About the Breed -秋田犬について

When It All Began...

Boar hunting with Akita.
Boar hunting with Akita.
The foxy looking red fawn akita Inu and its cousin commonly the more 'bear looking' dog known as the 'American type Akita' in some countries.
The foxy looking red fawn akita Inu and its cousin commonly the more 'bear looking' dog known as the 'American type Akita' in some countries.
Dogs back then look less refined and unlike the 'contemporary type'.
Dogs back then look less refined and unlike the 'contemporary type'.
'Hachiko' (literally means the 'eight son' in Japanese).
'Hachiko' (literally means the 'eight son' in Japanese).

The Akita Inu, which was selected as one of the 6 breeds of natural monuments as a national dog, has lived in the Odate region since when, and it is not very clear when it was bred, but it is definitely used for hunting (Matagi) in ancient times. He was an indispensable companion.

Around the time when Dewa Province was established in the Akita region, development of the area and mines progressed, and war broke out due to the division of powers, and the influx of foreigners made the world uneasy, so hunting dogs were also bred as guard dogs.

　After the Tokugawa period, dogfights began to be held with guard dogs that had grown larger and stronger, and from the latter half of the Meiji era, a permanent dogfighting arena was established. The breed was more or less mongrelized.

　In such an era, there was a public opinion to preserve Japan's traditional scenic spots and natural monuments of animals and plants that were being lost. In July, it was the first Japanese dog to be designated as a natural monument. Together with the designation as a natural monument, the Akita Inu became famous in October 1932 when the Asahi Shimbun reported on it as a loyal dog named "Hachiko " . The article made a deep impression on the hearts of ordinary Japanese people as well as dog lovers, and Akita dogs came to be widely spotlighted. There was a drop in population during World War II due to increased need of resources for military use such as pelt of dogs, these dogs were captured and killed for their pelt.

By the time second world war ended, the breed reduced in number and type for breed restoration considerations: the matagi Akitas, the fighting Akitas and the Shepherd Akitas. Although Kongo- Go, a dog of the Dewa line was rather successful at the dog competitions and gained a group of followers, the dog was more of Mastiff and German Shepherd type disapproved by the more knowledge breed afficionados whose mission was to restore the breed of native Japanese characteristics.

They began to experiment by crossbreeding what they had or could find with a limited options of Matagi Akitas. After the war, the breed gradually developed and the quality of the dog improved, and now fine Akita dogs are bred all over the country in Japan.

Links: