INVITATION
12th EUROPEAN HOZONKAI CHAMPIONSHIP
In 2008, our journey to further develop Akita Inu Hozonkai (AKIHO) activities in Europe began with the aspiration of creating multiple AKIHO exhibition opportunities across Europe.
Today, this vision for AKIHO activities outside Japan continues to take shape, with several events now being held across Europe, including AKIHO France’s third exhibition in early July and AKIHO United Europe’s first exhibition in the Czech Republic in late October.
However, one event had not yet been announced…
And so, it is our pleasure to introduce the:
🏆 12th European Hozonkai Championship
📍 Torino, Italy
📅 3–4 October 2026
During the previous edition, 168 Akita Inu participated, contributing to what has become recognised as the largest exhibition stage outside Japan.
Inspired by Japanese culture, this year’s poster features a “Maneki Akita Inu”, inspired by the traditional maneki neko, welcoming exhibitors and enthusiasts alike to Torino.
We look forward to welcoming many AKIHO members, exhibitors and Akita Inu enthusiasts to this occasion.
天然記念物 秋田犬
AKIHO Europe
12th European Hozonkai Championship
FROM JAPAN
Introducing This Year’s Delegation
SAGAWA Hiromitsu was born in Koshigaya, Saitama Prefecture, and has been involved with Akita Inu from an early age. His first encounter with the breed came during childhood, when his father brought home an Akita Inu. In 2007, after receiving an Akita puppy, he joined Akita Inu Hozonkai and soon became deeply involved in the world of Akita Inu exhibitions.
Driven by a strong interest in raising and evaluating dogs, Mr. Sagawa began regularly attending exhibitions and started exhibiting his own Akita Inu from the autumn of 2008. His growing experience also led him to recognise the importance of qualified judges in maintaining the quality and future of the breed.
In December 2012, Mr. Sagawa took the examination to join the AKIHO judging staff and was officially appointed in February 2013. He has continued to serve as a judge ever since, contributing to the preservation of the Akita Inu through careful evaluation and the identification of dogs that represent the qualities of the breed.
12th European Hozonkai Championship
FROM JAPAN
Introducing This Year’s Delegation
HAMADA Masami is a veteran AKIHO judge and breeder from Daisen, Akita Prefecture. A former Director of Judging, he has been involved with the preservation, breeding and exhibition of the Akita Inu for decades. His connection with the breed also runs in the family: his father, Tsuruo Hamada, was a well-known breeder in the Daisen area.
Mr. Hamada is perhaps best known internationally as the breeder of Masaru, the Akita Inu presented by AKIHO to Olympic champion Alina Zagitova. Masaru was born at Mr. Hamada’s kennel in 2018 and was raised by him until about two and a half months of age. Mr. Hamada has also held senior regional positions within AKIHO and currently serves as General Branch Head for Tohoku–Hokkaido.