About Hoku Kennels

Meet Laura

When people ask me how I got started with Chow Chows, the answer is simple.

It all began with a beautiful red smooth-coated Chow Chow named Sasha.

I was only nine years old when Sasha came into my life, and looking back now, I can honestly say that she changed the course of my life forever.

Like many people, I thought I was simply getting a dog.

What I didn't realize was that I was gaining a best friend, a constant companion, and the beginning of a lifelong passion that would eventually become Hoku Kennels.

The Dog That Started It All

Growing up wasn't always easy.

Like many people, I faced challenges, hardships, and periods in life where I often felt very alone. Through all of it, Sasha was there.

She was my shadow.

My comfort.

My confidant.

My loyal companion through every stage of childhood and beyond.

She never judged me.

She never turned her back on me.

She was simply there, day after day, offering the kind of unconditional loyalty that only a truly special dog can give.

Anyone who has ever had that one extraordinary dog in their life understands exactly what I mean.

Sasha wasn't just my first dog.

She was the dog that made me fall completely in love with the Chow Chow breed.

Why Chow Chows?

Over the years I have owned, loved, and lived with Chow Chows, and my admiration for the breed has only grown stronger.

Yes, they are beautiful.

Yes, they have that unmistakable lion-like appearance.

But what truly captured my heart was their character.

Chow Chows are intelligent, loyal, independent, and deeply devoted to the people they love. They carry themselves with a quiet dignity unlike any other breed I have ever encountered.

They are not dogs that try to win the approval of every person they meet.

Their trust is earned.

Their loyalty is earned.

And once you have it, it is something incredibly special.

Why I Became a Breeder

As I spent more time around the breed, I realized I wanted other families to experience the same joy that these dogs had brought into my own life.

A Chow Chow is not simply a pet.

For 12 to 15 years they become a member of your family.

They share in your happiest moments.

They comfort you during difficult times.

They leave a lasting impact long after they are gone.

Being able to help create those relationships for other families is one of the greatest rewards of breeding.

Preserving An Ancient Breed

The Chow Chow is one of the oldest dog breeds in the world.

Its history stretches back thousands of years, and I believe that heritage deserves to be preserved and respected.

Over the years I have seen many wonderful examples of the breed.

I have also seen dogs affected by poor breeding practices, preventable health issues, and breeding decisions that prioritize trends over the long-term future of the breed.

At Hoku Kennels, my focus is on preservation, health, temperament, and quality.

While I have a special love for blue and cream Chow Chows, color is never my primary focus.

My goal is to produce beautiful dogs that remain true to the breed's history, structure, temperament, and purpose.

Our Commitment To Health

Health is the foundation of every breeding decision made at Hoku Kennels.

All breeding dogs undergo extensive health testing, including:

• OFA Hip Evaluations
• OFA Elbow Evaluations
• OFA Cardiac Testing
• OFA Thyroid Testing
• OFA Eye Examinations
• OFA Patellar Luxation Evaluations
• Degenerative Myelopathy (DM) Testing
• Comprehensive Embark DNA Testing

These evaluations allow us to make informed, responsible breeding decisions and work toward producing healthy puppies for future generations.

Our Mission

My mission is simple:

To preserve, protect, and improve the Chow Chow breed while producing healthy, beautiful, well-socialized companions that remain true to the breed and bring joy to the families who welcome them into their homes.

Every litter is carefully planned.

Every breeding decision is made thoughtfully.

Every puppy is raised with love, care, and a deep respect for the remarkable breed that inspired this journey.

Thank You For Visiting

Without a little red smooth-coated Chow Chow named Sasha, Hoku Kennels would not exist.

Everything started with her.

Today, that passion continues through every dog, every litter, and every family that becomes part of the Hoku Kennels story.

Thank you for taking the time to learn more about me, my dogs, and the mission behind Hoku Kennels.

I am honored to share my love of this incredible breed with you.

❤️🐾

Laura
Owner & Preservation Breeder
Hoku Kennels