Celebrating 50 Years of Akita Club of Puget Sound

Akita Club of Puget Sound is celebrating its 50th anniversary this year, and it seems appropriate to mention those who were instrumental in the establishment of Akita Club of Puget Sound. Names that should be familiar to everyone are Birgit Hopkins and Sandy Zade; you may also remember Bill Callahan, Karen Rasmussen, Jean Uchida, Tom and Judy Clark, Kellie & Alice Clinton, Cindy Harala, Amy (Kelley) Reagan, Carol (Hartjoy) Frei, Mr. & Mrs. Ira Oppenheimer, (All The Best Pet Food store), Sue & Ira Moss, Barb Morgan Giamanco (Hartl) … so many have worked to help get us where we are today. We owe them a debt of gratitude for having the foresight to begin at square one and build our club from that.

Throughout the years, people have gone and new people have been added to our club. We started more as a social club, then evolved to a conformation club, holding one specialty a year starting in August 1992. We held an obedience match in 2012 so we could be approved by AKC to hold obedience trials. Now we are talking about scent work competition, and many of our members have Barn Hunt, FastCAT, and Farm Dog titles, as well as CGC, CGCA and CGCU; and we have therapy Akitas. We bring our dogs to Meet The Breed to show the public well-bred and socialized Akitas. We are active!

In the past, we had entry counts in the upper 50s and even 60 at those earlier shows decades ago. Best of Breed sometimes would be broken down into 4 or 5 or more groups because the number of entries wouldn’t fit the ring. We met at different members’ homes for a while, then other more public locations until covid brought us to zoom meetings. Friendships were made through our love of Akitas, we knew the call names of all the dogs in the ring and knew the breeding of most of them. We had picnics, Christmas parties, and practiced rally together before it became hugely popular to compete with our Akitas. Although our numbers have diminished, our enthusiasm hasn’t.

We have not only old friends through this club but have made many new ones as well; and our club continues to spread its focus to include many activities our Akitas are capable of, excel in and enjoy. We have evolved and continue to grow in relationships and in activities. Who knows what the next 50 years will bring?

(Note: Apologies to those whose names I missed discussing individuals instrumental in establishing our club in the early years.)

We’d be grateful if you’d sponsor a trophy for our 50th