The Akita is a large and extremely loyal dog from Japan. But what does Akita mean in Japanese? This is a question commonly asked by admirers and owners of the breed alike. And here’s the answer.
Named For A Prefecture
The Akita originated in northern Japan on the island of Honshu. It specifically came from the Odate region of Honshu, in the Akita prefecture. It’s an area known for its mountains, forests, and sake breweries. “Inu,” in Japanese means, “dog.” So, “Akita Inu,” translates to, “Akita Dog.” There are a few other well-known Japanese dog breeds that also have, “Inu,” in their names for example the Shiba Inu and Tosa Inu.
A.K.A. The Akita Ken
In Japanese, the word “ken” also means “dog.” So while the official name for the breed is the Akita Inu, in Japan it’s also sometimes referred to as the Akita Ken.
Not Always An Akita
One of the more interesting Akita facts, which many people aren’t aware of, is that this isn’t the breed’s original name. In the past, it was actually known as the Odate Dog. It was first named after the general region, as opposed to the specific prefecture. However, it was officially changed to Akita Inu in 1931 when the dog was declared a national monument.
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