Akita Facts

The Akita is a powerful and loyal companion dog. It’s a breed that’s not only large but looks like a bear. Here are some more Akita facts and info you’ll want to know about this fascinating breed.

A Japanese Export

The Akita is a Japanese dog breed. It originated on Honshu Island in northern Japan. This is the same island as the tallest mountain in the country, Mount Fuji.

Natural Monument With A New Name

In 1931 the breed was officially declared a Natural monument and its name was changed. While originally called the Odate Dog, the breed name was replaced with Akita Inu. In the Japanese language “Inu,” means dog, and “Akita,” is the name of the prefecture where the breed was developed.

Hachiko

The Akita Hachiko was one of the most famous examples of the breed and its loyalty. Hachiko was born in Japan in 1923. He was owned by Eizaburo Ueno a professor at the Tokyo Imperial University. Every morning Hachiko would walk with his master to the train station and wait there for him to return from work.

One day Professor Ueno left but did not return. It turns out he had a stroke and died at the university. Hachiko, of course, did not know this and he continued to go to the Shibuya train station daily for the next nine years faithfully waiting for his master to return. This true story was turned into a movie, Hachi: A Dog’s Tale, starring Richard Gere which was set in the United States.

Tough Companion

In the past, the Akita was used for dog fighting. It was also used for hunting big game such as bear. Today it functions primarily as a companion and family pet. However, its large size, powerful build, and protective instincts also make it a natural guard dog.

A Spitz Breed

The Akita is one of the Spitz-type breeds. These are Northern breeds that are known for their thick undercoats, strong jaws, large skulls, and little pricked ears. Other breeds in this group include the Chow Chow, Siberian Husky, Karelian Bear Dog, and Swedish Elkhound among others.

Bear-Like Looks

While it was used to hunt bears, this breed is also well-known for just how similar it looks to them. Akita puppies look just like fluffy bear cubs. And the resemblance doesn’t fade with age as you might expect. In fact, when they’re full-grown, adults have a large bear-like head.

Unique Ears

One of the unique Akita characteristics that set it apart physically from all other breeds is its ears. That’s because they are perfectly triangular in shape. They also have rounded tips and are thick. Because they stand naturally erect it gives the breed the appearance of being alert.

Cat Feet

Similar to a handful of other breeds, the Akita Inu has what are known as cat feet. This is a compact foot type that has a short third digital bone which along with high-arched toes gives it an appearance similar to the foot of a cat. The Bull Terrier, Airedale, Terrier, and Old English Sheepdog also have cat feet.

Long-Haired Gene

The standard for the breed’s coat is around two inches in length. However, despite this, some purebred dogs do carry a long coat gene which gives them a dense and lengthy coat that’s much longer than what’s acceptable. A long-haired Akita is not eligible to be shown in the ring.

Undercoat Or Your Coat?

Although it doesn’t shed year-round, the breed does shed its undercoat twice per year. This means large clumps of hair and a lot of them. One of the most interesting Akita facts is that this high volume of hair can be saved up and put to use keeping owners cozy and fashionable.

Some owners spin the hair into yarn which is then used to knit warm clothing such as sweaters and hats. With around seven times the warmth of wool, dog hair is a unique and surprisingly efficient material choice for cold weather.

Proportionate Pooch

The Akita standard calls for the dog’s body to have very specific proportions. One such example is that the distance from the top of the dog’s shoulder to the bottom of its chest should be exactly equal to the distance from the bottom of its chest to the floor.

Naturally Dominant

One of the Akita facts that you’ll need to take into consideration before you decide to share your home with this breed is that it’s a dominant animal. This is a natural trait of the breed. This is so true that the breed standard actually allows for aggression toward other dogs.

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