"Pardon me sir, can I ask what kind of dog is that? It looks like some kind of a bear!" Chances are, the person has just seen an Akita. Akitas are very striking animals with a proud attitude and an appearance of strength and power. Their most noticeable physical characteristic is a large, bear-like head with erect, triangular ears. They have extremely thick coats and their tails curl over the top often into a double curl. As a guard dog, the Akita was unsurpassed in its keen senses of smell, sight, and hearing. By nature a quiet dog that barked only when threatened, the breed needed no training in its guard duties. Originating in Japan, it was also used as a herding dog, fiercely protecting its livestock from dangerous, savage predators. Mature males will often measure at least 25 inches and often weigh well over 100 pounds. Mature females measure at least 23 inches and weigh around 80 pounds. |
Akita Dog Breeders
