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As is so with many of the old wolf-spitz breeds, the origin of the Akita is a puzzle. Drawings and other artifacts dating back more than 3,000 years document the existence of a wolf-spitz dog throughout Asia. This early domesticated dog evolved into the breeds that we now call the Chow Chow, Norwegian Elkhound, husky (generic term) and, quite likely, the Akita. Actually, the Akita’s remote ancestors became identifiable by about 500 BC, and we can trace the Akita-inu as a distinct type back through over 300 years of written records.

The ancestors of the Akita may even have come to Japan before the European continent was separated by the Sea of Japan. Such ancient dogs were excellent bear hunters and served man in many ways. Dogs with big, double- or triple-layered, weather-resistant coats are usually referred to as Arctic-type dogs and have always had a history of working for their keep. The Akita might be said to fit into that category as well. It is a very complex breed and, like a colorful painting that has been converted into an intricate jigsaw puzzle, there are hundreds of pieces which, when fitted properly, become the masterpiece we call the Akita.

To further complicate accurate research, the Akita’s beginnings are obscured by a very old culture that is in itself still a mystery to most of the rest of the world. There is so much that we do not understand but that made perfectly good sense to the Japanese dog lover of the last century. For example, we are positively squeamish about skinning one of our beloved dogs, but the Japanese did so with the dogs they most revered. The skins were tanned and thus the favorite dog was preserved. The famous companion Akita, Hachi-Ko, is not only remembered as an awe-inspiring statue but also was preserved and is on display in one of Japan’s national museums.

The Akita’s importance in the daily life of the Japanese family is obvious in that he is considered a symbol of health and prosperity. In most countries, one presents a new mother or sick friend with flowers. In Japan, an Akita is still given as a token of the bearer’s wishes for a speedy recovery and all things good.

We are enchanted by Oriental customs related to the Akita, but we do indeed find it difficult to understand why dogs are still eaten in many Asian countries or why the Japanese were once so fond of appalling sporting events involving dogs. Although dogs have been and are still perceived as food in other parts of the world, it is a puzzling contradiction in Japan, where the Akita has long been so highly regarded. Equally puzzling, long ago it was considered entertaining to turn a hundred dogs loose in an arena as targets for men with bows and arrows. Thankfully, this is no longer done.

Along the same lines, dog fighting is another inhumane practise that once thrived in Japan. Probably as old as is the semi-domesticated canine, it has also been practiced in many other countries, including Britain and the US. The pastime of pitting dogs against one another evolved in Japan during the Kamakura period (1185–1333) under the reign of Shogun Hojo Takatoki. The Satake Clan of Odate City (a.k.a. “Dog Fighting Capital”) crossed the Akita-Matagi-inu with the mastiff-like Tosa-inu for precisely that purpose. During the relatively recent Meiji period (1866–1912), the Enyukai Club, formed in Odate in 1897, was still in vogue. Several such clubs hosted fighting tournaments, where eager fans would gather for a full day of entertainment. In 1908 Japan passed ordinances that officially outlawed the fighting of dogs. Shocking as that may be, it is in stark contrast to the fact that it wasn’t until the 1980s that the US officially forbid dog fighting in every state and began to prosecute offenders.

THE EMPEROR’S DOGSPEAK

Akitas were once owned only by royalty and a special language was used to talk to them.

The Akita is still a dominant dog, but thankfully the influence of the Tosa and other such fighting breeds has waned and the Akita is rarely quarrelsome. Very sure of his superiority over other dogs, he is quite the gentleman and can be surprisingly tolerant.

Despite the rather sketchy history of the Akita in Japan, we know he served a variety of useful purposes at different levels of society. As the peasant’s dog, he was a hunter. As the sporting partner of royalty, he is said to have hunted with falcons. Although he is reputed to have been a good water retriever, we personally refute that as we’ve never known an adult Akita to swim without strong encouragement! Wade? Lay down in cool water? Of course. Swim for the fun of it or to retrieve anything? Never.

As a hunter of big game such as mountain bear and boar, he was (and in parts of America, still is) quite adept. His courage is well documented and his fighting ability is legendary. Although he does not “give tongue,” as do the hound breeds, hunters will be able to follow the direction of the chase as the mighty bear and even the wild boar will not run as far as other game. They will be brought to bay by the dogs, and the tenacity and courage of the Akita will hold the quarry until the hunters arrive.

The Japanese have been recording tales about Akitas for hundreds of years. This statue, in bronze, commemorates the legendary loyal Akita Hachi-Ko.

Written history tells us that the breed at one time was officially owned only by the Japanese ruling class. In fact, during Emperor Senka’s reign, the office of Dog Keeper was officially established. There was even a special language used when talking to or about an Akita; the words themselves were actually called “dog words.” The care and training of an Akita were very ritualized. There were also special leashes used to denote rank and there were very specific ways in which the leash could be used to tie up an Akita. Special dogs achieved greater rank according to their degree of training and, of course, the personal preference of the Emperor.

WHAT IS THE REGISTER OF MERIT?

The suffix ROM (Register of Merit) indicates that an Akita has produced in the top 2 to 3% of breeding animals, a sure indicator of genetic superiority. The suffix was initiated in the early 1970s by author B.J. Andrews in her widely acclaimed Akita Handbook. Her record-keeping and publications were later adopted by the Akita Club of America. Two other suffixes are used: ROMX and ROMP, which can be combined as ROMXP. The “X” indicates that the dog has produced twice the number of progeny required for the ROM. The “P” indicates that the dog has produced an ROM-holding progeny.

The O’BJ dogs of the Andrews’ breeding in America claim the top three positions for the sires, namely Ch. Okii Yubi’s Sachmo of Makoto, ROMXP, who produced 101 champions, 16 of whom hold ROMs; Ch. The Widow-Maker O’BJ, ROMXP, who produced 65 champions, 3 of whom hold ROMs; and Ch. O’BJ Bigson of Sachmo, ROMXP, who produced 49 champions, 3 of whom hold ROMs. The top dam of all time is Ch. The Mad Hatter O’BJ, ROMXP, who produced 16 champions, 2 of whom have also produced ROM holders.

The Akita, like many breeds, derived its name from the area with which it was most closely associated. The Akita’s primary development is associated with Akita Prefecture in the northern part of Japan, Honshu Island. More specifically, the breed is closely connected to a particular town in Akita Prefecture called Odate City, also known as “Dog City” and “Boulevard of Dogs.” Mr. Shigiei Izumi, the mayor of Odate City, founded the Akita Dog Preservation Society in 1926.

As a point of clarification, one should not be confused by Japanese dog terms such as “ken” and “imi.” These words are used as a suffix, attached by a hyphen, as in Akita-ken or Shiba-inu. Both simply mean “dog.”

Japan established Natural (not “National” as it is sometimes mistakenly printed) Monument legislation during the middle of the Taisho era (1912–1926). This was designed to preserve culturally significant objects, including animals. In the early part of the Showa era, about 1925, Katsusuke Ishihara bemoaned the fact that there were very few dogs that possessed what he considered to be the standard in each breed. So it was with the Akita. Dr. Watase, who pioneered the Natural Monument bill, was most disappointed when he journeyed to Odate to study the Akita-inu.

Odate City was a logical place from which to begin his search as it was, at that time in history, a very remote area surrounded by towering mountain ranges and shut off to winter travel by severe weather. The local dog that was to become the Akita-inu evolved for several hundred years, untouched by other developing breed types. The large region that includes Akita Prefecture remained quite isolated until the 14th century. As a point of fact, the Hokkaido region is often referred to as the Ezo-chi or “Land of the Ainus” even today.

Dogs from China and Korea had begun to trickle into Japan under the reign of Emperor Jinmu, about 660 BC. With the introduction of Christianity in the 15th century, all sorts of dogs began to arrive in Japan along with their European owners. The mastifftype influence is still seen in dogs with an excess of skin, loose eyelids and hanging ears. The Elkhound and Keeshond-type dogs also left their marks on the native dog that the world would one day know as the Akita. The pinto coloration, particularly black and white, may have been from the non-spitz type Chinese Karainu. Scrolls from the early Kamakura era (1185–1249) also depict pinto dogs of Akita type as part of the background. Photographs of the early 1900s include black pinto Akitas.

The Karelian Bear Dog shares its black and white pattern and ability to tackle a bear with the Akita.

As an aside, there now exists a breed, the Karelian Bear Dog, that is undeniably similar to a black and white Akita. The breed closely resembles the lesser known Russo-European Laika, which descends from Russian and Finnish dogs from the area once known as Karelia. It is said to be equally as fierce and courageous as the Akita. The breed has been recognized by the Canadian Kennel Club for many years and has a devoted following in that country. One must wonder if the genes have somehow mingled with Canadian husky-type dogs. The Karelian is indeed a handsome dog, though of smaller stature than today’s Akita.

Regrettably, Dr. Watase found no dogs representative of a Natural Monument in what should have been the epicenter, the city of Odate. We surmise that he was searching for a dog once known as the Matagi-inu, a word meaning “hunter.” The native red dog with a light-colored muzzle, similar in coloration and type to primitive canines all over the world, had become diluted by the European dogs and the inevitable crossbreeding that resulted. Thus began a concerted effort to restore the type and color that were considered “pure.”

The primitive color pattern was strengthened during the resurgence of interest that occurred in the late 1980s. It is now considered representative of the Japanese Akita, as is white and brindle coloration and the absence of a black muzzle. The older generation Japanese visibly shudder at black dogs with white boots and vest—color patterns said to be representative of traditional funeral attire. None of this really matters to us because pintos, black masks and even “formally dressed” black dogs with white markings afford us with an infinite palette from which to choose a beautiful Akita.

TEN BREEDS OF JAPAN

The six Japanese spitz breeds are divided by size, namely the Akita as the large breed; the Shiba as the small breed, and four medium-size breeds, Kai, Kishu, Shikoku and Hokkaido (or Ainu). Only the Akita and Shiba have established significant followings outside Japan. There are four other recognized Japanese breeds, including the giant mastiff breed known as the Tosa, the lovely toy breed known as the Chin, the solid white Japanese Spitz and the diminutive Japanese Terrier. Of course, the Chin is the most popular of these breeds worldwide. In Japan, the Shiba is the most popular Japanese breed, followed by the Japanese Spitz, Chin and Akita.

In 1927 the Akiho (Akita-inu Hozankai Society) was established in Odate City. Nippo (Nippo-ken Hozankai) followed in 1928 and the Akita-inu Akikyo in 1948, each organization determined to restore the Akita as a Natural Monument and each was, in its way, quite successful in doing so.

American dog author and good friend to both authors, Andrew De Prisco with his two prized Japanese Shiba-inu companions and show dogs.

The Tosa-inu stands 24.5–28 in (62–71 cms) and can weigh up to 200 lb (90 kgs).