Akita (dog breed)
| Akita | ||
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| FCI Standard No. 255 | ||
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| Origin : | ||
| Alternative names: |
Akita Ken, Japanese Akita, Akita-Inu, 秋田 犬 (Japanese) |
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| Withers height: |
Males: 67 ± 3 cm. |
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| Weight: |
not fixed |
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| List of domestic dogs | ||
The Akita ( Japanese 秋田 犬 , Akita inu / ken ) is a dog breed from Japan recognized by the FCI ( FCI Group 5, Section 5, Standard No. 255 ).
Origin and history
There are many studies and investigations and even more opinions about the ancestry of the Japanese Akita breed. The name comes from today's Akita Prefecture (area around the city of Odate ). The additions Inu and Ken , which used to be part of the breed name, mean dog . Uchida believes that these dogs were found in Japan even in prehistoric times. The Japanese zoologist Shōzaburō Watase ( jap. 渡 瀬 庄三郎 ) sees the origin of the breed in high Nordic dogs that immigrated with humans to the Japanese islands.
The first depictions of dogs that resembled this type of dog date back to the 2nd century BC. BC as clay grave goods, typically the erect ears and the tail curled over the back . This type of dog can also be found as a relief on bronze bells, which were made around the same time. The dogs of that time were smaller than today's Akitas. Watase distinguishes three geographical types: an extremely northern, a northern and a southern. Depending on the circumstances and the living conditions, these dog types looked different. The northern one was tall, long-haired, predominantly white and with the typical tail curled over the back, this was one of the ancestors of today's Akita.
However, the exact history of the breed's development cannot be clearly traced. What is certain is that these dogs are part of Japanese history and culture. The Japanese understood this fact as early as the early 20th century, and as part of efforts to preserve this breed, they declared the Akita a natural monument of Japan in July 1931, as the first of seven typical Japanese dog breeds. Export from Japan was even banned until 1945.
The best known Akita is the dog Hachikō , a Japanese dog that accompanied its owner to the train station every day. When Hachikō's owner died, the dog waited for him at the train station for nine years, around the time he would normally have arrived, until he died himself.
description
The Akita is a Japanese Spitz . Before 1999, two manifestations of the breed were bred, namely the Japanese type described here and the American type ( American Akita ). The breed was split into two breeds by the FCI in 1999 . Since then, the Japanese type has been exclusively called "Akita", the addition of "Inu" (Japanese for "dog") has been dropped. The American Akita has been a separate breed within the FCI since January 1st, 2000.
The Akita is a large, well-proportioned dog with a height of up to 70 cm, of a strong build, robust constitution; the ratio of height at withers to length of body is 10:11. His stature is strong and muscular. His broad forehead with the typical forehead furrow is striking. The ears are small, triangular, rather thick, erect, sloping forward. The coat is hard, the top coat coarse, but with a soft undercoat in the colors red-fawn, sesame (red-fawn hair with black tips), brindle , white, the undercoat soft and dense. The tail is carried tightly rolled up on the back.
genetics
According to 2010 published genetic analyzes of the single nucleotide polymorphisms of 912 dogs and 225 wolves , Akitas were among the dogs with strong evidence of wolves being admixed later in their history. In the Akita (as in the Dingo , the Chow Chow and Shar Pei ) indications of an admixture of Chinese wolves were found. At the same time, Akitas belong to those dogs that are genetically very strongly demarcated from most of the other examined breeds and are referred to as "ancient breeds" (in the original " ancient breeds "). Within these dogs, Akitas belong to the "Asian group" with the New Guinea dingo , the Chow Chow, the Dingo and the Shar-Pei.
Diseases typical of the breed
Occasional in the breed, sebadenitis is an inflammatory skin disease in which progressive destruction of the sebum glands occurs through an autoimmunological response . Also pemphigus foliaceus occurs in this breed on frequently.
In the Akita, reduced red blood cells ( microcytosis ) are physiological.
Essence
The Akita is an intelligent, calm, robust, strong dog that shows a pronounced hunting and protective behavior. In its history, the breed was first bred as a hunting dog, later guard and protective duties were added. The corresponding behaviors are preserved to this day and are cultivated in the breed. Akitas have a long individual distance and do not like strange dogs around them . Akitas are usually friendly, reserved or indifferent towards strangers. Akitas are more independent and self-confident than European working dog breeds and do not behave submissively.
Individual evidence
- ↑ The Akita Inu in Hans Räber's Encyclopedia of Purebred Dogs, Volume 1 Franckh-Kosmos, ISBN 3-440-06555-3 .
- ↑ Bridgett M. Vonholdt include: Genome-wide SNP and haplotype analyzes reveal a rich history underlying domestication dog. In: Nature. April 8, 2010, accessed May 12, 2010 .
- ↑ Iris Margaret Reichler et al .: Breed-specific skin diseases in Akita Inu . In: Kleintierpraxis 44 (1999), pp. 647-659
- ↑ R. Mitschke: Interpretation of changes in the blood smear - 2. Erythrocytes and thrombocytes . In: Fachpraxis 49 (2006), pp. 14-20
- ↑ Gabriele Lehari: The Akita . In: The dog . No. 12 , 2012, p. 12-17 .
literature
- Gabriele Lehari: Ulmer's large lexicon of dog breeds. Eugen Ulmer Verlag, Stuttgart 2004, ISBN 3-8001-4614-2 .
- Gabriela S. Richard: Our Akita, one dog - two faces. Educational guide: origin - keeping - breeding - rearing. Aton Verlag, Unna 2009, ISBN 978-3-9809478-7-9 .
- Angelika Kammerscheid-Lammers: Akita Inu - a fascinating Japanese. Self-published, 2002, ISBN 3-931750-00-0 .
