Katharina "Katja" Elfriede (Grebe) Weber Obituary (1948 - 2025)

Katharina (Katja) Weber, born in Cologne Germany on October 29, 1948, passed away at home with her loving family at her side after a shockingly short illness on October 19, 2025. Katja is survived by her partner of 30 years George Weber of Courtenay BC, her beloved Daughter Vanessa Buschenheuer Pint, her son in law Frank Pint and her Grandchildren Lukas Pint and Romy Pint all of Burg Reuland Belgium. She is also survived by her Brothers, Friedrich Grebe, and Achim Grebe, her sister Marlies Grebe and her niece Regina all of Heimbach Germany. Katja immigrated to Canada in 1996 bringing her dogs with her. All animals were of interest to her and her unfulfilled dream was to work in a Zoo. Early on Katja began competitive Dog sled mushing in Europe and breeding Siberian Huskies. Later she downsized her breeding program and started breeding Shiba Inu dogs well before this breed became popular. Never shying from a challenge in 2002, here in Canada, Katja established the second Shikoku Ken breeding kennel outside of Japan and the first in the western hemisphere. Katja's success and determination in the show ring and her tireless efforts outside it eventually led to full Canadian Kennel Club recognition for the breed an achievement of which she was deservedly proud. In the past few years, she extended her focus to include the Yakutian Laika in pursuit of the breed's acceptance in this country. Katja provided tremendous support for anything, and anyone interested in her beloved dogs, mentoring breeders throughout the Americas, Australia, Asia and Europe. Her input was invaluable for the breed's advancement. Katja's legacy of compassion, determination, and the contributions she made will forever be remembered by all whose lives she touched. A celebration of life will be held in the spring of 2026.