Once you get to know them, they’ll show you their silly, affectionate side. They can definitely be trained to not be aggressive, but they need an owner who is just like them: dominant, but kind-hearted. They have a long history of hunting, guarding, and fighting. Perhaps it’s because of their strained history with other animals, but Akitas are often intolerant of other pets. Often, an Akita would be mixed with other larger breeds like Tosas and be called Shin-Akitas or “Improved Akitas”. You could even help your Akita connect to their roots by teaching them to be a guard dog!Īlthough it’s now illegal in many cities, in some rural areas of Japan Akitas are still used in dog fighting. An Akita isn’t able to actually take down a bear, but the male would distract the bear while the female ran around and bit at its hocks until the hunter arrived to kill it. Akita would hunt bears in male and female pairs. At the time, they were used as guard dogs to hunt deer, wild boar, bears, and waterfowl. When a child is born or if someone is ill, the family will often receive a small statue of an Akita, signifying health, happiness, and longevity.Īkitas were mighty warriors just like their samurai companions. To this day, the Akita has spiritual significance in Japan. Akitas were restricted to aristocracy until the 19th century, when Emperor Taisho changed the law to permit any citizen to own an Akita. The samurai were so enamored with Akitas that it was even believed that if a samurai died dishonorably, he could be given a second chance by being born into the body of an Akita so he could have the opportunity to die defending the life of his master and regain his honor.

Gradually, Akitas became a symbol of wealth, and ownership was restricted to samurai and other noblemen. As famine and theft were on the rise in the 1700s, they began gaining popularity as protective guard dogs. The Akita breed had humble beginnings in Japan as a common household pet and guardian. They’re famous for their dignity, courage, and loyalty, to the point where they were made a national treasure of Japan in 1931. Japan’s history is rich and complex, and the ancient Akita dog breed is intertwined with it.

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