Akita- Japan’s Treasure

Akita

Bred in Japan for centuries, the Akita is considered one of the oldest breeds to have originated in Japan. In ancient times, only the imperial leaders of Japan were permitted to own the Akita, a prized dog who was well-versed in many skills.

The Akita, trained as a hunting dog, was tenacious in his methods. He was adept at tracking his prey and at keeping the prey trapped until his masters, the royal hunters of Japan, could arrive. The Akita had no sense of fear and was capable of hunting large game including antelope, elk, bear, and boar.

Additionally, the Akita had unusually keen senses of smell, hearing, and sight. This clearly added to his capability as a trained hunter. In fact, these skills came into play when the Akita was manning the station as a guard dog. The savage predators of the mountainous terrain of the Akita Prefecture were no match for this strong and fierce breed.

The 1800s were not good years for the Akita. This breed was crossed with another breed of Japanese dog, the Tosa. The results were disastrous for the Akita. Although the cross produced a healthy and strong crossbreed, the dog was placed as a popular contender for the very popular Japanese sport of dogfighting.

This was not a good life for the dog. As if this wasn't enough bad luck, a rabies epidemic forced the Japanese to beat thousands of Akitas to death to prevent further spread of the disease. Fortunately, for the Akita, his popularity experienced a renewed surge of interest, as did the numbers of his breed. Other circumstances also led to a renewed interest in this specific breed.

In the 1920s a young Akita named Hachi-Ko accompanied his owner to and from the train station every working day. One day his master died while at work and never returned. Yet, Hachi-Ko returned to the train station every day to look for his master. His loyalty became known world-wide and eventually a bronze statue was erected in his honor at the train station, which was located in a suburb of Tokyo.

Once the Akita was declared a Japanese National treasure in 1931, his safety was secured. Careful breeding practices were implemented to maintain the purity of the breed. During World War II, American servicemen developed a fondness for this breed, which they snuck back into the states after the war.

Among the most noticeable physical characteristics of the Akita is the rather bear-like head that sits rather regally atop their shoulders. Their ears are triangular in shape and they sit at somewhat of an angle that follows the neck's arch.

The coat of an Akita is thick and tight. Their tails provide a touch of grace with their sweeping curl, and sometimes, a double curl, over the top of this breed's back. Put together, the physical characteristics of this breed set them apart in appearance.

The Akita has an exceptional personality that includes a fierce sense of loyalty and a bottomless supply of courage. The Akita is known for being extremely affectionate and loving with his family and close friends of the family. Positive reinforcement is the best method for training this particular breed. You could use dubaidirectory.com to find dog training services in Dubai.

Moreover, the Akita, partly in response to his training as a guard dog, has no fondness of strangers. He is a clean dog that will not only clean himself similar to the manner in which cats dean themselves, but also, he will clean his bunkmate. Nonetheless, the Akita is a breed that does best singly or in pairs.

The Akita is a large dog and needs lots of exercise to keep him happy. Boredom can make the Akita troublesome, so it best to circumvent this with plenty of activity, including daily walks. Today's Akita remains a good guard dog and companion. The American Kennel Club recognized this breed in 1973.

The average lifespan of the Akita is ten to twelve years if they are properly cared for. The Akita is typically placed in the utility group. The Akita is a large size. The adult dog usually weighs between 34-54 kg or 75-120 Ibs. The typical height of the adult male falls between 6-71 cm or 26-28 inches.