The Akita is a powerful and muscular breed of working dog. In most countries (with the exception of the Australian, American and Canadian Kennel Clubs), there are considered to be two breeds, the American Akita and the Akita Inu. "Inu" means "dog."
The modern breed of Akita originated in the mountains of northern Japan in the early 17th century. It was originally bred as a fighting dog, the breed later was used to hunt deer, wild boar, and black bears.
Ownership was formerly restricted to royalty and the ruling aristocracy, with special provisions for care and feeding and a special vocabulary to be used when addressing or referring to the dogs.
The Akita Inu was designated a national treasure by the Japanese government in 1931. It is regarded as protectors of the home, loyal companions, and a symbol of good health and happiness.
In Japan, the Akita symbolizes good health, happiness, and longevity, so the Japanese gift statues of the dog as "Get Well Soon" tokens. They also give statues of Akita Inus as presents to new parents upon the birth of their child.
A huge statue of an Akita was erected in the Shibuya Station, Tokyo, in 1934 to commemorate a faithful dog called Hachiko (November 10, 1923 – March 8, 1935). The loyal pet appeared daily to greet his master as he returned from work, a practice which continued even ten years after the master died.
The first Akita to be introduced to the United States was a dog named Kamikaze-go, who was given to Helen Keller as a gift after she visited the prefecture of Akita in Japan in 1937.
The Akita is large and powerful, with a massive head; full, broad muzzle; and broad, black nose. The ears characteristically are erect, small in proportion to the head, and carried slightly forward over the eyes. The chest is wide and deep, the neck thick and muscular, and the skin pliant.
Sources Compton's Interactive Encyclopedia © 1998, Funk & Wagnalls Encyclopedia
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| Pixabay |
The modern breed of Akita originated in the mountains of northern Japan in the early 17th century. It was originally bred as a fighting dog, the breed later was used to hunt deer, wild boar, and black bears.
Ownership was formerly restricted to royalty and the ruling aristocracy, with special provisions for care and feeding and a special vocabulary to be used when addressing or referring to the dogs.
The Akita Inu was designated a national treasure by the Japanese government in 1931. It is regarded as protectors of the home, loyal companions, and a symbol of good health and happiness.
In Japan, the Akita symbolizes good health, happiness, and longevity, so the Japanese gift statues of the dog as "Get Well Soon" tokens. They also give statues of Akita Inus as presents to new parents upon the birth of their child.
A huge statue of an Akita was erected in the Shibuya Station, Tokyo, in 1934 to commemorate a faithful dog called Hachiko (November 10, 1923 – March 8, 1935). The loyal pet appeared daily to greet his master as he returned from work, a practice which continued even ten years after the master died.
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| Helen Keller touching the (2nd) statue of HachikÅ during her visit to Japan in 1948 |
The first Akita to be introduced to the United States was a dog named Kamikaze-go, who was given to Helen Keller as a gift after she visited the prefecture of Akita in Japan in 1937.
The Akita is large and powerful, with a massive head; full, broad muzzle; and broad, black nose. The ears characteristically are erect, small in proportion to the head, and carried slightly forward over the eyes. The chest is wide and deep, the neck thick and muscular, and the skin pliant.
Sources Compton's Interactive Encyclopedia © 1998, Funk & Wagnalls Encyclopedia
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