Akita (dog)
Also known as: .mw-parser-output .plainlist ol,.mw-parser-output .plainlist ul{line-height:inherit;list-style:none;margin:0;padding:0}.mw-parser-output .plainlist ol li,.mw-parser-output .plainlist ul li{margin-bott
Breed at a glance
- Origin
- Japan
- Weight
- Males
- Height
- Males
- Coat
- Double coat
- Colour
- Red, brindle, white. All with white fur on the ventral areas of the dog ( urajiro ).
- Litter size
- 3–12 puppies (avg. 7–8)
- Other names
- .mw-parser-output .plainlist ol,.mw-parser-output .plainlist ul{line-height:inherit;list-style:none;margin:0;padding:0}.mw-parser-output .plainlist ol li,.mw-parser-output .plainlist ul li{margin-bott
intro
The {{cite book|script-title=ja:NHK日本語発音アクセント新辞典|publisher=NHK Publishing|editor=NHK Broadcasting Culture Research Institute|date=24 May 2016|lang=ja}}</ref>"}},"i":0}}]}' id="mwBA">Akita Inu ( 秋田犬 , Akita Inu, Akita Ken ; .mw-parser-output .IPA-label-small{font-size:85%}.mw-parser-output .references .IPA-label-small,.mw-parser-output .infobox .IPA-label-small,.mw-parser-output .navbox .IPA-label-small{font-size:100%} Japanese pronunciation: [ a.kʲi̥.ta(ꜜ) i.nɯ, -ta.keɴ ] [ 1 ] ) is a Japanese dog breed of large size. Originating from the mountains of northern Japan , the Akita has a short double coat similar to that of many other northern spitz breeds . The breed traces its roots to the Matagi Inu, a chūgata ken (medium-sized dog) historically used by the Matagi —traditional hunters of the Tōhoku region—for tracking and subduing large game such as tsukinowaguma ( Japanese black bear ), inoshishi ( wild boar ) and kamoshika ( Japanese serow ) in snow-covered mountain terrain. [ 2 ] As a breed, Akitas are generally hardy. However, it is subject to debate as to whether the Akita strains are distinct, or if they constitute one breed. [ 3 ] [ 4 ] [ 5 ]
Appearance
As a spitz breed, the appearance of the Akita reflects cold-weather adaptations essential to their original function. [ 48 ] The Akita is a substantial breed for its height with heavy bones. [ 49 ] Characteristic physical traits of the breed include a large, bear-like head with erect, triangular ears set at a slight angle following the arch of the neck. [ 49 ] Additionally, the eyes of the Akita are small, dark, deeply set, and triangular in shape. [ 50 ] Akitas have thick double coats, and tight, well-knuckled, cat-like feet. [ 49 ] Their tails are carried over the tops of their backs in a gentle or double curl down the loin. [ 51 ] Mature American-type males measure typically 26-28 in (66–71 cm) at the withers and weigh between 100 and 130 lb (45–59 kg). [ 49 ] Mature females typically measure 24-26 in (61–66 cm) and weigh between 70 and 100 lb (32–45 kg). [ 52 ] The Japanese type, as stated in the breed standards, is a little smaller and lighter. [ 53 ] Breed standards state that all dog breed coat colors and patterns are allowable in the American Akita. [ 54 ] This includes the common Shiba Inu coloring pattern known as urajiro . [ 55 ] The Japanese Akitas, as per the breed standards, are restricted to red, fawn, sesame, brindle, and pure white, all with urajiro markings - whitish coat on the sides of the muzzle, on the cheeks, on the underside of jaw, neck, chest, body, and tail, and on the inside of the legs. [ 9 ]
Breed name
Outside of Japan, debate exists among fanciers whether these are two separate breeds of Akitas. As of 2020, the American Kennel Club [ 6 ] now considers American and Japanese Akitas to be two separate breeds, no longer allowing free breeding between the two. The United Kennel Club , [ 7 ] the Federation Cynologique Internationale (FCI), [ 8 ] The Kennel Club , [ 9 ] [ 10 ] the Australian National Kennel Council , [ 11 ] the New Zealand Kennel Club , [ 12 ] [ 13 ] and the Japan Kennel Club [ 14 ] consider Japanese and American Akitas as separate breeds. [ 15 ] Some countries [ which? ] refer to the American Akita as simply the Akita and not the American Akita. The issue is especially controversial in Japan. [ 16 ] For the FCI's 84 countries, the breed split formally occurred in June 1999, when the FCI decided that the American type would be called the Great Japanese Dog, [ 15 ] later renamed the American Akita in January 2006. [ 15 ]
Coat types
The two coat types in the Akita are the standard coat length and the long coat. [ 56 ] [ 57 ] The long coat is considered a fault in the show ring, however. [ 56 ] [ 57 ] The long coat, also known as moku , is the result of an autosomal recessive gene and may occur phenotypically only if both sire and dam are carriers. They have longer (about 3-4 in long) and softer coats [ 58 ] and are known to have sweeter temperaments. [ 56 ] [ 57 ] This gene is thought to come from the Karafuto Ken dog. [ 59 ]
Temperament
The Akita is generally seen as territorial about its property, and can be reserved with strangers. [ citation needed ] The breed has been defined in some countries' breed-specific legislation as a dangerous dog. [ 60 ] [ 61 ] [ 62 ] [ 63 ] The Akita is a large, strong, independent, and dominant dog. A well-trained Akita should be accepting of nonthreatening strangers, otherwise they treat all strangers in an aggressive manner. [ 64 ] A survey on canine behaviour in five 'ancient' breeds in Poland found the Akita to be the most aggressive towards other dogs with 59% of Akitas being reported to display aggression towards other dogs and animals. They were the second most likely to be aggressive towards humans with 13% of Akitas being reported to display aggression towards humans. Stereotypic behaviour was reported in 27% of Akitas, ranking it second out of the five breeds surveyed. Excessive vocalisation was only reported at 17% for the Akita, lower than the other breeds. Less than 10% of Akitas were reported to have separation anxiety , the lowest amount. 70% of all human directed aggression involved a visitor on the Akita's territory, highlighting the defensive nature of the breed. [ 65 ] A Japanese study found that the CAG repeat polymorphism in the AR gene in the Akita Inu was correlated with increased reports of aggression in male Akita dogs, but not females. [ 66 ]
Working life
Predecessors of the modern Akita were used for hunting bear, wild boar, and deer in Japan as late as 1957. [ 93 ] They would be used to flush out the boar and keep it at bay until the hunter could come and kill it. Today, the breed is used primarily as a companion dog , but is currently also known to be used as therapy dogs , [ 94 ] and compete in all dog competitions, including conformation showing , obedience trials , canine good-citizen program , tracking trials , and agility competition , [ 95 ] as well as weight pulling , hunting, and Schutzhunde (personal protection dogs). [ 96 ]
Life expectancy
A UK study found a life expectancy of 11.4 years for the breed compared to an average of 12.7 for purebreeds and 12 for crossbreeds . [ 92 ]
American history
The Japanese Akita and American Akita began to diverge in type post-World War II due to America and Europe preserving the Akitas that fell out of favour in Japan, particularly the Dewa-types and dogs with the signature black mask or pinto marking. American Akitas are typically considered mixed by Japanese breeders (and not true Akitas by the Japanese standard). [ citation needed ] However, their phenotype predates the Japanese Akita by a few decades, and they are closer to pre-war Akitas like Hachiko . [ 32 ] [ page needed ] Helen Keller is credited with bringing the Akita to America after being given two Akitas by the Japanese government in 1938. By 1939, a breed standard was established, and dog shows began to be held, but this development was interrupted by World War II. [ 40 ] During this time, US servicemen serving as part of the occupation force in Japan first came into contact with the Akita. The breed so impressed them that many service members chose to bring an Akita back home with them upon completion of their tour. [ citation needed ] Although both types derive from common ancestry, marked differences are seen between the two. [ 46 ] American Akitas generally are heavier boned and larger, with a more bear-like head, whereas Japanese Akitas tend to be lighter and more finely featured with a fox-like head. [ 15 ] Additionally, while American Akitas are acceptable in all colors, Japanese Akitas are only permitted to be red, white, or brindle. Additionally, American Akitas may be pinto and/or have black masks , unlike Japanese Akitas, where these are considered disqualifications and are not permitted in the breed standards. [ citation needed ] Recognized by the American Kennel Club in 1955, the Akita was placed in the Miscellaneous class. The AKC did not approve the Akita standard until 1972, and it was moved to the Working Dog class. As such, the Akita is a rather new breed in the United States. Foundation stock in America continued to be imported from Japan until 1974, when the AKC cut off registration to any further Japanese imports until 1992, when it recognized the Japan Kennel Club standards. This decision set the stage for the divergence in type between the American Akita and Japanese Akita Inu that is present today. [ 47 ] Elsewhere in the world, one American Akita was first introduced to the UK in 1937. He was a Canadian import, owned by a Mrs. Jenson; the descendants of Mrs. Jenson live on today breeding American Akitas. The most widely known of these is Joseph Felton, an award-winning Akita breeder, but the breed was not itself widely known until the early 1980s. [ 43 ] The breed was introduced in Australia in 1982 with an American import and to New Zealand in 1986 with an import from the UK. [ 43 ]