CATXDOG

Appearance: The Akita Inu is a powerful, solid, well-proportioned and distinctive looking dog. Strong and muscular with a flat, heavy head and strong, short muzzle. Akitas coat come in only four colors: Red Fawn, Sesame (red fawn hairs with black tips) Brindle and White. All except white must have whitish hair on the sides of the muzzle, on the cheeks, the neck, chest, body and tail. The Pinto color is not accepted as a Japanese Akita color, but only as an American Akita color. In the U.S., however, some breeders still mix the original Japanese type with the heavier American type, which is larger, shorter in fur, and allows more colors. This is not the same Akita as the Japanese Akita. In fact, these two types are nowadays different breeds. The coat is harsh and waterproof. Their head is triangle-shaped with black lips and pink tongue. Tail is usually carried high over the back. Their paws are wide similar to those of a cat, making them excellent swimmers.

History: The Akita 's ancestors were dogs used by matagi (hunters from Tohoku Region and Hokkaido ) for hunting game, such as bears, in the mountainous areas of Japan . These dogs, usually called matagi inu, were not as large as modern Akita dogs. They are named for Akita Prefecture, where it is thought to have originated. "Inu" means "dog" in Japanese, although in practice this animal is nearly always referred as "Akita-ken," based on the Sino-Japanese reading of the same kanji (And also a pun, as the word "prefecture" is pronounced "ken" in Japanese).

Temperament: The Akitas are well know for their docile and easygoing nature. The two most outstanding characteristics of the Akita as a house pet are that they are

very clean and that they are very easy to house break. Akitas have been described as almost "cat-like," they are so clean and odorless. This may also be one of the reasons why they housebreak so easily. Most Akitas respond so well to housebreaking that they are trained in a matter of weeks, although it may take longer if other "slower learning" dogs are present. As far as the family children are concerned, there are few worries. Akitas are devoted, patient friends and protectors of children. Akitas are typically very gentle with children, and it is said that Japanese mothers often left their children with only the Akitas to watch over and protect them. Remember, however, that young children should never be left unattended with a pet. When raised indoors with children, they can be excellent companions. Left unattended in the backyard or in a kennel, they tend to develop "personality" problems and become very destructive to the yard, which is due to boredom. They are highly pack oriented, thus, isolating them from the pack (i.e., the owner) causes them great stress. The loyalty and devotion displayed by an Akita is phenomenal. The typical pet Akita will follow you from room to room, yet has the uncanny ability not to be underfoot. Your Akita lives his life as if his only purpose is to protect you and spend time with you. But even there isn't any aggression shown toward humans they are very aggressive toward other dogs. The Akita is a dominant dog who expects other dogs to be submissive. Incidents with other dogs are possible, even killing the other dog is not uncommon.