{"id":1278,"date":"2020-06-23T12:22:45","date_gmt":"2020-06-23T12:22:45","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/www.fiveminutesspare.com\/dogs\/?p=1278"},"modified":"2021-02-27T13:50:30","modified_gmt":"2021-02-27T13:50:30","slug":"akita-2","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.fiveminutesspare.com\/dogs\/utility-dogs\/akita-2\/","title":{"rendered":"Akita – One Of Japans National Treasures"},"content":{"rendered":"

The Akita: One of Japan\u2019s Best Exports<\/h3>\n
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Akita The Utility dog with a heart bigger than the Mountains they came from.<\/strong><\/p>\n

\"Akita

Image: Nikoleta Vukovic\/Shutterstock.com<\/p><\/div>\n

If you like your dogs fluffy and a bit on the larger side, with lots of character (thing stubborn but loving & loyal) then a Japanese (or even American) Akita may be one for your shortlist. They are lovely dogs but not one for the casual dog owner, needing plenty of exercising and a fair bit of grooming too. They also need to be trained from an early age otherwise they will assume they are the boss and ignore everything you want them to do - unless it suits them of course.<\/p>\n

If this is going to be your first dog or you have other pets or young children then look elsewhere.\u00a0 Similarly, if you have a job entailing long hours and you live in a city apartment or even a flat in the countryside again probably not your first choice.<\/p>\n

However for an experienced owner with the time to devote to them then they are a challenge well worth taking and you will be rewarded with a loyal guardian angel of a dog who will want to be with you pretty much 24\/7. If that sound like something you can handle then read on...<\/p>\n

Quick Review<\/h3>\n

Name:\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Akita - \u79cb\u7530\u72ac in Japanese<\/p>\n

Size:\u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0Medium - Large Typically 28 inches tall (71 cm) fully grown<\/p>\n

Weight:\u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0Robust - 100-130 lb (45-59 kg)<\/p>\n

Grooming:\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Twice a day at least. Remember to do their teeth too!<\/p>\n

Training:\u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0Essential \u2013 training needs to start from puppyhood.<\/p>\n

Exercise:\u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0Moderate to lots. Think a walk twice a day as being the minimum.<\/p>\n

Temperament:\u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0Can be food possessive, energetic, sometimes stubborn, but incredibly loyal.<\/p>\n

Origins:\u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0Japan<\/p>\n

Lifespan:\u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a010-13 years<\/p>\n

History of the Akita\u2026 the Great Working Dog<\/h2>\n

Akita-inu (in Japanese) come from Feudal Japan. Back in the 17th<\/sup> century, it was known as the Great Japanese Dog and it was derived from the Spitz breeds. These are usually long-haired companion dogs in the northern hemisphere. There are two \u2018strains\u2019 of the breed. The Japanese original and the American Akita, which had been bred in the states since WWII and consumed some German shepherd genetics to pad it out a little.<\/p>\n

The dogs were initially bred for dogfighting. There is a lovely story about a feudal lord being sent to a far-away province to live out his life in exile, and this guy coming up with the Akita breed, which might be true. More likely, they were bred for strength. What we do know is that they were companions to Samurai, so that ought to give you a glimpse into their status. If you were given an Akita by someone in Japanese culture, they revered you. That\u2019s pretty impressive.<\/p>\n

The Akita is part status symbol, part guard dog, part playful fluff ball. It\u2019s a weird mix. Their history goes back so far that they have become an intrinsic part of Japanese culture. They were warrior dogs that needed a firm hand and a quick wit\u2026 and not that much has changed.<\/p>\n

Not For The Novice<\/h3>\n

The Akita breed is not for first-time dog owners. They are for an experienced owner with plenty of time to devote to training them. They\u2019re beautiful, and they will love you eternally, but they are massive, scary-looking dogs that not all your friends will like (especially as they can be a bit aloof with strangers). Buying an Akita will lead to fewer visitors to your home but, on the other hand, you won\u2019t get burgled.<\/p>\n

You can find out more about the Akita via the breed information that the Kennel Clubs hold. You will find the UK Kennel Club here<\/a>, and the American Kennel Club, here<\/a>. The breed standard was finally set in 1934 just after they were declared to be national treasures.<\/p>\n

Fun Facts About the Akita!<\/h2>\n

This giant softy has a giant list of facts. Some of the Five Minute Spare Akita favourites include:<\/p>\n