Shiba Inu Kennel in Isernia: Why We Chose Molise
Shinjukawa Kennel is a Shiba Inu kennel based in Isernia, in the heart of Molise. Since 2010 we have selected this Japanese breed with a precise criterion: every breeding dog must be a certified beauty champion and have passed tests to exclude hereditary diseases and temperament flaws. In over fifteen years of activity our dogs have won more than 134 titles among Italian, international and breed specialty shows. We are affiliated with ENCI and recognised by the FCI.
A Kennel in Molise: the Territory That Makes the Difference
Those looking for a Shiba Inu kennel in Italy rarely think of Molise. Yet it is precisely the territory that makes the difference in the quality of selection.
Isernia is a small town, surrounded by hills and open countryside. Our dogs live in a quiet and unspoiled environment, far from the noise and urban density of big cities. For the Shiba Inu — a breed that needs sensory stimuli but not chaos — this means growing up in ideal conditions: open spaces to run, clean air, natural rhythms.
The Molise climate, with cold and snowy winters, is surprisingly close to that of the Japanese regions where the Shiba originates. This is not an aesthetic detail: the Shiba’s coat, with its double layer (harsh guard hair and dense undercoat), develops better in climates with a real thermal excursion between seasons. A kennel on the plain or on the coast does not offer the same conditions.
Contrada Tiegno, where our kennel is located, is a rural area on the outskirts of Isernia. The dogs have a large garden at their disposal that allows them to give vent to their hunting instincts safely, and each puppy grows socialised in a family context — not in a shed.
Our Selection: Only Certified Champions
The founding principle of Shinjukawa is simple and non-negotiable: every breeding dog must be a beauty champion. We do not use subjects without titles, regardless of their genealogy or appearance. The championship title is not a trophy to show off: it is the confirmation, by specialised and independent judges, that the subject conforms to the breed standard.
Added to this is a complete health protocol. Each of our breeding dogs is tested to exclude the main hereditary diseases and temperament tests. Since 2025 we have adopted the MyDogDNA panel (Genoscoper/Wisdom Panel, spin-off of the University of Helsinki), more than 240 tests covering hereditary diseases, inbreeding coefficient, genetic diversity and line compatibility. This is not optional: it is the minimum basis for responsible breeding.
Our approach to genetics has also led us to collaborate with the world of research. In 2022 we provided biological samples and genealogical data for the study published in Veterinary Sciences (MDPI) entitled “ASIP Promoter Variants Predict the Sesame Coat Color in Shiba Inu Dogs” — a research that clarified for the first time the genetic mechanism behind the red sesame coat, one of the most elusive in the breed.
→ Discover our selected breeding dogs
The Colours of the Shiba Inu
The Shiba Inu has four colours recognised by the standard: red, sesame, black and tan and white (the latter admitted in Japan but not in FCI shows).
Red is the most common colour and the one most people associate with the Shiba. Black and tan is less common but equally spectacular, with a precise pattern of tan points that must respect specific proportions. Sesame is the rarest and most misunderstood: it is not simply a “dirty” red, but a coat with a precise distribution of banded hairs on a red background, determined by a specific genetic combination (the diplotype VP2-HCP1/VP2-HCP3 of the Ays allele of the ASIP gene).
At our kennel we work mainly with red and sesame subjects, and we have actively contributed to the scientific understanding of the latter colour.
→ Learn more: The genetics of sesame → Learn more: The pinto coat in the Shiba
Adopting a Puppy from Shinjukawa
Adopting a puppy from our kennel is not an online purchase. It is a journey that begins with direct contact — a phone call, a WhatsApp message, an email — in which we get to know each other.
How it works:
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First contact: it is an informal interview to get to know each other better, family, work, spaces, experience with dogs and your expectations regarding the new member of the family. If the interview is satisfactory for both, you can reserve one of our puppies.
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Waiting list: our litters are planned well in advance trying to reconcile selection needs and your requests. We don’t “produce” puppies so we don’t always have immediate availability. Booking allows us to plan and gives you a reasonable certainty of having your requests met.
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Handover and support: each puppy is handed over with health booklet, microchip, at least 2 vaccinations, ENCI pedigree, and health certificate. Our support does not end with delivery: we remain available for the entire life of the dog.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do you ship puppies?
Only if necessary via a trusted carrier of ours. Usually it is delivered in person at your home or halfway. The first meeting between the puppy and its new family always takes place in our presence. In this way we make the transition sweeter and we can give you the necessary advice in person.
How to get on the waiting list?
If the telephone interview has been satisfactory, we ask for a small deposit as proof of the commitment you are making. We do not accept more than 3 reservations per litter and you will immediately know your position.
How long do I have to wait for a puppy?
During the interview you will be informed of our mating programme. Usually waiting times range from 5 to 8 months for delivery. Contact us to find out the current situation.
→ More questions about the Shiba Inu breed
Contact Us
Shinjukawa Kennel is located in C.da Tiegno, 86170 Isernia (IS). For information, visits or reservations contact us at +39 320 423 4365 or write us via email or WhatsApp. We are open by appointment from Monday to Saturday.
