News 2008

2008-08-20: "We don't like rain!"
We attended two days of shows this past weekend. April did not score just as good as we had hope for. Well, somedays you'll win, someday's you'll dont. Yesterday it was as if the gates of the heavenly reservoir had open up completely once the shibas were up for our competition. April was shown, and she did not like it at all. Sure, the horrible weather was equal for everyone, but some dogs can take it better than others and April has never been fond of rain.


Just a picture proof of the bad a*s weather. One can guess why Im not smiling...:o)


We like April's head and expression!

2008-08-11: "Show pictures"
Some show pictures from this past weekend for our readers to watch. Thanks to Cilla who took all the pictures!







2008-08-10: "See that girl, watch that scene, dig in the Dancing Queen"



Yesterday we were at our home turf in Askersund, attending an International show organized by our own regional kennel club. The judge was mr David Hull from the Republic of South Africa. Hailey won the open class with a Ck. April won the champion class against this year's specialty winner, a beautiful bitch. April also got a ck. In best bitches the judge wanted to see April as the winner with a CACIB, closely followed by Hailey with a reserve-CACIB. With this placement Hailey gained the final CC for the Swedish Show Champion title!

Hailey was expertly handled by Sofie Lönn. They made a beautiful couple and our friends at sight said that they were a memorable team together! Sofie really made our liquorice-princess Hailey to strutt her stuff just that extra much which made her a champion.Our biggest heartfelt thank you today goes to Sofie for helping us out and making Hailey's appareance in the ring looking so beautiful



2008-08-01: Things don't always goes as planned...

The official hip result, which can be viewed at the open KC database, for Calvin came back not so funny. He got a C (fair). However, Calvin is still young and we think it will be worth to re do the hip exam in 6 months of time. And yes, to breed a shiba in Sweden the only requirement is to have a official hip result.



2008-07-30: Introducing Kimmo!


Photos © Tiina Vuorio

This is FinCh EstCh EstW-07 Fusamaru Go Bousou Hakkensou aka Kimmo. We are thrilled over this opportunity to use Kimmo, a Japanese gentleman living in Finland, in our breeding program. Kimmo is owned by our Finnish friends Tiina Vuorio (knl Gozzytix) & Jenna Salonen (knl Hokuoukensha No).

We will use Kimmo for our American dream April's very first litter. Kimmo has that, in our mind, correct head and proportion which is so important for this breed. Kimmo is healthy and just as sound constructed as April. Both April and Kimmo are sweet, elegant and calm shibas. Kimmo is a strong, red shiba who ouces kan-i, ryosei and sobuko. He is truly a excellent looking shiba who will complement April to the very best.

We are eager to see what Kimmo and April can create together. Time will tell but one thing is for sure. This litter will be something really special for us looking forward to!

2008-07-20: BOB and CACIB-winner!



Paula & April attended the International KC Show in Köping on Saturday July 19th. The judge mr Hans Lehtinen awarded SCh WW-08 Taichung Spring Affair aka April BOB and a CACIB along with an great critique. This judge was not giving out anything for free so it felt really great that he loved our sweet April.

In time for the group finals the rain was pouring down. It was also some heavy thunder and lightning. April did the best she could do but today she was not placed in the finals.

2008-07-14: Our miss American dream, CH Taichung Spring Affair, did the thing we couldn't even dream of...


April won the open class with "excellent" at the 3 largest shiba shows ever in Europe! First at the Swedish Shiba Specialty Show on July 3d for judge mr Ichiro Ichikawa from Japan (total entry 105 shibas). Then at the SSUK world specialty on July 5th for judge mr Maurice Webb from Great Britain (total entry of 89 shibas). Last but not least at the World Dog show for judge mr Christen Lang from Norway (total entry of 90 shibas).

April topped this sweet clean sweap in open class with a win of the cacib-class and was awarded the title "World winner-2008" at the WDS. With this win she is also qualified for Crufts 2009.

Noticable is that April was the one and only shiba at these shows mentioned above that hold her class win with excellent all three days. Now that says it all!

Thank you to ALL of the judges who have recognized Aprils excellent quality, sweet mind and true japanese beauty!



Well not everything is about the shiba. This past weekend we attended the SvVk Nat. Sighthound Specialty and the SvFk Nat. Swedish Pharaoh Hound Specialty in Västerås with Primus the Pharaoh Hound.

In heavy competition Primus ended up 1-2 in open class with ck both days. The judge on Saturday, mr Bo Bengtsson and the judge on Sunday, mr MD Göran Bodegård expressed excellent qualities with our Primus.

For a neutered dog we are pleased with the results these days. The competition was so stiff! Primus was breeder handled by Sofie Lönn on Saturday. The sweet Oona Eskola from Finland handled Primus on Sunday when Sofie was in Alfta showing her basenjis. Thank you Oona for your great work with our goofy boy!



2008-07-04



Yesterday we attended the Swedish Shiba Specialty Show 2008. The judge was mr. Ichiro Ichikawa (JPN), a very nice man. All in all, more than 100 shibas were entered to this show! The sun shined all day long and we had a great day among friends. Thanks to our friend Helene who stepped in and got some nice photos from this day when we had forgotten our camera at home. Thanks!

April won the open class bitch with an entry of 20 shibas! April was the only one bitch in open class who was rewarded "excellent"! I stopped breathing there for a while before I got myself together and could enjoy this sweet victory. April was one of 4 bitches left to compete for best female, out of approx. 50 bitches in total. This class was won by a champion, Ch Explorer's Inagiru. Hailey was handled by dad Daniel. They did really good we think and was awarded "very good".

We are more than proud over Aprils achievments in the ring. She really did us and the Taichung prefix proud. So did her baby-brother Calvin. He was not entered. Both him and mum Paula enjoyed themselves walking around talking to people at ring-side. We got some excellent comments about mr C from several big breeders all around the world. That always feels good to hear:o) Too shame that his coat isnt in order right now...

2008-07-01
Today we got the good news that Aangenaam Lunar Eclips Hailey passed the required titer test for rabies! Now we have some exciting plans abroad :o)

2008-06-30
Adding the critique for Enigma Smooth Operator Primus from Saturday. It is a really really good critique. Well worth to display:o)

"Excellent type. Beautiful head. Very nice ears. Very elegant. Correct bite. Very long nice neck. Deep chest. Excellent angulation and movement." (D. Kuzelj)

2008-06-29
Yesterday we attended the national KC show in Boras. We brought only one shiba and one pharaoh hound with us. This show was a "warm up" for us before the wds week that starts the very next week!

The shibas were judged by mr. Nils-Arne Törnlöv. Our beautiful April won BOS with the last CC for becoming a Swedish show champion! The pharaoh hounds were judged by mr. Denis Kuzelj from Slovenia. Our handsome Primus ended up as 2nd best male with his second CC in a row! Both April and Primus critiques were excellent and we are ever so proud over them both. Primus was as usual breeder handled to perfection by Sofie Lönn.



Thanks to all of our friends who have stepped forward and congratulated us for our wins this weekend. That means the world to us. We know that there are also two breeders who are proud now:o) Kennel Taichung in USA and kennel Enigma in Sweden. Thank you for our precious dogs

2008-06-23
Today we are celebrating sweet darling Calvin who turns 1 year old this very day! We also wants to send our love and greeting to his siblings, Angel and Oso in WA (USA) and Summer (HI). Happy Birthday!

Calvin as a 14 week old pup

2008-06-15
We attended the international dog show in Avesta yesterday. The weather was not what we'd hoped for but the result, at least in the pharaoh hound ring, was excellent!

The pharaoh hounds were judged by mr. Espen Engh from Norway. Our red Primus ended up as 3d best male with his first CC and also a reserve-CACIB under stiff competition! He also took part in the Enigma breeder and progeny group. Primus was breeder handled by Sofie Lönn in the breed classes and by Madelene Lönn in the breeder and also progeny class. Thank you!

Photo © Kennel Enigma

Photo © Kennel Enigma

The shiba girls were placed as 2nd (Hailey) and 3d (April) best females under the judge mr Dan Ericson. Hailey with a reserve-CACIB. Close again to the last remaining CC but the hunt continues....

2008-06-05
Sunni celebrated her 9th birthday last friday.



It's amazing that 6 generation of her Taichung-blood are alive, healthy and happy. Sunni's grandmother, mother, daughter, granddaughter and great granddaughter are a living proof of the healthy and strong blood-line that Sunni is a part of.

2008-05-26
Daniel celebrated his birthday this past friday. He is now 36 years old. A handsome birthday boy and his beloved shiba can be seen here:

* Happy Birthday Daniel! *

2008-05-11
Another weekend and another dog show. Sometimes you have to remind yourself why you go to shows. Well here is 6 reasons: 1. the good weather 2. all your friends 3. the dogs enjoys it 4. It's a break from your daily life with work, household and other stuff and finally 6. Its so fun!

Yesterday we went to Larv for a show. Calvin was 2nd in junior class with a 1st prize in quality (always something). Hailey was 3d in open class with a 1st prize in quality but without a Ck. A bit dissapointing but it's a part of the game. The judge did pointed out some good things with my dogs! He gave credits to Calvins one of a kind headpiece and Hailey's impecible will to be handled perfectly!

Thanks to all my old friends I met yesterday for a nice great day and congratulations to whom it may concern.

2008-05-03
Happy Birthday sweet Peibei! Primus, the pharaoh hound, is turning 2 years old today. Yeah! Unfortunatly there was a big miscalculation on what we thought was THE perfect present. We didn't have the self-claimed gift coordinator Hailey with us when we ordered the talking mallard online. If we would have hired her expertise, she would have known from the beginning that Peibei wouldn't like it and wanted food instead. In fact she was right! Peibei got scared of the mallard so it was quickly re-wrapped in paper and is brought to my sisters house this evening. She is also celebrating her brithday so it will (hopefully) be a better present to her dog.

Primus already have a sneaky suspicious about the talking gift.

Well, hopefully the gift from Ronald McDonald tonight will make Peibei happy! It's eatable so if he dont apprieciate it we will be seriously concerned. * Updated: It WAS a happy meal LOL *

Yummie!!
We love you Peibei!

2008-04-26
Happy two year birthday to the most ravishing American Dreamgirl in Sweden! Ms April (cc-winner Taichung Spring Affair) is right now celebrating her 2nd Birthday with some prep for the grand American barbeque tonight. Well. The barbeque is there and we're having my sister and boyfriend over for some food. What more can suit an American import better?


Hailey went to the pet store yesterday and choosed an elastic AND squeeking red dachshound. She gave it to April for like half a second before the jealously took over hand and she got hold of it. Hailey only says that April could'nt take proper care of it so she stepped in, helpful as she always is.

2008-04-21

Today April (Taichung Spring Affair) and Hailey (Aangenaam Lunar Eclips) visited the vet to get their eyes officially examined. The results were perfect; both girls have healthy eyes! No sign of PRA, RD or Cataract.



We also got a nice present from our family in Oakville WA. Two new blue/yellow leashes for our girls! Thank you Art & Laura.

2008-04-20

We went to the national KC show in Västerås. The judge for the shibas was mr. Salvatore Tripoli. He gave Calvin 1st prize and Hp in junior class. Hailey got a 1st prize, was placed 2nd in open class with Ck and ended up not placed at all in best female. Jiro (Ch Aangenaam Evening Shade) won the champion class with a Ck and was later placed 3d in best male. Thumbs up for Jiro and Mayvor!

Calvin was such a brat on the table. He preferred sitting on the table rather than standing. Well we now just have to deal with mr C:s ideas:o)

Fujin and Kuro liked the pizza flavoured bones we bought at the show.

Our friends had a better day. Swe, Norw & Fin Ch. SV-07-08 NV-07 SBIS Faraoland Bluetooth Enigma (Harley) won BOB and NordV-07 NordJV-07 Enigma Touch Of Magic (Russin) won BOS with her 5th CC! Harley is bred by Helena Strömbert at Faraoland and owned by Sofie Lönn at Enigma. Russin is bred by Sofie & Madelene Lönn at Enigma and is owned by themself and Carina Morén at Touch Of Razz! I was also informed that our new friends Bruna & Cilla had some luck in Norway. Their SJV-05 SUCh DKUCh Faraoland Xcellent Example (Kenzo) won BOB in Harstad and by this become a Norwegian, a Nordic and a international champion! Congratulations! Kenzo is bred by Helena Strömbert at Faraoland and owned by Bruno Kocman.

2008-04-16
April had her hips done in March and she is free from hip dysplasia (HD B). Now both April and Hailey will be participating in our breeding program.

Kuro has recovered nice from his surgery. It turned out that the melanoma was not malignt. We are happy for this.



2008-03-23
Finally! The judge for the shibas at SIDS (Stockholm International Dog Show) really appreciated Calvin. Calvin was awarded BOB puppy with an excellent critique (translation from Swedish into English):
'.. The head is correct in every detail. Excellent neck and back. A very good tail. Excellent body. Very well angulated. Moves freely and excellent. Correct coat..'

We would like to thank mr. Kim Vigsö Nielsen for honoring our special boy a BOB puppy at his very last puppy show, thank you!

April won the youth class and was placed r-best female. This without the coat. We are proud over April no matter her placement. This girl loves to be shown. In our mind, her gait is one of her stronger assets. Her critique also stated '..a excellent temprament..'. Something that the Taichung kennel is well known for producing! Well, now this girl is stepping back for her kennel friend Hailey until the WDS. By then, April will be in full coat and better than ever before. At least we think so!

Calvin to the left and April to the right.

2008-03-16
One semi naked ms A followed. Also, the happy mr P and mr C got to come along to this big international KC show in the south of Sweden. All in all, the "youngsters" made this trip pretty hilarious.

The results could have been better but all three behavied really good. It was Calvins first show in Sweden and he got a prize of honour (Hp) in puppy class. April won the youth class with champion quality (Ck) and was placed r-Best female. Primus won the open class with Sofie as the handler but only got a plain 1st prize. Well, sometimes one could think he got the hang of how you are supposed to run in the ring. Always something. This is a PH who think it is so fun showing so he really can't think straight all the time. Primus has improved in his handling training so we have high hopes for the future. All three dogs got some good critiques from the judges.

Thanks to all of our friends who made this long trip worth while. At least according to the company:o)

A perfect gait! Booring...

2008-02-17
We visited friends in Koeping. Jiro competed in an unofficial dog show and was 2 best male, only losing to a great friend:o) Hailey competed with Ronja in "barn med hund" at the same show. Ronja's sister Alva competed with Jiro in the same class. All four did great. Thanks alot (and again) for a splendid day!

Sunni, Hailey and Jiro.

2008-02-11
SUCH Aangenaam Evening Shade "Jiro". Top Allround shiba of the year in Sweden!! We are more than proud. Thank you Mayvor & Leif for making this possible. Jiro won all his points in the competition by himself!



2008-01-16
Hope to see our friends at Malmoe int KC show in March. Until then we will relax and save our strength for what to come.



In USA, Calvin and Aprils sister Angel was BOS and WB last weekend. Only beaten by her and Calvins papa Ten. Yeah! Congratulations from half sister April. You can definitly see the ressamble with Angel and April. Nothing but the best!

Taichung One Wing In The Fire - Angel

2008-01-09
No wonderful results this past weekend but nevertheless we'd fun with our friends. You can't win all the time. Our girls showed perfectly and then it's all up to the judge to decide the winner for the day. We are proud over both Hailey and Sunni. They did what they could do.

Instead we're looking forward to a spectacular surprise and gift we want to share with the dog world. But not yet. We'll tell you all later on:o)