Hip score 14/16 Eye test perfect

As a responsible Breeder and being one of the Committee Members who drafted up the Society's first Breeding rules (Breeders Code of Ethics) in 2005 I removed Kioko from the breeding programme as she does not fully meet the breed standard and has two faults, though as my foundation bitch she has contributed greatly to the present type we're achieving.

Her colouration, mask and size are fabulous and her coat is short but thick. She has produced some stunning puppies who have gone on to mature into fabulous examples of the breed, one of these is Wyot featured in my pictorial breed standard, he has spectacularly long legs and body, narrow chest and fabulous colouring.

To constructively criticise her I would have to say that she is too thickset (even when she's not fat....lol) and is much too deep through the chest and gut. Though a deep chest is desired there needs to be definition of this in comparison to the gut and with Kioko I'm afraid it's a straight line from chest to abdomen.  She has a soft left ear and a spitz (curly) tail.

At the time when I was considering breeding from Luca I was reluctant to breed from Kioko because of the two faults (tail and ear) but was convinced by the then Committee who advised that I should breed from Kioko because of our small gene pool.

Because some of her progeny also display the curly tail which is considered a fault, this also led to my decision to remove her from the breeding programme in 2005. All of her puppies have erect ears and none have the thickset type.  Those tested have achieved excellent hip and eye test results and are to date registered stud and brood bitches themselves.

She has a complex character but is a real sweetie and ultimately wants to be mother to all, including her daughters pups for whom she decided to produce milk and help her feed. She dislikes what she considers to be bad manners and also wasps, bees and cigarettes and will snap and snarl at each of these if too close to her.

If Kioko wants a fuss and you have a cigarette she will grumble at you (sounding very much like Chewbacca - Star Wars) until you put it out. Or if she feels she has waited long enough she will try to knock it out of your hand or bite the end off…. ..Very strange girl!!.

She is without question the alpha of the pack and keeps them all in line including Luca. She is not vicious but will protect herself or her family if she feels threatened in any way. Since being spayed she has been on a diet and has lost a lot of weight, is much healthier and fitter and enjoying life to the full. She will obviously stay with me as she is my much loved friend and a much valued part of my family/pack who always has a smile for me each morning.