American Akita: description and content of the breed

As companion dogs for samurai and shoguns, American Akits were considered bold and fearless. By their appearance, they often scared strangers. Dogs were also used during game hunting. They are currently excellent companion dogs and are used as guard dogs and harness dogs. To this day, courage and loyalty are integral elements of their character.

American Akita belong to one of the oldest breeds in the world. On the rocks were found drawings similar to this breed, which appeared about 5000 years ago.

The exact origin and pedigree of the breed remains unknown to this day. There is speculation that it was founded in the 17th century. In Akita Province, in the northern region of Hoshu Island, Japanese aristocrats decided to breed a bold, strong hunting breed. But that individual was smaller than today's Akit representatives. These were elite dogs. The only owners and breeders of Akit could only be Japanese shoguns. The method of caring for dogs was classified. This indicates the high respect enjoyed by dogs of this breed.

At the end of the 19th century (approximately in 1897) as a result of crossing Akita and Japanese fighting breeds, an aggressive breed of impressive size was bred. This led to the almost complete disappearance of purebred akita. The mayor of Odate, Mr. Shigei Izumi, defended the purity of the breed and advocated its conservation.Public opinion supported the movement to protect the cleanliness of the breed, and already in 1919 a law was passed on the conservation of Akit. But due to the large number of different types of dogs, it was impossible to maintain the characteristics of a purebred breed.

The results were presented in the works “The Origin of Japanese Dogs” and “History of Maintaining the Cleanliness of the Japanese Dog Breed” by Hiroshi Saito, as well as at a meeting of the Zoological Society in 1922. In 1927, the Akiho standard was developed.

In 1931, the dog population under the leadership of Dr. Tokyo Kaburagi was restored, and in 1931 the name of the Akita breed was changed.

In 1931, Akita was officially recognized as the "National Dog of Japan", and the export of these dogs was prohibited. During World War II, the breed almost died out. Mostly due to an acute shortage of food - every person feeding a dog was considered a traitor. The maintenance of such large dogs was too expensive and could not go to the detriment of human life or health. Dogs were used for meat and skin. No more than a dozen dogs of this breed survived the war. In the post-war period, dogs did not breed well due to diseases and malformations.

The first dog brought to the United States was donated to Ms. Helen Keller in July 1937 from Mr. Itiro Ogasawara (later Chairman Akiho).

After the war, Akit's popularity in the international arena increased. The American soldiers who returned to the country brought with them these wonderful animals.

At that time, the Kongo-Go dog won the JKC show, and a dog of the same type, winning the Akihoco show, sparked interest in the breed, especially from the late 40s to the mid 50s. The dogs of the Kongo-Go line were large, well-built and magnificent, however, their appearance was different from that of Japanese breeders.

Akita is a symbol of fidelity. These are dogs in love with their owners, faithful to the end. An example of this is the story of Hati-Ko, a dog, thanks to which the world learned that there is a creature (unfortunately, not a man, but a dog), for whom the concept of love, devotion and fidelity is not empty words, but the meaning of life.

Hati-Ko, a puppy of Akita Inu, was born in 1923. Its owner was a professor at the University of Tokyo Eisubaro Ueno. When Hati-Ko grew up a bit, he escorted his master to Shibuya Station. He returned there daily at four in the afternoon to meet his master. Every day, a man and a dog, regardless of the weather, parted and greeted each other in the square in front of the station. It seemed that nothing could break the harmony that reigned between them.

However, in 1925, when the dog was 18 months old, Hati-Ko, as usual, said goodbye to his master, taking the train, but did not wait for him to return at four o’clock. Eisubaro Ueno died at work. Everyone knew about it, but no one could explain it to the dog, who daily returned to the square, looking for her beloved master at the door of the station. This lasted 9 years until the dog died.

Friendly people took care of her. But no one could replace the dog Eisubaro Ueno. Hati-Ko became famous thanks to an article in the press on October 4, 1932 called "The touching story of the old dog", and in honor of his devotion a bronze monument was erected by the Japanese sculptor Teru Ando.

Another example of such an unusual devotion to man is history of 12 Akita dogs, which in 1957 took part in a scientific expedition along the southern route. Due to difficult weather conditions, Japanese scientists were forced to return from the middle of the route, leaving equipment and dogs.

When the expedition was resumed three years later, the researchers found 12 out of 20 dogs remaining in the former camp. They survived in extreme conditions, were healthy and in good condition. Emperor Hirohito ordered a monument to be erected in their honor - 12 full-size dog silhouettes cast in bronze near the Tokyo Tower.

Japanese literature portrays Akita as an ancient and indigenous dog with which certain beliefs were associated. Small wooden figurines depicting an Akita performed by Japanese sculptors were presented as gifts - symbols of happiness.

Akita American is a dog with a strong physique and great weight. Her head is characteristic in the form of two equilateral triangles.

There are a lot of varieties of color shades of fur in this breed. There are dogs that have red, red, fawn, white color. As well as various mixed colors and patterns (for example, tiger). Spotted individuals have large, evenly spaced spots on a white background of the head and trunk. The color of the undercoat may differ from the color of the outer layer of the coat, which is especially evident in long-haired representatives of Akita.

The table below shows the main characteristics of this breed.

American Akita - breed properties (on a 10-point scale):

Large Japanese dogs are suitable for calm and at the same time strong people. Improper training of these dogs can cause them shyness or aggression. Mutual understanding can be achieved through friendly, patient and consistent upbringing. However, the dog belongs to the dominant individuals, so the pet will try to subjugate family members.

Submission is unfamiliar to them. Only with kindness and patience will the intended goal be achieved. American Akita is ideal for finding people trapped in an avalanche.

Besides, you can never be 100% sure that akita will obey you, even if the dog is well bred. In forest areas rich in game, it is better to keep the Akita on a leash, as the hunting instinct is present in the genes of this breed.

The beautiful fur of these dogs consists of two layers (wool and undercoat), it is very easy to care for it. Only with hair loss (molting) twice a year daily combing is necessary.

Representatives of the American Akita have many different colors and color combinations, including black, white, chocolate or brindle.

They are usually stubborn and do not like strangers too much. These are good qualities for a watchdog, but an experienced trainer will be required if you have to interact with other animals or people. Beginners are wary of this breed. Nevertheless, the Akites are faithful companions who will be attached to their master for life. Therefore, if you and your family are ready to accept the challenge, you will have a lifelong friend who will not let you down.

The size of the males is about 70 cm, weight from 38 to 60 kg; females - 63 cm, weight from 30 to 50 kg.

Big Japanese dog - great individualist. Akita is confident, stubborn and domineering. With proper upbringing from an early age, the dog will be a reliable and affectionate friend of the family. As for strangers, Akita is in no hurry to establish friendly relations with them, which makes her an ideal watchman. This is a balanced dog, but in battle - cruel, ruthless and uncontrollable.

Obedience training should begin as early as puppyhood, as these are dominant dogs. Having received a superior position, they will try their best to keep it, which can be very dangerous for anyone who wants to deprive the dog of this position.Because of the above, Akita is not suitable for the elderly, physically weak, and also too powerful, submissive or nervous.

Initially, they were used as hunting dogs for hunting wild boars, deer and even dangerous black bears. They were appreciated for their stubbornness and ruthlessness in the struggle, as well as for their hunting passion.

When hunting bears, they usually worked in pairs. At first, the animal circled around the prey, and when the bear rose on its hind legs, the first dog attacked the side of the animal, while the second gnawed at its throat. The battle took place in complete silence. Often dogs died from the clutches of a bear. One source reports that in Colorado, USA, a 400 kg grizzly bear fell on a pair of dogs after a 30-minute battle.

Old sources portray Akita as a dog that helped fishermen catch fish. The dog usually sat next to his master on a rock, almost a meter above the surface of the water, and observed the behavior of fish (trout and salmon) near the shore. When the fish swam near the shore, the dog on command jumped into the water to catch it and bring it to the owner. According to reports, the average fishing efficiency was about 60–70%.

These essentially silent dogs also worked as watchmen, protecting cattle from wild boars. Over time, when their popularity increased, Akita, known for its strength and determination, became a popular fighting dog, especially in the Kazuno and Senbok regions. The fights were the subject of numerous bets, and the interest in them was so great that championships were held. Usually fights took place on small podiums surrounded by a net. In each case, the fight ended with the death of one of the dogs. This increased the aggressor of the winner as the number of defeated opponents increased.

This breed is known unwavering devotion to their owners, and they can be surprisingly sweet and affectionate with family members. Imagine a loving protector who will follow you from room to room, and his whole mission in life is simply to serve you. Akita is a courageous, natural guardian of the family. Stubborn and strong-willed, they will not depart from the test. They usually don’t bark unless there is a good reason, but they scream loudly and make funny grunts, groans and mutterings. Some owners say that Akita mutters to herself and seems to be talking to herself.

While these charming “talking” traits show up in the family, Akita is often on the sidelines and is silent in the presence of strangers. Naturally, they are afraid of strangers, although they will be quite hospitable to the guest, while their owners are at home.

One of the special features of akita is its mouth. Akita loves to wear things in her mouth, including your wrist. This is not an act of aggression, but simply a way of communication between Akita and those they love. They can lead you to their leash because they want, for example, to go for a walk, or point to any number of other ideas that appear in their smart head. They will gladly bring you a newspaper or your slippers. Akita also manifests itself unusually, licking her body like a cat. And this is not their only “cat” trait: like a tiger, they will silently pursue their prey, clinging low to the ground.

Adults should always control the interaction between dogs and children, and this is especially important for this breed.. No child can have a more loyal guardian and playmate than an Akita, but mistreating an Akita can be a hindrance and even endanger your child’s life.It is imperative to teach children to be respectful and kind in all respects with dogs. The play between dogs and children should always be controlled, even with well-trained animals. However, Akita is suitable for families with older children.

Benefits:

• faithful and attached to the family dog;
• good watchman;
• active, can play sports;
• smart, he quickly learns with the right education;
• fur does not absorb dirt;
• quiet.

A negative property is that the representative of the Akita breed is:

• stubborn and independent;
• tends to dominate;
• aggressive towards strangers and dogs;
• has a strong hunting instinct (this can be a disadvantage on a walk, but an advantage on hunting);
• twice a year sheds heavily.

Despite the fact that Japanese and American Akita are of the same origin, they developed in different conditions. Strong and strong Akita with a calm character are bred in the United States. In Japan in the 1960s, in accordance with the fashion that prevailed at that time, slender and small-sized individuals were bred. As a result of differences in both types of these dogs, it was decided to classify them as:

• akita inu (Japanese Akita), counted by the Kennel Club in group V;
• large japanese dogs (American Akita) included in group II.

Their fox-like heads have significant obvious differences from the expanded in diameter of the head of the American Akita. The Japanese dog has almond-shaped eyes. American - triangular.

The black mask is very popular on American Akita, but is not recognized in Japan, where the markings on the muzzle are white. In America, any color on Akita is allowed; only red, white and some tiger are allowed in Japan. The difference between the types of these rocks is quite large.

There are a few things to keep in mind when choosing a puppy.

Only the pedigree guarantees that a proud akita will grow out of the small fluffy ball that you brought home.

When buying a puppy you should get birth certificate confirming that your puppy was born from a carefully planned combination of two pedigree akitas.

It should be remembered that Akita is complex, rather independent. Therefore, you must treat her decisively, but carefully. In Akita training, consistency is important.

When you give a command, do not expect it to be executed immediately - it’s good if you can bribe it with something tasty.

You must be even more stubborn than your dog.

Akita does not get along with other dogs and does not tolerate their presence nearby. When deciding to purchase an Akita, you must remember that when your puppy grows up, you can be doomed to walk alone with your dog.

One option is to find a puppy on the Internet. There is another possibility - dog shows.

Before making the final decision to buy a puppy, It is recommended to personally visit several kennels, see the conditions in which dogs live. In the kennel, you will immediately see whether the dogs are well-groomed, whether they eat right, whether they have conditions for running and other physical activity.

In the first case, it is a mockery of animals. Do not trust such a breeder who says that dogs live together in perfect harmony. Usually in a small area, dogs are kept in small cages. In the second case, this is a normal production for money, which has nothing to do with the idea of ​​raising purebred dogs.

Only with personal participation can you be sure that the puppy grew up in suitable conditions.

You took a puppy and what's next ...

You have a small, long-awaited akita. The puppy will surely absorb all your free time. Therefore, it is worth taking a vacation so that in a few days the puppy will get used to you and new conditions.

When choosing akita, specify how the puppies ate in the kennel. Nutrition is a very important issue, especially in puppyhood. At least in the first few days the puppy is usually given the food that he ate in the kennel. Puppy ration: raw and boiled meat, white cheese, natural yogurt, rice, dumplings, vegetables and fruits.

Adult Akita can be fed with dry food. But do not save on food, because over time it will affect the health of your pet. A variety of foods are recommended - dry food, cooked food; sometimes raw meat, thigh of veal, lamb, horse meat, beef. Remember that too much protein can cause allergies.

The vaccinations given to the dog must be clarified when buying a puppy, and then consult with a veterinarian.

Shedding Akita takes about three weeks, it is very plentiful and is usually repeated twice a year. At this time, the dog loses mostly soft undercoat, which is easy to clean.

A feature of molting of this breed is that the wool does not fall evenly over the entire surface, but comes off - like wolves. The dog needs to be combed daily (usually only once a week), but you must do this carefully, because the skin becomes sensitive and more susceptible to irritation.

It also happens that during a molt the dog may even appear sick.

Best suited for care metal comb of medium thickness.

If you want to exhibit your pet in competitions, then keep in mind that the representative of this breed does not require special preparation for the exhibition.

The best toys for puppies of this breed are thick cords, hard balls and natural teething. You must also teach your puppy that the toys belong to the owner, and the dog receives them at a certain time.

This breed needs daily exercise, which is not always convenient to do at home. A half-hour walk per day is enough for akita. Peppy walks, jogging (for an adult dog over two years old) and garden games are favorite activities. For the safety of others, walk the dog in the muzzle. A visit to the dog park is probably not a good idea, given the aggressive Akita tendency towards other dogs.

Attract Akita to family events and do not leave her alone in the apartment for a long time. A securely fenced yard is also important both for the safety of Akita and for the safety of strangers who may erroneously enter their territory. Although they are usually not aggressive with guests if their family is at home, the conditions of the game change when their owners are not nearby. Akita is a faithful guardian, and she will protect against everything that she considers a threat.

Particular attention should be paid to raising Akita puppies. These dogs grow very quickly between the ages of four and seven months, which makes them susceptible to bone diseases. Also, do not let your puppy run and play on hard surfaces such as sidewalks. The ideal option is to play on the grass. Avoid forced jumping or jogging on hard surfaces until the dog is at least two years old and its joints are fully formed.

In general, looking after akita is not very difficult. But akita is furry. Therefore, frequent cleaning of the premises will be your lifestyle if you choose this breed. Wool will lie on furniture, clothes, utensils, in food. A weekly brushing of the fur will help reduce the amount of hair in the apartment and keep Akita's coat healthy.

Akita also needs to be bathed approximately every three months. Of course, you can more often when the pet falls out in a dirty puddle or smells bad.

Claws need to be trimmed monthly. Also, once a week it is necessary to wipe the ears with a special cleaner for the ear canals of dogs. As with all breeds, It is important to start looking after Akita at an early age.

Akita are illegible in food. The type of food must be adapted to their lifestyle. Dogs that move a little should not get too nutritious food, because they gain weight quickly. In its turn, the menu of animals that live outside in winter should be rich in calories.

During molting, products that support hair regeneration and improve the skin condition of the animal can be introduced.

Undoubtedly, this is a very convenient way that does not pose serious problems for a proper balanced diet. It is worth remembering that the doses recommended by the manufacturer are often too high. Therefore, it is better to give a little less so that the dog ate everything without leaving any residue in the bowl.

It is most convenient to give high-quality dry food with the addition of glucosamine and chondroitin for large breeds. However, feeds should not contain too much protein, because Akita has a food allergy. Lamb or fish foods are great for feeding.

It is best if the food is pre-soaked in warm water. So you can avoid unwanted gastrointestinal complications. If we pour dry food, it is necessary to ensure constant access to fresh water.

For those who choose this diet, you can give one important tip - there is no good food at the same time and at the same time cheap. It is better to buy feed more expensive or at least in the middle price range.

A well-balanced meal should include foods that provide the dog with protein - meat, fish, dairy products.

Beef (including offal), lamb, and poultry are best suited for dogs. The latter is never served raw due to the risk of salmonella infection. Fish - only marine, cooked with the removal of large bones.

White cheese is especially recommended for puppies and growing dogs. Lean cheese is more desirable.

As for milk, it is recommended to give goat or cow milk. For puppies and adult dogs, natural yogurt, which can be added to food, is quite suitable. With the natural method of feeding, eggs are also served: the yolk or a whole egg, well boiled.

Dogs are also given the fats necessary to maintain proper skin and coat conditions. Usually enough, one tablespoon of vegetable oil (usually in winter or during molting). The best oil is corn and flaxseed.

This is a method that feed manufacturers do not highly recommend. But many owners use this type of food, not seeing in it any signs of harm to dogs. They use dry food in combination with liver or fish, as well as a small amount of rice. Puppies alternately receive food and natural food.

Regardless of the method of feeding, it is necessary to correctly divide the daily amount of food into smaller portions. Puppies up to 7 months old are fed four times a day. Then, three times a day for up to 1 year. Further and throughout life, the dog can be either twice or once a day.

After eating, it is advisable to give your pet an hour of rest for better absorption of nutrients.

The dog of the American Akita breed is smart, learns quickly, but executes commands only when it understands their meaning. It is independent and can make decisions independently, which is not always welcomed by the owners. During training, the right motivation, the ability to concentrate the dog’s attention and various exercises that should not last too long are important. Use only positive methods; do not use force. It should also be remembered that Akita usually executes commands much slower than other breeds (such as shepherd dogs).

Puppies require consistency and determination from the start. Akita has a strong character with a tendency to dominate, so you can not hesitate with education and training. Akita is not a dog for everyone.

Although akita is hardy in nature, it is sometimes prone to the following ailments.

• Eye diseases: cataracts, progressive retinal atrophy and retinal dysplasia, manifested in partial or complete detachment, which leads to blindness.
• Hip dysplasia (less often elbow joints).
• Stomach disease.
• Food allergies.
• Sometimes there are tendencies to autoimmune diseases, characterized by the destruction of their own cells and tissues of the body's immune system. The most common diseases of this type are: pemphigus, sebaceous adenitis (the sebaceous glands are destroyed in this disease), Vogt-Koyanagi-Harada syndrome, manifested by depigmentation, alopecia and loss of claws, and autoimmune hypothyroidism.

Resistance to weather conditions is very large. Akita easily tolerates large frosts. Nevertheless, she does not like wind and humidity, as well as excessive heat. Therefore, it should be protected in the summer from strong sunlight.

Life span: 10-12 years

For boys, you can choose:

• Abaris, Abdul, Abiz, Aden, Adonis, Alf, Ador, Alamo, Amber, Arnold, Alvaro, Iron, Agat, Akari, Aramis, Arden;
• Barney, Bilbo, Brian, Bruce, Bregon, Black, Byron, Benjamin (Ben), Brutus, Boyar;
• Dakar, Danny, Dustin, Dexter, Dandy, Draco, Dingo (Ding), Dollar, Don;
• Maestro, Martin, Max, Mickey (Mick), Merlin, Morgan, Maurice, Misha;
• Parsifal (Parsi), Pedro, Pluto, Poseidon, Pinko;
• Ralph, Ramon, Ram, Ringo, Ruby, Rafael (Raf);
• Hachiko.

For girls:

• Adelaide, Hayka, Albina, Alma, Allegra, Annabel, Andromeda, Akanava, Ariel, Astra, Arista, Azalea, Alaska, Alexis, Aretha, Arina, Assyria, Aurora;
• Olympia, Ohana, Ocher, Opium, Okima;
• Salma, Samira, Sati, Savannah, Sierra, Cynthia, Santa, Suliko;
• Esmeralda, Estima, Etola, Erinia, Evernia.

According to owners, the American Akita is characterized as follows.

• Beautiful dogs with thick coat.
• Unfortunately, they are not the best companions for young children. Without proper training, the dog can be dangerous to others.
• These animals are quite complex. The dog is suitable for the owner, who is firm and determined, can devote a lot of time to education.
• At the same time, with proper upbringing, these are affectionate, faithful, intelligent companions that get along with children (of school age) and can coexist peacefully with other animals. Much depends on the personality of the individual dog, as well as on the education of the breeder.
• Dogs of this breed should be treated very individually.
• If a dog raised by a breeder communicates and plays with young children from birth, often such a pet loves children of any age for the rest of its life. These conscientious breeders give their dogs a fantastic start in life.
• If you are interested in acquiring a dog of this breed, talk to the breeders first. They can tell you not only about the breed as a whole, but also about the nature of their dogs.
• These dogs molt strongly twice a year, and the wool penetrates into all cracks. Bathtubs help reduce or get rid of most of the hair, which reduces the need to vacuum and clean your living area.

See the top 5 pros of American Akita in the next video.