The SunoJo Akita Story

As of 2001, we are no longer breeding Akitas. Large litters, too many dogs in rescue, too few good homes are all contributing factors. I feel a great sense of satisfaction with the progress we made in health and temperament, and refining the qualities of type that so distinguish this marvelous breed. We will always have an Akita here, and may dabble in the show ring once in awhile - I have made many marvellous friends in the Akita world, and I may "borrow" a dog at times, just so I can remember how Akitas can keep you humble!

The following is the story of how Akitas have been part of our lives:

The Akita has been part of our lives since 1974, when I became part owner of shaded black bitch. In early 1975, as soon as the breed was recognized in Canada, Tamyu and I entered our first sanction match, winning a Group First, and I was addicted! We bred Tamyu only once, and kept a shaded black boy, who went on to become Champion Okuma-Za the Shining Star, C.D. Kuma was the second Akita in Canada to earn both his championship and an obedience title. He also won over many fans with his calm, imposing presence. Kuma was everything an Akita should be: loving, protective-but-sensible, intelligent, with a wry sense of humour. Our oldest daughter Courtney learned to walk while clinging to his neck, and he was a patient pillow while she slept snuggled up to him. When he was lost in an accident, I could not imagine any dog ever being able to replace him. In 1981, a pretty little fawn girl came to live with us. Her daddy was the famous Sachmo, and mom was a pinto Sachmo granddaughter. She became Champion Kakwa’s Kobe, High in Obedience Trial Match, and a much loved member of the family who in turn helped raise Rowan, our junior handler. She was bred once, to Champion Langan’s Takiba Drift (Kuno) who was the only producing son of Am/CanCh Langan’s Karate Drift, ROM and the lovely import Megami. We kept/co-owned 2 bitches out of this litter, and they form the foundation on which SunoJo is built - sound in body, sound in mind.

The 1980's were spent building on our foundation: concentrating on soundness and good temperament, sometimes sacrificing showiness for good companion qualities. Indeed, we have never done a breeding for the show ring - fads come and go every couple of seasons, but you have to live with your Akita for years! We had done the initial breeding to Kuno largely because of his mother - I have always admired the Japanese type. Over the years, we looked for males that offered this look or the genes to produce it - as well as being of wonderful temperament and sound. No easy task - and consequently, we did not do a lot of breeding.

I knew what I wanted, and in 1987, I found him: American/Canadian Champion Dune’s Duncan Idaho combined beautifully with our girls - his brilliant coarse brindle coat, tremendous head with the correct eyes and ears, and wonderful attitude were his outstanding qualities. We are now working with his grandchildren, and great grandkids - if it’s brindle, Duncan is back there!

In 1991, we bought a gawky four month old boy with a completely different pedigree - hoping he would grow into something that could further our goal of Japanese type with more substance and stronger movement.

Canadian Champion Sanmark’s Sunsation No SunoJo (left) matured into a striking white faced red, that is strong, agile (definitely not the dumpy type) and again, a marvelous temperament. We did not breed Sunny a lot, but his kids figure prominently in our pedigrees.

We have been fortunate in having access to quality imports - and they have combined very well with our Duncan and Sunny bloodlines.  We have incorporated Unryu and Benimaru; and are always looking for that "just right" match.

We are happy to report that this combining of types and bloodlines is producing not just healthy, sound, and happy Akitas, but dogs that meet with both judges and other breeders' approval - dogs that enjoy success in the show ring, and have become part of established breeding programs.

Sunny's daughter "Toga" was bred to an Unryu son, Aki. The 3 boys shown out of this litter are:

Ch. SunoJo's Red Devil - "Devlin" finished out of the junior puppy class, was reserve winners dog at one of the larger supported entries in Canada, at 7 months, and Best Opposite Sex in the Canadian National Puppy Sweeps. I can't believe we don't have a picture of him! He is happily living as a family pet and helping raise a baby boy.

American/Canadian/International Champion SunoJo's Red Menace AOM "Dennis" you may recognize! He is the Best of Opposite Sex winner at the 1999 Akita Club of America National Specialty, where he also won the coveted Breeder's Cup. He is currently being shown in the great Northwest, and winning both breeds and groups with his co-owner Bergit Hopkins of Puderbach Akitas.

BISS Am/BISS Can Ch. SunoJo's Red Sun Rising

"Donald" is just starting his specials career. In his first outing as a Canadian special, he won the Alberta Regional Specialty. Now living with Bill Bobrow and Carol Parker, he earned his American championship in quick order, and at his first outing as a US special, was Award of Merit at the Channel Islands Specialty, and the next day was Best in Specialty.