Brothers from Kagetsu Land

Let’s take a moment to delve into a tale. It brings together the world of Japanese Spitz and a bit of good old-fashioned research work. Grab your cuppa and settle in to fully immerse yourself in story of brothers from Kagetsu Land.

Long ago, on November 5, 1975, in distant Japan, a litter of puppies was born. The remarkable parents were Floyd Excel of Tokyo Kashusow (JKCSP52251) and Animete of Makiesow (JKCSP52983). It started as usual story, but in one day everything was changed.

Two puppies from this litter were chosen. Hawk of Kagetsu Land and Hover of Kagetsu Land were set to travel far away from home to Sweden.

I’m curious by how this was even possible back then, without the internet or regular flights. Just imagine. During that time, air travel between these two countries involved long, multi-stop journeys. These journeys included layovers in other major cities, like in the Middle East, or other parts of Europe. The first non-stop flights between Stockholm and Tokyo were introduced later, in the 1980s. So, any travel during the 1970s between Sweden and Japan required considerable time. I’d love to hear the stories from those who managed to organize such a journey in that era. Perhaps one day we’ll uncover this captivating tale.

For now, we know that both brothers safely made their way to Sweden. They found homes in two welcoming kennels: Alvretens and Ceholms. Yes, this was the time when Mari-Anne Nyström and Cecilia Homstedt were close friends. And thanks to them, we now have the opportunity to study the history of the Japanese Spitz breed.

The brothers grew up as time passed. Both of them achieved the titles of International and Nordic Champions. They were not just average dogs. They became the legends we know today. Their influence stretched far beyond the shores of Japan. Brothers made an undeniable impact on the breed’s development outside of Japan. You might wonder, “What’s so special about two brothers?” Well, there’s more to the story.

Hawk himself had around 34 litters, which gave rise to nearly 90 puppies. That’s quite the family tree, wouldn’t you say? Meanwhile, his brother Hover wasn’t exactly slacking off either. He managed about 14 litters and around 50 puppies. Let that sink in for a moment. They helped bring into the world a sheer number of beautiful Japanese spitz. This is enough to make any breeder raise an eyebrow.

Now, what was the real trick to their success, you ask? It wasn’t just their handsome looks or impeccable lineage, oh no. These dogs were the foundation for countless notable descendants. Picture this: Their lines produced a lot of the remarkable dogs.

Here is just a short list of Hawk of Kagetsu Land puppies. These puppies played a significant role in further breeding. Some include Jim-Roy’s Geisha, Ceholms White Osamu of Snowcleve, Ceholms White Queen. Others are Ceholms Yamashina, Ceholms Yasuhiko, Gråtorpets White Japanica, and many others.

The brother Hover did not stand aside. I can think of several examples. They include Alvretens Atari, Alvretens Wakai, Ceholms White Mokado, and Norsken Omonzuru of Norsken.

The names might not mean much to you yet. Rest assured, these dogs played pivotal roles in shaping the future of the breed. Their influence is so widespread that they can now be found in many modern Japanese Spitz pedigree. If we were to write a history book, Kagetsu Land‘s brothers chapter would be a hefty one, my friends.

And now, the thrilling part: Michael P. Rule, in his ever-enlightening book, mentioned that Hawk and Hover had a litter brother in Japan. He achieved great things. He was later crowned an NSA Champion. Naturally, I thought, “Well, that’s a lovely piece of trivia!” But here’s where the plot thickens.

Until recently, we didn’t know much about this “litter brother”. His name had been recorded differently in book, leading to confusion in the world of pedigrees. But lo and behold, we can now confirm this great dog wasn’t “Hardery,” as originally mentioned. He was, in fact, Hadrey of Kagetsu Land! And here’s the twist: we’ve even have his photo! Quite the thrilling discovery for those of us who adore unearthing these lost treasures from the breed’s past.

So, in this tale of sibling rivalry and triumph, we’re left with a stunning realization. The dogs of Kagetsu Land — Hover, Hawk, and Hadrey — didn’t just leave paw prints across the globe. They became foundational legends. Each of them fashioned a legacy that shaped their own destiny. It also influenced the destiny of future generations.

Isn’t it funny how a simple twist of fate can lead to the discovery of a new chapter in history? In this case, a misprint started it all. We’ve brought the final piece of this puzzle into the light. Keen eyes and a dash of luck made it possible. The next time you come across a Japanese Spitz, remember: you might just be looking at a descendant of greatness. A legacy that started in the Kagetsu Land, with three dogs who influenced the breed forever.

And I daresay, that’s a tale worth telling.