Viewers of the film “Hachiko: The Most Faithful Friend” fell in love with the main character. Therefore, they want to know what breed is the dog that starred in this sad story. The cute dog, who played the main role in the famous movie, belongs to the Japanese Akita Inu breed. In Japan itself, these dogs are treated with care and reverence, believing that they bring good luck and happiness. They are taken in this country under the protection of the state.
This dog breed appeared a long time ago, but gained popularity quite recently. Thus, according to Russian statistics, after the release of the film “Hachiko” in 2009, the number of people wishing to buy Akita Inu dogs increased by about 20 percent .
Description and features
The Akita Inu breed is one of the top 5 oldest. It is believed that its representatives inhabited the planet before our era. Even the Hellenes, the ancient people of Greece, depicted these beautiful animals on the walls, painting them or carving them on stone. This dog was originally domesticated by hunting peasants.
They liked her due to her attractive appearance, agility and speed. People realized that they were dealing with a very capable hunter. And they were right. Until now, Akita is actively used by forest hunting enthusiasts to hunt various animals.
The rapidly growing popularity of the beast could not but go unnoticed by the rich nobility and even the Emperor of Japan himself. Breeders began to breed him. After this, an ordinary villager could not afford to purchase a high-quality representative of the breed.
Interesting! In Ancient Japan, the emperor issued a decree prohibiting harming the Akita Inu. Corporal punishment against such a dog was strictly punishable.
This is a truly unique breed, because it was formed by nature, without selection. That is, it does not have the genes of other dogs. The dog has not yet lost its sacred status. In the 20th century, people even created a society to preserve its species. This handsome hunter is also a companion. He likes people and some animals, so he happily makes friends with them.
The main characteristic of the Akita is loyalty. It is difficult to name a more loyal pet. He always shows trepidation towards his owner, is sincerely afraid of separation from him, and strives to always be near him.
Very vulnerable. Afraid of criticism and reproach. It suffers when a loved one moves away from him. Therefore, if you do not plan to regularly spend time with your pet, avoid purchasing a representative of this breed.
In the photo there is a dog of the American Akita breed, different from the Akita Inu in height, weight and body proportions
He has one more purpose - watchdog service. Such a dog can be not only your friend, but also your bodyguard. He cares about the peace of his family. Who is this pet suitable for? We recommend starting one for people who like sports and outings.
You will have to walk your Akita often, and not only in the vicinity of the house. She needs to regularly replenish her stock of emotions and gain impressions.
Akita Inu is responsible for guard duty, but will never bark without a reason
Breed standard
The Akita Inu dog is a medium-sized dog. Bitches weigh up to 35 kg, and males - up to 45. A slight overweight is acceptable. The height at the withers of the former is up to 64 cm, and the latter – up to 71 cm. The animal has a strong and harmoniously built body. Straight back without bends. Strong muscles run along its length, but due to the dense fur they are not visible. The ribs on the sides are also not visible.
The sternum is well developed. It does not stick out, but is quite wide in volume. Strong elongated neck with slight dewlap. The transition to the head is weakly expressed. The tail is fluffy, long, rounded with a ring. According to the standard, it should lie on the lower back. The Akita has very powerful hind legs.
Thanks to the elastic, dry muscles that run along the thighs, the animal is able to push off strongly from the ground and quickly increase speed. The forelimbs, like the hind limbs, are set parallel. A special feature of this breed is its soft paw pads, like those of cats. The knuckles should stick out on them. The claws are dark.
The dog's skull is wide, the head is shaped like a triangle. Eye set is average. They should not stick out or be planted too deep. The color of the iris is brown or dark brown. The nose of a representative of the breed can only be black. But in light-colored individuals, slight pigmentation is allowed on this part of the head. The dog's ears are erect. They should be miniature and slightly rounded at the ends.
The skin does not fit very tightly to the body; in some areas, for example, on the neck, there may be folds. The coat is medium in length, very lush and thick. There is an undercoat that is delicate and soft to the touch. The standard allows for a lot of variations in the fur color of such a dog. It can be piebald, brown, sandy, pure white, reddish, etc.
If the individual is light-colored, then its front part of the body, or rather the chest and the tip of the muzzle, should be pigmented white. Important: the standard allows for differences in shades between the undercoat and the main coat. The Akita Inu in the photo looks interested and very smart. There is insight, foresight and intelligence in this dog's gaze. He undoubtedly deserves respect.
The most common colors of Akita Inu
Do you need to brush your teeth?
At 4 months, puppies begin to change their teeth and owners need to carefully monitor this process, because if baby teeth fall out untimely, malocclusion may form.
Teeth brushing should be done at least once a week or more often, using specialized toothpastes for dogs . The toothbrush can be an ordinary human one, it does not matter fundamentally.
Paste intended for human use should not be used due to its fragrance and tendency to foam.
Character
The representative of the breed fully corresponds to the “typical Japanese”. He absorbed all the character traits of a classic representative of the Eastern world. By temperament he is a mixture of melancholic and phlegmatic. Most often, calm, restrained in emotions. He is not prone to violent expressions of delight, but sometimes still demonstrates strong emotions to others.
Due to the presence of protective qualities, he is reserved with strangers. He treats most strangers without trust. Sees them as potential troublemakers for his family. He can openly express his antipathy to a person he doesn’t like, for example, come up and kick him with his nose, offering to move from his place. Yes, such a gesture may seem rude to many, but you shouldn’t get hung up on it.
Akita Inu is not evil by nature, on the contrary, it is a very kind dog. Around his family he is friendly and very affectionate. Loves to sit near the owner or walk with him. Does not tolerate separation, prefers never to be separated. It suffers and becomes melancholy if it does not see its owner for a long time. You may even lose your appetite because of this.
There is no activity for such a dog. He is active and playful. He loves to fetch a ball, run distances after it, swim in the river and just walk. If you cannot regularly take him to the forest for hunting or forays, we advise you to enjoy long walks. Even older people will not refuse to walk through the park.
Akita Inu prefer long, exciting walks for walks.
The representative of the breed has an interesting feature - he strives to base relationships with people on a strong emotional connection. Never ignores the person he loves. Can silently express sympathy for him, share joy, listen, etc. Perfect for providing psychological assistance. There is even a separate direction in psychotherapy (canistherapy), which consists of providing suffering people with help from their four-legged pets.
This dog has a clear desire for dominance, which is why it is not easy to train. You need to try to earn his trust. He will only be imbued with respect for a person with pronounced leadership potential. It is to him that he will serve faithfully for the rest of his life. He perceives everyone else as comrades and companions, but not his masters.
Gets along great with kids, especially very young ones. He watches them with interest and often shows responsibility. Protects and prevents children from being hurt. Can be used as a nanny. But you shouldn’t place too much hope on your pet in this regard!
Akita Inu's attitude towards cats is not as welcoming as towards children. He does not like these animals, and he also treats birds with distrust, and often with anger. Perhaps this is due to its guarding and hunting qualities.
Akita Inu is a very obedient dog breed and will be friends with all family members
But, if you raise such a dog together with other pets, then it is likely that they will become friends. Joint socialization always brings people closer together. This amazing breed is famous for having a strong will. No one can say that its representatives are stupid or weak in spirit. It is extremely difficult not to respect them.
Key points in training
You should start training your dog from a very early age. Having acquired a puppy, you need to not only accustom him to street walks, but also teach him the rules of behavior in the family, show him his place in the “master-dog” hierarchy.
Read about how to properly train a dog in the article: “Training a puppy: effective methods from dog handlers, learning commands at home.”
Genetically, the Akita has decent behavior with people and relatives, but it is necessary to push the puppy to the right actions. Otherwise, the puppy will grow into a self-sufficient dog that wants to dominate the pack family. A special feature of Akitas growing up is their long childhood. Only after 2 years does the Akita become an adult dog, childishness disappears, and behavior and body are finally formed.
Responsible and experienced owners usually raise and train the puppy themselves. But inexperienced dog breeders can contact kennel clubs and enroll in OKD courses, where a professional canine instructor works with dogs in groups or individually. With an experienced eye, he will identify problems in the dog’s behavior and help the owner find ways to eliminate them.
The key to successful training is tact and patience, affection and consistency.
Under no circumstances should physical violence be used against an Akita; training should be based only on encouragement and positive emotions.
Care and maintenance
It is better to live with an Akita Inu in a large house, with a lawn, flower beds and a terrace. There she will have plenty of space to engage in physical activity. Hunting dogs living in houses, in the fresh air, are much happier than those living in apartments.
However, you should not think that since the animal is often outdoors and interacts with the outside world, it is not necessary to walk with it. Every pet needs new experiences, especially dogs. The main command that such a dog should know is fetch. Let him bring a stick every day.
This is a very useful exercise. Firstly, it strengthens the emotional and spiritual connection between the owner and his dog, and secondly, it has a positive effect on its health. Sport should become an integral part of the Akita's life. A representative of this breed will always remain beautiful if you take proper care of its coat.
It needs to be washed, dried and combed. For bathing, we recommend choosing a good shampoo with vitamins and healthy extracts. After you have given your dog a good bath, dry him off with a towel. It will shake off the remaining moisture on its own. Then use a hairdryer to dry his lush coat. If the procedure is performed in the summer, then this is not necessary.
Also teach your pet to brush its teeth regularly. This procedure must be performed by 2 people. One holds his mouth, and the second brushes his teeth. And last but not least, cleaning your ears. It is better to remove sulfur on their surface with a damp cloth.
Vaccination schedule
| Age | Vaccine option |
| 8-9 weeks | Nobivac DHPPI + Nobivac L Eurican DHPPI + Eurican Duramune Max5-CvK/4L |
| 12 weeks | Nobivac DHPPI + Nobivac L+R Eurican DHPPI + Eurican L+R Duramune Max5-CvK/4L(+ after 21 days Nobivac R) |
| At 1 year and annually thereafter | Nobivac DHPPI + Nobivac L+R Eurican DHPPI + Eurican L+R Duramune Max5-CvK/4L (+ after 21 days Nobivac R) |
You cannot vaccinate an unhealthy puppy, and 10 days before vaccination it is necessary to carry out deworming.
Expert opinion
Kozhevin Semyon Kirillovich
Expert dog handler.
Akita Inus are suitable for active people who have free time, as they need long, active walks. It is also necessary to feed these dogs correctly, taking into account the characteristics of their body and health. These are the 2 main components of proper care that allows you to raise a strong, healthy dog. Grooming also includes brushing the fur, trimming the nails, and cleaning the teeth and ears.
Nutrition
Make sure your dog does not gain excess weight. Being overweight is fraught with impaired digestive function, body asymmetry and poor health. For an adult representative of the breed in question, the daily dose of food is 600 grams. Give him the opportunity to eat twice a day, for example at 9 am and in the evening, closer to sunset.
The younger the dog, the more protein it should consume daily. Feed her dairy products, raw meat and cereals boiled with vegetables. It is advisable to add special vitamins to your dog’s food. We recommend that you consult your veterinarian first. He himself will select the supplement your pet needs.
Advice! The best complementary food for purebred dogs is bone meal. This is a very useful product, the use of which will significantly improve their health.
Akita Inu puppies , like adult representatives of the breed, can eat dry food. But, it is advisable to dilute their diet with natural food. Recommended products: cottage cheese, chicken eggs, turkey, buckwheat, bananas, etc. But you can’t give them smoked meats and dishes with spices.
Breeding Akita Inu
Akita Inu are dogs of late development that mature only at two years of age. A female dog must go through at least three heats before being allowed to breed. Early breeding is fraught with health problems for the dog, as well as miscarriages and reproductive system disorders.
Before allowing a male or female dog to breed, professional breeders critically evaluate the dogs' health. They must not have significant changes in breeding standards, otherwise all changes will be passed on to their offspring. The same thing happens with possible diseases - they are definitely transmitted to puppies. Therefore, only completely healthy dogs that meet breed standards are allowed to breed.
Important fact: It is extremely undesirable for beginners to breed Akita Inu. First, you run the risk of misjudging the dogs' health or choosing the wrong pair. Secondly, dogs are very picky about choosing a partner, so they can even fight and injure each other instead of mating.
An adult dog gives birth to four to six puppies in one litter. Sometimes Akita Inus bring from eight to fourteen puppies, but these cases require separate monitoring by the breeders, and it is also necessary to constantly consult a veterinarian, since multiple pregnancies threaten the health of the bitch. Pregnancy lasts from 57 to 62 days, but early births also occur.
It is not worth breeding an Akita Inu for monetary gain. Puppies are incredibly expensive, dogs require professional care and proper training, so selling them will not be profitable.
Reproduction and lifespan
The lifespan of an Akita Inu depends entirely on how conscientiously the owners take care of it. A dog can live a long and happy life, but only if it is, firstly, fed properly, secondly, given vitamins to improve the condition of the coat and strengthen the immune system, and thirdly, if you regularly exercise with it .
Average life expectancy is 13 years. It is easy for a breeder of this breed to distinguish it from any other, because the Akita Inu has a unique, distinctive appearance. Dogs are bred on neutral territory and only during the female's menstrual period. If conception is successful, she will go into labor approximately 70 days after mating with the male dog. It is advisable to invite a veterinarian to the birth process.
What you need to prepare
You should purchase products in advance to help ensure proper care for your dog.:
- wide-toothed comb;
- slicker;
- massage comb or brush with natural bristles;
- toothpaste;
- collar and leash;
- nail clipper;
- 2 bowls on a stand;
- toys;
- veined bone;
- a bed, bedding or rug;
- muzzle;
- feed;
- shampoo and conditioner;
- disposable hygiene diapers.
Cotton swabs, napkins, and towels for washing your pet can always come in handy.
Price
Not everyone can become the owner of a high-breed Japanese dog, since it is quite expensive. There is a nursery in Moscow where purebred Akita Inus are bred. For each puppy they issue a full package of documents, including a passport and pedigree. When making a purchase there, you can be sure that you are not getting a “pig in a poke.” The average price of an Akita Inu in the Russian Federation is 50 thousand rubles. Adult champions are sold at a higher price, 60-70 thousand rubles.
Education and training
This perky dog can become a good student, but you should not count on him to always be obedient. No, he is willful and prone to demonstrating leadership, which is why he should be trained by a person with a similar quality.
It is important to show the animal that in this house it is not he who is in charge, but the person. Therefore, he will have to play the role of a subordinate. To achieve this, we recommend feeding your dog by hand. This way she will understand that you control the food and therefore are in charge. You also need to demonstrate your primacy during training. Teach your pet obedience from childhood.
You can yell at him if he does something inappropriate, like chewing on his shoes. But, never raise your hand to him! Monitor your dog’s communication with other household members and animals in the house. He should not show any signs of aggression. If an Akita Inu growls, remove it, for example, by locking it in an enclosure. Don't try to calm him down by stroking him!
Teach your dog to follow simple and complex commands, gradually increasing the duration of training. When going for a walk with him, keep the leash tight. When your pet gets used to being guided by you and stops pulling, you can give him freedom. Avoid walking near the roadway.
Owner reviews
My daughter has wanted a dog since childhood. I was against it for a long time, but in the end I gave in. The choice of breed was influenced by the film “Hachiko”. The puppy was bought from a kennel. Buran was already 2 months old. The kennel vaccinated him, branded him, and gave us a puppy passport. He immediately became the favorite of the whole family. Almost never gets sick. Flea allergies and digestive problems can occur if you eat bones or pork. When we realized this and began to monitor it closely, the problems disappeared. When Buran was six months old, he and the dog were trained by a dog handler. Now he is 4.5 years old and is a full-fledged member of the family. A true friend, smart and loyal.
Natalya Kukota Cherkessk
I love dogs very much, so for one of my birthdays I was given an Akita. I will say right away that this is an active dog that needs to be walked often, otherwise excessive energy can become a problem. Especially if you live in an apartment.
He eats quite a lot, in my opinion.
To prevent her from gnawing everything in her path, buy her more toys and special bones.
My opinion is that this breed is incredibly smart and beautiful, but not for beginners.
Tatyana, Voronezh
Possible diseases and methods of treating them
Akita Inus are healthy and cheerful dogs. Unfortunately, they are often bothered by parasites, especially fleas. This primarily applies to individuals living on the street. To prevent your pet from encountering the problem of parasites, treat its fur with special drops or spray.
It is important to follow the instructions. It would also be a good idea to consult a doctor about deworming medications for your dog. Due to the abuse of natural food, his digestion may be upset. In this case, diet and gradual normalization of the diet will help.
Friendship lasting only 1.5 years
The breed of dog from the movie “Hachiko” is Akita Inu. This puppy was born on November 10, 1923 in the family of a simple farmer and was presented to professor of agriculture Hidesaburo Ueno, who loved animals very much.
Hachiko became his 8th dog, which is how he got his name: “hachi” in Japanese means “8”, and the suffix “ko” means “devotion”.
The professor lived in the suburbs, but every day he traveled to the city by train from Shibuya station. By that time he was teaching at the University of Tokyo. The grown-up Hachiko followed his owner on his heels - in the morning he accompanied him to the train, and at 3 o’clock in the afternoon he met him.
When the dog was only 1.5 years old, Hidesaburo Ueno suffered a brain hemorrhage right during a lecture. It was not possible to save him.
On that day, May 21, 1925, Hachiko did not wait for his owner. The next day the dog returned to the station, anxiously peering into the faces of the arriving passengers. He came here every day and left late in the evening.
