Akita (dog)
The
Akita (秋田犬, Akita-inu, Japanese pronunciation: [akʲita.
inɯ]) is a large breed of dog originating from the mountainous northern regions of Japan. There are two separate varieties of
Akita: a Japanese strain, commonly called "
Akita Inu" ("inu" means "dog" in Japanese), or "Japanese
Akita"; and an American strain, known as the "
Akita" or "American
Akita". The Japanese strain called the
Akita Inu comes in a narrow palette of colors, with all other colors considered atypical of the breed, while the American strain known simply as the
Akita comes in all dog colors. The
Akita has a short double-coat similar to that of many other northern spitz breeds such as the Siberian Husky, but long-coated dogs can be found in many litters due to a recessive gene.
The
Akita is a powerful, independent and dominant breed, commonly aloof with strangers but affectionate with family members. As a breed, Akitas are generally hardy, but they have been known to be susceptible to various genetic conditions and can be sensitive to certain drugs.
In all countries (except the United States and Canada) the Japanese and American strains of
Akita are considered two separate breeds. In the United States and Canada, however, the two strains are considered a single breed with differences in type. For a while, the American strain of
Akita was known in some countries as the "Great Japanese Dog". Both forms of
Akita are probably best known worldwide from the true story of Hachikō, a loyal
Akita who lived in Japan before World War II.
(Wikipedia)