atkita

Akita

The Japanese are very proud to have produced this magnificent dog. It is a large and very strong dog with a tenacious spirit.

History:

Originally the Akita was restricted to the nobility because of its excellent hunting skills. At first it was bred to hunt deer and wild pigs. Later, when it was discovered just how formidable the Akita could be, it was even used to hunt bears. The breed has remained essentially the same for the past 300 years.

Physical characteristics:

The Akita is a large stocky dog and is one of the three Spitz types of dogs from Japan. Height: for the adult male 26 - 28 in (66 - 71 cm). Weight: 88 - 110 lb (40 - 50 kg). Both the eyes and ears are triangular, and the triangular head is broad and flat with a powerful short muzzle. The general appearance of the body is one conveying power, with a rounded well-muscled chest, shoulders and flanks. The two-layered coat is made up of a thick undercoat and a coarse outer coat.

Behavior:

This magnificent dog was originally bred by the Japanese to be a powerful hunting dog. Over its 300-year history, the breed has changed very little. During feudal times, the Akita was used extensively for dog-fighting. Either as a result of dog-fighting or because fewer were bred after this practice was outlawed, Akita numbers went into steep decline. The remaining dogs regained popularity and were once again used extensively, but this time as police and guard dogs.

The Akita can make a wonderful pet, especially for those people who insist on keeping the dog in its place from the beginning. This noble and truly magnificent animal is certainly not for the faint-hearted. However, once the dominance hierarchy is well-established, the Akita can be a wonderful companion. The Akita should be given a lot of exercise and responds very well to training. As this dog has a lot of muscle, it requires slightly more than the average amount of food. It is especially important to provide the young growing Akita with sufficient food and exercise. The dog's coat will benefit from regular brushing and infrequent bathing.

other breeds of dogs

more about dog health

more about dog obedience

more about dog house