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The Akita Inu is the largest of the Japanese breeds of dog, and one
who’s true origins have no comprehensive documentation. It is a dog
that evolved in the mountainous regions of Akita Prefecture, but that later
on, at various points in time prior to the 20th century, had other breeds
intentionally - and unintentionally - added to the gene pool in Japan,
including the Mastiff and the Tosa Fighting Dog. The reason for these
particular additions is that the Akita was a popular choice for dog fighting while that 'sport' was
in favor in Japan. And while the Akita Inu has been attributed other more
palatable tasks throughout its history, including
guardian to nobility, dog aggression is an unfortunate legacy of its
fighting past that cannot be denied or ignored.
Because of the various breeds being mixed with the Akita in Japan, the dogs have looked very different from one period to
another. All those influences have played a significant role in shaping the
Akitas of today, both physically and emotionally.
Today, the Akitas in or from Japan reflect
the intense effort the Japanese made in the second half of the 20th century
to recreate the original Akita, a dog uninfluenced by western breeds.
Other Japanese breeds were used, all smaller than the Akita but all exhibiting
similar type, coat and overall structure. The American Akita, on the other
hand, evolved from the gene pool that was imported from Japan in the late
1940's and 50s, and that gene pool was heavily influenced by western breeds
that contributed the size, the heavy bone and the 'big bear head' we love and desire today.
Whether you prefer the more 'fox-like'
Japanese Akita or the big 'bear-type'
American Akita depends on your
personal taste; both have some similarities but have been deemed two
different breeds by Japan, the country of origin.
Interbreeding, or mixing, is strictly prohibited. There are differences in personality as
well as size, type and structure. However, both breeds are stunningly
beautiful, a challenge to own and train, and loyal and devoted companions.
We have American Akitas, and therefore strive to produce according to the AKC Standard, which
demands a "large, powerful
appearance, with much
substance and heavy bone", a "broad head forming a blunt triangle with deep muzzle, small
triangular eyes" and a "well defined stop". Japanese Akitas are smaller and
slighter than American Akitas, with different body structure, a different
head type, and only white, red, and selected brindle colors are
allowed. In ALL FCI countries, the two
Akitas are completely different breeds. Unfortunately the U.S. has been slow to embrace the concept, and a majority of the Akita Club of America voted against any further information on the subject. Nothing
like a closed mind in the face of progress!
As a result, here in the U.S., the two breeds continue to be mixed by some. There have been
unsuccessful attempts to ‘modify’ the AKC standard so that a
smaller, finer-boned Akita is acceptable, even preferred. But Japan, being the country
of origin, owns the breed standard, and eventually the Akita will be two
breeds in the entire world.
Changes are taking place at an alarming rate around the world and
only time will tell when the Japanese and American Akitas will be split in
the United States. One thing for sure... Hoka-Hey will not compromise the
size and substance, the big bear heads, and the wide range of colors that
attracted us in the first place. And of course, we would not want to tamper
with what the Japanese have struggled so hard to recreate in their breed
either.
We are very gratified with the success of
our breeding program which started in 1987, both as far as our personal
goals and our success in show rings here and around the world. We make our
decisions with a look to the future of our breed, but are always mindful of
their colorful and significant past.
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