and matching higher energy and higher drive puppies with owners that are looking for a dog that suits an active lifestyle.
As breeding is not my source of income, finding the right home is the most important part of placing puppies. I work a regular full-time office job to help pay for the dogs, as opposed to having the dogs pay for my lifestyle!
Support for Life
Regardless of the stage of life a puppy I have placed is in, they are always welcome to come back. In fact, I have a clause in each contract that requires puppies be returned to me if they are ever to be re-homed.
Along with the above, I am also always willing to answer any questions about the dogs that I produce and place at any point in a puppy's life. Have a concern after a week of bringing puppy home? Please don't be afraid to ask! Facing difficult life changes 10 years after bringing home your puppy? Reach out! I brought them into this world deliberately, it is the least I can do.
