The breeder

Like many others, I got to know Akitas through the anime Silver Fang when I was a kid. The breed has always fascinated me with its uniqueness, and they are, of course, incredibly beautiful dogs. However, I lived in an apartment for a long time, and during my studies, I felt that I wouldn’t have time for a large dog.

I’ve previously had chihuahuas, Pippin and Masa, placed with me from Leena Eisto (Kennel Taivaanlinna). Leena also breeds Akitas, and through her, I really got to know the breed and realized that I definitely want one as soon as life allows!

My first Akita came to me in 2018, a Belarusian import named Mikai. Mikai came to me at 9 months old as a rehomed dog, and we had to walk a very rocky road to find common ground and turn her into a well-behaved citizen.

Although our early days with Mikai were challenging, I still had the feeling that this was my breed. The very next year, Leena’s first Akita litter was born, and one cold February night, I received a message that a brindle female was born for me. Seven weeks later, I brought Hito home. Hito is my lifeline, the dog, my soul dog. I don’t know how I will manage when she eventually passes away; I get teary-eyed just writing this.

Hito's first litter arrived in 2021. From that litter, I kept Miyo. A small and feisty pocketrocket. Miyo is both annoying and wonderful; she knows exactly how to pull the right strings when she wants something—she's way too smart. She’s her own version of Houdini, opening locks, crates, dog gates, and doors. Nothing seems to stop her. On the other hand, Miyo can also be incredibly lovable and sweet, curling up like a little cuddlebug. She enjoys being around people and will definitely warm your toes or be your sidekick.

In January 2023, we got Mana, the charming Czech girl with a striped coat. Mana was 7 months old when she arrived in Finland, and I was a bit nervous about what kind of girl I’d meet at the airport. Mana is absolutely adorable. She has a really lovable and sweet nature, loves everyone she meets, and you can definitely count on her to be a friend. Mana and Miyo are like two peas in a pod, which is quite a miracle since there’s only a 7-month age difference between them.

And let’s not forget our little Thai treasure, Haya.

Haya was a dream come true when, in 2020, in the midst of the early chaos of COVID-19 and the lockdown, she arrived to Finland from Belgium.

In addition to Akitas, I had dreamed of either a Thai Bangkaew Dog or a Korean Jindo. I found a nice breeder and an interesting combination, which resulted in Haya.

Haya has a truly funny and unique personality—there’s never a dull moment with her. She has her own quirks that even I sometimes struggle to understand. On one hand, she is almost neurotically obsessed with routines, and on the other, she’s a carefree and easygoing type.

Haya is Anssi’s little darling, and she is absolutely his dog. Haya follows Anssi’s thoughts like clockwork—they are an inseparable duo.

There were hopes for Haya to have puppies, but she never became pregnant. Since spring, she has been experiencing strange hair loss with no found cause, despite multiple examinations. Because of this, all breeding plans were set aside, and now she gets to continue her very spoiled life as the center of attention—a true princess.

Hello!

My name is Krista Ylikulju, and I live with my dogs and fiance in Ulvila, Finland. Currently, we have four Akitas and a Thai Thai Bangkaew Dog at home. I work as a customer advisor, which means I sit at a computer and chat on the phone all day and night. I take photograph whenever I get the chance, mostly dogs, unsurprisingly.

I am on the board and breeding committee of the Finnish Akita Association since 2024.
I completed a breeder’s course in March 2021 and received my kennel name in July 2021.

Dogs have always been close to my heart; I grew up around dogs in my childhood, and the dream of breeding dogs started at a very young age.
My first own dog was a Border Collie named Jekku. I got Jekku in May of 2010. She was the cutest little fluffball, who grew into an infuriating but lovely, stubborn, and goofy dog. Jekku was everything but a typical Border Collie in temperament, as she had no desire to please, and her only motivation for doing anything was food. Perhaps that’s why Akitas didn’t feel strange to me at first. Jekku taught me a lot about the quirks of dogs, which I’ve only really understood in hindsight. Jekku lived to be 13 years old, and now she is a star in the sky, where arthritis no longer bothers her.