How could you not fall in love with Rifle?  Even if you did not know that he is the sweetest dog on earth, that he loves all dogs, and every person that he has ever met.  That he has never chewed a piece of furniture, peed on the carpet, or dug out of the yard.  I do not believe that anyone could deny his beauty and correctness in type!  He exemplifies what an Akita should look like and what we as his breeders strive for in type.  He is unique, not only because of his dense and profuse velvet black coat, but also because he has admirers from both those who prefer and breed the Japanese type of Akita as well as the American Akita.

Rifle is quite the showman, and at just barely 10 months old, he competed and won the major and Best of Breed from the Bred By Exhibitor class and then went on and won a Working  Group 2 at a very large show with always a strong and political Working Group.  During his show career, Rifle won several Best of Breeds, and multiple Group placements!  Although retired now, we look forward to bringing him out next year as a veteran... where does the time go?

Sadly, we made the decision to say goodbye to our sweet, loving, gentle giant on December 17, 2004.  Twenty years would not have been enough time with you.  I am thankful that God blessed me with such a dog and friend.  Rifle was and will continue to be my inspiration in breeding Akitas.  Not just because of his beauty, but also because you could not ask for a sweeter dog.  I will miss wrapping my arms around your big neck and burying my face in your thick black fur... God I miss you!

We would like to say a big thank you to Daina Fox, who has provided us with most of the outstanding photographs of Rifle, and for her undeniable loyalty as one of Rifle's biggest fans!