I am Karlo, and Suzume Senshi is my small Japanese Akita kennel. This is the story of how one dog, who was meant to be just a family pet, changed the direction of my life.
There were always dogs
I grew up in a small village near Zagreb, where there was always a dog barking in the yard. I have had dogs all my life, from pedigree collies to mixed breeds. When I moved to Zagreb, I rented for years and was not allowed to keep a dog. I had no idea how much I missed it.
How Kyo arrived
In 2022, for health reasons, I had to start moving more. That is when I decided to get a dog.
I was not looking for an Akita. I was looking for a dog, and I had a corgi or a dachshund in mind. None of the breeders had puppies available at the time. Then an acquaintance met a long-coated Japanese Akita on a walk, and its owner mentioned that it had a brother looking for a home.
They sent me photos and he caught my eye straight away. He was unusual: I had seen Akitas before, but never a brindle one. To be honest, I even had an aversion to Akitas, because the ones I had met until then were nervous and unpleasant. Today I know they were simply poorly socialised. But looking at those photos, I felt some kind of connection.
I went to the breeder just to have a look at the dog, and I came home with a new flatmate and a best friend. Kyo and I have been inseparable from day one.
From pet to dog shows
The plan was simple: Kyo would be a pet, I would have him neutered, and that would be it. But everyone who saw him said he was special and talked me into entering him in a show. It was Zagreb Winter Classic 2022, the first show after lockdown. Kyo won BOB, Best of Breed.
That is where my love for dog shows and breeding began. Soon Eru arrived, my lovely female, and we carried on the show journey together.
What Akitas have taught me
What surprised me most is how independent Akitas are, while not being overly demanding. Still, they need a lot of commitment. Socialisation was hard work, because an Akita does not cooperate from day one. The bond has to be built, and once it is, an Akita will do anything for you.
I also had to accept that this is not a dog that runs around the dog park with others. An Akita would rather step away from other dogs and stay with its own people. I was not ready for that. Akitas have a mind and a rhythm of their own, and they follow it.
Why Suzume Senshi
The first anime I ever watched was called Suzume. I am not really an anime fan, but that one stayed with me, and so did the name. Suzume means sparrow in Japanese.
And why sparrow warrior (雀戦士)? Because it describes the Akita perfectly. Towards the world it is regal, almost military in its bearing and very self-aware. Towards you it is as gentle as a little sparrow: cuddly, loving and sweet. With others it stays dignified and distant.
How we breed
For us, breeding starts with health: the parents have health test results, and the lines are checked. We put a lot of care into early socialisation, because Kyo taught me how much depends on it. Our puppies grow up with us and around us.
Our first puppy, Suzume Senshi Aki no Tora, now lives with his new family in Serbia. From his first day he was getting to know sounds and different surfaces, and learning to stay clean in a flat.
We are members of the Croatian Kennel Club (HKS), the kennel is registered with the FCI, and we are also members of the Nordic club.
Who we give a puppy to
It matters to me that future owners get to know the breed before they decide. The Japanese Akita is a dog with character: stubborn, independent and a bit of a loner. If you want a dog that runs with others in the park, a retriever will suit you better.
We will never give a puppy to someone who is buying it as a birthday present for a child. A dog is not a present. It is a commitment for the whole family for the next ten years or more.
If you are interested in the Japanese Akita, get in touch. We are happy to talk about the breed, even if in the end you decide it is not for you.