A Shiba Inu dog standing outdoors on a grassy path with green bushes and trees in the background, on a leash, with a fluffy curled tail and a happy expression.

Frerose Shibas

Founded in 1983 by Diane Murphy and Fred Duane, Frerose Shibas is one of the pioneering kennels that helped establish and advance the Shiba Inu in the United States. Already respected exhibitors and breeders of American Akitas, Diane and Fred brought the same dedication to preservation, structure, temperament, and breed type to the Shiba Inu at a time when the breed was still largely unknown in North America. Over more than four decades, Frerose has produced countless champions, top-winning dogs, and influential bloodlines that continue to shape the breed today. Among the kennel’s most legendary producers are Smiley and the incomparable Punkin Pie, whose impact on the breed remains unmatched. Punkin Pie holds the distinction of being the top-producing champion-producing Shiba of all time, a Hall of Fame producer, and the dam of three Number One Shibas, including Otomi, Rondo, and Oliver. Her influence extends through generations of group-winning and group-placing descendants, including her daughter, CH Frerose Flame of J Booth, the first American-bred bitch to win Best of Breed from the classes and earn back-to-back Group Firsts—an achievement that stood unmatched for eighteen years. Through dogs such as these, Frerose has left an enduring mark on the history and development of the Shiba Inu in America.

A man in a light-colored suit and striped tie holding a ribbon next to a woman in sunglasses and a plaid shirt, standing behind a large, furry, brown and white dog at an outdoor dog show with yellow and blue tents in the background. A sign in front reads 'Best of Opposite, Newton Kennel Club, May 1989, John Nasrey'.
A man in a light gray pinstripe suit and a woman in a colorful jacket handling a Shiba Inu dog outdoors during a dog show. The man is kneeling with a blue ribbon, and the woman is petting the dog. A sign reads "Western N.Y. Rare Breeds, Assc. 5-24-87, Best of Winners, New Champion, Photo by Foxtrot." There are houses and trees in the background.
A group of three adults and a dog outdoors near a body of water, with trophies displayed on a table, celebrating a dog show.

OTOMI

A group of three elderly people, two women and one man, standing behind a golden retriever dog on a platform at a dog show. The women are wearing purple and red jackets, both with sunglasses, and the man is dressed in a blue jacket with a plaid shirt underneath. They are smiling and looking down at the dog, which is standing on the platform. There are flowers and a sign indicating the dog won first place in the group, with details about the event and date.
Two men in suits and glasses standing next to a Shiba Inu dog and a banner at a dog show. One man holds a ribbon, and there is a sign that reads 'Best of Breed' with details about the event.
A dog with a reddish-brown coat and a fluffy tail standing on a green surface, likely at a dog show or training event, with some blurred objects and people in the background.
Three people standing outdoors at a dog show, with flowers in a basket in the foreground and a sign that reads 'Wallkill K.C.' in the background. One woman wears a blue dress and holds a blue ribbon, a man in the middle with white hair, glasses, and a beige suit, and another woman in a yellow dress holding a silver bowl. The dog, a Shiba Inu, is standing on the platform in front of them.
A dog show competition taking place indoors with a Shiba Inu dog being presented by a man in a light blue blazer. The dog is standing on green grass, facing the man, who is holding a leash attached to the dog's collar. The backdrop includes a table with several men in tuxedos, some wearing medals, and an audience seated in the background. There are yellow banners with red text reading "SHIBA INU" and "WKC" and a purple drape with gold lettering. The dog and the man are near a floral arrangement in a vase.

Ch. Frerose Otomi stands as one of the most influential and successful Shibas in American breed history. Bred and owned by Diane Murphy and Fred Duane of Frerose Shibas, Otomi dominated the breed rankings as the #1 Shiba Inu in the United States for five consecutive years from 1995 through 1999, an achievement rarely matched in any breed. Widely recognized as one of the top-winning Shibas of all time, Otomi embodied the type, presence, and soundness that helped establish the Frerose name as a cornerstone of the breed in North America. More than just a show dog, Otomi represented the culmination of decades of dedication to preserving the Shiba Inu’s character and quality, helping pave the way for future Frerose greats such as Oliver, Rondo, and Good Will Hunter. His legacy remains deeply woven into the breed's history and continues to influence our Shiba pedigrees and enthusiasts today.

A woman and a man at a dog show, with the woman holding a purple ribbon and a bouquet of flowers, and a large dog standing in front of them. The woman is wearing glasses, earrings, and a blue outfit, while the man has white hair and beard, glasses, and is wearing a dark plaid jacket. There is a sign that reads "Best of Breed" and a smaller sign with the Westminister Kennel Club logo.
A woman holding a ribbon and a man standing next to a Shiba Inu dog at a dog show, with a sign indicating the group placing and event details.