Akita

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Description

 The Akita is a striking breed who is a large, powerful, alert, well-balanced dog with much substance and heavy bone. They have a deep muzzle, small triangular eyes, erect ears, and a large single or double curled tail. The Akita's head is triangular and their jaws are large and powerful. Akitas are renowned for their fierce love, loyalty and obedience to their owners. Akitas are the largest of the Japanese Spitz-type breeds and have webbed feet, which makes them very strong swimmers. The Akita, or Shishi Inu as they are sometimes called, are of the Northern type breeds in which they have a distinct tail curled over the back. The Japanese bred them as a fighting dog with a great temperament. They need space and should not be confined.  They are very devoted to their families, and are a brave and courageous breed. Akitas are very intelligent and are for the most part obedient, but may have an independent and curious streak once in a while. They do not like being bored, and should be mentally and physically stimulated every day. If they get bored they tend to get noisier and less obedient, but they simply need attention from the owner they are so devoted to.

History

Originating from Japan, the Akita has remained unchanged for centuries. Today it's seen as the national dog of Japan and was developed in the Akita region (hence the name). They were originally bred for hunting and dog fighting and their ancestors were used for hunting by the matagi. 

Temperament: The Akitas are loyal and courageous companions that are affectionate with their own families but wary of strangers. Akitas make excellent guard dogs though they are usually good natured and quiet. They can also be stubborn at times and require socialization in order to get along with a range of people. Akitas are also an active, independent, dignified, and bold breed though they may be aggressive toward other dogs. Akitas are very smart, courageous and inquisitive. They tenacious and devoted to family, playful, quiet and attentive. They are also quite obedient, but if they are bored they may get less obedient and less quiet as time goes on. They can be stubborn and must be shown what to do in order to do it, they do not like being forced.

Origin

The Akita Inu is native to the island of Honshu in the region of Akita in Japan, where it has remained unchanged for centuries. The Akita Inu is considered a national dog of Japan and is one of seven breeds designated as a Natural Monument. The breed has had many uses, such as police and military work, a guard dog (for the government and civilian), a fighting dog, a hunter of bear and deer and a sled dog. The Akita Inu is a versatile hunting dog, able to hunt in inclement weather. The Akita's soft mouth makes it possible for him to work as a waterfowl retrieval dog. The dog is considered sacred and a good luck charm in the country of Japan. Small statues of the Akita Inu are often given to new parents after babies are born as a gesture of good health and to sick people as a gesture of a speedy recovery. In 1937 the first Akita, who was named Kamikaze-go was brought to the United States by Helen Keller. The dog was a gift given to her during her trip to Akita Prefecture. Kamikaze-go died in 1935 of canine distemper. In 1938 another Akita named Kenzan-go was given to her as an official gift from the Japanese government. After World War II many serviceman brought Akita Inu dogs to the USA.
There are two types of Akitas, the original Japanese Akita breed and now a separate designation for American standard Akita's. The weights, sizes, are different and the American standard allows a black mask, where as the original Japanese breed standard does not allow for a black mask. According to the FCI , in Japan and in many other countries around the world the American Akita is considered a separate breed from the Akita Inu (Japanese Akita). In the United States and Canada, both the American Akita and the Akita Inu are considered a single breed with differences in type rather than two separate breeds. The Japanese Akita is uncommon in most countries.

Height, Weight

Height: Dogs 26-28 inches (66-71 cm.)   Bitches 24-26 inches (61-66 cm.)
Weight: Dogs 75-120 pounds (34-54 kg.) Bitches 75-110 pounds (34-50 kg.)