History

The Japanese Akita Inu is one of the largest of the Japanese dog breeds. Akitas evolved in the mountainous regions of the Akita Prefecture. However, over time the Akitas were mixed with various other dog breeds such as the Tosa. Centuries ago, the Akita was owned only by the Shogun. The dog was used to track large game and hold it at bay until the hunters arrived to make the kill. Some of the types of game the Akita tracked included antelope, elk, boar and the 800-pound Yezo bear.

Hellen Keller was one of the first Americans to bring the Akita to the United States. She expressed interest in the Akita Inu breed and was presented with the first two to enter the United States. During the 1950's and 1960's the Akitas made their way into the United States. The Akita Club of America was founded in 1956. In 1973, the Akita breed was accepted into the American Kennel Club's Working Group.

Growth and appearance

The Japanese Akita stands between 22-27 inches at the shoulders and weigh between 75-120 pounds. The Akita Inu comes in five coat colours, red, fawn, sesame, brindle and pure white. Like many of the other Japanese dog breeds, the Akita has a fluffy thick double coat with coarse, straight fur on the outer coast and fluffy thick soft fur in the undercoat.

Dog Care and Grooming
The Akitas life expectancy ranges from 10 to 12 years. As with any dog with a double coat the Akita requires regular grooming. The Akita goes through one to two heavy sheddings a year.

This breed also has a few known hereditary health problems such as:

Atopy:an allergic disorder that causes itching, hair loss and infections of the skin.

GDV: Stomach bloat

Pemphigus: an autoimmune disorder that develops on the dogs skin causing ulcerations and pusules

PRA: Blindness

Cataracts: opacity of the eye causing blindness

Uveodermatological syndrome: autoimmune disorder causes uveitis of the nose, lips, eyelids and foot pads.

Sebaceous adenitis: autoimmune condition that destroys the sebaceous glands of the skin