Akita Inu: description and characteristics of the breed

Akita Inu is a muscular and graceful animal, each movement and look of which emphasize nobility, strength and dignity. The popularity of the largest of the Spitz-shaped Japanese dogs is growing every day, not only because of its appearance, but also due to the strength of its character.

Description and characteristics of the breed

The Akita Inu, or Japanese Akita Dog, is a balanced and self-sufficient animal. To earn the respect of a proud representative of the breed, efforts should be made. Independence and a keen mind turn a dog from a simple hunter into an active and adventurous guard who effectively guards the territory entrusted to him.

Thanks to the hard texture of wool with a dense undercoat, Akita can live in an aviary, transferring snowy and rainy weather without problems. The indisputable advantage of the breed in urban life is a rare bark. By its nature, Akita is a leader and tries to take a dominant position immediately after appearing in a new house. To build the necessary hierarchical ladder, pointing the dog to the appropriate place, the owner will have to work hard, resorting to special methods of education and training. Therefore, it is not recommended to start an animal of this breed as the first pet.

Because of the waywardness and independence, it is better for families with children to give preference to bitches, whose flexibility of character and developed maternal instinct prevail.However, until the child and the animal establish relationships that will not cause discomfort to any of the participants, it is strictly forbidden to leave them alone.

The popularity of four-legged friends around the world was greatly influenced by the story of the legendary Hachiko, whose breed is Akita Inu. The dog, who continued to wait for his master from the train even after his death, became a symbol of love and boundless fidelity. The narrative formed the basis of several films that have won worldwide acclaim.

Origin history

Akita Inu is a breed of dogs with a rich history, the origins of which originate in the 2nd millennium BC, as evidenced by the remains found during excavations on the territory of the Japanese Islands. The animal owes its name to the territory of occurrence, which is considered the Akita province on the island of Honshu.

The ancestors of modern Akit were the Matagi Inu, designed to protect the dwelling with the land, as well as hunt bears. In the XVII century, dogs began to appear in rich homes, when the noble birth was the question of ensuring personal safety. Four-legged pets began to gain popularity, and their presence as bodyguards was already dictated by fashion and the position of owners in society. A servant was assigned to the animal. And raising and feeding akita was a ritual, which subsequently caused the dog to dislike screaming and violence.

When the livestock increased significantly, the functions expanded: animals became participants in dog fights. To make the fights more spectacular, breeders began to cross Spitz-shaped dogs with imported mastiffs, thereby increasing the size of the first. The exterior of the akita began to change, but soon it gave way to the tosa inu breed in the ring.

In 1927, the breeders were tasked with restoring the breed to its original appearance. And before the start of World War II, significant results have already been achieved: the exterior is close to the original. However, during the years of bloody events, almost the entire population was destroyed. Only a few secret copies remained that became the ancestors of modern Akit.

Akita Inu breed standard

According to the breed standards approved by the International Film Festival, purebred show Akita Inu must meet the following requirements for the exterior:

1. Forehead - without folds.
2. The muzzle is triangular or round.
3. The nose is black (brown is allowed with white).
4. Jaw - regular scissor bite.
5. The eyes are small, triangular in shape.
6. Ears - erect, triangular in shape with a slight slope.
7. Build - strong, muscular with a square format.
8. Extremities - dense cat's paws.
9. Tail - set high and adjacent to the back with a single or double curl.
10. Wool - a hard hair with a soft dense undercoat.
11. Color - pure white, red, sesame or brindle.
12. Height - 58-70 cm.
13. Weight - 20-40 kg.

Puppy selection criteria

When buying a puppy, a number of important nuances should be taken into account:

1. Before going for a future pet, you should carefully study the breed standards or use the services of a specialist.
2. Since dogs of the Japanese Akita Inu breed do not exist without a metric, you need to make sure that its absence is associated only with a lower price, which did not include the cost of processing the document.
3. When buying, you should look at the bitch, which should be balanced and calm.
4. If the puppy is purchased over the age of 4 months, he must be socialized and in close contact with the breeders and his brothers.

The purpose and nature of the dog

Akita Inu dog is a strong and muscular animal with soft “cat” paws, thanks to which it is an excellent swimmer. She is bold, independent and stubborn. Congenital hunting instincts turn Akita into an excellent large prey hunter.

Representatives of the breed are loyal to their family and do an excellent job with the functions of a guard and even a nanny when it comes to older children. Akita's aggressive attitude toward other dogs is often used to raise a fearless fighter.

Maintenance, care and feeding

Pets of Japanese breed can be kept both in the courtyard of a private house, and in a city apartment, not forgetting regular and long walks during which the pet will communicate with other animals. In the absence of socialization, the animal becomes overly aggressive and nervous.

If the dog remains wintering on the street, then it should be well insulated booth.

Hair care

To keep the coat well-groomed and beautiful, it is enough to comb the pet 2 times a week. During the molting period, which lasts quite a while, the procedure is carried out every day with the help of a special brush. The special texture of the coat makes it waterproof and repels dirt, so you should not bathe an Akita more than three times a year. After water procedures with special shampoos, the animal is dried with a hairdryer or a towel.

Eye and ear care

The eyes of the pet are rubbed daily with cotton pads. Open auricles also need regular cleaning due to the constant accumulation of dirt and sulfur. A hygiene procedure is recommended to be performed weekly.

Tooth and Claw Care

At the age of four months, it is necessary to monitor the timely change of teeth so that the correct bite is formed. In the future, weekly brushing should be done.

To avoid problems with the stance, the pet will need to promptly shorten the claws, if they do not grind naturally. The frequency of the procedure is at least 1 time per month.

Food

A properly selected diet, the main components of which are rice and fish, is the key to the health of Akita Inu.

Excessive amounts of fats and carbohydrates can lead to various disorders in the functioning of the whole organism. Therefore, the optimal solution is to choose a premium dry feed with a suitable composition for the breed.

How to train and educate Akita Inu

The upbringing of a Japanese dog begins with building friendly relationships in which the owner must take a leadership position. Next, the pet gets acquainted with all members of the family, which he will protect throughout his life. The dog is socialized by its systematic contact with people and other animals. This is especially true for cables, which have highly developed fighting instincts.

Due to the lack of craving for food treats, traditional methods of training are very complicated. The best approach is to combine soft mechanics and close contact between the pet and the owner. Due to the temperamental and tough nature, Akita education should be completed by 9 months. Further, the honing of teams and the formation of an adult personality continue.

Pros and cons of the breed

Among the indisputable advantages of the breed stand out:

• uncompromising which turns a dog into an excellent watchman;
• ease of grooming, which does not have a specific smell.
• rare barking;
• non-intrusiveness and independence.

The disadvantages of Japanese Akita include:

• the need for a special approach to feeding;
• the need for constant and special education from an early age;
• poor heat tolerance;
• bad coping in the pack.

How much are the dogs

Akita Inu dogs have a high cost:

1. Puppies of the pet class, which will be raised as “sofa” pets, cost at least $ 500.
2. Pedigree dogs will cost $ 800-1000.
3. If you need an animal that can win the championship title, then you should prepare $ 1500-2000.

What is the difference between Akita Inu and Shiba Inu

Asian Spitz-shaped dogs, Akita Inu and Shiba Inu, the differences between which the beginner may not immediately recognize, are representatives of two separate breeds with their own standards.

Read more about the Spitz - read here

Read more about the Spitz - read here

Distinctive features:

1. Growth - Shiba Inu refers to miniature dogs with a height half that of Akita.
2. Character - an adult Akita Inu with pronounced leadership qualities is calm and balanced, while the Shiba even in old age can behave like a puppy
3. Purpose - Shiba Inu possesses only the qualities of a hunter, in contrast to the strong Akita Inu, which, if properly educated, becomes not only a fighter, but also an excellent security guard.

So, before you acquire a Japanese beauty, you should weigh all the pros and cons of the breed, and also take into account its high cost, not only when buying, but also in the process of further maintenance, which includes high costs for food.