Koko (dog)

Koko

Koko at the premiere of Red Dog
Breed Australian Kelpie
Sex Male
Born 9 April 2005
Victoria, Australia
Died 18 December 2012 (aged 7)
Perth, Western Australia, Australia
Occupation Canine actor, fundraiser
Notable role Red Dog
Years active 2011–2012
Owner Nelson Woss
Appearance Red cloud kelpie
Awards Golden Collar Award
Website

Koko (9 April 2005[1]  – 18 December 2012[2]) was an Australian canine film actor and fundraiser, an Australian Kelpie who best known for his role as Red Dog the title character of the 2011 film Red Dog. He was owned by Nelson Woss, a producer of Red Dog.

Biography

Koko was born in Victoria, Australia in 2005 to breeders Carol and Len Hobday and initially trained as a show dog. He won Best Exhibiting Group, Working Dogs in January 2006. It was quite unusual for a dog so young to win in that group.[3] Koko came to prominence in 2011 for his work in Red Dog, which was based on a true story about a dog in a mining town and the relationships that he develops. He won the Golden Collar Award for Best Dog in a Foreign Film in Los Angeles for his portrayal.[4] A painting of Koko with producer Nelson Woss by artist Adam Cullen was a finalist in the 2012 Archibald Prize.[5][6]

In 2012, Koko was retired after he was diagnosed with congestive heart disease. However, he still continued to make appearances for the RSPCA and for Perth's Shenton Park Dog Refuge in return for donations.[7]

Death

Koko died from heart failure on 18 December 2012, in Perth, Western Australia. He was 7 years old.

References

  1. ↑ "RED DOG’s Koko passes away peacefully". reddogmovie.com. Retrieved 11 November 2013.
  2. ↑ "Red Dog star Koko dies - The West Australian". Au.news.yahoo.com. 18 December 2012. Retrieved 18 December 2012.
  3. ↑ "RED DOG’s Koko Passes Away Peacefully". roadshow.com.au. Retrieved 3 August 2013.
  4. ↑ Pond, Steve (14 February 2012). "Uggie is top dog at the Golden Collar Awards — of course". Reuters. Retrieved 18 December 2012.
  5. ↑ "Adam Cullen: Nelson and Koko :: Archibald Prize 2012". Art Gallery NSW. Retrieved 2013-01-05.
  6. ↑ Coetsee, Alexa (18 December 2012). "Red Dog star Koko dies in Perth". Daily Telegraph. Retrieved 18 December 2012.
  7. ↑ Maddox, Garry (18 December 2012). "'Australia's favourite': Red Dog's true star dies". Brisbane Times. Retrieved 18 December 2012.

External links

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