The Japanese Akita Dog

A highly popular breed in Japan, the Japanese Akita was developed some 300 years ago as a fighting dog, later to hunt bear, wild boar and deer. Its origins can be traced to other spitz-type dogs from Polar Regions which ended up in the northern, mountainous areas of Japan.

A large, powerful, alert and substantial breed with heavy bone structure, the Japanese Akita is dignified, courageous and aloof. The breed needs careful handling as there is a tendency to show dominance over other dogs. It has a soft, dense undercoat and coarse, straight outer coat standing off the body and in the UK this comes in any brilliant, clear color, including white, brindle and pinto. Markings are well defined, with or without a mask or blaze. Height ranges from 61-71 cm (24—28 in) and weight is generally somewhere from 34-50 kg (75-110 lb).