Mary Allen
The Akita Inu, a Historical Dog Breed
The Akita Inu is one of the oldest dog breeds in the world and is the national dog of Japan. This Japanese Spitz was bred there for bear hunting as early as the 15th century.
Bone finds show that this race already existed 5000 years before Christ. Genetic studies showed that Chinese wolves were also crossed in earlier times.
What is certain is that this breed of dog is deeply rooted in the history and culture of Japan. In 1931, this breed was declared a natural monument of Japan. Research then revealed that the Akita dogs interbred with gray wolves over time. The dogs are genetically distinct, making them an “ancient breed”.
There is also an American variant of this breed of dog known as the American Akita.
How big and how heavy does an Akita Inu get?
Dogs of this breed can reach a height of 57 to 69 cm and weigh between 30 and 45 kg.
Coat, Colors, and Care
The coat consists of coarse and short top hair, underneath is a soft undercoat. Grooming is quite easy because this dog only needs to be brushed when she sheds her fur.
As a rule, the coat is two-tone. The basic color is white on the belly, face, and inside of the legs. The back and outside of the legs are reddish-brown brindle. It can happen that white patterns are present in the fur. However, these should not cover more than a third of the entire body.
Nature, Temperament
The Akita Inu is a very intelligent, calm, self-reliant, and independent dog. In his own way, he is courageous and dignified, in fact just too confident.
He is loyal to his owner.
Although not a particularly social dog, they do like children and are very friendly towards them.
Be careful, he doesn’t always get along well with his peers. His characteristics make him a typical only dog. Compared to other dogs, he can be extremely dominant and sometimes unfortunately ready to fight.
Upbringing
On the one hand dogs of this breed need an energetic and firm hand with a lot of patience, on the other hand, you have to respect the sensitive nature of the dog, which cannot be compared with that of our European dog breeds.
The owner should be experienced in dealing with dogs because Akitas have a strong character and are by no means beginners’ dogs.
The early socialization of the puppy is also particularly important since the older Akita is often no longer interested in his fellow dogs. His protective instinct and hunting instinct must also be worked on early on.
Who is an Akita Inu Suitable For?
Over time, this breed has been used for various purposes. In recent years, this dog has primarily been used as a hunting dog and draft dog.
He is also suitable as a family dog, as he is quite child-friendly and patient.
Posture and Outlet
Keeping it in a small apartment is possible, but it then needs regular exercise and exercise.
An ideal activity for a dog of this breed is tracking because when it comes to nose work, it is able to work very calmly and with concentration. Here he shows his real strength.
Breed Diseases
Aside from the sensitive skin and propensity for skin diseases, it is a healthy and hardy dog.
How Old Will It Be?
The life expectancy of these dogs is between 10 and 15 years on average.