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| Vital Statistics: |
| Place of Origin: Japan |
| Group: Spitz type |
| Height: 24-26 inches |
| Weight: 75- 119 lbs |
| Life span: 11 – 15 yrs. |
| Trainability: moderate |
| Good with children: yes |
| Good with other pets: may be aggressive |
What is the origin of the Akita?
The Akita comes from the island of Honshu in the Akita region in Japan. The breed has remained the same for centuries. The Akita is the largest of six national dog breeds in Japan. At one time the Akita was favored by the Japanese Imperial Family and was known as the “royal dog.” The first Akita in the U.S. was a gift to Helen Keller by the Japanese government in 1937.
How can the Akita be described?
The Akita is a powerful, solid dog, about 25 to 28 inches tall and about 75-85 pounds. Their ears are erect, eyes dark and its tail is carried rolled on the dog’s back. Akitas come in all the colors of dogs.
What is the Akita’s personality?
The Akita has been known to be impulsive, but is also an intelligent and affectionate dog. The Akita was used as a fighting dog for centuries until the Japanese government prohibited its use in these bloody struggles. It’s original use was as a hunting dog, going after boar and other large animals. Today the Akita is almost exclusively a companion dog.
Possible Health Issues
Hip and elbow dysplasia, bloat, progressive retinal atrophy (PRA)
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