RED DOG’s Koko passes away peacefully

KOKO was born on 9 April 2005 to breeders Carol and Len Hobday from Klassikelp Australian Kelpies. Initially trained as a show dog, KOKO won Best Exhibiting Group, Working Dogs in January 2006. Carol Hobday noted at the time that it was quite unique for a dog so young to win in that group.

Trainer Luke Hura was tasked with finding the canine star for RED DOG and in 2009 he approached Carol and Len with an interest in KOKO. Luke and RED DOG director Kriv Stenders auditioned KOKO and immediately found him to be an outgoing dog with a beautiful temperament and star quality. Carol and Len agreed to part with their beloved dog for the movie, but they did not want to lose him permanently.

Filming of RED DOG

KOKO began training with Mr. Hura at age six and learned more than 50 commands for the movie. The filming of RED DOG was KOKO’s chance to shine and he demonstrated a strong work ethic but often showed a fierce independence and spirit akin to the real RED DOG. KOKO formed a great freiendship with all of the RED DOG cast and crew.

At the conclusion of filming, it was obvious to Carol and Len Hobday that Nelson and KOKO had formed a very special bond. The Hobday’s agreed to let Nelson keep KOKO and did not accept any payment.

KOKO’s retirement

Following the film’s publicity tour, KOKO was retired to a life of long walks, good food and lots of pats. During this time, KOKO would only make public appearances where there was a significant donation made to either the Shenton Park Dog Refuge or the RSPCA. KOKO was often recognized on the streets of Perth and was always happy to meet his fans. KOKO was especially close and protective of Mr Woss's 3-year old daughter Zella.

In 2012 KOKO was awarded Best Dog in a Foreign Film at the inaugural Golden Collar Awards in Los Angeles. In a 2012 book by author Lee Tate he was listed as one of 101 amazing Western Australian characters alongside esteemed icons such as Tim Winton and C.Y. O’Connor. A portrait of KOKO by Adam Cullen received a special commendation at the 2012 Archibald prize.

Mr. Woss said that having a kelpie in your life is a great joy but urged families with children to carefully consider any decision to own a kelpie, as the breed requires a lot of exercise and mental stimulation.

Mr. Woss is not available for further comment but suggests that anyone who would like to remember or honour KOKO can do so by making a donation or pledge in KOKO’s name to the Shenton Park Dog Refuge.

The RED DOG filmmakers would like to make a special request for the media to make mention of the Shenton Park Dog Refuge in any article written post-death about KOKO. The refuge's address is listed below.

HI-RES stills of KOKO on the RED DOG set can be downloaded here:
https://www.dropbox.com/sh/9zqj08704pb7cv7/ajbviQ-rkU

RED DOG INSPIRES THE DUNGOG STREET PARADE

New South Wales town, Dungog, will be host to a street parade with a theme inspired by last year's blockbuster film - Red Dog! Pet owners are encouraged to bring along their pooches of all shapes and sizes to see the parade consisting of 20 horsemen, cars, tractors and even a helicopter.

When: Saturday 30th June 2012, 11am

Where: Dowling Street, Dungog

Click here for more info

Posted June 25,2012

THE RED DOG FETCHES ANOTHER AWARD - THE GOLDEN COLLAR

KOKO, the canine star of RED DOG, has been awarded Best Dog in a Foreign Film at the Golden Collar Awards in Los Angeles on Monday 13 February 2012.

KOKO’s win follows on from the RED DOG team's recent success including taking home Best Film at the Australian Academy of Cinema and Television Arts (AACTA) Awards and Best Feature Film at the Inside Film (IF) Awards.

See Koko's acceptance speech here

Posted February 1,2012

RED DOG WINS BEST FILM AT THE INAUGURAL AACTA AWARDS

The awards, formerly known as the AFIs, recognise the best in Australian film and television production over the past year.

RED DOG took out the coveted Best Film award, reaffirming its position as one of Australia's favourite and most successful films of all time.

Run by the Australian Academy of Cinema and Television Arts, the awards took place at the iconic Opera House in Sydney and were broadcast on the Channel 9 network.

Posted February 1,2012

CONGRATULATIONS RED DOG!

Reflecting its immense popularity with audiences this year, RED DOG was awarded the AFI Members' Choice Award at the Samsung AACTA Awards Luncheon on January 15.

RED DOG has been nominated for 8 awards in total including Best Film. Remaining awards will be announced at the glamorous red carpet Samsung AACTA Awards Ceremony at the Sydney Opera House on January 31, and broadcast that night on the Nine Network.

Posted January 30,2012

RED DOG NOMINATED FOR 8 AACTA AWARDS

Have a "lick" at these nominations:

Best Film (Nelson Woss, Julie Ryan); AFI Members' Choice (Nelson Woss, Julie Ryan); Best Direction (Kriv Stenders); Best Adapted Screenplay (Daniel Taplitz); Best Cinematography (Geoffrey Hall); Best Editing (Jill Bilcock); Best Original Music Score (Cezary Skubiszewski); Best Production Design (Ian Gracie).

Australia's first AACTA Award recipients will be announced in January 2012 at two major events in Sydney: the Samsung AACTA Awards Luncheon, presented by Digital Pictures will be held at Sydney's Westin Hotel on Sunday 15 January 2012; and the Samsung AACTA Awards Ceremony will be held at the Sydney Opera House on Tuesday 31 January 2012.

More info on the AACTA's: AACTA Feature Films

Posted January 13,2012

RED DOG DVD THE BIGGEST-SELLING DVD OF 2011!

After only 8 weeks, RED DOG has climbed the ladder to become the 3rd biggest-selling DVD of all time in Australia, behind only Avatar (#1) and Finding Nemo (#2), when looking at sales over the same time period.

It was also the biggest-selling DVD of 2011, and is on track to shortly become the biggest-selling Australian DVD of all time!

A big WOOF to that!

RED DOG wanders into UK cinemas on 24 February 2012!

Check out this great review: londonfilmfanatiq.com

Posted January 4,2012

RED DOG HOWLING SUCCESS AT IF AWARDS!

Red Dog solidified its position as this year's biggest Australian film by cleaning up at last night's Jameson IF Awards Sydney.

The film, which has made more than $21 million at the box office since opening in early-August, netted seven awards including Best Feature Film, Best Direction (Kriv Stenders) and Best Cinematography (Geoff Hall).

It also won the Best Actor (Josh Lucas), Best Script (Daniel Taplitz) and Best Music (Cezary Skubiszewski) categories and of course, the Best Box Office Achievement. It also scored nominations for (Best Actress, Rachael Taylor, Best Editing and Best Production Design.

Check out the full run down here: Jameson IF Awards

Posted November 17, 2011

RED DOG is coming to DVD this Christmas!

Want to take Koko the Kepie home with you? RED DOG will be available on Blu-Ray, DVD and to Download on December 2nd!

Posted September 7, 2011

RED DOG, IN CINEMAS NOW! WOOF!

Go dig up your tickets now!

Check out here for your local session times!

Posted August 4, 2011

Red Dog coming to cinemas August 4.

Date Change

Exciting news for you Red Dog fans! The release date for the film has been moved forward from August 11 to August 4.

Posted Jun 28, 2011

EXCLUSIVE: Download the first chapter of, Red Dog: The Book

THE STINKER

"Strewth," exclaimed Jack Collins, "that dog's a real stinker! I don't know how he puts up with himself. If I dropped bombs like that, I'd walk around with my head in a paper bag, just to protect myself."

"Everyone likes their own smells," said Mrs Collins. Jack raised his eyebrows and smirked at her, so she added, "Or so they say."

"Well, it's too much for me, Maureen. He's going to have to go out in the yard."

"It's his diet," said Maureen, "eating what he eats, it's going to make smells. And he gulps it down so fast, he must be swallowing air."

"Tally would let off even if you fed him on roses," said her husband, shaking his head, half in wonder. "Shame it's a talent you can't be paid for. We'd all be millionaires."

Posted Jun 14, 2011