Story
The history of Akita Inu is very interesting, this breed belongs to the 14 most ancient breeds of the world. These are not just words or legends, this fact has been proven by scientists who have studied the pedigree of a dog in detail and conducted genetic research. Also about the antiquity of this breed testify the remains that were found on the territory of modern Japan and belong to approximately 2 millennium BC. In addition, ancient figures were depicted, which depict a dog, in appearance very similar to the modern Akita Inu.
The Japanese decided not to spend a lot of time and fantasy on inventing the original name for the breed. Translated from the Japanese, “Inu” means “dog”, and “Akita” is the name of a mountainous province in the northern part of Honshu Island. The first dogs with a formed appearance appeared in that area in the 17th century, and their appearance has remained unchanged to this day. They were the favorite pets of the most influential statesmen, the royal nobility and even the emperors.
This is one of the few breeds that is truly “purebred” without the “impurities” of new blood. Initially, Akita was a favorite guard in peasant homes and an excellent hunter, but in the 18th century dogs changed their class affiliation and became “elite”. A law was passed, where it was prescribed that a person who dared to offend or kill Akita Inu, is subjected to severe punishment. After some time, this breed was available only to members of the imperial family and the ruling aristocracy.
Akita InuStoit noted that this fact has greatly affected the development of the breed as a whole. Keeping, feeding and caring for Akita became a special ceremony. Each dog had its own personal servant, and also special leashes and collars were made for them, by which it was possible to determine the rank of the dog and the social status of its owner. Everything around should be consistent with the respect that Akita enjoyed.
In 1927, the Akita Inu Conservation Society was established. This was done with the aim of preserving the pure breed, and that the Akita should not be crossed with other dogs. During World War II, most of the Akita Inu were sent to the front for military use. In those days, Akita breeding stopped a little, due to lack of food and maintenance funds. In Japan, only a few purebreds were saved, but despite this, the breed survived the post-war period and managed to preserve all its natural qualities.
There is an opinion that the progenitor of Akita was a Chinese spitz-shaped dog mixed with blood of mastiffs. There is also another theory that the beautiful Akita appeared by mixing the Siberian Husky and the mastiff. Although the Akita is a bit similar to the Russian husky, but they have nothing in common.
In the 19th century, a huge number of other breeds (Great Danes, Bulldogs, Saint Bernards) poured into the territory of Japan. The Japanese wanted to create a more aggressive breed that could protect not only their family, but also their property. Today, it is impossible to say for sure that incest somehow influenced the appearance and characteristics of the Akita, but thanks to these crossings such breeds as Karafuto and Tosa Ina appeared. Over the past 50 years, the Akita Inu has also changed slightly, a more powerful and dense build, as well as more aggression and temperament, has appeared.
