Did you hump the first Akita was bring to the United States by Helen Keller in 1937 ? Although this breed is by no agency as common as the Labrador Retriever , they have escort a ascent in popularity over the last 20 year . If you are considering add an Akita to your rest home , learn more about this exceptional strain before you make up one’s mind if they ’re right for you .
Origin and History
The Akita is the largest of all the stock native to Japan . Like their little cousin-german , theShiba Inu , the Akita go to a group of dogs that partake a mutual Spitz - type ascendant . The Akita is name after the province of Akita in northern Japan where they originated . They are bed to have been in cosmos as far back as 1600 . They were utilized for hunting bears and were known as Nipponese royalty .
After World War II , American military men who were return home from Japan bring back more Akitas to the United States . Thomas Boyd is lie with to have own the first Akita stud to have puppies in the U.S. in 1956 .
In 1972 , the Akita was accepted by theAmerican Kennel Club ( AKC ) .
Breed Characteristics
The Akita is a brave and sovereign dog who is naturally apprehensive of stranger yet ferociously loyal to their family .
General Appearance
The Akita is a heavy and powerful frankfurter . The body type is just off - square in lineation , with a triangular chief and small erect ears . The eyes appear to be well set into the skull , but peer out brilliantly , and should display great intelligence operation .
This breed has two rather distinctive gadget characteristic . The tooshie is bear curl over the back and the feet are web for swimming .
The original Japanese stock colors are snowy , crimson , or brindle , but today ’s AKC breed standard DoS any colouring material is acceptable . The pelage is thick enough to abide on goal and shed about twice each yr . Their size differs a number between the manful and female , and is as follows :
male
female
Temperament
A innate guard dog , Akitas will generally designate themselves the crime syndicate guardian . They are fiercely loyal and affectionate to the people they live with and have a repute for being skilful with the home ’s small fry . Akitas are wary of strangers and other dearie . Therefore , never will them unsupervised with either one . individual do best as single family ducky since they tend to be strong-growing toward other dogs , especially members of their own sex .
Understand appendage of this stock generally have very dominant personalities , so ownership is not for the diffident . It takes a rather strong character to prevent these dogs from adopt the alpha position in the canine / human relationship . Akitas are perfectly capable of thinking for themselves and deciding on their own row of action . This is exactly what they ’ll do unless you instal a hefty dominance from the outset .
Although these are large dogs , Akitas are relatively calm , and while they profit from everyday activity , they do not require the same amount of exercise as anIrish SetterorGerman Shorthaired Pointer .
Training
tidings is a assay-mark of this breed , which makes training an easy job once you ’ve established yourself as leader of the pack . They are also super clean beast and take easily tohousebreaking . The guardian instincts of this breed make them naturals for protection training , although the average darling proprietor will likely recover that no supernumerary training is necessary .
Exercise Requirements
Although the Akita is not a strain with a lot of zip , it is nevertheless a pretty alive and lively dog . They need at least an time of day of dailyexerciseto stick around tidy and in right conformation . It would be much honorable if you could engage in physical action for up to two hours per day .
Health
Akitas are hardy , but the breed is not without their share of strong-arm problem . wellness business organization to be aware of include :
Lifespan
The Akita has an mean lifespan of 10 to 12 years , but can occasionally live up to 14 days of age .
Grooming
Akitas have a double coat that needs to be brushed at least once a week . They will blow their undercoat twice a year , so be quick to deal with a hair detonation when the conditions change . Give them a bathing tub as needed , but not too frequently , because this can unclothe natural oils from the skin and coating . Keep your Akita ’s nail trimmed , clipping them roughly every two to four weeks , or as ask .
Famous Members of the Breed
Hachiko , often known asHachi , is one of the most far-famed appendage of the Akita breed . So famous , in fact , a movie was created in honor of Hachiko featuring Richard Gere as the owner .
A purebred Japanese Akita frank had long been a dream of Eizaburo Ueno , a professor of agriculture science at Tokyo University in Japan . He had expend a long clip look for the ideal Akita puppy until one of his student persuade him to dramatize Hachiko .
Hachi and Professor Ueno became best friends , doing nearly everything together . On May 21 , 1925 , when Hachi was 2 years old , Hachi was waiting as usual at the train station when his possessor never showed up . unluckily , Professor Eizaburo had suffer from a intellectual hemorrhage and died suddenly and unexpectedly while he was at work .
Hachi went to the Shibuya Train Station every good morning and good afternoon for the rest of his 10 - year animation , exactly when the string was scheduled to come . He hold back there for hours , patiently wait for his beloved owner ’s counter , which regrettably never came .
In 1934 , a statue ofHachikowas unveiled in front of Shibuya train place in a lavish outcome attended by Hachiko himself .
Purchasing or Adopting an Akita
If you ’re looking for an Akita pup , a good spot to start is theAkita Club of America . They have a breeder directory available , as well as helpful tips on how to find responsible stock breeder with quality frump . TheAKC Marketplacealso has a stock breeder hunt . await to pay around $ 700 to $ 1,600 , although higher - end show dogs from champion melodic phrase can cost as much as $ 4,000 .
Rescue Organizations
If you are n’t determine on a purebred Akita , or search for a sure age , you’re able to take a face at the directories onPetFinderandSave - a - Rescue . you’re able to also search strain - specific saving organizations :
Is the Akita Right For You?
So , is this the correct dog for you ? They are extremely intelligent , clean and loyal dog-iron , but they require very active ownership to get their right footing in the household unit .
If you may provide firm but fuck guidance , and lot of one - on - one companionship , then an Akita might make a very good companion indeed . On the other hand , if you already have other ducky and a busy schedule , this stock would probably not be a good fit for your lifestyle .
