Akita (dog breed)

The Akita Inu (秋田犬, Akita Inu, Akita Ken; Japanese pronunciation: [a.kʲi̥.ta(ꜜ) i.nɯ, -ta.keɴ]) is a Japanese dog breed of large size. Originating from the mountains of northern Japan, the Akita has a short double coat similar to that of many other northern spitz breeds. The breed traces its roots to the Matagi Inu, a chūgata ken (medium-sized dog) historically used by the Matagi—traditional hunters of the Tōhoku region—for tracking and subduing large game such as tsukinowaguma (Japanese black bear), inoshishi (wild boar) and kamoshika (Japanese serow) in snow-covered mountain terrain.

As a breed, Akitas are generally hardy. However, it is subject to debate as to whether the Akita strains are distinct, or if they constitute one breed.

Breed name

Outside of Japan, debate exists among fanciers whether these are two separate breeds of Akitas. As of 2020, the American Kennel Club now considers American and Japanese Akitas to be two separate breeds, no longer allowing free breeding between the two. The United Kennel Club, the Federation Cynologique Internationale (FCI), The Kennel Club, the Australian National Kennel Council, the New Zealand Kennel Club, and the Japan Kennel Club consider Japanese and American Akitas as separate breeds. Some countries refer to the American Akita as simply the Akita and not the American Akita. The issue is especially controversial in Japan.