MBIS, AOM Can CH. Rebel Kokoro No Benwar
Top Akita in Canada~2002, #3 Akita~2001

Owner: Allan Marsh ~ Prodigal Reg. Akitas
Breeder: Mike&Cindy Gortva ~ Rebel Kennels
DOB: January 1, 1995
OFA: Fair
Thyroid: Normal
CERF:  Clear

This handsome boy is THIS Man's absolute best friend ~ guardian protector ~ kindred spirit ~ and he is ALL dog. Since getting him as a ten week old puppy back in 1995, Koko has been inseparable from our family. A multiple "Best Puppy In Show" Winner his second weekend out, Koko went on to ultimately become a Multiple Best In Show Winner and a Specialty Show Award of Merit Winner as an adult. After nearly losing him to bloat in early 2001, Koko not only fully recovered, but as a VETERAN in 2002 was successfully campaigned to the #1 Akita ranking that year. His brilliant self-masked orange/red coat, along with arguably the best head on an Akita ever seen in Canada, plus his (still) rock solid topline, superior rear and a willingness to "turn it on" and give it his all in the ring, always made Koko a crowd pleaser at the shows. Now retired from the show ring, Koko has assumed his long since earned rightful place as the TOP DOG in our Kennel. Please look at and enjoy the pictures below. They will help to show you the development and maturing process of the Akita.




The picture on the left of Koko was taken as a 4 month old puppy (1995). The black mask you see quickly turned into self-masked coloration before his first birthday. Even at this early stage, it was easy to see he had an undeniable presence.



The picture on the right** was taken when Koko was eighteen months old (1996) and was the day he won his first Best In Show under Judge Mike MacBeth. While the shot is a candid from ringside, we have used it because it clearly shows his type and structure, plus his remarkable rear.



While a still maturing young male at 3-years of age, Koko debuted in the South Western Ontario Show Ring by taking the 1st Award of Merit under Judge Jack Ireland at the Akita Alumni Specialty Show held in Wyoming, Ontario in 1998.



In late 2001, following a long 9-month recovery period after a severe incident of Bloat which required hours of surgery and ultimately a "stomach tack", we woke up one day, looked at Koko, realized he was in fantastic condition, and decided to enter him at the Credit Valley Kennel Club Shows in December to say goodbye to his ringside fans. Little did we know that on the last day in the final show of the year for 2001 (pictured on the right), Koko would take another Group 1st, this time under the highly respected Judge John Connolly, going up that day over the spectacular Doberman Pinscher that was the Top Dog All-Breeds in Canada for 2001. Mr. Connolly's praise of Koko's type, soundness and conditioning led us to a decision that would ultimately make Breed History in Canada.



When John Connolly told us that Koko was one of the best Akitas he had ever seen and that more Judges needed to see Akitas of his quality, we decided to NOT retire Koko at the end of 2001. Despite the fact he would now be shown as a VETERAN in 2002, we resolved to show Koko selectively to Judges who we thought would be appreciative of how well true type could withstand the test of time. The picture on the left was a Group Placement from longtime Judge Council Parker and was in January of that year. Little did we know that the now quasi-infamous ad slogan "Good Head Is Hard To Beat" that we used with this picture would start us down a path of winning in 2002 that would result in Koko ultimately finishing as the #1 Akita in Canada that year, to our knowledge, the only Veteran in breed history in Canada to achieve this milestone. Truly, a testament to the quality of the dog.



Throughout the 2002 show season Koko continued to receive Group Placement after Group Placement. The picture on the right is one of a number of Group Placements he received across his show career from highly respected All-Breed Judge Thora Brown, who consistently recognized his quality.



And finally, this last picture on the left was taken in the summer of 2002. This Group 1st win under Judge Donna Cole came almost exactly six years to the day after Koko won his first Group on the way to his first Best In Show.



The Early Years