Breed Information
The Akita
Akitas are most striking and impressive creatures with an attitude of nobility and an
appearance of strength and power. This Akita always makes a lasting first impression.
Akitas are large, powerful dogs with substantial bone and musculature. The broad
chest and neck serve as a solid base for the Akita's large head, the Akita's most
distinguishing feature. The broad skull and the short muzzle form a blunt triangle
when viewed from above. The massive head in combination with the small triangular
shaped eyes and small erect ears give the Akita in intimidating, yet dignified,
expression.
Typically the male Akita is substantially larger than the female Akita. The males
range in weight from about 100 to 130 pounds, height is usually 26' to 28' (some are
taller), while the females range from 70 to 100 pounds, height is usually 24' to 26'.
The Akita today is a unique combination of dignity, courage, alertness, and devotion
to its family. It is extraordinarily affectionate and loyal with family and friends,
territorial about its property, and aloff with strangers.
Akitas originated in Japan many, many years ago, and have been designated a
natural monument of Japan. They are a large, impressive breed with natural guarding
instincts. They are affectionate but not "clingy" with their family. Then tend to be
independent, and while they will always know where you are in your home.
Their independent nature means they should never be allowed to roam loose or off
lead in an unfenced area. Early and constant socialization and training is a must with
this headstrong breed, as they will tend to make their own decisions unless taught
otherwise.
Their thick double coat "blows" twice a year (this means it will come off in clumps all
over your house). Their grooming needs are not excessive with the brushing stepped
up during the coat blowing period to help get rid of the dead coat and save some
work on you vacuum!
Akitas are generally quiet and not prone to nuisance barking. Despite their quite
nature, they are natural guardians. The Akita will instinctively guard your home,
which is one of the reasons they require extensive socialization. They need to learn
that not all strangers are threats.
The Akita, despite their generous coat, tends to be a clean breed with not much of a
"doggy" order. Dirt tends to dry and fall off a proper Akita coat, and they can
often be seen grooming themselves in a cat-like manner. As mentioned earlier, they
do shed excessively twice a year, when they lose old undercoat and grow new.
However, the rest of the year shedding is almost non-existent.
Akitas are an independent breed, but most have a silly side reserved only for those
people they know, love and trust. They do require being a part of the family, and
should never be a trophy relegated to the back yard. Their exercise level is medium.
They will be happy with a good walk or jog, and are not an overly hyper breed.
The loyalty and devotion displayed by an Akita is phenomenal. Your Akita lives his
life as if his only purpose is to protect you and spend time with you. This trait is
evident in the tale of Hachi-ko. Truly the story of a "most loyal" Akita. Beloved by
all who hear his story "Hachi-ko" has truly touched the hearts of people around the
world. His legend lives on larger than life. Daily Professor Eizaburo Ueno walked to
Shibuya Station to board the train to Tokyo, accompanied by his Akita named Hachi.
Once there Hachi-ko (as the professor affectionately called him) remained behind as
the professor boarded the train for the commute to Tokyo Imperial University.
Hachi-ko would greet his master precisely at 3 p.m. as he returned on the afternoon
train. One day Hachi-ko waited patiently as he did every other day, but his master
was not on the train. Tragically, Professor Ueno had died suddenly at the University
that day having suffered a stoke. Hachi-ko waited long into the night, friends of the
professor come form him, sending him to a new home some miles away. But Hachi-ko
would continually run away to return to his former home with the professor he would
then go to the station to again keep vigil. Hachi-ko continued to meet the 3:00 train
every day , hoping his beloved master, to whom he was so devoted, would return.
The former gardner of the professor, Kikuzaboro Kobayashi, fed and cared for
Hachi-ko but allowed him to mourn his own way. The Station Director, realizing why
the dog returned each day, also gave him shelter form the weather and began to
feed him as did many people so moved by his faithfulness. Hachi-ko became a
landmark; his unaltering routine became well known to commuters, his fame spreading
nationwide. Japanese schoolbooks talk of his great love for his master, serving as an
example of loyalty. He was both pitied and admired. Many people traveled to
Shibuya Station for the express purposed of seeing Hachi-ko, often presenting him
with food, gently touching his head for luck. Hachi-ko continued his daily fitual wven
when arthritis and age slowed his pace. Almost ten years after his beloved master
passed, Hachi-ko was found dead on the very spot at the station where he had kept
vigil for so many years. A day of mourning was declared. He was almost 12 1/2
years of age when he died on March 8th, 1935 having been born October 4th, 1922.
The little cream colored puppy had been a gift to the professor from one of his
students at the University.
Akitas are most striking and impressive creatures with an attitude of nobility and an
appearance of strength and power. This Akita always makes a lasting first impression.
Akitas are large, powerful dogs with substantial bone and musculature. The broad
chest and neck serve as a solid base for the Akita's large head, the Akita's most
distinguishing feature. The broad skull and the short muzzle form a blunt triangle
when viewed from above. The massive head in combination with the small triangular
shaped eyes and small erect ears give the Akita in intimidating, yet dignified,
expression.
Typically the male Akita is substantially larger than the female Akita. The males
range in weight from about 100 to 130 pounds, height is usually 26' to 28' (some are
taller), while the females range from 70 to 100 pounds, height is usually 24' to 26'.
The Akita today is a unique combination of dignity, courage, alertness, and devotion
to its family. It is extraordinarily affectionate and loyal with family and friends,
territorial about its property, and aloff with strangers.
Akitas originated in Japan many, many years ago, and have been designated a
natural monument of Japan. They are a large, impressive breed with natural guarding
instincts. They are affectionate but not "clingy" with their family. Then tend to be
independent, and while they will always know where you are in your home.
Their independent nature means they should never be allowed to roam loose or off
lead in an unfenced area. Early and constant socialization and training is a must with
this headstrong breed, as they will tend to make their own decisions unless taught
otherwise.
Their thick double coat "blows" twice a year (this means it will come off in clumps all
over your house). Their grooming needs are not excessive with the brushing stepped
up during the coat blowing period to help get rid of the dead coat and save some
work on you vacuum!
Akitas are generally quiet and not prone to nuisance barking. Despite their quite
nature, they are natural guardians. The Akita will instinctively guard your home,
which is one of the reasons they require extensive socialization. They need to learn
that not all strangers are threats.
The Akita, despite their generous coat, tends to be a clean breed with not much of a
"doggy" order. Dirt tends to dry and fall off a proper Akita coat, and they can
often be seen grooming themselves in a cat-like manner. As mentioned earlier, they
do shed excessively twice a year, when they lose old undercoat and grow new.
However, the rest of the year shedding is almost non-existent.
Akitas are an independent breed, but most have a silly side reserved only for those
people they know, love and trust. They do require being a part of the family, and
should never be a trophy relegated to the back yard. Their exercise level is medium.
They will be happy with a good walk or jog, and are not an overly hyper breed.
The loyalty and devotion displayed by an Akita is phenomenal. Your Akita lives his
life as if his only purpose is to protect you and spend time with you. This trait is
evident in the tale of Hachi-ko. Truly the story of a "most loyal" Akita. Beloved by
all who hear his story "Hachi-ko" has truly touched the hearts of people around the
world. His legend lives on larger than life. Daily Professor Eizaburo Ueno walked to
Shibuya Station to board the train to Tokyo, accompanied by his Akita named Hachi.
Once there Hachi-ko (as the professor affectionately called him) remained behind as
the professor boarded the train for the commute to Tokyo Imperial University.
Hachi-ko would greet his master precisely at 3 p.m. as he returned on the afternoon
train. One day Hachi-ko waited patiently as he did every other day, but his master
was not on the train. Tragically, Professor Ueno had died suddenly at the University
that day having suffered a stoke. Hachi-ko waited long into the night, friends of the
professor come form him, sending him to a new home some miles away. But Hachi-ko
would continually run away to return to his former home with the professor he would
then go to the station to again keep vigil. Hachi-ko continued to meet the 3:00 train
every day , hoping his beloved master, to whom he was so devoted, would return.
The former gardner of the professor, Kikuzaboro Kobayashi, fed and cared for
Hachi-ko but allowed him to mourn his own way. The Station Director, realizing why
the dog returned each day, also gave him shelter form the weather and began to
feed him as did many people so moved by his faithfulness. Hachi-ko became a
landmark; his unaltering routine became well known to commuters, his fame spreading
nationwide. Japanese schoolbooks talk of his great love for his master, serving as an
example of loyalty. He was both pitied and admired. Many people traveled to
Shibuya Station for the express purposed of seeing Hachi-ko, often presenting him
with food, gently touching his head for luck. Hachi-ko continued his daily fitual wven
when arthritis and age slowed his pace. Almost ten years after his beloved master
passed, Hachi-ko was found dead on the very spot at the station where he had kept
vigil for so many years. A day of mourning was declared. He was almost 12 1/2
years of age when he died on March 8th, 1935 having been born October 4th, 1922.
The little cream colored puppy had been a gift to the professor from one of his
students at the University.
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