HALL OF FAME

Multi BIS & Multi BISS Aus Grand Ch Bendalock Kiyojiro Go

"KATAGI"

 

AUSTRALIA'S TOP WINNING AKITA OF ALL TIME!!!

Although technically not part of the new "Darqhorse" era, it would be remisce of us not to include this amazing Akita, and we proudly announce he is our first inductee into the Darqhorse Hall of Fame.

Katagi entered the show circuit in 1996 at the age of 7 months and who was to know the success he would endure over the next 8 years. By the time he was retired in April of 2004 he had amassed 50 Best Exhibit in Show awards at Championship level. He won a record 10 Best Exhibit in Akita Speciality Shows and was awarded these honours by judges from all over the world.

 

An Akita that oozed breed type and the ultimate showman, he was the Number 1 Akita in Australia for the years 1996,1997,1999,2000,2001,2002 & 2003. An incredible 7 out of the 8 years he was shown!!!! Katagi regularly finished in the top echelon of All Breeds dogs and in 1999 finished the year as the number 1 ranked Utility Dog nationally and number 10 ranked All Breeds dog in Australia.

 

That year of 1999 saw him win Best Exhibit in the Utility Group and Runner up Best Exhibit in Show at the Royal Melbourne Dog Show with close to 6000 entries!!! He repeated that effort at the 2001 Royal Brisbane Dog Show before his eventual retirement after winning his 50th BIS at the 2004 Bathurst Royal Show.

 

Recognised by judges from all corners of the globe, Katagi also won Group 1sts or Group placements at Melbourne, Sydney, Brisbane, Adelaide, Canberra & Bathurst Royals. He took major honours at shows such as the Sydney Spring Fair as well as Dalwood and was the ACT's Australasian Showdog of the Year representative 5 years running.

 

Katagi became the breed record holder at the age of 3 and 12 years later still holds the incredible honour of being Australia's Top winning Akita of all time!! He also sired five Champion get including Dual Best in Specialty Show winner Aus Ch Mellowpark After Darq - "Cedar".

 

His legacy of lifting the Akita profile in Australia is his greatest achievement and he was the ulimate gentleman both inside & outside of the showring.

 

Sadly we lost this noble gentleman in 2009 at the age of 14 & although he is gone...we miss him so much & he will never be forgotten! Words such as "Ambassador" get thrown around all too easily these days, but it is the one word that truly describes this remarkable Akita.

Thank you to breeders Jim & Renee Roche of Bendalock Akitas for the opportunity to own & exhibit this Champion Akita. Thank you also to those who recognised his quality throughout the years and to anyone who took the time to tell me how much they loved him.

The biggest thank you goes to Katagi himself, & we are proud to announce he is our first inductee into the Darqhorse Hall of Fame.

Katagi, without question to us...you are the greatest!!!