• Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar
Our website uses cookies. By continuing to use our site, you agree to our use of cookies. To see what cookies we serve and set your own preferences, please review our Cookie Policy. Learn More.

The Dog People by Rover.com

Powered By Rover.com

Tips, stories, and reviews for people who love dogs, powered by Rover.com, the world's largest network of 5-star pet sitters and dog walkers.

  • The Dog People by Rover.com
  • Dog Breeds
    • Golden Retriever
    • Australian Shepherd
    • German Shepherd
    • Pomeranian
    • Shih Tzu
    • Border Collie
    • Labrador Retriever
    • Boxer
    • Beagle
    • Dachshund
    • Chihuahua
    • Poodle
    • Yorkshire Terrier
  • Dog Love
    • Cute
    • Funny
    • Heartwarming
    • Quizzes
    • Trending
    • True Stories
  • Dog Names
    • Best Girl Dog Names
    • Top Boy Dog Names
    • Unique Dog Names
    • Cute Dog Names
    • Best Puppy Names
    • Dog Name Generator
    • Tough Dog Names
    • Food Dog Names
    • Romantic Dog Names
    • Literary Dog Names
    • Country Dog Names
  • Dog Videos
  • Life with Dogs
    • Dog Safety
    • Dog Behavior
    • Dog Psychology
    • Dog Nutrition
    • Dog Training
    • Health and Wellness
    • Recipes
    • Can My Dog Eat…?
  • PuppyHQ
    • Dog Adoption
    • Puppy Essentials
    • Puppy Names
    • Puppy Training
  • Shopping
    • Shop Rover Goods
    • All Dog Product Guides
    • Dog Gift Guides
    • Safety and Training
    • Toys and Chews
  • Cats!
    • Cat Breeds
    • Cat Names
    • Cat Psychology
  • Grooming
  • Get Rover
    • Dog Boarding
    • Pet Sitting
    • Dog Walking
    • Doggy Day Care
    • House Sitting
    • Search Pet Sitters & Dog Walkers
    • Shop Rover Goods
    • Sitter Resources
  • Languages
    • en-CA
    • en-GB
    • fr-FR
    • es-ES
    • de-DE
    • it-IT
    • nl-NL
    • nb-NO
    • sv-SE
    • fr-CA

Meet the Akita: Gentle Giant, Ancient Breed

Share96Pin It0
breed-spotlight-akita

Meet the Akita: Gentle Giant, Ancient Breed

For Dog People
By Kiki Kane

Share96Tweet0Pin It0

Japan’s hardy mountain dog, the Akita, is also one of the oldest breeds in the world. Bred to track game and subdue it until the hunter could catch up, these big dogs are tough and smart.

Akita appearance

The Akita is a Spitz type dog, sharing the curled tail and insulating double coat of his cousins large and small. Akitas are divided into two types—American and Japanese. The American Akita is a larger dog, with no restrictions as to color or pattern of the coat. The Japanese Akita is a lighter-built dog, with a smaller range of coat colors. Very rarely, an Akita will be born with a recessive long haired coat.

Advertisement

Akita personality

The Akita is a guardian and hunter. He is playful and loving with his family, but will most likely be slow to warm to strangers, both human and canine. Akitas are notorious for disliking dogs of the same sex, preferring an opposite sex companion if more than one dog will be in the family. Like all dogs, early training and socialization will minimize any potential behavior issues.

Akitas in popular culture

Hachiko

Hachiko was legendary for his loyalty and fidelity. He waited over 9 years at the train station for his human to come home after his death. This statue in Japan near the train station honors him.

Visit Hachikō ???? #japan #travel #shibuya #hachikostatue #hachiko #tokyo

A photo posted by ???? (@por.photo) on Dec 9, 2016 at 6:45am PST

Kamikaze-go

‘Go Go’ was an Akita gifted to Helen Keller after a visit to Japan. She had heard the story of Hachiko and wanted very much to share her life with such a loyal friend.

kamikaze-go-and-helen-keller-famous-akitas

Let’s meet some modern Akitas:

 

Such a hunk

Happy Saturday @instagramfr ? #MalcolmTheAkita #AmericanAkita #Akita # #dogoftheday #instadog #dog_features #puppy #puppiesofinstagram #akitaworld #akitasofinstagram #dog #petsofinstagram #petaddict #puppyaddict #puppygram #dogscorner #france #french #bordeaux #aquitaine #bordeauxmaville #picoftheday #dailypic #igwoofs #ilovemydog #instagramdog #akitalove #bestwoof #pupdoggydog #super_pets_channel

A photo posted by ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀MALCOLM THE AKITA (@malcolm_the_akita) on Dec 10, 2016 at 1:25am PST

 

Beautiful brindle

#HTers #HashTags #adorable #animal #animals #cute #dog #doglover #dogoftheday #dogs_of_instagram #akita #hound #ilovemydog #instadog #instagood #instagramdogs #instapet #instapuppy #lovedogs #lovepuppies #akitainu #pet #pets #petsagram #petstagram #photooftheday #picoftheday #pup #puppy

A photo posted by Akio (@akita_akio) on Dec 10, 2016 at 1:00pm PST

 

Always up for adventure

A proper day for this girl ?❄️ #ithinksheshappy #lexustheakita #akita #akitasofinstagram #dogsofinstgram #akitabear #snow #snowday #shelovesthesnow #harrisonhotsprings

A photo posted by Lindsay Maitland (@linzmaitland_fit) on Dec 10, 2016 at 1:19pm PST

 

Photogenic much?

Perfect weather saturday walk?? . . #akita #akitainu #akita_inu #japaneseakita #akitaclub #teamakita #akitaclubbaku #akitasofinstagram #weloveakitas #loyalakitas #akitamag #exellent_dogs #cutedogs #akita_feature #whimsydogs #winter

A photo posted by Kaitô Akita Inu (@kaito_akita) on Dec 10, 2016 at 11:03am PST

Akita puppies look like baby bears

Dat face! <3 The pups are a week old now! Just 9 more weeks until they can leave for their forever homes! Www.VAakitarescue.org #Akita #akitapuppies #rakkiinu #rakkiinuakitarescue #akitasofinstagram #akitasofig #puppiesofinstagram #puppy #puppiesofig #dogsofinstagram #dogsofig #adopt #foster #support #supportrescue #supportakitarescue #supportdogrescue #fosterdog, #fosterlife #rescuedog #rescuelife #donate #virginiabeach #virginia #vabeach #vab #757 #rakkiinu #rakkiinuakitarescue #RIAR

A photo posted by Rakki-Inu Akita Rescue (@va.akita.rescue) on Nov 19, 2016 at 4:32pm PST

 

Majestic as heck

#naturelovers #nature #winter #snow #white #coldday #forest #russiannature #photorussia #photo #picture #beautiful #dog #akita #winterdog #nikon #nikonrussia #vscorussia #4xn #shotaward #meistershot #природа #природароссии #зима #собака

A photo posted by Anna (@anya_photo11) on Dec 10, 2016 at 9:33am PST

 

Playful and relaxed with family

#mia #akita #inu #akitainu #akitaclub #akitaworld #dogsofinstagram #akitasofinstagram #akitas #instakitas #mydogiscutest #akita_inu #akitadog #happy #videoofday #play

A video posted by @mia.akita on Dec 10, 2016 at 6:31am PST

Share96Tweet0Pin It0

Kiki Kane

Kiki Kane is a canine chef, professional blogger, and lifelong animal lover owned by a Frenchie-Boston mix named Bea Pickles and a geriatric kitty named Mogwai. As a dog chef and member of Rover's Dog People Panel, she creates original dog-friendly recipes for the web series Kiki's Canine Kitchen.

sidebar

By Kiki Kane

Share This Article

Share96Tweet0Pin It0

Popular Posts

  • How Do Dogs Choose Their Favorite Person?
  • 14 Muddiest Dogs on the Entire Internet
  • 15 Dog-Safe Plants You Can Add to Your Garden Right Now
  • TLC From B.C. Rescue Turns Fierce Feral Cats Into Calm Kitties
  • 19 Best Pug Gifts for People Who Love ‘Em
  • Most Unusual, Unique Dog Names
  • Arborist Brothers-in-Law Start Nonprofit to Rescue Cats From Trees [Video]
  • Esther the Wonder Pig and Her Dog Brother Phil Are Besties for Life
  • 10 Therapy Animals Bringing Joy to the World
  • Struggling to Find a Gift for a Dog Lover? Try a Dog DNA Test This Holiday Season

Learn More

  • About Rover.com
  • Download the App
  • Rover Store
  • Sitter Resources
  • In The Press
  • Terms of Service
  • Affiliate Disclosure
  • User Terms
  • Privacy Statement
  • Cookie Policy

Need Help?

  • Help Center
  • Join the Team
Advertisement
© 2022 Rover.com. All Rights Reserved.