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Akita
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The American Akita, often called simply Akita, is a dog breed from
the mountainous northern regions of Japan. The American Akita is
considered a separate breed from the Akita Inu (Japanese Akita)
in many countries around the world, with the notable exceptions of
the United States and Canada. In the US and Canada, both the
American Akita and the Akita Inu are considered a single breed
with differences in type rather than two separate breeds. Note that
in 2005 the FCI-designation Great Japanese Dog was officially
changed to American Akita.
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Akita
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Description
Appearance
As a northern breed, the appearance of the Akita reflects cold
weather adaptations essential to their original function. The Akita is
a substantial breed for its height with heavy bone. Characteristic
physical traits of the breed include a large, bear-like head with
erect, triangular ears set at a slight angle following the arch of the
neck. Additionally, the eyes of the Akita are small, dark, deeply set
and triangular in shape. Akitas have thick double coats, and tight,
well knuckled cat feet. Their tails are carried over the top of the
back in a graceful sweep down the loin, into a gentle curl, or into a
double curl. All colors are permitted by the AKC Akita Breed
Standard, and Pinto markings are also permitted.
Mature males measure typically 26-28 inches at the withers and
weigh between 100-130 pounds. Mature females typically measure
24-26 inches and weigh between 70-100 pounds.
Recognized by the American Kennel Club in 1973, the Akita is a
rather new breed in the United States. It has grown steadily in
popularity, in part because of its extraordinary appearance and in
part because of its captivating personality.
History
Japanese history, both verbal and written, describe the ancestors
of the Akita, the Matagi dog, as one of the oldest of the native
dogs. The Akita of today developed primarily from these dogs in
the northernmost region of the island of Honshū in the Akita
prefecture, thus providing the breed's name. The Matagi's quarry
included elk, antelope, boar, and the 120 stone Yezo bear. This
swift, agile, unswervingly tenacious precursor dog tracked large
game and held it at bay until the hunters arrived to make the kill.
Today's Akita is also influenced by crosses with larger breeds from
Asia and Europe, including the Tosa Inu, in the desire to develop a
fighting dog for the burgeoning dog fighting industry in Odate,
Akita Prefecture, Japan in the early 20th Century. The ancestors of
today's American Akita were originally a variety of the Akita Inu (a
form that was not desired and which is still not showable as an
Akita Inu), although today it can certainly be debated that the two
have diverged enough to be separate breeds.
Temperament
The Akita today is a unique combination of dignity, courage,
alertness, and devotion to its family. It is extraordinarily affectionate
and loyal with family and friends, territorial about its property, and
can be reserved with strangers. It is feline in its actions; it is not
unusual for an Akita to clean its face after eating, to preen its
kennel mate, and to be fastidious in the house.
Because it is a large, powerful dog, the Akita is certainly not a
breed for everyone. Their background gives them a strong
independent streak that can make Akitas unreliable off-lead and
more challenging in obedience activities. The Akita thrives on the
love and respect of its master and, with constant reinforcement
training and a little creativity, can be a very good worker.
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Country of origin
Japan
Weight
Female: 70-100 lb
Male: 100-130 lb
Height
Female: 24-26 in
Male: 26–28 in
Coat
Thick double coat
Color
Any
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Dog DNA Test samples analyzed in about two weeks
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