Japanese National Dog

                                                                                                                                    

  The Akita is named for Akita Prefecture (state) in Japan.  Akita’s are very large working dog that was developed from the now extinct Miyagi dog.   The dog was originally used to hunt bear and later it was developed by Shogun Tsuyanoshi (military ruler) to be a guard dog for the Japanese Royal family.  The breed is a large dog that bonds tightly with its owner and family.

    Akita’s do not do well with other animals or children outside the owner’s family.  These are large dog’s that need a large area to roam in.  This breed needs daily exercised frequently.

   Akita’s are also known for their loyalty.  An Aikita named Hachiko went down the street every day to a train station to greet its owner.  Nine years after its owner died the dogs still went to the train station every day looking for its owner.  The owner’s relativities fed the dog until its death by natural causes.

Helen Keller was given an Akita that turned out to be a long term companion dog.

Akita’s can reach a maximum height of 28 inches as measure from the top of the shoulders and weigh up to 120 pounds.