‘Tiko’ Bassbarr Kool Kustomer at Chayo.

‘Tiko’ was my second Alaskan Malamute. He was born 04.05.98 and was pick of the litter. Bred by Bill O’ Loughlin of the famous Bassbarr affix (top breeder of Bassett Hounds). He used the newly imported male ‘Paco’ Omen Del Lago Degli Orsi, who was owned at the time by Mike Gadsby of the equally famous Afterglow kennel, to a bitch he had bought in ‘Teela’ Kebucks Krystal Klear.

From the moment Tiko came home, he was special. This dog had the ability to pick up on whatever I wanted him to do and 99% of the time he had done it before I had even asked him. He was clever, far too clever sometimes. His show career was amazing. The minute he entered the ring he won and won. We also went over to show in Ireland. At just over 2 yrs old he won the Working Group at Scottish Kennel Club Champ Show in 2000. His list of wins are impressive at a time when Malamutes were still a rare breed. His wins at Open Show level are too numerous to list. At Championship Show level he won 5 BPIB, BPIB Crufts 1999, BPIB and WPG4 at St Patricks Show 1999. He won a few RBD from the Junior class, 6 RBD in total from a mixture of classes. He won 4 BOB and then the ultimate was the Working Group win at Scottish Kennel Club in 2000.

Tiko, SKC Working Group 2000

But it was at home he captured my heart. Wherever I went, he went... me and my shadow. Even now at 11 and a half years old he will still follow me everywhere. Tiko and I have seen and heard many things over the years. He is a big part of my life and we have a lot of history together. This dog means the world to me.

Tiko is the boss here at Chayo… he is so reserved and dignified. None of the other boys have ever challenged him and the girls are all besotted with him, a real gentleman and what I would class as a ‘proper Malamute’. He was a great stud dog, the one hit wonder I called him. He would only ever breed a bitch once and only when they were exactly right. He would smell them and then walk away but when they were right, then he was quick and efficient. His son, the UK’s first Champion Malamute Ch/FCI Int Ch Chayo Blue Thunder winner '07 has also inherited his ‘nose’ when it comes to breeding bitches.

Tiko, still the King of Chayo and pictured above looking great at age ten and a half!

Whenever I look at this dog, he reminds me why I chose this magnificent breed. Tiko is my foundation stud dog and sired Ch/FCI Intl Ch Chayo Blue Thunder winner '07, who in turn sired Multi BIS Ch/Ir Ch Chayo Dom Perignon ShCm WPD EuW 09, Ch Chayo Moet Chandon and Ch Chayo Forget Me Not EuW'09. I am indebted to Tiko and Chyna for being the foundation of my kennel.

Tiko in 2004. Photo: Carol Ann Johnson

Probably of all his progeny, at this moment in time, ‘Louis’ Multi BIS Ch/Ir Ch Chayo Dom Perignon ShCm WPD EuW 09, his grandson, looks the most like him, but Louis is the resident clown of Chayo and certainly not as serious as his grandad.

Tiko enjoying the good weather. Photos: Elspeth Newing