Ratings

Breed Introduction

The Akita Inu is the national dog of Japan, and its ancestors are referred to as mountain hunting dogs. Originally, there were no large dogs in Japan, and the Akita Inu is a large bear hunting dog. In addition to assisting in bear hunting, it was also used to catch deer and wild boar.

During the Edo period, the Akita region in the northern part of Dewa Province was pacified by the Satake clan, a collateral lord who was transferred from Hitachi Province after the Battle of Sekigahara. Since the Keicho era (around 1630), to cultivate the fighting spirit of the samurai, hunting dogs were crossed with local dogs from the Akita region. This breed became the original breed of the Akita Inu. The dog protagonist “Hachi” in the touching movie about dogs, “Hachi: A Dog’s Tale,” belongs to the Akita Inu type.

The development of the Akita Inu began when the Chinese rural dog was introduced to Japan, and after establishing standards for breeding, the breed was formed. Originating in the 17th century, it is native to Japan, with ancestors being a type of mountain hunting dog called the Akita hunting dog (秋田アキタ). It was bred by Japanese nobility exiled to Akita Prefecture in Honshu. While hunting large prey like bears, they accompanied their owners.

The Akita Inu is highly regarded in its native Japan. In 1931, it was officially recognized as a national treasure of Japan. In the homeland of the Akita Inu—Japan, this breed is one of six dog breeds with national historical significance. The Akita Inu has excellent temperament, extraordinary courage, and is very gentle. In the northern mountainous areas of Japan, the Akita Inu is a capable working dog.

The Akita Inu is the most representative dog breed of Japan. Originally a hunting dog, the Akita Inu was later improved to become a large Japanese dog. Its place of origin is Akita Prefecture in Japan, which is how its name was born. It has now become a part of family life and is loved by people.

In the 17th century, the Satake lord of Akita encouraged samurai by training Akita hunting dogs for dog fighting, gradually improving the Akita Inu’s size to large. In the early 20th century, during the Showa era in Japan, dog fighting was gradually banned, leading to a significant decrease in the number of Akita Inus raised. Later, due to advocacy for protection, it was honored as the national dog.

The Akita Inu is loyal to its owner and family, has a very stable personality, is gentle with family members, and is very alert to strangers or unfamiliar objects, making it a very popular breed in Japan with the best interpersonal relationships.