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 judge for Salukis, Shar-peis and Czech terriers. In 1990, we got 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 – our new Japanese Akita male - arrived at Kiev International Airport on the 5 th of December 2004 . Thanks to our friend, Yossi Rotshild from Israel – a world famous Akita breeder and judge - we became proud owners of this little narrow-eyed Japanese treasure. Our kennel, Hachimantai, was born.

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, and will be competing in one more international championship with the hope of winning the title of International Champion.

Sake and Kadzuko have produced two litters so far. Two of these puppies have won junior championships and championships in Russia . A third litter is expected in June 2008.

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. forty 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.

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 ), 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, most recently on February 16, 2008 .
Scarlet and Austin have produced three litters and are still going strong…