A Champion Through and Through: Celebrating Akela’s Unforgettable Journey and newest titles

Please join us in celebrating Akela gaining her International Beauty Champion title.

Akela has always been a special Lappie. Born from an exciting pairing between two exceptional Finnish Lapphunds - our beautiful Asta, Dual Ch (T) Dagolas Zeena RN. WPD. (Imp Fin) and Parra, Au Ch. Fi Ch Einsenfest Flynn Rider (Imp Fin)– Akela carries the weight of generations of greatness in her pedigree. From the moment she arrived, we could see her promise, and she has gone above and beyond any hopes and dreams we had for her.

While Akela hasn’t been as blessed in the fertility department as we might have hoped, what she has given us is truly quality over quantity.

One of Akela's most treasured contributions is her daughter, the lovely Miss Primrose, who has already made own mark and will have a special blog post of her own soon. Without Akela, some of the wonderful Lappies we have today simply would not exist. Her impact on our breeding program, and on the breed in Australia as a whole, is immeasurable. We are endlessly proud of all that Akela has achieved, and we know this is far from the end of her story. Even now, at eight years old, she continues to amaze us daily with her spirit, grace, and heart.

But what makes Akela’s story truly incredible is the bond she has shared with Katrina Bailey, who has nurtured, conditioned, trained, loved and believed in Akela every step of the way. Their partnership has been a shining example of what can happen when talent, trust and dedication come together.

Over the years, Akela has more than proven her place as one of the top breed-winning bitches in Australia, with a show career glittered with highlights and milestones that would make any breeder proud.

Let’s take a journey through some of Akela’s most memorable achievements:

🌟 At just her third show, she won Baby Puppy in Group under an international judge, kicking off what would become a remarkable career.

🌟 She continued to win multiple Baby Puppy in Group awards before taking out Best of Breed from the Minor Puppy class – no small feat for a youngster!

🌟 At just 9 months old, she travelled to Victoria for the Finnish Lapphund Specialty and won Bitch Challenge under Finnish breed expert Mrs. Saara Sampakoski – a stunning achievement for such a young girl against much older competition. She also took out Puppy in Show.

🌟 Akela became an Australian Champion at only 10 months of age, with minimal showing and big wins along the way.

While she enjoyed plenty of success in the all breeds ring – taking home Minor Puppy, Puppy and Junior in Group wins – it’s at the Specialty Shows where Akela has truly shone. Under seasoned breed specialists, her breed type, movement and beautiful temperament are simply undeniable.

✨ At 14 months, she took out Best in Specialty Show at the NSW Finnish Lapphund Specialty under Mr Tapio Kakko (Breed Specialist from Finland).

✨ She followed this with a Bitch Challenge at the 2018 Sydney Royal Show.

✨ In 2019, she was Runner Up Best in Group and Australian Bred in Group at the Blacktown Kennel & Training Club All Breeds Show.

✨ Then in April 2019, back in the Specialty ring, Akela was again awarded Best in Specialty Show under Finnish breed specialist Mr Esa Ruotsalainen.

✨ At just 2 years old, she gained her Grand Champion title.

✨ She was awarded Best Bitch at the Sydney Royal in both 2021 and 2022.

Bitch Challenge Sydney Royal 2021

✨ In 2023, she once again won Best in Specialty Show, this time under Sandra Craig.

✨ Then in November 2023, we travelled to Victoria where 100 Finnish Lapphunds were entered in the Specialty Show – an outstanding turnout for the breed in Australia. Among them all, it was Akela who took home Best in Specialty Show under UK breed specialist Toni Jackson – her fourth BIS Specialty win and possibly her most impressive yet, given the numbers and depth of quality.

✨ At the 2024 Sydney Royal, Akela proved she was still very much at the top of her game, winning Best of Breed at 7 years old.

✨ And in 2025, now 8 years old, she returned to the Sydney Royal with her beloved boy Jordan at the helm, earning another Bitch Challenge and Runner Up Best of Breed at the new Sydney Royal FCI Show.

And now, with her recent trip to South Australia, she has earned her final CACIB for her CIB title, adding even more accolades to her name.

The CIB title is an FCI title, it is French, and stands for 'Certificat d'Aptitude au Championnat International de Beauté', or translated to English is International Beauty Champion. It is a difficult title to obtain, as there are very few shows that award CACIB's, and stiff competition at such shows.

We are beyond proud to now introduce her with her full titles:CIB Gr Ch Orical Kirsi of Jove (AI) WNPD

Akela’s name will be written in the history books, but more importantly, she will always hold a special place in our hearts. She has represented our vision of the breed with elegance, drive, soundness and joy – and she’s done it all with her signature sparkle.

Thank you to everyone who has supported her journey, cheered from the sidelines, judged her fairly, and admired her in and out of the ring. And to Katrina – none of this would have been possible without your dedication. You and Akela are the dream team.

Here’s to the legend that is Akela. The Lappie who always knew she was born to shine. ✨