About Grand Vista Akitas
Our names are Scott and Marian Heald. We live on a small 10 acre family farm in Montrose on the western slope of Colorado with our 3 children, Mariah, Sierra and Dakota. Our activities range from vegetable gardening, raising pigs, cows, chickens, turkeys, horses, and of course Akitas. Our 5 year plan is to open a pet hotel and spa. Sierra would like to become a veterinarian and continue with the love and care of all animals.
Our family is devoted to our beautiful Akita's as well as all of God's creatures and to all of those who live here with us.
Fifteen years ago, on a country walk outside of Flagstaff, Arizona, two dogs crossed our path with their people in tow. We were awestruck! We had to ask what the breed of these dogs were; they were so majestic! ‘Akita' we were told. Smitten can not even begin to describe how we were affected.
As we read and researched about the Akita, we knew this was the dog we must come to know, love and respect. We never get tired of learning, reading about, or talking to people about the wonderful world of the Akita.
Our first Akita came to us several years later as a foster dog. She was five years old and her name was Cosmo. She so quickly became a part of our family I could not remember a time when she was not with us. In the 9 months that Cosmo lived with us she cared for our small children, she guarded our apartment and shared space on the couch; all without questions or expectations.
In 2002 we moved to Grand Junction, Colorado and bought our first house. As the last nails were going in to the fence around the backyard, phone calls and emails were going out in search of the perfect Akita.
After traveling 350 miles one way, we met the 8 week old Akita that would change our lives forever. In the next few days it became clear our family had been blessed in ways that could only be imagined. Tyberius did not need to be taught how to check on our kids while we slept—he volunteered for that job and did it without ever being asked. He was smart beyond his years, always eager to learn new things, go new places, and meet new people. He also had an incredible desire to learn the English language. He always greeted us with a sentence of his very own that sounded a lot like, “WOW! It's great to see you! What are we going to do today?â€
Tyberius is our foundation and his characteristics are what we look for in all of our puppies. We have been breeding the Akita for going on 8 years now and through careful selection have staffed two fine stud males and 3, soon to be four, beautiful females we use for breeding. Our breeding is very controlled and very limited so as to promote and enhance the breed, not exploit it. We have three generations on site and with our next planned breeding we will have the 4th generation to carry on the Akita tradition.
There will be an Akita in our family for generations to come!
We are so enamored with the breed that is held in such high regard in Japan. Once you own/care for an Akita, you can't go back to another breed. They are such a wonderful treasure and we are extremely happy that we can share this gift with others. We look forward to talking Akita with you.
If it isn't Akita, it's just a dog!
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About the Akita Breed
The Akita has its wolf-spitz roots in the country of Japan. The Akitas' remote ancestors became identifiable by about 500 BC and you can trace the Akita-Inu as a distinct type of canine through over 300 years of written records. In the 1100's the Akita was bred with a Mastiff line specifically for dog fighting. This unsavory behavior continued for 800 years until dog fighting finally became illegal. The Akita's development is associated the Akita Prefecture in the northern part of Japan. More specifically, the breed is closely connected to a particular town called Odate City, also known as “dog cityâ€. The remoteness of this area led to a several hundred year isolation and development of the Akita until the 14th century. With the introduction of Christianity in the 15th century came the influence and cross-breeding of “European†breeds. With the “new†blood lines infused in, the Akita became what it is today.
Some Akitas were trained to hunt and take down bears. A select few were chosen to guard the emperor's palace. Very early in their history, Akitas were assigned as childcare providers while mom and dad went to work in the fields.
Helen Keller was so intrigued with the breed during a visit in 1937 she was offered an Akita of her very own. Kamikaze was his name and she was smitten. She owned several more Akitas during the balance of her life. It was believed that she was the first American to have an Akita on US soil.
During World War II the Akita as a breed was almost wiped out as there were only 16 known living specimens. Due to the hardships of war, the Akita was used as a soldier, clothing source and also an occasional meal. If not for a small handful of dedicated dog lovers, the Akita would not be on earth to bless your life today. If you get a chance to read “Dog Man†it documents the great struggle to save the breed from extinction. American servicemen also feel in love with the Akita and brought a handful home with them after the war.
In the overall process of evolutionary development, the Akita, as a recognized breed, is a new kid on the block. AKC first recognized the Akita in 1955 and was placed into the Miscellaneous Class. Now the Akita is in the working class. In 1959 The Akita Club of America was formed. Akita owners are a very proud bunch and promote the breed with utmost fervor.
One of the most famous Akitas was one by the name of Hachiko. He escorted his owner to the Shibuya train station every morning and met him at the train station at the same time every night. One day Hachiko's owner suffered a fatal heart attack at work. For the next 10 years Hachiko continued to travel to and from the train station looking for his master. This story of absolute loyalty is both warming and heart wrenching.
The Akita comes in a variety of colors and patterns such as pinto, brindle, solid white, fawn, red, as well as a combination of the afore mentioned. The original Japanese Akita, while equally as colorful, has a slighter build and weighs less that the Americanized Akita. The American Akita was bred for size and stature.
The Akita is a very adaptable, low maintenance breed. Their double layer coat allows them to thrive in almost any climate. Shedding, or ‘blowing coat' happens twice a year prompting the need for extra brushing and a bath when necessary.
They're a very loyal, family oriented breed that has the ability to become anything you want them to be. If you want a protector, a companion, a couch potato, a worker, or just a live-in comedian, the Akita will fill your need. Their success as a family addition is due to the fact that they are protective without being aggressive. Because of their intelligence, more Akitas are being found in the service industry as assistance and therapy dogs.
Please note; when adding an Akita to your family, you have the responsibility of a lifetime commitment and financial obligation for their welfare. Akitas should be a permanent family member and will need patience, the proper training, and lots of love and attention. A re-homed Akita does suffer and can feel anxiety and grief, so please make the commitment to your Akita one for a lifetime. Dogs are truly man's best friend—their unconditional love and non-judgmental nature makes them the greatest of companions. Please do not purchase an Akita from us unless you plan on being in this relationship for the life of your dog. He will gladly give his life for you.
This is just the tip of the iceberg. Please do as much research and fact finding as you can. All you have to do is find an Akita family and they will share stories and anecdotes until the fire dies. We are a special group of people and look forward to beginning, continuing, or enhancing your Akita appetite. Canis Familiaris.
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12484 5875 Rd
Montrose, CO 81403 - (970) 252-3366
- No. of Employees 6
- No. of Locations 1
- Year Founded 2008
