Akita Inu

Infobox Dogbreed

---

image_caption = An Akita Inu
name = Japanese Akita Inu
altname = Akita Inu (秋田犬)
Japanese Akita
country = flagicon|Japan Japan
fcigroup = 5
fcisection = 5
fcinum = 255
fcistd = http://www.pointernet.pds.hu/Kutya/standards/255.html#EN
akcgroup = Working
akcstd = http://www.akc.org/breeds/akita/index.cfm
ankcgroup = Group 6 - (Utility)
ankcstd = http://www.ankc.aust.com/akita.html
ckcgroup = Group 3 - (Working Dogs)
ckcstd = http://www.ckc.ca/en/Default.aspx?tabid=99&BreedCode=AIA
kcukgroup = Utility
kcukstd = http://www.thekennelclub.org.uk/item/162
nzkcgroup = Utility
nzkcstd = http://www.nzkc.org.nz/br601.html
ukcgroup = Northern Breeds
ukcstd = http://mail.ukcdogs.com/UKCweb.nsf/80de88211ee3f2dc8525703f004ccb1e/5540ce0db5e1a11385257049006aa92c?OpenDocument
maleheight = 61-71 cm 24-28in
maleweight = 34-54 kg 75-119lb
femaleweight = 34-50 kg 75-110 lb
coat = Coarse, straight, with soft undercoat
color = Red, fawn, sesame, brindle, or pure white
litter_size = 3-12 puppies, avg. 7-8
life_span = 11-15 years

The Akita Inu, or Japanese Akita Inu (Japanese Akita) is a breed of large dog originating in Japan, named for Akita Prefecture, where it is thought to have originated. It is sometimes called the nihongo|Akita-ken|秋田犬 based on the Sino-Japanese reading of the same kanji. It is a separate breed from the Akita (American Akita), and are quite uncommon in a lot of countries.

Description

Appearance

The breed stands 64 to 70 cm at the shoulders. Females weigh anywhere from 34-50kg. Males are 34-54kg. The Akita Inu come in only five colours: Red, Fawn, Sesame, Brindle, and Pure White. All except white must have whitish hair on the sides of the muzzle, on the cheeks, the neck, chest, body and tail. Black masks, as seen in the American Akita, are not permitted in the Japanese Akita Inu.

All colors are accepted in the American Akita. The Pinto color is not accepted as a Japanese Akita color, but is as an American Akita color. In the U.S., some breeders interbreed the original Japanese type with the heavier American type, which is larger, and allows more colors. It is felt by some that combining the two types leads to improved appearance and genetic health by increasing genetic diversity. In the United States, there is only a single Akita breed registered by the American Kennel Club, whereas they are separated into two breeds in every other country in the world except Canada. In all other countries the breed has been separated into two breeds: the Akita Inu and the American Akita. However, the American Akita is seen by some American breeders as being a different breed than the Japanese and these breeders advocate a splitting of the one breed into two.Fact|date=November 2007

Akitas possess a double coat, with a dense straight undercoat, and a thick outer coat. This coat makes the dog waterproof, as well as being well-equipped for the fierce winters in northern Japan. Due to the thickness of their coat, the breed requires daily grooming, and also an awareness of the dog's heavy shedding, especially during warm weather.

The Japanese Akita Inu is a loyal, docile and aloof pet. They are well known for being excellent house dogs, they are clean and quiet, only barking when there is something to bark about. In general they are very friendly and easy going dogs.

Nature

Akitas, like many dogs, have been bred to hunt, and can therefore show aggressive tendencies towards small animals. Akitas can also be dominant or aggressive towards other dogs, particularly those of the same sex [http://www.shieldsgazette.com/news/DOG-OWNER-TELLS-OF-VICIOUS.1699720.jp] .

Akitas are very clean, intelligent and loyal, train easily, and consequently are easily bored. Akitas have also been documented to be gentle with young children and babies.

Health

Mortality

Akitas in UK and USA/Canada surveys had a median lifespan of about 10 years,http://users.pullman.com/lostriver/breeddata.htm Dog Longevity Web Site, Breed Data page. Compiled by K. M. Cassidy. Retrieved July 5, 2007] which is similar to other breeds of their size.http://users.pullman.com/lostriver/weight_and_lifespan.htm Dog Longevity Web Site, Weight and Longevity page. Compiled by K. M. Cassidy. Retrieved July 5, 2007]

In a 2004 UK Kennel Club survey, the most common causes of death were cancer (32%), cardiac (14%), and gastrointestinal, including bloat/torsion (14%).http://www.thekennelclub.org.uk/item/570 Kennel Club/British Small Animal Veterinary Association Scientific Committee. 2004. Purebred Dog Health Survey. Retrieved July 5, 2007 ] In a 2000-2001 USA/Canada Health Survey, the most common causes of death were cancer (21%), GDV (=bloat/torsion, 21%), musculoskeletal (15.5%), and autoimmune (7%).http://www.vet.purdue.edu/epi/akita_final_2.pdf Akita Club of America National Health Survey 2000-2001. Prepared by Purdue School of Veterinary Medicine, L. Glickman, N. Glickman, and M Raghaven, in consultation with the Akita Club of America Health and Genetics Committee. Retrieved March 17, 2007 ]

Morbidity

Some of the health conditions known to affect this breed include:
* Canine herpesvirus, a strain of the Herpes virus that happens to affect canines
* Gastric dilatation volvulus (GDV), a condition associated with bloat
* Pemphigus, which causes the autoimmune system to attack the dog's skin (leading to pustules)
* Progressive retinal atrophy (PRA), an adult-onset condition which gradual degeneration in the eye cells (i.e. rods & cones)
* UveoDermatological Syndrome (UDS) [http://www.jawt.co.uk/vkh.html]
* Sebaceous adenitis, an autoimmune condition which attacks and destroys the dog's sebaceous glands
* Canine hip dysplasia
* Hypothyroidism
* Hyperkalaemia As a breed, Akitas have abnormally high blood potassium concentrations compared to other breeds.
* Heart size As a breed, Akitas have an unusually small heart for their size. A number of Akitas have died while being operated, due to the use of a normal dose of general anaesthetic for a canine of that size, a dose which ultimately proved excessive and fatal to the Akita. For that reason, to avoid anaesthetic-induced death, only the bare minimum dose of general anaesthetic sufficient to produce anaesthesia should be used when an Akita requires general anaesthesia.

Gastric Dilatation Volvulus

Akita owners should take special note of the high incidence of GDV (Gastric dilatation volvulus) in this breed. Excess gas trapped in the dog's stomach causes "bloat." Twisting of the stomach (volvulus or "torsion") causes or is caused by excess gas. GDV is an emergency condition requiring immediate veterinary treatment. Akita owners should be alert to the symptoms of GDV and know the location of the nearest emergency veterinary facility.

History

The Akita's ancestors were dogs used by matagi for hunting Asian Black Bears. These dogs, usually called matagi inu, were not as large as modern Akita dogs. Many of these dogs were used as guard dogs.

Recent DNA analysis found that the Akita was among the most ancient dog breeds. [ [http://www.nytimes.com/2004/05/21/science/21dog.html?ex=1400472000&en=6b49c839cde80d81&ei=5007&partner=USERLAND Collie or Pug? Study Finds the Genetic Code] ]

Edo Period

In the Edo Period, Dewa Province (present-day Akita prefecture) was ruled by the Satake clan. Since the Satake were tozama daimyo (considered potentially rebellious), they received severe restrictions by the Tokugawa Shogunate in all military areas. The clan decided to encourage dog fighting around 1630 in order to make it possible for the samurai to retain their aggressive edge in a way that would not offend the shogunate. Dog fighting became especially popular in the Odate area. Dog fighting enthusiasts in the area began to interbreed matagi inu with dogs indigenous to the area. These dogs, which later turned into the Akita, were called Odate inu at that time.

Before World War II

After the Meiji Restoration, people began to breed Akita with many dogs from other regions in Japan, such as the Tosa. The Meiji Restoration also ended Japan's closed door policy, and large, western dogs began to enter Japan. As a result, Akita were also bred with German Shepherds, Great Danes, and Mastiffs. This resulted in the breed losing many of its spitz-like characteristics. Akita were later bred with Hokkaido and Karafuto dogs (also known as the Sakhalin Husky), which were introduced to mainland Japan after the First Sino-Japanese War.

In the Taishō period, people such as the mayor of Odate Town began a movement to preserve the Akita breed. By this time, the Akita had begun to turn into a mixed breed as a result of excessive breeding with other dogs. Watase Shozaburo, a Japanese zoologist that successfully proposed the Law for Protection of Natural Monuments (天然記念物保護法) also worked towards preserving the Akita breed. As a result, the Akitainu Introduction Foundation (秋田犬保存会) was created in May 1927 by the mayor of Odate, and nine Akita dogs were designated as natural monuments in 1931. In 1932, the faithful Akita dog Hachikō was featured in an article in the Asahi Shimbun newspaper, which contributed to the popularity of the breed. When Helen Keller visited Akita prefecture in 1937, she expressed that she would like to have an Akita dog. An Akita called Kamikaze-go was given to her within a month. When Kamikaze-go later died because of canine distemper, his brother, Kenzan-go, was promptly sent to her. By 1938 a breed standard had been established and dog shows had been held, but such activities stopped after World War II began.

The War and its aftermath

During World War II, the number of Akita dogs greatly diminished because of the lack of food. There were also orders to capture all dogs except German Shepherds in order to use their fur for warm army uniforms. Many people bred Akita with Alsatians to avoid capture. When the war ended in 1945, there were fewer than twenty purebred Akita dogs in Japan.

However, the Akita became quite popular during the postwar period. Many occupation soldiers liked the Akita, because it was by far the largest Japanese dog. The fact that Helen Keller had an Akita also became well-known when she came to Japan in 1948 and thanked people in Akita for the dogs she was given. Most of the Akita dogs at this time had many German Shepherd-like characteristics. These dogs are currently known as Dewa line, or Dewa type Akita.

Akita Inu in popular culture

* Many manga titles by Takahashi Yoshihiro feature Akita dogs as the main character. These include Gin of . His son Weed, who stars in Ginga Densetsu Weed, is an Akita/Kishu Ken mix. This is said to be because Takahashi Yoshihiro was born in Akita Prefecture.
*The title character in the anime and manga animated series "InuYasha", along with his brother, Sesshomaru and father, Inu no Taisho are said to be Akita "yōkai" (half youkai half human in InuYasha's case). A yōkai is a legendary Japanese creature that is said to take human form.
*In the musical "Rent", Angel gets paid $1,000 to get rid of a wealthy woman's neighbor's Akita named Evita. Later on, it becomes clear that Evita's owner was the wife of Benny, the despised landlord of the group of friends. Benny later confides that he hated the dog anyway.
* In the anime Kino's Journey, the character Riku appears to be an Akita.
*In the manga "Nana", one of the title characters is given the nickname Hachiko in reference to her dog-like loyalty being similar to that of the famous dog Hachiko.
*Nicole Brown Simpson's dog in the O.J. Simpson case was an Akita.
*Gaomon, a Digimon character, is a young Akita Inu (As one can see, the drop-ears characteristic of young Akitas, and the curly tail.)Fact|date=November 2007
* A biography, Dog Man: An Uncommon Life on a Faraway Mountain by Martha Sherrill (ISBN 978-1594201240) reviews the history of the Akita and the efforts of Morie Sawataishi to restore the breed.
*MC Hammer has two Akitas named Bart and Alvin.

External links

* Clubs, Associations, and Societies
* http://www.japaneseakita-inu.co.uk/
* Directories and informational pages
** [http://www.akitainuforum.org The Akita Inu Forum]
* Pedigree Databases
** [http://www.akitahq.com/ Akita HeadQuarters]

Notes

*Much of the content of this article comes from the site [http://ja.wikipedia.org/wiki/%E7%A7%8B%E7%94%B0%E7%8A%AC the equivalent Japanese-language wikipedia article] (retrieved October 15, 2005).

References