Gordon & Rona SchmidtBrief Overview of the Akita's History:
Gordon & Rona Schmidt
Dogs were probably the first domesticated animals. Archeological findings suggest a close relationship that developed between man and dog early on. Most of the problems involved in out lining a history of the Akita are the lack of any good hard data from early-recorded Japanese history.
It is not known when the Akita (originally called the Regional dog, Odate dog, Matagi-Inu and after cross breeding the Kairyo-inu or Shin-Akita) was developed. There is evidence that thousands of years ago dogs similar to today's Akita were domesticated. Fossils of dogs in Miyagi in Northern Japan have yielded dog skeletons with height around 23 inches. Cave drawings and earthenwares of that period show dogs with erect ears and curled tails.
There are many different theories about the origins of the Akita. My views tend to lean towards data that seem to indicate that the pre Akita dogs (mongrels) that migrated to Akita Prefecture, came from Europe via the USSR and Hokkaido. Once established and through centuries of specialized refining (size, skills for hunting, looks, etc.), in their remote isolation, the Akita was developed. Finding the development of Spitz type dogs throughout Europe, Asia, and the Orient strengthens this theory. The Shiba on the other hand is believed to have come from China to Korea to the Southern Japan area.
Studies that seem to indicate that this was possible, were done by the Biochemistry Department at Tokyo University. Their studies show that the glycolipid (a fatty or waxy substance that contain a carbohydrate radical found esp. in nerve tissue and ganglion cells), N-acetyl noiramine (this found in the Western type breeds) is also found in the Akita, Hokkaido and the Chow, while the glycolipid, N-glycolyl noiramine (the Oriental type) is found in the Shiba, Kai, Shikoku, Tosa and Pekinese.
This however, raises many unanswered questions. The Tosa, a dog
created by the Japanese by cross breeding the medium Shikoku (Oriental
type) with larger Western dogs (St. Bernard's, Mastiffs, Bulldogs,
Great Danes, etc.) to produce a powerful fighting dog. One would
think that it had more Western type to it, but still has the glycolipid
of the Oriental type.
This scenario exists with the modern "Japanese" Akita
(which should have Oriental type glycolipids). The pre restoration
Akitas, particularly the Shin Akitas were crossed to an extent
with the "Oriental" Tosa. Then in Japan's post Kongo
years, the Japanese took a few breeds with the "Oriental"
type, and introduced these into the breed. Naturally, these practices
were mostly covert to the public. This is what some Japanese
breeders with prestige have done to "purify" the breed.
All of this was leading to a more Oriental looking dog.
While all these out crosses definitely made a difference in type
and although a small percentage of the genetic make-up, still
shows the "new Japanese" Akita to be of the Western
Type.
In addition, the Chow, (with glycolipid testing) is considered a Western type, although it originated in China, (as the Akita originated in Japan . . . at least that is what almost everyone thinks of). Spotted tongues are seen in almost all the Chows, and among the Japanese dogs it is most common in the Kishu, some among Akitas and less common in the Hokkaido. (Are you still with me?)
However, through the centuries of possible "breed crossing" (with just one mating, or with hundreds), to develop any breed until it's type is "fixed" and then the many decades of refining to eliminate undesired faults, any data that research has produced can be given with many different hypotheses. Until more scientific data is accumulated, or ancient artifacts or records are discovered there is just no way one can say that at so and so time of history was when the Akita began to be a distinctive breed or exactly where this took place.
From my understanding purebred dogs left to interbreed unhampered by man, will resort back to basically the same mongrel type (resorting to a medium sized dog, with a sickle tail). So as with any breed development there has to be a human influence to control the outcome, this naturally being the needs and desires of individuals or societies.
If one wants to take the time to look at all the different dogs (many of them that are relatively unknown) one would be surprised at the similarities that exist between them and the Akita. Most of the Japanese type dogs that are from Japan, also the "Northern dogs" and a few from other counties do look as if they all descended from the same post wolf era. The one major factor in their differences has to be from the isolated areas in which they were developed! Take the Laika hunting dogs from the former Soviet Union for example, there are over a dozen types, and this is widely accepted because of the vast area involved. It is plain to see that the evolution of dogs when they are used for similar purposes, but are restricted to a small geographical area do in many respects turn out looking "like cousins".
The Akita wherever it originated did in its early stages become indigenous to Northern Japan, where its type was further refined and developed by the needs of those early people mostly towards a hunting dog. It's type and role being distinguished differently (although outwardly may be only by slight variances) than any other breed.
What knowledge we do have is from the fore mentioned artifacts. Archeological digs, hunting scenes, carvings on temple bells, etc., through many millennia depicting what may be Japanese dogs of those different eras, they also have erect ears, curled and occasional sickle tails. Picture scrolls of the Middle Age (around the 9th to 14th century) show dogs also with these features. A few paintings, during the reign of the Dog Shogun Tunayoshi, also depict dogs. Puppies on cedar door paintings by Okyo Maruyama (1750-1795) are at the Ueno Museum in Tokyo. Puppies and dogs also appear in many other illustrations, however, one cannot conclude from these illustrations that these were ancestors of the Akita. We see dogs resembling the Akita in the works of Shoju Kurata, a student of Hyakusui.
Although pintos (white dogs with large colored patches) appear most in these illustrations, it is not known whether pintos were a common sight then or were illustrated for its' coloring scheme and/or convenience. Photographs of the early 1900s clearly show black pintos, also red pintos.
For centuries Japan held little regard to life, and used dogs in blood sports where thousands of them were slaughtered for entertainment. The fifth Tokugawa shogun, Tsunayoshi (1680-1709), during the Edo Period 1615-1867), was known as the Dog Shogun Tsunayoshi because of his compassion for living creatures, and stopped this wholesale cruelty.
Regional dogs (Matagi Akita) were used to hunt bears and other game in the Kazuno area. In the 1800's crime increased as the population grew, and these dogs were used as village guard dogs (especially in the Ani area). Akitas were also used to guard villages from the ferrous Yezo Bear. Affluent people during these times were breeding for size and aggressiveness. In addition, European traders brought their many breeds of dogs to Japan to which the Akitas were occasionally crossed.
In the late 1800's and early 1900's many were devoted to dog fighting, and used Akitas crossed with western dogs as fighting dogs (Shin Akita). Thus, fighting dogs became popular, and demand for these large powerful dogs increased even more during the 1890s. The further crossbreeding of the Akita with the Tosa by some of the breeders soon spread to the Kazuno and Senboku areas.
The mayor of Odate then, was against this trend of crossbreeding, and started a movement to preserve the Akita. The Akita was at this time genetically far from the purity of the dogs that a few centuries earlier Shogun Tsunayoshi had protected.
In 1900, two Akita dogs were presented to Emperor Taisho; moreover, at the Taisho Exposition of 1914 two more Akitas were shown. With this added exposure, by 1915, public opinion strongly favored preservation. In 1919, under the leadership of Dr. Shozaburo Watase, legislation for the preservation of species was passed, included the large Spitz-type dog on the northern part of Honshu Island where it had become well known as a fighting dog.
In 1920, Dr. Watase came to the Odate area to survey Akita dogs. However, since there were so many different types of Akitas (Matagi dogs, mixed with the Tosa, European imports, and Karafuto dogs) he was unable to designate any as natural monuments.
The Japanese established the Akita-Inu Hozonkai in 1927, owing to a growing concern for the survival of Japanese dogs. The Nipponken Hozonkai was later established as a breeder registry.
In the spring of 1931, a group led by Dr. Tokio Kaburagi came to Odate for the second time to survey, and he became convinced of the importance of preserving these dogs. On this occasion the Akita was designated a natural monument on July 1931. The official renaming of the Odate dog to the Akita was now in place. Thus, the Akita was so named for the first time as a Japanese dog.
Designated Akita dogs were Kin-go (male), Matsukaze (female) of Mr. Izumi, a female dog of Mr. Ichinoseki, a female dog of Mr. Aoyagi, male and female dogs of Mr. Takahashi, and, male and female dogs of Mr. Tayama.
Around this time the goal was to return to the Japanese dog bloodlines by temporarily using the Matagi and Hokkaido or Kishu dogs in a planned breeding program.
The Akita gained sudden fame on October 4, 1932, when a news article on Hachi-ko; entitled, "A Moving Story of an Old Dog" appeared in the Asahi Newspaper.
Helen Keller requested an Akita dog, when she came to Akita in 1937. Therefore, in August of that year, Mr. Ichiro Ogasawara (who later became vice-chairman of Akiho) of Akita City sent Miss Keller Kamikaze-go. Kamikaze-go soon died of distemper. On July 1939, Mr. Ogasawara sent to Miss Keller another dog, Kenzan-go (an older brother of Kamikaze-go).
During World War II (1940's) was a difficult period to raise large dogs such as the Akita, because of food shortages. The Akita breed was nearly lost because many were killed. The great food shortage during the war caused anyone seen feeding dogs to be often branded as traitors.
The breed was re-established in Japan from the best of the remaining dogs. Thus, a "handful" of Akita dogs survived the war, but much is owed to those whose great efforts brought the Akita back from the verge of extinction.
Some of the well-known survivors were Goromaru's sire, Ichinosekigoma (or Tsubakigoma), Kongo's dam, Datemitsu. There was Ichinosekitora, Futatsuigoma, Datenoryoku, Sakurame, Taishu of the Dewa line, Arawashi of Tokyo (ancestor of the Tamaguro line), Peace-go of the Taihei line of Odate, also Tachibana, (which appeared on a postwar postage stamp), Jugoro of the Ichinoseki line, Shintora , Kisaragi (or Jogetsu), Hachiman (or Yahata), and Yamamoto of Kazuno area.
During the severe food and clothing shortages during the immediate postwar period, some dogs became sources for hides and meat, again having a horrendous impact on the breed. However, the news of Miss Helen Keller's and other American's interests in the Akita led to a great rise in popularity, so that, according to rumors, even the mongrel types of Akitas were sold at high prices.
The timing was also perfect for Kongo-go, which won top honors at JKC's dog shows. His son, Kincho-go, also won the Meiyosho Award at the Akiho show, resulting in the rapid increase in the Dewa type of Akita from the late 1940s to the mid 1950s. Many dogs of that period were of postwar Kongo (Dewa lines) type. They were large, stout, and majestic according to the standard. However, the face, coat color, and body were reminiscent of the German Shepherd look.
Some fanciers became quite alarmed at this trend, (the popularity of the Dewa lines, i.e., more Western looking), and started a move to further improve the breed by using Goromaru-go more and others from the Ichinoseki type lines.
This led to two main types of Akitas being developed the "classic type" seen for many decades in Japan was now in the US, and the Japanese type.
The Akita throughout history has never had a totally distinct type, (like many breeds that look cloned), this we find because of the different "crossing" of breeds with the Akita and largely by geographical location.
Development of the "Japanese" Akita
The goal of early Japanese Akita pioneers was to restore and increase the size ("original" Akitas were about the size of larger medium size dogs) to their newer standard while retaining the primitive characteristics, working to eradicate all traces of western type characteristics as seen in today's "impure" American classic type. At one point in Japan, white was a discouraged color, deviations such as this, made their style and standard ever changing, for a time, until their so called faults, or their "misinterpretations" were recognized and attempts made to correct them. Thus as their standards changed, they eradicated all evidence of the Dewa type and then deemed that the pinto's and black masks (from the great restoration "Goromaru-go type") were not traditional Japanese type (although pinto's have been depicted many centuries earlier in art).
The worst hypocritical thing took place as certain powerful Japanese breeders introducing other breeds into the Akita's lines. The Laika (the strain that came from Lake Baikal area in the former Soviet Union), Alaskan Malamute, Eskimo dogs and who knows what else to get that Oriental or Japanese dogs look ingrained and help genetically eliminate the western features. An example of this would be the replacing the black mask (from the Tosa lines) to white! Thus all along the Japanese have condemned our dogs as impure, which they sold to us! We have never crossed the breed, but since that time, they were constantly polluting those same lines with more impure blood, and all this in the name of restoration!
This has resulted in Akitas of today's Japan as smaller, more refined, petite and Oriental looking dog with an almost cloned look about them. The only allowed colors being brindle, white, and red with white markings (brindle is being questioned among some, as it is a "Dewa" trait . . . but really now, is it a Kai trait? OOP's!).
This is where mixed feelings on my part come to play. I am not sure what the primitive Akita really looks like. I know it is not the Akita of today's Japan. In addition, I am sure that as a preceding paragraph reveled the Japanese Breeder's high and lofty goals, that they were willing to go to any measures to accomplish them. Like the Akita breeders in the US, those with influence, prestige and the money, makes winning dogs. Winning dogs tend to make the trends, and where the trends go, that is what shapes the breed. This is all true, but those in judging and those with influence over them, have more power to shape the breed that any handful of breeders, and this we see strongly in the development of the Japanese type. I truly feel that the background of Japans nationalistic views also shaped today's Akita towards a strictly modern Oriental look.
Aside from all this, we had a beautiful Japanese Akita for around five months in our rescue program while there was a transition between the countries taking place. Although very different, she was a wonderful dog with much more cat like attributes, which we admire and find so endearing. It is very hard to slam or to put down such an animal. One can find the good and bad in any dog if one wants to, and personal taste and interest dictates, which type, you prefer.
The American Akita (Japan's classical)
An Akiho Branch was established on the West Coast in the US almost 2 decades ago. There some of the Akitas were very much like those in Japan. The Akita more so on the East Coast seemed to be similar to the classic Japanese Akita dogs of 30 to 40 years ago. Today of course, these types call neither "east nor west" their home.
Unfortunately the Akita stud book in the US closed in 1972; no Akitas imported from Japan or of JKC registry could be registered with the AKC after that time. With the Japanese continuing with the addition of certain breeds that looked Oriental, soon almost all hint of Western type was removed, thus making the division of the two types even greater. Therefore, for these many years the two types have increased in distance.
American Akitas are larger and stockier, with much more power, heavy in dark or black (from the Dewa lines), also reds, whites, pinto's, all these often with a black mask (old Ichinoseki lines), and a mixture of everything in between. The sizes and types vary greatly as do the styles and taste of the many countless breeders. Those that have been and are today, still doing what America does best, being diversified!
In the US, the breed seemed to stabilize after a dramatic increase in registrations in the 1980s. Unfortunately, Akitas are sold in pet shops, and by many breeders that seem to be in it for the money. Most of these are "puppy mills" or "backyard breeders" with many litters a year or maybe only once in every few years. Nevertheless, with NO or little attention paid to type, health, and disposition. Also, as with some people throughout the world falsification of pedigrees has not been beyond these hideous self-serving people!
All of this, not to mention our (US) meager beginnings, and the unwillingness from Japan to share their "quality" stock, plus the fighting and hatred that the so called responsible breeders, with their many interpretation of our standard has brought, keep's us from eradicating many undesirable characteristics that we still have today.
Considering all this, we at Stonecreek believe in the overall quality of the "classic" Akita. What we do need is buyers that are more intelligent and informed public, thus decreasing the sales of dogs in pet shops, and from breeders that lack integrity. We also need to look more at the standard (which unfortunately can then become another interpretation) and health issues and not just rely on the "big" kennel names or winning dogs. Thus, many of the problems (health and type) might be eliminated. Having done Akita Rescue for many years, and been involved with the breed even longer, we definitely see all lines have their problems.
In 1992, the AKC recognized the Japan Kennel Club. Akitas from Japan (JKC-registered) can again be registered with the AKC.
So today we see the American and the Japanese type in many countries and all over the US, but also a bigger movement in dog shows in foreign countries favoring the Japanese type because they go with the standard of the "country of origin".
The Japanese at this point soundly deny the existence of the American type as Akita, and continue with their hypocrisy stating that our lines our impure therefore not Akitas!
Many want to keep the two types separate. Which at this point in the game, really should be two separate classes. A few see "wisdom" in again adding this pheno and geno type back into the American type. However, what do you get from crossing a 60 to 80 pound medium large totally Oriental looking Akita, (with many breeds mixed with the Akita to obtain that type…), to a large 80-120 pound Western type?
I guarantee that not too few generations hence, some line will have both lines mixed, therefore without trying we will get that mixture, to the betterment or distraction of the breed; depending on what fence you sit on. (It is all relative to ones point of view!).
In my opinion, we do need more of the Oriental look back, but not by introducing other breeds into our lines! We need to improve on ears, eyes, loose lips and tails, wrinkled brows, etc. but not at losing some of what the American type has become. In addition, the classic type does have many truly magnificent, gorgeous animals that one can not obtained from Japan.
This part is the unwritten history of the Akita: We know that the Japanese standard is damaging the classic type in shows around the world. The Japanese will still refining their look until they feel they have again returned the Akita back to the primitive Akita that they seek. We (classic type) do need more consistency in our dogs and need to work on some of the more obvious faults that the Japanese have eradicated. (By "cheating").
One thing is for certain though, their dogs and ours have the
same distant "blood" flowing through their
veins.