When talking about happy, capricious, tall dogs; refers to the Akita dog, considered a characteristic sculpture native to Japan. In its beginnings it was bred as a hunting dog, but today, the Akita Inu it has been determined as a companion dog.
What is the Akita Inu dog breed?
The Akita Inu descends from the lineage of dogs native to the rocky regions of northern Japan, a breed made up of two classes of Akita, the Japanese called Akita inu or japanese akita and the American which is called Akita or American Akita.
There is evidence of the presence of Akita Inu as a highly original caste that has been around for over 3.000 years, despite being disconnected from their local town, their history is a great void of obscurantism. Akita Inu has had different names forever; depending on the work that would develop, Matagi-inu -hunting dog, Kurae-inu -warrior dog and Odate-inu- sustaining dog.
This variety was used to chase bears as it was medium in size. In any case, from the year 1603 it began to be used as a fighting dog and in search of a larger variety that was more forceful, the Akita inu was crossed with the Tosa Inu or the English Mastiff, which put the lineage original Akita inu at serious risk and a lot of his Spitz-type dog characteristics were gone from him.
In the year of 1908, dog fighting was restricted and that is the point at which the breed was saved and given the option to flourish and create itself as an extraordinary Japanese breed. Then, in the year of 1927, officer Odate made an Akita inu Preservation Society in order to protect him.
The Akita is seen as the national canine of Japan, to which it is highlighted that, in the year 1931, it was assigned a National Monument. Bearing in mind that, in the midst of World War II, the police requested the capture of all the dog breeds existing, except for the German Shepherd who continued freely.
The skin of the Akita was used to make military clothing and its meat was eaten as food. A very good modality was resorted to in order to protect the breed, it was possible to send some Akitas to certain small regions, where farmers claimed to have them as guard dogs and others were mixed with German shepherds, obtaining with them an adulteration of the breed. breed.
At that time they were riskily reduced, with which three unique types could be removed: Matagi Akitas, fighting Akitas and herding Akitas. In the post-war recovery time, some females were offered to Americans, in this sense the American Akita was conceived.
Diversity had external qualities of the German Shepherd and the Mastiff, therefore some breed enthusiasts did not consider it a crude Japanese breed, so they insisted on removing those foreign traits. Crossing the Matagi Akita, thus managing to reestablish the extraordinary original breed that is known to this day.
The Akita Inu is distinguished as the tallest of Japanese canines, being considered the spitting image of wealth and eminence, having an Akita was an authorized respect to nobility, as well as an image or charm of good karma, to the point that an Akita figurine is given to a baby during childbirth or when someone gets sick.
Characteristics of the Akita Inu dog
Among his standout features is that the Akita is a solitary canine, so think hard about taking him to a crowded dog park or a boisterous family gathering, because that's not at all what he would prefer.
Even though you need a close family bond, just one parent figure is enough. Generally, he is kind and patient with the offspring of his own family, but this dog that needs reassurance does not tolerate wild games around children who want to treat him badly.
love being alone
If you want to avoid having a bad time, do not think of leaving your Akita Inu in the middle of visits with guests or children. This Japanese variety canine likes to be still and in a totally controlled environment, it does not like to establish contact with animals or strange people, it is as special and beautiful as the Golden Retriever and the breed dog Beagle, which are also unique.
However, he loves the affectionate warmth of his family members, since when he is separated from others, this free dog looks for means and opportunities to have fun. Because at home he has a majestic peace, but when he is away from home he will be ready to use that hunting instinct. Obviously, if you want to have it under control, you must use a lot of wisdom and affection so that the dog is available and accepts you as superior to him and respects him.
Subordination is not your forte
This breed of dog does not bow to orders that he considers meaningless, he is not a lover of silly games or sports laps, he is a serious animal of character. That is the reason why it is rare to see an Akita Inu dog participate in any dog games.
Despite that, he is a great competitor and as long as he discovers the importance of what he does, he can have excellent results. From an instructional and gaming perspective, achievement hinges on your ability to wake up your trusty canine companion. Most importantly, you can persuade him that being respectful is in his best interest.
A faithful companion for Akita Inu dog experts
It has been determined that an Akita Inu is happy to follow an individual as long as they probably know how to instruct them with a lot of persistence and love. Harshness, savagery and injustice are inexcusable for this canine. A person who guides him since he is little, who stimulates his obedience points and tolerates his determination, will discover in the Akita Inu an incredible and firm companion who will constantly protect the family from him.
Hachikō- synonymous with loyalty
The constancy in the fidelity of the Japanese Akita dog Hachikō managed to turn it into a magical legend. To the point that in 2009 a film was made about this story, in which the well-known artist Richard Gere participated. During the 1920s, Hachikō went with his human every morning to Tokyo's Shibuya train station and met him every night simultaneously.
The moment his human friend passed away, Hachikō kept stopping, for about 10 years, until he died, he waited for his partner. A sculpture and the name Hachikō Exit, at the Shibuya Station West Exit is a wonderful engraved memory of the beautiful Akita Inu dog.
Origin of the Akita Inu dog
In dates of its origin it is described that it is from Japan, where the Akita became famous since ancient times until the historical context of Hachikō was known. Canine spellings on earthen pots or bronze bells guarantee that the birthplace of this type of dog dates back more than 5000 years of history.
Subatomic hereditary analyzes have indicated that the Akita, along with Chow-Chow Shiba and Shar Pei, are hereditarily the closest wolves and therefore one of the oldest canine varieties on the planet.
In addition to the many speculations about the specific inheritance of the Japanese national variety, it is clear that the first dogs of this variety were found in the Akita district and since then they have not only conquered Japan, but they have done so in largely in the American and European continents.
The Japanese Akita Inu and the American Akita Inu
Everything happens until the year 1945, when the Akita Inu dog expands, because only until the year 1.931 the traffic of this Japanese Akita breed was restricted, he had been cataloged as a natural icon. After World War II, the number of Akita had been dangerously reduced, so much so that even their appearance and nature had changed.
Two lines of the various types of Akita were made: the Japanese Akita, pictured in this content, and the American Akita, which was shipped with the US military and bred in the United States.
In Japan, the breeders bet on the recovery of the first breed and, for this, they crossed them with the Akita Matagi. The two breeds, the first, a smaller Japanese line, and the huge, wispy American that are currently viewed and accepted as autonomous breeds by the FCI.
Akita Inu working dogs
The Akita was initially used to chase bears, wild pigs, as well as wild birds. In any case, it was also used as a guard dog and pack leader due to its strength and quality. In the 1.908th century, it is when they promote it in unpleasant dog fights until in XNUMX they were banned in Japan.
The ambition was such that they made crosses in order to make the fighting dogs bigger and stronger, they crossed them with the tosa breed and the mastiff breed. And with time and treatment they were transformed into more friendly and familiar animals, as they are today, they have already lost that function that described them as working dogs.
In any case, his defensive enthusiasm, quality and chasing drive are still passionately innate in him. Keep in mind to have the following, to have an Akita as a family dog, it is essential that you provide training that is consistent enough that they are wrapped with a little fun that replaces those hunting impulses.
Akita Inu Dog Appearance
Despite the way the Akita has its place of origin with Spitz-type dogs, which are generally identified with small dogs, this Japanese variety is a majestic exception not only because of its size. It has a withers height of 70 centimeters, it is undoubtedly a huge canine, with a solid and strong composition, not difficult to handle and control, they are dominant.
They are characterized by having a wide forehead with a furrow and very characteristic vertical, triangular ears emanating dominance and height. The strong and firmly coiled tail at the back is normal for this variety. He is a huge canine with a solid build, tight and fit to make a great example of the Akita in all his splendor as an upright and self-assured dog.
It is longer than it is tall, with a deep, broad chest and a level back. Its development must be adaptable and innovative. Their coat can come in four shades: brindle, red, sesame, or unadulterated white. The size of its skull corresponds to that of its body. The temple and neck are thick and strong.
The ears are generally small, triangular and erect, ideally if they are tilted forward. The nose is dark and the lips are black, despite the fact that the tongue is pink, they have small eyes, in some cases very far from each other, practically triangular, earthy in color and shaded.
He has a straight and firm back, with a wide and strong kidney, his chest is deep, his ribs are curved and a fully raised midsection. The front and rear appendages must be fully developed and solid to work well in all exercises.
The legs are strong, round and very closed, it has very hard nails, its paws are padded webbed like felines, it is also an excellent swimmer. The tail is high, thick and carried briskly coiled on the back. The hair that covers its tail is longer than the one that covers the rest of the body.
The color of the fur
The coat is thick, with a hard texture, however, it has a thick and delicate undercoat, which favors it by protecting it from the weather. The shading of the coat is brown or sesame (brownish red and with dark tips), there are white and brindle that are also recognized.
According to the variety standard, all shades (with the exception of monochromatic white dogs) must have whitish hairs on the sides of their muzzle, on their cheeks, on their neck, under their jaws, on their chest, on their middle region and in the internal areas of its members.
The focused breeding of a primitive race
The Japanese did not take long to perceive the value with which the cheerful canine was for the nation, in this sense, since the beginning of the XNUMXth century, they supported the particular reproduction of the national variety. They discarded the various lines that were created through combinations with the German Shepherd.
From the perspective of the Japanese cynologists, they generated a division instead of causing the advancement of the caste, in this way they put every effort to recover the first race: long-limbed, Spitz-type head, thinner and with a shorter back than the American Akita. The combinations with the Japanese Kishu Inu hunting dog, with the Japanese sled dogs, the Chow Chow and the Matagi Ataki, were very flattering to achieve this objective.
The goal of breeding is a healthy and strong breed
Protecting the first uncrossed variety remains the focus of breeders today in Japan and some European nations. In close collaboration with researchers and scientists, they try to maintain the attributes of the crude Akitas while simultaneously avoiding hereditary deformities or undesirable character qualities.
The goal of breeding solid and socially worthy breed dogs is achieved through very serious guidelines in breeding with a great sense of responsibility on the part of the breeders.
Akita Inu Dog Health
Despite being strong dogs, it is noted that representatives of this type of Japanese dog struggle with certain medical problems. These include skin and coat ailments (eg sebaceous adenitis), retinal atrophy, immune disorders, epileptic seizures, thyroid ailments, and hip dysplasia, important in large breeds of dogs. It is the job of pet breeders to assess for diseases that are common in the breed in order to reduce them as much as possible.
Breeding
In case you need an Akita to become a part of your family, go to a breeder who is responsible and serious about an Akita breed affiliation or club and keeps the FCI rules. Right in this line, it guarantees that you follow the guidelines and limitations for breeding and that you will have a dog with impeccable well-being and good character, which will bring you happiness for a long time.
Akita Inu dog food
Providing your Akita Inu Dog with a healthy and healthy life goes beyond buying it and taking it home, you must worry about everything that it deserves, offering it a diet very rich in vitamins, protein, calories and minerals so that it grows healthy and strong. When buying food, as with the acquisition of the canine, what is unequivocal is not the cost, but the quality.
A sophisticated palate?
Akita has gained notoriety for being a bit picky eater, keep a distance with sudden food changes, allow him to get used to the taste gradually and gently, so his stomach can process it.
Diet changes are unpleasant for the dog's body and can cause diarrhea and stomach problems. Get your dog used to the new food gradually, this change can take up to seven days to complete.
What is the best food for the Akita Inu breed?
Dog food should have meat (about 70%) as well as 20% and 30% vegetables. They hardly need any cereal. Sugars and artificial flavor enhancers also count.
Dog food should have meat (about 70%) as well as 20% and 30% vegetables. They hardly need any cereal. Sugars and artificial flavor enhancers also count. Two portions of food daily are enough for an Akita, sheep, beef or ostrich meat is suggested.
How you feed it is up to you and your dog's preferences. In case you feed him with food, try to give him enough liquid. The BARF diet, which is naturally appropriate raw foods, is well received by Akitas.
Akita Inu dog care
The correct consideration of your Akita Inu also brings well-being. As a general rule, the Akita canine's short, harsh coat doesn't require much consideration, as it has a brilliant self-cleaning component. In any case, in the moulting season (twice a year) it is unavoidable to brush the leather every day to get rid of dead hairs.
Sport
They love long and quiet walks and do not need to worry about physical and mental tasks on a daily basis, very different from other breeds of dogs; If it weren't for his stubborn character, he requires a lot of tolerance and sympathy from the caregiver during the day to day, the Akita is supposed to be an undemanding canine.
Have an Akita inu
To have an Akita you must have a highly experienced caregiver, who knows about dogs and their instructions. Constant and early instruction, as well as a total socialization are essential for a pleasant coexistence with an Akita. It is a solitary animal, it is not a lover of noise or the disturbances of people, it loves being with the family.