Akita pictures

Akitas - Origin

Akitas originated in a Japanese province called Akita. As the story holds, one of the disagreeable courtiers had to spend his entire life in Akita. He was a dog fancier and found much pleasure in hunting the bear. Thus, he made his servants produce an excellent dog capable of helping him during a hunt. As the result of selective breeding, a good hunting dog appeared. It was named by the place of its origin. The main function of the Akita Inu was hunting large animals and serving as a guardian.

It is believed that the breed originated from ancient dogs native to Japan. Numerous archeological items prove that spitz-type dogs with erect ears and a curved tail were well distributed in Japan. Drawings of such dogs were found on ware and other goods.

The Japanese valued the dog highly. It will suffice to say that only the aristocracy could own it. It is said that each dog had a servant who had to feed it and take care of it. Feeding was a real ritual. It is interesting to know that keeping an Akita Inu was considered luck and a privilege. Presenting a family who has a baby with a little figurine of the Akita has become a tradition.

Akitas - Dog Fighting

During the second half of the 19th century dog fighting came into fashion. Breeders of the Akita Inu started to cross the dog with other breeds. The Akita was crossed with the Tosa Shikoku, the ancestor of the modern Tosa Inu, and some other molloser dogs such as English Mastiffs, Great Danes, and Saint Bernards.

The Akita Inu has experienced difficulties in the course of time. Serious damage to the population of these dogs in Japan was done by a tax on keeping dogs. Rabies that occurred in Japan also reduced the population of the breed. Many dogs, both affected and healthy, were destroyed out of fear that rabies could spread quickly on the limited territory.

Akitas - Preservation

In the 1920s, the movement for the preservation of the Akita Inu began. A few societies whose aim was maintaining the purity of the Akita emerged. Professor Shozaburo Watase is reputed as the person who has contributed to the success of preserving the breed. His efforts were instrumental in increasing public awareness over the importance of maintaining the native Japanese breeds.

Akitas - In the United States

Helen Keller was the first to bring the Akita dog to the United States. American militants that occupied Japan at the end of World War II also took interest in these dogs and brought a few Akitas home. The breed gained popularity at the second half of the 20th century with the formation of breed clubs and organizations. The AKC accepted the Akita into the Miscellaneous Group in 1956. The dogs were exported to other European countries. In 1973, Akitas were fully recognized by the AKC.

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Akitas - Pictures

Akitas - Origin

Akitas - Dog Fighting

Akitas - Preservation

Akitas - In the United States