7 INTERESTING FACTS ABOUT THE FAMOUS JAPANESE BREED OF DOGS AKITA-INU
Fact 1 – Akita Inu
Akita Inu dogs, as well as a variety of objects depicting them, in the Land of the Rising Sun symbolize well-being, good health and family happiness. Japanese Akita figurines are presented when a newborn appears in the house.
Fact 2 – Akita Inu
The first written references to representatives of this breed date from the beginning of the XVII century. Scientists still can not specify the exact place of origin of the breed, but, from wherever it originated, the prefecture of Akita, in the northern part of Japan, is recognized as the geographical place of its development.
Fact 3 – Akita Inu
The Japanese believe that the best way to Akita Inu can be described in just a couple of words – “innate valor.” Dogs of this breed fully justify this characteristic, being unsurpassed hunters, excellent guards and devoted friends of man.
Fact 4 – Akita Inu
Japanese Akita were often among the favorites of the representatives of the royal nobility and Japanese emperors, and the courage of Akita Inu was greatly appreciated by the Japanese samurai. The number of these dogs in the house demonstrated the status of the owner in the community. Their content, like any other side of the life of the Japanese, was surrounded by complex ceremonies and rituals. The ritual of the care and feeding of the Japanese Akit was to be thoroughly and carefully observed.
Fact 5 – Akita Inu
Akita Inu bred for hunting, protection and grazing herds. During its long history, this breed was used as a hunting (for a bear and a wild boar), a guard, a fighting breed, the Japanese peasants used it even for driving fish into a net, now it is a symbol of the wealth and well-being of aristocrats. And in 1931, the Akita Inu was proclaimed a monument of nature and today is considered a national treasure of Japan.
Fact 6 – Akita Inu
Across the world, the Akita Inu breed is associated with loyalty and devotion, and the reason for this was the real story of a dog named Hachiko, which was erected in Tokyo with a monument. In the Asahi newspaper dated August 4, 1932, an article appeared about Hachiko’s loyalty, and Akita’s reputation became known throughout Japan. Hachiko was born in Odat in 1923 and came to Tokyo two months later. The owner was Hachiko Dr. Ueno, a professor at the University of Tokyo. Dr. Ueno passed away when Hachiko was 1.5 years old. For the next ten years, Hachiko continued to come to the Shibuya station every evening to wait for her owner. Khachiko passed away in 1935.
Fact 7 – Akita Inu
In the 1800s, the Akita breed experienced two major setbacks. First, the Akita was crossed with a Japanese fighting dog, Tosa. As a result of this crossing aggressive dogs of impressive size appeared. These qualities were widely used for dog fighting, which was a popular sport in Japan at that time. Later, Japan was seized by the strongest epidemic of rabies, there were more than 3000 cases of the disease in the country. It was prescribed to kill both sick and healthy animals. After a panic slaughter of animals during the Akita Inu rabies epidemic, it was on the verge of extinction.
