Akita Inu - big dog

since 1931 natural monument

The Akita comes from the prefecture of the same name (Honshu Island - north). When it was declared a natural monument, it could no longer be exported. This changed with the occupation and in 1945 many Akitas came to America. Both Akita, the Japanese and also the American, have their origins in Japan and a same development standard until about 1950. From this time a split developed. There were 2 rough line divisions because many Akita crossbreeds (Tosa, Mastiff, German Shepherd, ...) showed.

The Dewa lineage is the origin of the American Akita. This line was undesirable in Japan because the breeds that were crossed were seen. They were more of a "bear type". Initially these dogs were highly titled (Congo type) which delayed the recovery process as well as caused the differences in the Akita breeds.

In contrast, there were improvements in the Ichinoseki line. The goal was to go back to the spitz type with small triangular ears and eyes resembling a fox.

In the USA, a club was founded with the Dewa line or the Kongo type and the standard was included with subsequent publication (AKC). When the studbook then excluded imports from Japan, the Akita breeds developed in different directions. After reopening in 1992, the differences were so extreme that apart from the erect ears and the curled tail, no common external features could be determined.

In the early 1990s, the FCI standard for the Akita was based on the Japanese type and was therefore preferred. This resulted in the division of the breed in 2000, as the American Akita had no more chances. Thus, the American Akita is a relatively new breed but still shares the same roots as the Japanese Akita.

We divide AKITA into Japanese and AMERICAN AKITA. In other countries, the division into AKITA is for American and JAPAN AKITA.

Character:

Everyone knows him, everyone loves him - HACHIKO. The most loyal dog soul. He came to his masters by fateful detours whom he always accompanied. Hachiko suspected the stroke of fate and behaved uncharacteristically. The last joy for his master before he died. Nevertheless, Hachiko wanted to pick him up every day and waited for him to come back to him on the usual train. All means and ways could not stop him, so that he was cared for by everyone on site until he died and finally saw his master again.

This unconditional loyalty is said after the Akita. He is a big, gentle giant, which is nevertheless very alert and must be utilized accordingly! He has a low "will-to-please" but a high commitment. The Akita is and remains a small defiant with independent and autonomous actions.

Current:

Unfortunately, as with the Shiba, a fashion trend is emerging through the filming of Hachiko. However, like everyone else, these dogs require a lot of patience and consistency. They are often underestimated and wrongly advised/simply sold, so that many families who are overwhelmed give these good giants away again.

One should not underestimate the will of an Akita either. In America, a surveillance camera made an interesting film. Akita are very alert. In the past, they were also guard and attack dogs. Said recording shows a bear "breaking into" the family territory, which this Akita immediately defended and drove the bear away.

Health:

The Akita are actually very healthy and robust dogs due to good selection. In most cases, allergies and skin diseases (especially sebadenitis - autosomal inheritance) as well as ailments of old age such as spondylosis and arthrosis occur. The thyroid is often checked for hypofunction.

Standard examinations are HD, ED, PL and eyes and ears (congenital vestibular syndrome).

The musculoskeletal system and the blood count are specifically checked for "deficiencies".