American Akita Dog

The American Akita is a breed of dog also known as Great Japanese dog. This dog of molosser structure has its origins in Japan, in 1603, where its ancestors first came from the region of Akita.

Classification and breed standards:

AKC Working dog

Originally, the history of the American Akita was the same as that of the Japanese Akita. Since 1603, the dogs from the Akita region were called “Matagi Akitas” (medium-sized dogs for hunting bear) and were used as fighting dogs. Since 1868, the breed was crossed with tosa and mastiffs. Therefore, the size of the breed increased, but some of the characteristics associated with the spitz type of dog disappeared. In 1908, dog fighting was prohibited; the breed has been preserved, and has prospered and developed into a large Japanese breed. Then in 1931, nine dogs of this breed dogs were recognized as excellent.

When World War II ended, the number of Akitas had become dangerously low and the dogs came in three different ways: matagi Akitas, fighting Akitas, and shepherd Akitas. The state of the breed was wrong.

During the restoration process of the breed after the war, Kongo-go, a dog from the Dewa line, enjoyed a temporary popularity. It was a very large dog. Many Akitas of this bloodline, which exhibited characteristics of the influence of the mastiff and German shepherd, were taken to the United States by American soldiers.

The Akitas from the Dewa line were intelligent and capable of adapting to different areas. This was to the delight of breeders in the U.S., and the line was developed through the gradual increase in its popularity with breeders.

In 1950 the Japanese breeders decided to restore the old type, and used the Akita Ichinoseski line, established by the engineer Ichinoseski, and Japanese spitz dogs to retrieve the features of the old Akita inu.

Americans breed the Akita Dewa, a big and powerful looking dog.

Increasingly moving away from its origins, two branches were created. The first is the American Akita or (the Great Japanese dog), which is an animal with an orientation toward defense and can provide a dark mask without being penalized. The standard also allows individuals without mask or to blaze, and even to have a black head.

The second branch is his Japanese “brother”, the Akita inu. This dog is more affable, less grand and provides a white mask, or the famous “urajiro”, as the breed standard Akita inu, does not accept the black mask. In the verdicts, preference is given, in countries affiliated to the FCI, to the Akitas without masks over Akitas with black masks. This is because the Japanese demanded it, and as the country of origin of the Akita, their opinion dominated on that topic.

Thus, in the 1990s the breed is given the name change that makes the differentiation between the two branches. The American Akita was called “Great Japanese Dog” and is located in Group II of the classification in the FCI. The U.S. Cinofila did not accept such a division and decided to continue placing the two breeds within a single category in contests.

Breeders and lovers of the breed, of the countries affiliated to the FCI, in 2005 achieved a place again in Group V. The breed is finally called, with the consent of the Japanese, American Akita.

It should be noted that this discussion of American Akita and his name has as its background a difference between Japanese and Americans. This has been overcome in recent years for the good of the breed.

Characteristics and Temperament
The standard describes the ideal expected of this breed, both morphologically and in their temperament. These dogs have in their temperament the essence of ancient Japanese warriors because they are just as stoic, brave, and devoted to their master. They are silent and bark little. They have strong prey, guard and defense instincts.

In their appearance, they are dogs of great physical strength, with resistance to pain and, thanks to their double coat, are fairly resistant to cold. To meet the standard they must carry their tails curled over the back.

The mantle comes in different shades and can copy their mask without being penalized. The standard allows for not having a mask, having a blaze, or for the head to be completely black.

Recommendations
The American Akita has a strong territorial instinct and is often aggressive with other dogs, especially the male. It is therefore advisable to accustom them to family or other pets when they are puppies.

They are not suitable for dogs used by children or inexperienced people because of their strong temperament. They need an owner with some experience who is able to impose firmness and energy, while avoiding cruelty or violence.