Akita

The Akita is a powerfully built dog breed that has a deep muzzle, small eyes, erect ears, and a large curled tail. It comes in solid or patches of several colours, including red fawn, sesame, brindle, and white. It has soft and thick undercoat, covered by stiff waterproof outer coating that typically sheds twice a year, on average. The average breed stands between 24 and 28 inches (60 to 71 cm) and will typically weigh in between 70 to 120 pounds. Females should weigh at least 70 pounds and measure at least 23 inches while males should weigh at least 85 pounds. It has a high held tail that arches slightly forward.

The modern Akita breed originated in Japan and was named after its native origin, the Akita prefecture, located in the northernmost part of Honshu island. This breed is popularly known as Akita Inu in Japan (inu means dog in Japanese). Prior to being known as Akita Inu, this breed was known as Odate Inu (Odate, being the former name of the city of Honshu in the 1800s), an interbreed of matagi inu with dogs that were indigenous to the area. They were originally bred as fighting dogs during the Tokugawa period (1603-1925) when dog fighting was popular in Japan and in Medieval Europe.

However, evidences found on ancient potteries and archaeological excavations suggest that the ancestors of the modern Akita breed may have found their way to the island of Japan as early as 100 B.C. White dogs were also mentioned in Kojiki (ancient Japanese literature of 712 A.D.) and the Nihon Shoki. There are also visual evidences of dogs with curled tails and erect ears dating back from the late Heian Period (898 - 1185 A.D.) to the Kamakura Period (1182 - 1332).

Akitas are known to be territorial dog breeds and tend to be dominant over other canines. They are also known to be quiet dogs, and don't tend to bark excessively because they were originally bred to be silent hunters. Akitas have a very elevated and developed hunting instinct and will typically show little tolerance towards small animals, especially those that are not members of the canine family. However, properly socialized and raised with other animals, they can easily develop a strong bonding relationship with other animals. They are also known to be strong-willed and a bit stubborn, but properly trained, they are fierce protectors and a loyal friend. Akitas are very gentle with children when raised with them and make good house pets because they are very clean, odourless and are very easy to house train.

The Akita demands very high socialization requirements for a well-balanced character. They are an intense companion so it is important to let them have the social skills to be accepted in the environment. Akitas eat less than most large dogs, so it is not difficult to keep an Akita's weight down. However, they need an ultra-premium, all-natural dog food and should always receive a digestive enzyme with every meal. It is important to brush its fur weekly when the dog is not shedding. During shedding periods, daily brushing is a must. Since the Akita is typically a very clean dog, bathe only when necessary, as bathing removes the natural waterproofing characteristics of its outer coating. An older Akita will have to be nail-trimmed once a month. An Akita will do okay in an apartment if it is adequately exercised, however, it will do best with a large garden. This breed needs moderate but regular exercise routines to stay in shape.

Some of the health problems known to affect Akitas are:

• Canine herpesvirus (CHV), which is a strain of the Herves virus which affect canines. This virus causes a fatal hemorrhagic disease in puppies characterized by weakness, depression, discharge from the nose, soft, yellow feces, and a loss of the sucking hreflex.
• Gastric dilatation volvulus (GDV), also known as gastric torsion, is a medical condition in which the stomach becomes overstretched by excessive gas content, which constricts the oesophagus and prevent the gas from escaping.
• Pemphigus is an autoimmune disorder which causes blistering and raw sores on the skin.
• Progressive retinal atrophy (PRA), is a genetic disease of the retina which causes progressive vision loss which leads to blindness.
• UveoDermatological Syndrome (UDS), often diagnosed with this breed, this disease causes inflammation of the inside of the eye, whitening of hair (poliosis), and loss of pigment in the skin (virtiligo).
• Sebaceous adenitis, which is also an autoimmune disorder that attacks and destroys the sebaceous glands, found in the skin of mammals.