HE’S been called an artist who tends his poodle’s poufs as if they were bonsai trees from Japan – and it’s an accomplishment that’s made him the top dog in a world where the hair of the hound means everything. Kaz Hosaka recently made headlines
when his impeccably groomed miniature poodle, Sage, took the honours in the prestigious Westminster Kennel Club Dog Show in New York, the crème de la crème of global dog competition.
Four-year-old Sage became the first female to win in the non-sporting category since 2020 and beat more than 3 000 entrants from around the world.
Kaz (65), a veteran dog show competitor and a professional dog groomer and handler, was so delighted that he had to fight back tears. “I’m so happy she gave me a great performance and I’m so proud of this dog,” he said.
Sage’s recent victory was the cherry on top for Kaz, who’s retiring after 45 years of competing in dog shows. Non-sporting dogs are judged on their personality, appearance, size, coat and temperament and Sage behaved like a champ.
“Poodles aren’t easy,” says Kaz, who came to the US from Japan as a teenager. “But she did well with all the echoes [in the stadium] and a lot of people applauding. Maybe I was more nervous than she was. “I’ve been in America for 45 years – I’ve been lucky and done a lot, especially at Westminster. This is my seventh group win for poodles. That’s more than I could ask for and it’s my perfect ending.”
This is Kaz’s second best-in-show trophy. In 2002 Sage’s great-grandmother, Surrey Spice Girl, took the prize.
Esta historia es de la edición 06 June 2024 de YOU South Africa.
Comience su prueba gratuita de Magzter GOLD de 7 días para acceder a miles de historias premium seleccionadas y a más de 9,000 revistas y periódicos.
Ya eres suscriptor ? Conectar
Esta historia es de la edición 06 June 2024 de YOU South Africa.
Comience su prueba gratuita de Magzter GOLD de 7 días para acceder a miles de historias premium seleccionadas y a más de 9,000 revistas y periódicos.
Ya eres suscriptor? Conectar
PUSHED TO THE LIMIT
The unusual relationship between an heiress and her husband has taken a sinister twist
HOW TO MAKE A SUPERBABY
Noor Siddiqui says her company can test embryos for hundreds of conditions from diabetes to Alzheimer's. Critics call it social engineering but she insists she's just giving prospective parents the means to avoid a lot of future heartache
THE GROWN-UP BRAIN
If you think your brain deteriorates as you age, think again!
THE eyes HAVE IT
They're the windows to our soul - and the first place to show the stresses of everyday life. Juliette Winter reveals expert tips to de-puff, brighten and smooth this delicate area
WE'RE IN THIS TOGETHER
It hasn't been an easy road but now this bodybuilding couple are making waves in the industry
I CAN'T WAIT FOR SUMMER!
Annetjie's about to get effective treatment for the skin condition that has blighted her life and she's looking forward to hitting the shops and facing the world
'SHE NO THREAT TO ANYONE'
When SA boxer Chris van Heerden's Russian girlfriend went to visit her parents she was thrown in jail and accused of treasonnow he's in a fight to free her
SUNK IN 16 MINUTES!
A sun-drenched holiday turned into a living nightmare for those aboard this luxury vessel
READY TO SMILE AGAIN
A groundbreaking surgical procedure will restore this Limpopo teen's badly damaged jaw and teeth
HARRY AT A CROSSROADS
As the prince turns 40, royal experts paint a picture of a troubled soul- isolated, homesick and struggling to find a purpose in life