All info and photos by permision of Kevin Izard-Carroll

The Japanese Akitainu originated from the Akita prefecture, in the Tohoku region of Northern Japan. Tohoku falls under Japan’s Yukiguni or ‘snow country’, and as a result, the residents of this area needed a breed with a powerful hunting instinct along with a thick weather-proof coat to survive the extreme northern climate. Within the Akita prefecture, in the mountainous terrain of Odate, the breeds ancestor was utilized as an efficient hunting animal, known as Matagi Inu.

During the Meiji era (1868-1912), the Japanese moved from being an isolated feudal society at risk of European colonization to a new paradigm of a modern, industrialized nation state who were influenced by western scientific, technological, philosophical, political, legal and aesthetic ideas. Perhaps most dramatically, it abolished the old system of a social hierarchy based on inherited status. Samurai, who historically were recognized as a warrior class, could now be farmers and engage in trade and commerce, and townspeople could now join Japan’s new army. As the warrior class became obsolete, dog fights grew in popularity to satisfy the cultural desire for fighting.

Tosa Fighting Dogs (Shikokuken crossed with Mastiff) were mainly used for dog fighting and crossed with other breeds such as the Akitainu. This led to the degeneration of the breed and impacted the Akitainu purity once seen. Through the dog fight driven-breeding practices, the breed became larger, more athletic and fearless with some lacking the iconic erect ears. In 1909, a governor for the prefecture; Masataka Mori ordered a law banning dog fighting outright and the Akitainu turned back to the primary function of guard dog. The dog tax of 1910 added further bad news for the breed, leading to thousands of Akitainu being slaughtered with thousands more being wiped out during the rabies epidemic.

Shigeie Izumi, the mayor of Odate, founded the Akitainu Preservation Society in 1927 known as Akita Inu Hozonkai (AKIHO) for which Yakumo Sou are a proud member today. In 1931, the Akitainu is formally named and around nine dogs are deemed natural monuments as well as the breed itself.

The Akitainu suffered more so during World War II. Many dogs were slaughtered for meat or fur. The only dog being excluded from such activity at the time was the German Shepherd as it was used by the Military. This brought about some people sending their dogs out of the country, hiding them, or cross breeding their dogs with German shepherds. The latter led to the rise of the American Akita, as many American Soldiers fell in love with the more substantial dogs resulting in the breeding from the German shepherds. They later took these dogs back to the USA. Against all orders, some individuals such as Ichinoseki Kuniro had kept a few dogs and immediately started breeding post-war. It was at that time that a man named Mr. Ito sold Akitainu of mixed blood to American soldiers, who then took them back to the USA where their popularity quickly soared. Outside Japan, people mistakenly considered these dogs to be that of the breed being bred in Japan. Fast forward to today, countries worldwide recognize both breeds who are being developed as the Akitainu and American Akita.