The Chow Chow That Started It All

By Laura | Hoku Kennels

A Little About Me

My name is Laura, and Chow Chows have been a part of my life for as long as I can remember.

My journey with this incredible breed began when I was nine years old. That was the year I was given my very first Chow Chow, a beautiful red smooth-coated girl named Sasha.

Looking back, I don't think I could have known just how much that one dog would change the course of my life.

Sasha wasn't just my dog. She was my best friend, my shadow, my protector, and often the only constant I could truly count on. Life wasn't always easy growing up. There were many difficult times, hardships, and moments when it felt like I was facing the world alone. Through all of it, Sasha was there.

She never judged.

She never left.

She was simply there when I needed her most.

For anyone who has ever had that one special dog who carried them through their darkest days, you'll understand exactly what I mean.

The Dog That Captured My Heart

It was through Sasha that I fell completely in love with the Chow Chow breed.

Like many people, I was first drawn to their stunning appearance. Their lion-like mane, bear-like face, and dignified presence make them unlike any other breed in the world.

But as I grew older, I discovered there was so much more beneath the surface.

Chow Chows are intelligent.

They are loyal.

They are independent.

They are deeply devoted to their families.

Their affection is not given freely to everyone. It is earned, and that makes it all the more meaningful.

Over the years, my admiration for the breed only grew stronger. No matter where life took me, Chow Chows remained a part of it.

Why I Became a Breeder

People often ask me why I chose to become a breeder.

The answer is actually very simple.

I wanted other families to experience the same joy that Sasha brought into my life.

There is something truly special about sharing your home, your heart, and your life with a Chow Chow. For their brief but beautiful 12 to 15 years, they become family. They are there for the celebrations, the milestones, the quiet evenings, and the difficult moments.

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

Every puppy born here will become someone's best friend. Someone's companion. Someone's heart dog.

Just like Sasha was mine.

Preserving an Ancient Breed

As I became more involved in the Chow Chow world, I also began noticing things that concerned me.

I saw poorly bred dogs struggling with health issues that could have been prevented through responsible breeding practices.

I saw dogs with shortened lifespans.

I saw breeders prioritizing profit over preservation.

I also witnessed a growing trend of introducing other breeds into Chow Chow bloodlines solely to create trendy colors or unique appearances. While these dogs may be marketed as Chow Chows, altering the genetics of one of the oldest dog breeds in history simply to chase trends was never something I wanted to be a part of.

The Chow Chow has existed for thousands of years.

Its history deserves to be respected and preserved.

That is one of the reasons I developed a passion for breeding blue and cream Chow Chows. These beautiful colors are recognized within the breed standard and allow families who love the softer dilute-colored appearance to enjoy those colors while still preserving the integrity of a true Chow Chow.

Health Always Comes First

While beautiful color and structure are important, health will always come first at Hoku Kennels.

Every breeding dog undergoes extensive health testing before ever being considered for our breeding program.

Our health testing includes:

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

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

My goal is never simply to produce puppies.

My goal is to produce healthy, structurally sound, well-socialized Chow Chows that families can love and enjoy for years to come.

The Mission Behind Hoku Kennels

Everything we do at Hoku Kennels is guided by one mission:

To preserve, protect, and improve the Chow Chow breed while producing healthy, beautiful companions that remain true to the breed's historic purpose, temperament, and heritage.

Every litter is carefully planned.

Every pairing is thoroughly researched.

Every decision is made with the long-term future of the breed in mind.

Because preserving an ancient breed is both an honor and a responsibility.

Thank You For Joining Our Journey

Everything at Hoku Kennels started with a little red smooth-coated Chow Chow named Sasha.

Without her, there would be no Hoku Kennels.

She was the dog that helped me through some of the hardest periods of my life. She taught me loyalty, companionship, resilience, and unconditional love. More than anything, she gave me a lifelong passion for a breed that continues to inspire me every single day.

Every puppy born here carries a small piece of that legacy forward.

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

I hope you'll follow along as I continue sharing stories, education, puppy adventures, and occasional chaos here in Diary of a Mad Chow Breeder.

🐾 Laura
Owner, Hoku Kennels

"Preserving the Past. Protecting the Future. Sharing the Joy."