The akita inuis named after akita prefecture in northern japan, which is believed to be the origin of the breed. Throughout its history the akitainu has had many ups and downs, such as the debate over japanese and american types. A noisy story, a cinematic debut can easily bring the breed to the world stage, make it super popular. The akita inus ears are pointed in a forward slant while the akitas ears are more erect. Akita japanese is also known as akita inus, and american akita is commonly calling as akita. Large but balanced, the akita is a powerful guard dog known to hunt in silence. There are two coat types in the akita, the standard coat length and the long coat. These two have physical and personality differences. The shikoku inu is one of the native japanese breeds intermediate in size between the large akita and the small shiba inu. It is named after the province from which it originates, i. Mr hirokichi saito, a noted japanese dog researcher, writes in his book japanese dogs and wolves.
Weve joined forces with our uk counterparts in the japanese akita inu club to raise funds and collect samples for a future study on sebaceous adenitis under the animal health trusts canine genetic. Hachikos fur has been preserved in the ueno museum and he himself appears in the stories of many japanese children sbooks. Akita inu the most loyal dog in the world barking royalty. Akitas in japan give a dog a good name the japan times.
Kaiju kennels is a familyowned japanese akita inu and hokkaido ken kennel in southern california. Akita information including personality, history, grooming, pictures, videos, and the akc breed standard. It is often associated with all breeds originating from japan. Japanese akita inu dog breed information and pictures. For the right owner and family, the akita offers rewards beyond expectations, as he enlightens, entertains and. The akita is a large breed of dog originating from the mountainous regions of northern japan. American akita history the origins of the american akita follow that of the akita inu, in the region of the akita prefecture in northern japan. Body shape also is different between these two breeds. Old history books such as kojiki 712ad and nihon shoki 720ad contain references to dogs. According to the fci, in japan and in many other countries around the world the american akita is considered a separate breed from the akita inu japanese akita. History and origin of the japanese akitainu natural akita. Explains the historical background and origin of the akita inu akitaken.
Excerpts of the breed history are reproduced with the very kind permission of japan kennel club. Revered asichibannumber one in japan, memorialized on a postage stamp, sculpted in bronze at a railway station and declared a natural monument. All are pedigreed, health certified, well socialized, and beloved members of our family. The akita inu, on the other hand, has a foxlike facial composition and almond eyes. In this day and age, the legal liabilities of owning any breed that looks intimidating and has a history as a guard dog and big game hunter should be seriously considered. And so the idea for the first english book dedicated to.
The akita inu is handsome, calm, dignified, clean easy to housebreak, and quiet seldom barks. The japanese akita was bred as a fighting dog in medieval times, and redeveloped in the 1800s as part of an effort to restore several ancient japanese breeds. Access to the south during the coldest part of the winter was not possible either by land or by sea, thus limiting development of the region. There are actually two types of akita dogs the original breed also known as japanese akita ken, and american akita, developed from. The akita is a large and powerful dog bree d with a noble and intimidating presence. If you love the japanese akita inu or any kind of dog you will enjoy reading this true story. Akitas appeared at least 2,000 years ago and were once noble dogs, only raised by the imperial family and other noble familiesfor hunting purposes. The akita club of america was created in 1956 and in the early part of 1973 the american kennel club akc officially recognized the akita and closed the books on any further imported dogs as the akc did not recognize the japanese kennel club. The japanese akita also known as akita inu or just akita is one of the best known japanese breed. Instead of watching these gorgeous akita inu on a tiny mobile phone screen, we thought japans most important akita event deserved a better experience. Since the japanese akita dog standards of akiho, akikyo and nippo are very similar, many of the japanese akita dog in the past, such as kongogo, kinchogo, azumagumogo or toungo, tamayugo and others have won or been placed highly at more than one of the shows sponsored by these japanese dog organizations. Akita facts facts about akitas the akita is a big, bold dog with a distinctly powerful appearance.
As i mentioned in the shiba inu episode linked in the card, the word inu means dog in japanese so thats a thing. Akita inu simple english wikipedia, the free encyclopedia. Below you will find many books specific to the akita. Reconstruction of bones and fossils of the jomon period indicate that the first domesticated dog occurred during this time and were used for hunting and protection against.
The akita inu gets his name from the prefecture of akita, the mountainous northernmost section of the island of honshu in japan. Thanks for the a2a the sturdy akita, a much favored breed in his native japan, is a loyal and affectionate family dog that thrives on companionship with humans. The oldest akita club in the world, founded in 1927, is the akita inu hozonkai akiho which is headquartered in japans akita prefecture. Dogs are first mentioned in japanese literature in books such as the kojiki japans ancient chronicles around a. The japanese akita inu originates from tohuku, an area in the akita province of japan. Akitas are muscular, doublecoated dogs of ancient japanese. Shikoku inu japanese dog breeds native japanese dogs. If you dont see the book that interests you, then feel free to use our quick book search tool below. Well be upfront and say that the akita inu may not be the best choice for a family dog it can be trained to behave around children with a firm hand but doesnt respond well to being provoked. At the end of world war ii, there were only 16 akita dogs left in japan. The amekko ichi festival has a history that stretches back 400 years or so. Various times during the akitas long history, the breed teetered on the brink of extinction. The japanese akita is one of the largest of japans native breeds. Japanese history clearly indicates, both verbally and in written records.
A dog with an akiho pedigree is considered the most valued by many in the japanese akita fancy. For the first time dogs are mentioned in japanese literature in such books as kojiki. Jacas official guide to judging the japanese akita now available from the lulu website. The representative of this farnorthern strain is the akita.
They have all known the joy of owning an akita, a breed of dog. Nowadays, most honbuten pictures are viewed online in a highly compressed matter. You may click on any of the book titles in order to view more detailed information on the specific book selected. The largest of the japanese spitz breeds, the akita is a strongminded, strongbodied canine with a naturally dominant air and an aloofness that is all his own. Book recommendations, author interviews, editors picks, and more. To ensure the akitas survival, a japanese national breed club was founded in 1927. An uncommon life on a faraway mountain is a stunning portrait of the japanese rebel who singlehandedly rescued the 4,000yearold akita dog breed. We are a familyowned japanese akita inu and hokkaido ken kennel in southern california. The akita is a very ancient breed, tracing its history in japan back more than 2500 years. Another childrens book, a short novel for readers of all ages called hachiko waits, written by leslea newman and illustrated by machiyo. History brings us to the restoration of the japanese akitainu, although the original breed survived and continued to perform its intended task. One of the most famous of them all is certainly akita inu or matagi dog, a hunting dog in japanese.
The japanese akita inu is a oneofakind canine character. The matagi was one of the countries oldest native dogs and were originally bred to hunt large game such as bears, deer, and wild boars. As much of the work it performed was of an aggressive nature it was trained as a bear hunter and fighting dog. Akita japanese and akita america are two different breeds, but they carry similar names in common, akita and have almost identical characteristics. The secret history of northern japans indigenous people. Akitas and akita inus differ greatly in facial structure. In 1918, the akita inu hozankai society of japan was created to preserve. The american akita and the akita inu japanese akita are considered one breed with slight differences in size in the united states and canada.
An expert researcher and author of 15 books about dogs, she loves. In the japanese manga one piece, there is a similar story with a dog named shushu. Kaiju kennels japanese akita and hokkaido home facebook. This was resolved on 1 january2000 when the fci recognized two. Hachiko, november 10, 1923 march 8, 1935 was a japanese akita dog remembered. It is staffed entirely by volunteers so all moneys raised are used directly to help akitas in care and to further the aims of the trust. Japanese history says that the akita inu originated from the ancient japanese dog called the matagi. Suffice to say that it is evident from the folklore and writings of the ancient japanese the japanese akitainu is a direct descendent of the matagiinu whos roots are firmly established in the prefectures of akita, iwate and yamagata. The ainus history has, sadly, been largely lost amidst the cultural assimilation of the last few hundred years.
Morie sawataishi became obsessed with preventing the extinction of the 4,000yearold japanese dog breed. The true story of the royal dogs of japan and one faithful akita is hachikos story, as well as an informative look at dog culture in japan and the history and tradition of the akitaken, one of the most ancient, beloved and faithful dog breeds ever. The story of hachiko, the most revered akita of all time, helped push the akita into the international dog world. Japanese dogs photobook akita kishu kai shiba inu ken from. Kaiju kennels japanese akita and hokkaido, torrance, california.
However, at the end of the 19th century, the japanese akita was crossed with the tosainu and european mastiffs to increase the breeds size and value as a. Let us know in depth about these individual breeds of. The japanese akita inu is one of the most popular breeds of native japanese dogs in japan. Our dogs are imported from champion japanese lines with akiho or nippo pedigrees. This book is a brandnew title in barrons extensive line of complete pet owners manu. In 1931, the akita was designated as a natural monument in his native country and in 1937 the first akita was brought to the united states by helen keller.
However, in the rest of the world it is a relatively rare breed which is often confused with the akita. It is a member of the spitz family and originally used for bear hunting. Akiho honbuten book kurenai no kaze japanese akita inu. Discounted pricing for jaca members through our facebook group check out jaca cares rescue listings. There are now two recognized lines the japanese akita and the american akita, though both have the original genes. It was bred as a hunting dog, mainly for hunting deer and boar in the mountainous districts of kochi prefecture. The others are the shiba inu, shikoku inu, kishu inu, hokkaido, and kai ken. Japanese akita inu dog breed information noahs dogs. They have become increasingly popular, though often misunderstood. Akita dog breed information, pictures, characteristics. Japanese akita japanese akita dog complete owners manual. History of the akita breed midwest akita rescue society.