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).

       THE AKITA GOES TO AMERICA

      A powerful influence in restoring the Akita to the rest of the world occurred when soldiers returning to the US in the late 1940s smuggled the big dogs out of Japan. These “Akitas” were not selected due to any concern for type, but because of their appeal as individual dogs. Members of America’s fighting forces must have been very drawn to the courage and loyalty of the dogs known as Akitas. As there were so few dogs brought back to the United States at that time, there was only the rarest opportunity to breed an Akita to an Akita. A prominent American family later thought it worthwhile to import some dogs, albeit purchased at pet shops, from the Tokyo area. Some were probably pure-bred, some were relatively healthy, but some failed in both regards. A couple of those dogs became strong genetic influences during the early years in the US, and many breeders in America believe that may in part account for the lack of consistent type and for the serious inbred genetic defects found in the breed.

      In 1955 the Akita moved into the American Kennel Club’s (AKC) Miscellaneous Class, a class similar to the Import Class in the UK, where new breeds can be exhibited. In 1956 what was eventually to become the American Akita Club was forming, and it came into formal existence in 1959. Americans had spent many years in the formation of various clubs, with individual owners struggling to become the dominant authority on Akitas. It has been said that most Akita people exhibit the same bold and dominant traits as their dogs! The splinter clubs and disagreements were resolved by the end of 1972, at which time the AKC approved the Akita Club of America’s breed standard.

      Japanese imports could, however, still be registered as foundation stock until February 1974. The American gene pool, which established the type known worldwide as the “American Akita,” was indeed rather small in comparison to those of many other well-established breeds. Original foundation stock consisted of little more than 100 distinct pedigrees.

       AN AKITA BY ANY OTHER NAME

      The Akita may hold the record for the most

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