For as long as I can remember I have dreamed of owning a dog. After days of pleading with my parents, they finally agreed to let me have one. Christina was a one-month old, rough collie. She brought a lot of joy and happiness into our family and ever since, none of us can imagine life without at least one dog in the house. Later we got another collie – Singh. After Christina's death, I brought home a bullterrier bitch from my first trip to Czechoslovakia, and later another bullterrier…

We first became interested in Shar-peis in 1989 when we saw one featured in the German “Der Hund” magazine. Our dream came true thanks largely to the efforts of our good friend Hana Petrusova from the Czech Republic. Hana is an internationally renowned breeder and FCI judge for Salukis, Shar-peis, Czech terriers, etc. In 1990, we purchased our first foundation bitch  “ Followhide Shanghai Lilly” . In 1991, we became the first breeders of Shar-peis in Ukraine and with the help of Hana Petrusova, who also owns and operates the “Del Monte” kennel, we registered our first Shar-pei litter in the Czech Republic with  "Haly-Galy"  prefix. We continued to breed Shar-peis until 1996, when we had to suspend breeding due to circumstances (we moved to another country). In 1998, we bought a new pair of Shar-peis from the “Success” kennel in the United States, owned by Mrs. Nancy Wilson-Sedlacek.

Later, I turned my attention to another Far Eastern breed - Japanese Akita Inu. In the year 2000, we bought our first Japanese Akita bitch  Nagasaki-Go Aakuhosow , called ‘Sake', from Kajitsu-No, an Italian kennel, owned by Giovanna Rossi and Roberto Brutti. The latter represents Italy in the WUAC (World Union of Akita Clubs), with headquarters in Japan.

Kadzuko Ju Go Royal Nippon Akitos  – our new Japanese Akita male - arrived at Kiev International Airport on the 5th of December 2004. Thanks to our friend, Yossi Rotshild – a world famous Akita  breeder and FCI judge from Israel - we became proud owners of this little narrow-eyed Japanese treasure. 

Here I have to interrupt our story and explain why our kennel was named  Hachimantai .  In May 2006 we arrived in Akita prefecture and after visiting the famous Hachiko house and other places related to the Akita Inu history, we travelled to the Hachimantai mountains, where Akitas survived the difficult II World war years. It is impossible not to be impressed by the serene beauty of these mountains. It was there that I was warmed by the interesting idea to rename our kennel  Hachimantai , a name which perfectly  reflects the harshness, endurance, nobleness and beauty of the Akita.  For more information please visit:  http://www.akita-hachimantai.com/travel-3-e.html

Both Sake and Kadzuko have gained international acclaim in several dog shows: Sake is 4CAC, 2BOB, 1BOG; Kadzuko is Junior Champion of Ukraine, Champion of Ukraine and Champion of Russia. In December 2008 he became Grand Champion of Ukraine and will be competing in other international championships hoping to win the International Champion title.

Sake and Kadzuko have produced three litters so far. Two of these puppies have won junior championships and championships in Russia, three became champions of Ukraine. 

And yes, the show must go on. We purchased “lovely princess”,  Aihime-Go Seaside Nakagawa , a five-month old bitch, on February 13, 2008 from Jitaro Nakagawa, President of the National Akita Club of Japan, with whom we had struck up a close friendship during our trip to Japan in May 2006. On February 16, 2008, barely three days later,  Aihime  won both Best Puppy in show (out of approx. 40 pedigree contestants) and the  “ Sheikha Hassa Best Puppy in whole show ”  at the Pearl Edition of the Dubai Dog Show, under British judges. Lovely Princess was certainly a well chosen name. In December 2008  Aihime-Go Seaside Nakagawa  became Champion of Ukraine, and in April 2009 mother of 5 lovely pure Japanese puppies.  For more information please visit:  http://www.akita-hachimantai.com/news1-e.html  ?  http://www.akita-hachimantai.com/puppies-e.html

Exactly three months after purchasing Aihime we welcomed Mikunihomare Go Kagano Yaoya , whom Mr. Nakagawa recommended to breed with Aihime. After a long journey from Miyagi prefecture, Mikunihomare (rebaptised into Kansai ) arrived in the early morning of May 13, 2008. I sometimes feel that the description of the temperament of the Akita is based on the nature of this dog, as he is a true reflection of Japan, a "most real Japanese-Japanese Japanese" outwardly and inwardly. In December 2008 Mikunihomare Go Kagano Yaoya became champion of Ukraine, and in April 2009 he sired five puppies with Aihime. For more information please visit:  http://www.akita-hachimantai.com/news2-e.html
Benihana Go Megawa Kyouritsu (simply "Keiko"  at home) became another flower in our Japanese Hachimantai bouquet as “ Benihana ” in Japanese literally means “ red flower ” . Her mother, Nene Go Okukujien is MEIYOSHO winner, holder of the highest title which an Akita can obtain in Japan. Benihana arrived on January 20, 2009. For more information please visit:  http://www.akita-hachimantai.com/news5-e.html

We are currently negotiating with a few Japanese breeders the purchase of a grown-up Akita male with proven show experience in Japan and holder of a number of titles, won at AKIHO and NIPPO shows, held in different prefectures of the country. We hope to welcome our new boy at the end of 2009, thus continuing the tradition of Hachimantai to acquire two top Akitas from Japan annually.

The Westies' era for us started with Tracy, but she died tragically at the age of eleven months. Three months later, in March 2001, we bought another Westie bitch (Karamynd Scarlet) from a famous English kennel, “Karamynd”, owned by the reputable UK breeder and judge Jennifer Griffith. In November 2003, Susan and Simon Legg, owners of “Westfire” kennel in Swansea (Wales, UK), brought us a Westie male (Westfire Desert Lord), who is proudly and affectionately known as Austin.

And yes, both Scarlet and Austin won several titles: Scarlet is 2CAC, 1CACIB and Austin is no less than 12CAC, 2BIS, 4CACIB, four times BIG,  and  in both 2008 and 2009 he became the winner of the Terrier group at the Dubai Dog Show.

Finally we should point out that we will move our Hachimantai kennel to Bulgaria in September 2009, to a location near the city of Varna at the Black Sea coast, which will allow us to actively participate in CAC and CACIB shows all over Europe. Our coordinates will be published later.