Ken and Thelma Taylor of the Kyooma Kennels, in Charleston, South Australia, imported the first Akitas to Australia. These pages are recognition of the difficulties they faced in those early pioneering days. It is also a tribute to their understanding, love and devotion of the Akita breed, that future generations may now enjoy. Ken and Thelma tell their own story here. It is a remarkable history about their involvement with the breed in Australia. We thank them for providing and allowing us to display this information on our Web Site.

Centre - Thelma and Ken Taylor (Kyooma Kennels)
Left - David Klingberg with Ch Kyooma Midas Touch &
Right - Graham Craig with BIS Ch Kyooma No Folly Fut Go

1982 saw the arrival of the first Akitas into Australia, this was followed by six months quarantine and six months residency in the United Kingdom and a further three months quarantine in Australia.

BIS Ch O'BJ Rocky,  a silver and white dog who was born in the United States of America on 8 December 1980 and O'BJ Ink Spot, a black, grey and white bitch born on 1 December 1980 were imported by Ken and Thelma Taylor of Kyooma Kennels, Charleston South Australia.

CH O'BJ Rocky
(Click to view details)

O'BJ Ink Spot
(Click to view details)

They arrived in Australia on 17 June 1982, and they were both by the legendary champion Okii Yubis Sachmo of Makoto.

O'BJ Ink Spot had surgery in the United Kingdom for a leg that was broken in two places.  The injury was sustained in transit from the United States of America.  Unfortunately it did not mend properly, and as her tail was too short, we placed her immediately into a pet home.

O'BJ Ink Spot's replacement was Ch O'BJ Scarlet, a red and cream bitch, born 24 June 1981 and arrived in Australia on 4 October 1983.   She also was a daughter of "Sachmo".

CH O'BJ Scarlet
(Click to view details)

Our next import O'BJ Aces High born 27 November 1981 was ordered in the hope that he could go over bitches sired by BIS Ch O'BJ Rocky.   However this never eventuated because BIS Ch O'BJ Rocky was infertile and never sired any puppies.

O'BJ Aces High was never shown, and was a son of Am & Can Ch Kakwas Orca.

O'BJ Aces High
(Click to view details)

BIS Ch O'BJ Rocky achieved a number of Akita firsts in Australia :

  first Akita to win "Challenge" Dog (in his debut)
  first "Australian Champion" Akita when he won his title on 28 November 1983
  first Akita to win Best "Junior in Group"
  first Akita to win Best "Intermediate in Show"
  and at his very next show he was the first to win Best "Exhibit in Show"

Sadly because of a heart condition that he suffered he only appeared in 3 more shows and subsequent tests also confirmed that he was infertile.  A devastating blow to us at Kyooma Kennels and a tragic loss to the Akita breed.  Despite his poor health, he lived until he was 11 1/2 years and he passed away in June 1992.  He was an absolute joy to live with, he was never a bully, but was totally fearless and a wonderful representative of the breed.   He was, in fact, the reason that many people acquired a love and subsequent ownership of an Akita in Australia today.

Ch O'BJ Scarlet was the first Akita bitch to obtain her title on 25 March 1984.  Ch O'BJ Scarlet and O'BJ Aces High, produced the first Australian litter on 7 June 1984 with 8 puppies.

Her second and last litter was whelped 3 January 1985 and produced 9 puppies.  She produced at least 7 Champions.  She unfortunately succumbed to gastric torsion in April 1989.

O'BJ Aces High was the sire of some 14 or more Champions and some of them have in turn become foundation stock for other kennels, he died of natural causes in March 1993 after never having a days sickness in his life.

Overhills Kyooma Countdown was born 23 October 1983, an O'BJ Aces High daughter that we imported from the United Kingdom.   She was a very good foundation bitch for us as she is out of Am Ch O'BJ Sachette No Okii Yubi an excellent "Sachmo" daughter.

We have over the years imported 7 Akitas, our last import being Ch Overhills Mac The Knife, born 28 February 1989, a beautiful silver and white dog, who was an absolute gentleman in every way, he passed away on 9 May 2000 of natural causes.

CH Overhills Mac the Knife
(Click to view details)

Listed below are some of the many Champions that Kyooma Kennels have produced.   The list is by no means comprehensive, but is as complete as Ken and Thelma Taylor can recall :
  

  CH Kyooma Midas Touch (Click to view details)

  CH Kyooma Who's That Girl (Click to view details)

  CH Kyooma Touch O Gold (Click to view details)

  CH Kyooma Asheba (Click to view details)

  BIS CH Kyooma No Folly Fut Go (Click to view details)

  CH Kyooma Flash Dance (Click to view details)

  CH Kyooma Tamika Lite Fut (Click to view details)

  CH Kyooma Mia Magic (Click to view details)

  CH Kyooma Suba (Click to view details)

  CH Kyooma Tsumi (Click to view details)

  CH Kyooma Pathand (Click to view details)

  CH Kyooma Tashiko (No details available)

  CH Kyooma Shimara (No details available)

  BIS CH Kyooma Imperial Samurai (No details available)

  CH Kyooma Hank (No details available)

  CH Kyooma Toby (No details available)

  CH Kyooma Yeti (No details available)

  CH Kyooma Silver Mink (No details available)

  CH Kyooma Tahni (No details available)

  BIS CH O'BJ Rocky (IMP USA) (Click to view details)

  O'BJ Ink Spot (IMP USA) (Click to view details)

  CH O'BJ Scarlet (IMP USA) (Click to view details)

  O'BJ Aces High (IMP USA) (Click to view details)

  Overhills Kyooma Countdown (IMP UK) (Click to view details)

  CH Myomoto of Overhills (IMP UK) (Click to view details)

  CH Overhills Mac the Knife (IMP UK) (Click to view details)

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Kaylene Osborn and Kimberly Smith
Paralowie, Adelaide, Australia
Phone +61 08 82813882
kay.osborn@swishgrafix.com.au
kim.smith@swishgrafix.com.au
www.swishgrafix.com.au