Akita Inu: breed description

The Akita Inu is a majestic breed that captures hearts with its powerful presence and loyal nature. Originating from Japan, this breed was initially used for hunting and guarding. With a noble stance and a thick double coat, Akitas are as beautiful as they are strong.

These dogs are renowned for their fidelity and close relationship with their owners. They can be very protective of their owners and frequently develop strong attachments to them. This makes them great companions, but it also means that they need to be socialized and trained properly from a young age.

The temperament of an Akita can differ; they can be lively and lively or serene and dignified. Getting to know their personalities fosters a close relationship. The Akita Inu can be the perfect addition to your home, whether you’re looking for a playmate or a loyal friend.

Breed Name	Akita Inu
Origin	Japan
Size	Large
Weight	70-130 lbs
Coat	Thick and double
Temperament	Loyal and independent
Exercise Needs	Moderate
Life Span	10-15 years
Good with Kids	Yes, with supervision

From the history of the breed

The Akita Inu dog breed gained widespread recognition following the publicization of Hachiko’s story. Nonetheless, dogs of the presented variety have long enjoyed the reputation of being revered animals in Japan, the nation where this breed was originally bred.

A scene from the well-known movie "Hachiko"

• members of the imperial family;
• the aristocracy of that time.

• due to their uniqueness;
• due to the high cost of their maintenance.

It’s understandable that the high maintenance costs were not always so; however, peasants were no longer able to treat this animal like a regular dog following the adoption of new standards for animal care by emperors and other high-ranking officials.

Though a lot has changed since antiquity, the Akita Inu’s fan base has only grown.

Even today, there is still interest in Akita Inus.

It is also important to acknowledge that the Akita Inu is a fair candidate for the classification of "ancient breed." Numerous remains have been found by historians, and genetic analysis of these remains has revealed that they are from Akita Inu dogs, which lived at least 4,000 years ago. Apart from the scientific discoveries, archaeologists have also uncovered ancient images of dogs that bear striking resemblances to contemporary examples of the same breed.

The origins of the Akita Inu breed are on Honshu Island.

• the word "Akita" clearly refers us to the name of a specific Japanese suburb, which is located directly on the territory of Honshu Island;
• the second part of the name – "inu" in Japanese simply means "dog".

The result of combining the two translated words is "dog from the province of Akita." This makes it possible for you to determine with precision where in Japan this well-known breed was most bred and popular. Historians and scientists who assert that Japanese Akitas first appeared on Honshu Island in the far-off 17th century also support this data. It should be mentioned that the exterior of the breed has not changed since then despite external changes.

These animals are present today, exactly as they were four centuries ago when the Japanese lived there.

Being a purebred breed makes this animal exceptionally rare, both historically and currently. Stated differently, no breeding selection work was done on it, suggesting that it was crossed with members of different breed varieties.

• preservation of the purity of the blood of dogs of the Akita Inu breed;
• maintenance of the valuable qualities of the breed.

The fact that the breed has survived to this day in its original form is largely due to society’s attitude toward this problem and its enormous efforts. Because the breeders were occupied at the front, breeding of this breed ceased temporarily during World War II but continued thereafter. The whole idea is that Akita Inus and other breed representatives were sent to the front, where they gave all assistance they could and gave their lives in large numbers in defense of humans.

Akita Inu helped as many people as she could during the Great Patriotic War.

• preserve the breed;
• ultimately recreate it;
• even spread it throughout the world.

Experts with years of experience who had worked with animals of the desired breed for many years prior to the war handled this problem. Humanity got to know and love the Akita Inu as a result of their efforts.

Which particular facets of the Akita Inu breed are you most curious to learn more about?

Appearance and breed standards

Japanese Akitas have "breed standards" that define their appearance, or rather, what it should ideally be, just like any other breed. Breeders of this breed are unable to completely avoid breed defects, but it is extremely uncommon for puppies with external mutations that deviate from the norm to appear. Let’s examine the outward characteristics that define this breed’s standard.

What are this breed’s standards?

Physique

• be a strong leader;
• reinforce your authority by training with a dog handler.

This breed is open to all, however we advise against getting an Akita Inu for delicate animals as the dog may easily knock you off your feet during a walk.

This breed’s animals have compact, powerful bodies.

• without any pronounced bends throughout;
• straight;
• while the loin is muscular and strong.

• powerful;
• well developed;
• wide.

Since the Japanese Akita’s lungs are responsible for breathing life into its powerful body, they have a large capacity, which further contributes to the animal’s resilience.

• large;
• wider at the base.

This procedure is shaped like a ring and is aimed at the rear. The tail is located high at the same time. The ring’s tip may dangle slightly to one side.

The tail resembles a ring.

• powerful;
• strong;
• with large bases;
• with soft pads.

• move quickly;
• make powerful jumps;
• softly step on the ground, etc.d.

The Akita Inu’s paws are quite strong even at a young age.

• for a male, the height at the withers should be 66-71 centimeters;
• for a female, the height at the withers should be from 61 to 66 centimeters.

Be cautious—your pet could even knock you to the ground if he plays with you, pushes you with his strong paws, or even leans all of his weight on you.

Head and muzzle

The heads of the members of the breed under consideration are shaped like triangles, but they don’t have sharp angles. It is broad and massive instead of narrow, just like the animal’s body is generally.

This breed’s expressive muzzle adds to its unique charm.

The dog’s impressive appearance is further enhanced by a notch that runs partially across its forehead and in between its eyeballs. Similar to every other portion of the dog’s body, the nose is big and broad and is typically densely black in color. Although the nose of a white Akita may occasionally be slightly pigmented with other colors, this is not regarded as a breed flaw.

Interestingly, these animals have small ears that are broad at the base and pointed at the top. With a small rounding at the ends, they are arranged vertically.

• brown;
• dark brown.

The Akita Inu’s eyes are dark.

Skin and fur

Some Akitas get tiny folds on their skin because their skin does not fit against their body tissues tightly. Their existence is not regarded as a flaw in the breed.

Regarding fur length, these dogs’ average is 4-5 centimeters, which is longer than that of both long-haired and short-haired breeds. The hairs are closely spaced in relation to one another. Because there is a soft undercoat, the coat has a high density. The coat’s long hairs are rough to the touch rather than slick.

• if there is a pattern on the dog"s coat, it must be clear;
• colored areas must also have clear boundaries;
• purity of color is mandatory;
• white spots on colored canvas are not allowed, etc..

These dogs can live outside throughout the winter if their Akita coat is properly maintained.

Shade mismatches between the main coat and undercoat are acceptable and do not constitute a deviation. There is no need to be concerned because Akita Inu undercoat rarely peeks through from underneath the coat.

Akita Inus come in various colors.

Classic red color

Since these wool colors covered the body of that very Hachiko, whom we mentioned at the beginning of our article, they are the embodiment of the classic red color of Akita Inus that are known throughout the world.

• white;
• red, while it can be both muted and bright, almost red.

• paws;
• chest;
• muzzle;
• belly;
• neck.

Traditional red hue

In this instance, a white "collar" that forms a circle or semicircle and extends from the animal’s chest projection to its back is also visible around its neck.

• back of the dog;
• femoral and shoulder parts of the paws;
• head;
• ears of the animal.

As previously mentioned, the Akita Inu coat comes in a variety of shades of red. Thus, the so-called sesame color—where the upper portion of the animal’s body is painted a creamy-red, extremely light color—and the red color—where the upper portion of the animal’s body is painted a true, fiery red—are both recognized.

Brindle color

This kind of color’s name pretty much says it all. The basic representation of brindle color is speckled fur on a colored canvas that appears to be broken up by stripes.

• black;
• dark brown or chocolate;
• gray.

• back of the dog;
• sides;
• belly;
• shoulder part of the paws and thigh, or paws to the base;
• head;
• muzzle;
• tail.

There will also be white spots in each color, which are typically found on the:

• chest;
• at the base of the paws;
• at the tip of the muzzle.

• bright red, usually characteristic of dogs whose main body color is brown or chocolate;
• white, as a rule, covering the body of black brindle Akitas;
• blue-gray or light gray, crossing the body, respectively, Akita Inu gray shade.

A brindle hue with hints of brilliant red

The brilliant, mottled color appears very striking. Its limited distribution in Russia may be due to the fact that there is still an unresolved issue with homeless animals in our region, who are unable to find loving homes and must instead survive and procreate on the streets. Puppies with fur that mimics the pattern of a brindle Akita Inu are frequently born as a result of breed and color mixing.

White

Regarding white members of this breed, not much needs to be said because it is all clear: these Akita Inus are smothered in snow-white fur from head to toe, giving the impression that they are even fluffier than they actually are.

Dogs of this color rarely have dark noses, but in these cases, mild pigmentation is acceptable and does not deviate from the expected color.

Puppy white Akita Inus

General description and character of the breed

Akita Inus are Japanese dogs, as we already knew from their history, which was covered in the material that was just above. These dogs’ unique and challenging temperaments have been passed down from their breeders. In addition, we are discussing negative characteristics at the same time as positive ones. Let’s examine these dogs’ primary characteristics.

Wary of strangers

• It is unlikely to be interested in you;
• if you are persistent, it may become wary and move away.

Akita Inus usually don’t even bother to sniff a stranger’s hand to make eye contact because they don’t need to.

Naturally, a Japanese Akita behaves very differently from other dogs. It takes some time to adjust to new friends and family members who do not live in its territory, but if you can establish a friendly relationship with one, the dog will always remember you as a fellow member of the pack and will always be friendly.

High level of activity

• soft balls;
• bones;
• ropes for tug-of-war, etc.d.

Note that an Akita Inu needs to engage in this type of activity well into old age, so you shouldn’t expect the dog to "calm down" and grow up.

The Akita Inu is not the dog for you if you do not enjoy playing and running with dogs.

The most devoted friend

• companion;
• guard;
• best friend.

One of the Akita Inu’s fundamental instincts is to defend its owner. They will shield a person from attackers rather than being the first to jump into a fight.

Akita Inus truly develop a strong bond and selfless love for their owners.

Adequate behavior in society

These dogs allow you to walk them both on uneven ground and in urban areas safely. They treat people with such grace, but regrettably, instances of zooaggression are occasionally noted. But issues shouldn’t surface if you appropriately repress such behavior from childhood.

For the sole purpose of improving the animal’s behavior control, it is preferable to bring it to a dog handler.

Independence and love of freedom

Independence is another quality that is uniquely Japanese. However, the trait in question frequently leads to:

• independence;
• stubbornness.

With the exception of the Japanese, the majority of people on Earth are unaware of this Akita Inu trait. All we know of Hachiko is her screen persona as a loving dog. Despite the fact that we were given a hint right away in the movie, none of the viewers considered the reason why Hachiko was waiting for the owner. Recall that the dog was told, "If Hachiko wants to wait, he must wait," by a wise Japanese man? This sentence highlights a crucial aspect of its personality. Hachiko actually spent the remainder of his life on the platform after deciding he wanted to wait.

• gnawing the sofa;
• carry the master"s slippers;
• scare the cat;
• poke the neighbor with his muzzle;
• steal food from the table, etc.d.

An autonomous dog is the Akita Inu.

• study with a professional dog trainer;
• conquer his fortitude with authority.

In this situation, developing fortitude does not entail beating, punishing, or doing other unpleasant things to "break" the dog. These dogs are very touchy, so you might not be able to catch up with it or take it down, which will cause tension.

You should demonstrate the Akita Inu’s resilience because of your meticulousness and tenacity. Ask the dog to submit until it acknowledges your authority. A dog trainer can raise you both if you don’t know how to do it yourself or if you feel bad for the dog.

Love for children

The fact that the Akita Inu is ideal for a family with young children is a significant breed benefit. The dog will not spare its own life to defend the pack leader; rather, it will act as though it were defending its own puppies.

This breed of dog will guard your child as though they were their own.

• falls;
• unfriendly animals;
• strangers.

It’s important to keep in mind that the dog in front of you is not a special agency nanny; rather, it’s a dog that may inadvertently step on or push the baby out of desire to help. As such, keep an eye on the games the child and pet are playing.

Akita Inu Care

• Akita Inu dogs require careful care;
• with all the requirements for maintaining appearance and health, these animals are very unpretentious.

Based on the points made in the aforementioned list, we will go over the features of owning an Akita Inu later in the text so you can see what’s what.

Living conditions

Because of this, Japanese Akitas, in contrast to many other breeds with comparable appearances, can live outdoors because of their thick undercoat, which is a natural feature of their coat. They have the option of living in an apartment.

A dog can survive in the winter as long as it has access to food and shelter that is warm.

• insulated booth, since winters in our country are so severe that even such "woolly" dogs cannot sleep on bare snow;
• constant access to warm food and water in winter (you cannot put food in the cold);
• warm bedding (the booth should be warm in itself, but you also need to put straw or blankets inside).

• will become depressed;
• will get sick with all sorts of ailments;
• may even die.

Don’t worry if you need a guard dog; an Akita Inu will be much better able to keep its territory safe from outsiders if it is allowed to roam around the yard.

Walking

Walking dogs should be done at least twice a day for at least two hours each time. We’re talking about the minimum amount of time, so it’s ideal to go for more walks each day—in fact, longer walks are preferable.

Active play is involved when walking an Akita.

• this is good for your health and the health of the animal;
• there is also an undeniable benefit for furniture and other household kitsch, which an Akita Inu that has not been walked enough will certainly take up.

Let your pet play with dogs you meet on the street as long as their owners agree to the game. If your pet does not display zoo aggression, it will be very lonely without interaction with other animals.

The communication between a dog and its own kind is crucial to its upkeep.

Maintaining normal body weight

• regular physical activity;
• a properly formulated diet.

• musculoskeletal system;
• skin;
• organs of vision;
• gastrointestinal tract;
• immune system;
• lungs, etc.d.

Obesity is more common in Akita Inus.

If the dog does not receive continuous physical activity to maintain its body’s nutrition, it is unlikely that it will live the recommended 10 to 15 years for this breed. It is highly likely that the dog will pass away by the time it is seven years old, and it will be difficult to make up for the harm done to its body in the interim.

Grooming

• prevent the formation of tangles;
• prevent various skin diseases.

Frequent brushing will also assist in removing accumulated undercoat from the dog. This is particularly crucial during the shedding phase because the hair will cling to your legs and lie on your floors like an even carpet. In order to encourage rapid fur renewal in your dog during the shedding season, you must brush it every day.

Additionally, keep in mind that the dog needs to be fed specific vitamin supplements that benefit its eyes, muscle, bone, and hair tissue, among other areas.

Veterinarian pharmacies carry special vitamin lines, even tailored to the breed under consideration.

It is not permitted to frequently bathe dogs of this breed.

• once every 4 months;
• or once every six months.

• first wipe dry and remove excess water from the fur with a dry towel;
• then comb with a brush and at the same time direct moderately hot air from a hair dryer to the combed areas of the fur.

Specific dog shampoos

The dog’s coat hairs will tangle and form mats if you leave it to dry on its own. This can cause the following problems:

• spoil the appearance of the pet;
• provoke the development of skin diseases in it.

Naturally, once you come to your senses, you will attempt to comb out the tangles, but you will find that it is nearly impossible to accomplish so on your own, and removing them will cause bald patches to appear on the dog’s glossy coat, severely degrading the animal’s appearance.

Feeding

• consisting of dry industrial food;
• consisting of natural food, that is, the same that a person eats.

Food: natural or manufactured? That is the question!

Feeding natural products or food suitable for humans

• smoked food;
• pickles;
• food waste, such as chips, French fries;
• potatoes themselves;
• flour products;
• sweets, especially chocolate (the substance contained in it is not excreted by dogs, and even from one bar of real chocolate the animal can die);

For dogs, sweets are strictly forbidden!

It is a grave misconception that dogs must be fed bones because, if left unchewn, they can rupture the dog’s intestines, stomach, and esophagus, endangering its life.

We rush to persuade those who were offended by the statement regarding cereals, which dogs should not be fed either, that it is unhealthy and incorrect for your pet to eat porridge with tiny pieces of meat throughout its life, and that it is inappropriate for both Akita Inus and mongrel dogs. This is the only scenario in which feeding an animal this way is possible if the porridge contains a significant amount of meat and you have no financial means to enhance the animal’s diet. However, you shouldn’t even consider getting an Akita Inu in this situation.

You should never feed an Akita Inu porridge that contains meat.

Dogs actually only need protein more than carbohydrates because of the way their bodies metabolize protein and carbohydrates. Carbohydrates are the most essential, followed by fat. Dogs’ bodies essentially don’t require carbohydrate-rich food, as nature intended. This is in contrast to human bodies. Thus, porridge just isn’t digested by your pet, but it can certainly contribute to obesity, which, as we all know, ultimately results in death.

• chicken;
• turkey;
• veal;
• lean parts of beef;
• beef and chicken offal;
• broths on vegetables and meat;
• zucchini;
• carrots;
• apples;
• pears (occasionally);
• fermented milk products (but not dairy!), that is, cottage cheese, kefir, natural yogurt;
• eggs.

Dogs are only permitted to drink clean water because, at first, they do not need to satisfy their palates with liquids. You can help them get used to this by offering them kvass to try (both with and without sugar, as it is harmful to their bodies), carbonated water, juices, etc.

Water should always be available for the pet.

• chicken, the meat of which is an allergen in itself + due to the cheapening of meat production, still living birds are fed various harmful supplements to increase body weight, antibiotics, and other substances;
• eggs, which can cause allergies for the same reasons as chicken;
• apples (rarely, but found);
• Pear.

Give the dog a tiny sample of a product before letting it have the entire thing, and observe how it reacts.

You shouldn’t cut corners when it comes to buying food. Given that you are starting a dog that is so expensive and thoroughbred, be ready to provide it with a healthy diet. Therefore, if you have to choose between chicken from the farm store and the supermarket, go with the latter even though it will cost more.

Industrial feed feeding

Now let"s look at what the feeders of food fans think about the feeding of Akita-In. We want to immediately draw your attention to the fact that the term “industrial” in this case is not a synonym for the word “bad”. Of course, you should not buy any cheap food even for a dog that does not have a breed, since it is harmful and not nutritious, and every dog ​​deserves better treatment, regardless of its breed. But since we are considering Akita Inu, let"s say: if you save on pet food, it can get serious problems with the gastrointestinal tract, which will be much more expensive to cure than to buy expensive food right away.

Modern industrial feeds are of excellent quality.

• super premium;
• holistic.

Products in the premium category come from well-known brands like:

• "Royal Canin";
• "Proplan";
• "Eukanuba";
• "Monge" etc..

Dog food from Royal Canin

• nutritious;
• rich in vitamins;
• have a beneficial effect on the gastrointestinal tract and other organ systems of the body;
• sold in a wide range;
• are moderately expensive.

The sole disadvantage of the industrial feeds category we’ve presented is that the majority of them are made with wheat or other cereals, which, as we’ve already established, don’t offer any unique advantages to dogs. Actually, the carbohydrates in these foods will be "empty calories" to the Akita Inu, meaning they won’t make them feel full.

• healthy fats, such as those represented by Omega-3 acids and other beneficial microelements;
• carbohydrates in extremely small quantities, which are not taken from wheat, but from starchy vegetables, herbs, fruits, etc..

Evaluation of holistic dog chow

• wool;
• musculoskeletal system;
• skin;
• dog"s eyes;
• organs of vision and other body systems.

The Akita Inu’s requirement for extra vitamin intake will either totally vanish or be greatly diminished if you choose holistic food.

• they must undergo breed certification;
• they cannot be weaned from their mother at too early an age for the sake of health.

This indicates that the puppy has already been weaned from its natural food or from food at this point in the breeding process, meaning the animal has developed a taste for a particular food. It is not something you ought to alter for private gain.

Purchase and cost of an Akita Inu puppy

As you may have noticed, we have stated multiple times in the article that because cheap food is so expensive, it is not a good idea to feed it to animals. It’s true that not everyone has the funds to purchase a member of this breed.

• its rarity;
• the purity of the animal"s blood;
• the presence of a pedigree;
• the ability to continue the family line;
• a small number of nurseries in Russia (the largest is in Moscow).

A puppy can cost anywhere between forty and seventy thousand rubles.

• from 40 thousand Russian rubles;
• up to 70 thousand units of national currency.

Look for advertisements from private breeders if you’d like to purchase an Akita Inu for a lower price. In this instance, a dog can be purchased for thirty thousand rubles.

Diseases of the breed

• deformations of the pelvic joints of the hip;
• disorders of the thyroid gland;
• deformation of the kneecaps;
• hearing impairment;
• impaired vision at night.

Breed-specific illnesses do not affect Akita Inus.

• timely vaccination against rabies, leptospirosis, plague of carnivores and other diseases, carried out once a year;
• conducting antihelminthic therapy once every six months;
• treatment for ticks and fleas (as needed);
• treatment of other diseases that arise under the influence of external factors.

It is your responsibility to ensure your pet’s health.

If you take care of your dog’s minor illnesses and follow the above preventive measures, your dog won’t need major medical attention and will provide years of affection and exercise for its owner.

In conclusion, the Akita Inu is a symbol of strength and loyalty in addition to being an incredibly beautiful dog. This breed, renowned for its noble temperament, is a loyal friend and a strong protector. They have a very endearing deep bond with families, frequently creating lifelong, strong attachments.

Akitas thrive with consistent training and socialization, despite the fact that their independent nature can occasionally come across as aloofness. Their early exposure to a variety of situations and people can aid in their development into well-rounded canines. When working with these bright puppies, it’s critical to keep in mind that patience and positive reinforcement are essential.

Having an Akita requires dedication, but it also has benefits. They are dependable and entertaining due to their protective nature and sense of humor. If you’re thinking about bringing an Akita into your house, be ready for a devoted and caring companion that will support you no matter what.

All things considered, the Akita Inu is an amazing breed that needs commitment and comprehension. If given the correct conditions and attention, they can flourish and greatly delight their families. You’re going to have an amazing experience whether you currently own an Akita or are thinking about getting one.

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