AKITA-INU

The homeland of Akita Inu dogs is Japan, more precisely the server region of the island of Honshu (famous for its Mount Fuji - the highest point of the Land of the Rising Sun) - Tohoku. It was in those parts, mainly in the territory of Akita Prefecture, that the remains of ancient dogs similar to modern Akita Inu were found. In Japanese, "inu" means "dog", that is, the name of the breed is a dog from Akita. True, history is silent about who the ancestors of the Akita were, because according to some sources, animals similar in appearance to the Japanese Inu appeared no later than the 2nd millennium BC. By the way, this breed is recognized as one of the oldest (as well as shiba inu- another famous breed from Japan), which developed almost without human labor. In other words, the pretty appearance of the Akita Inu is a gift from nature, and not at all the merit of geneticists and breeders.

There is an opinion that the ancestors of today's Akita Inu appeared as a result of crossing Chinese dogs with local individuals of the Japanese archipelago. At the beginning of our era, the territories of Japan began to be massively populated by Chinese and Korean peoples, who, in addition to their own simple belongings, transported their gou (i.e. dogs) to their new place of residence. Over time, the blood of animals imported to Japan began to mix with the dogs that had already lived there for many centuries.

Another version of the appearance of the Akita Inu is associated with the ancient Ainu people, who inhabited the southern part of the Japanese Islands. Already from the Jomon period (from about 13,000 BC), the Ainu began to experience difficulties in relations with Asian invaders (from Southern China and Southeast Asia), who decided to take away the fertile soils of the south for growing rice. The Ainu always found food in hunting, fishing and gathering, so they could not compete with resourceful settlers. So the indigenous people moved closer to the north - to the island of Honshu, covered with mountains, volcanoes and dense forests. And he also brought with him dogs that helped in hunting large animals - bear, wild boar, deer.

But even here the unfortunate Ainu and their dogs were not left alone - gradually the invaders reached the north of Japan, having found out about the gold ores and valuable timber of the island. Relative peace came only at the end of the 16th century, when not only the way of life of the original owners of the Akita Inu, the Ainu, changed, but also the dogs themselves, crossed with individuals once brought from Asian countries. Over the years, the Akita Inu (from the Kinsei period of the 1570s to the 1860s AD) was used as hunting, watchmen and fighting dogs (took part in dog and bull fights).

To increase anger and give the Akita a special muscularity, the blood of Japanese dogs was increasingly mixed with breeds imported from Europe, which negatively affected both the external appearance of the breed and their hunting character. By the beginning of the 19th century, fighting with dogs was banned, which made the breed unpopular and, therefore, disappearing. And there were only a few purebred Akitas left. By the 1920s, the work of breeders began, aimed at eliminating the metamorphoses that occurred with ancient dogs from indiscriminate crossing, and the Society for the Preservation of Akita Inu was formed. In 1931, the Akita Inu was recognized as a national treasure of Japan, and in 1938 the first breed standard was adopted. Although Akita still had difficult periods ahead, one of which was World War II. In difficult times during the war, many dogs were exterminated to make uniforms from their skins, and the meat was used for food. However, already in 1947, the first exhibition was held, in which a little more than 20 surviving dogs took part.

In Russia, Akita Inu is primarily loved not even because of its unusual exterior, but because of the legends about the loyalty of these dogs (for example, the film “Hachiko: The Most Faithful Friend” or the ancient legend about Shiro, and the Japanese themselves call the character Akita -inu “innate valor” - a kind of evidence of devotion, courage and love of an animal for man). They were brought to our country at the beginning of the 21st century, since then the popularity of the Akita Inu has not fallen - kennels have been founded, and there are more and more people who want to get a dog from the Land of the Rising Sun as a companion.

Akita Inu dogs come in a variety of colors, including black, white, chocolate, and brindle. These dogs have a fairly thick undercoat. In general, caring for the Akita Inu's coat is not difficult, but Akita Inu dogs have hair that easily spreads around the house, including. on furniture and clothes, so you will have to vacuum the apartment quite often. Heavy shedding occurs twice a year. During this period, it is especially important to brush your pet weekly to keep its coat healthy and beautiful.

Despite the fact that Akita Inus are distinguished by their penchant for self-care, it is still necessary to bathe the dog three to four times a month due to the nature of its coat. The thing is that representatives of this breed love to run through puddles and roll in the mud.

Ear care involves weekly careful monitoring of the condition of the ear canals and treatment with a special solution with a balanced pH level prescribed by a veterinarian. You need to ensure that there is no irritation or inflammation in your ears. Nails should be trimmed once a month.