Photo: TsutsuiKennel · CC BY-SA 4.0 dog breed · 927 on Animalso
Akita Dog Breed
- Animal
- Dog
- Type
- Japanese dog
- Origin
- Japan, United States
- Height
- 61 cm
- Life expectancy
- 10 years
The Akita Inu is a large Japanese dog breed from the mountains of northern Japan. Its roots reach back to the Matagi Inu, used by Tōhoku hunters to track and subdue large game in snowy terrain. The recorded height is 61, and life expectancy is 10 years. Its origins are listed as Japan and the United States.
What the Akita is
The Akita Inu is a large dog breed from Japan. It began in the mountains of northern Japan and has a short double coat similar to other northern spitz breeds.
The breed’s history traces to the Matagi Inu, a dog used by traditional hunters in the Tōhoku region.
Where it began
The Akita’s background is tied to snow-covered mountain country in northern Japan. Matagi hunters used its predecessor to track and subdue large game, including bear, wild boar and serow.
For a wider view of its national background, see dog breeds from Japan.
Historical strengths
The Akita was bred for work in difficult mountain terrain. Its recorded role was tracking and subduing large game for Tōhoku hunters.
Its short double coat is described as similar to coats found on other northern spitz breeds.
Points to weigh
The Akita is a large dog with a hunting history rather than a breed described here by companion-dog traits. The available record gives a height of 61 and a life expectancy of 10 years, but no weight figure.
Price
No purchase price is provided for the Akita in the available facts.
Who may look elsewhere
Readers seeking a breed selected for a different job may want to compare the wider dog breeds list instead. The facts here describe the Akita’s large-game hunting background.
Verdict
Choose the Akita if you want a large Japanese breed with roots in northern mountain hunting. Its recorded identity is closely tied to the Matagi Inu and work against large game.
Look beyond this entry if you need documented information about weight, temperament or other traits, because those details are not included here.
What stands out
- Japanese breed with roots in northern Japan
- Bred to track and subdue large game
- Short double coat like other northern spitz breeds
- Clear historical link to the Matagi Inu
Worth knowing
- Large size may not suit every household
- Its recorded role was large-game hunting
- Origins are listed as both Japan and the United States
Suits
- Readers seeking a large Japanese dog with a hunting history
- People comparing breeds from Japan
Think twice if
- You need a recorded weight or temperament profile
- You want a breed selected for a different historical job
In short
The Akita is a large Japanese dog whose story starts in the mountains of northern Japan. It descends from the Matagi Inu, a hunting dog used in Tōhoku to follow and bring down large game in snow. That working origin gives the breed a clear historical purpose. The record lists a height of 61 and a life expectancy of 10 years. It does not provide a weight or describe temperament, so prospective owners should base further decisions on information beyond this entry.
Questions
Where does the Akita come from?
The Akita Inu began in the mountains of northern Japan. Its origins are listed as Japan and the United States.
What was the Akita bred to do?
Its roots trace to the Matagi Inu, used by Tōhoku hunters to track and subdue large game in snowy mountain terrain.
How large is an Akita?
The recorded height is 61. The facts do not provide a weight.
How long does an Akita live?
The listed life expectancy is 10 years.
What kind of coat does an Akita have?
The Akita has a short double coat, described as similar to coats seen on other northern spitz breeds.
Is the Akita a Japanese dog breed?
Yes. It is identified as a Japanese dog breed of large size.
More dog breeds from Japan
Japanese Spitz Japan Height 30 cm Photo: Hakumichi · Public domain 
Jōmon Dog Japan Photo: 縄文柴犬研究センター · CC BY-SA 3.0 
Kishu Japan Height 49 cm Photo: Sabine · CC BY-SA 3.0 
Shiba Inu Japan Height 36.5 cm Photo: Roberto Vasarri · Public domain Other Japanese dog breeds
Photo credits12 photographs on this page
- Akita — TsutsuiKennel · CC BY-SA 4.0 · file page
- Hokkaido inu — Magdalena Niemiec · CC BY-SA 3.0 · file page
- Japanese Chin — Trysha · CC BY-SA 3.0 · file page
- Japanese Spitz — Hakumichi · Public domain · file page
- Japanese Terrier — Pleple2000 · CC BY-SA 3.0 · file page
- Jōmon Dog — 縄文柴犬研究センター · CC BY-SA 3.0 · file page
- Kai Ken — Wikimedia Commons contributor · CC BY-SA 3.0 · file page
- Kishu — Sabine · CC BY-SA 3.0 · file page
- Shiba Inu — Roberto Vasarri · Public domain · file page
- Shikoku Ken — Bigsteeve · CC BY-SA 3.0 · file page
- Tosa — Ludivine HOUDAS · CC BY-SA 3.0 · file page
- Kawakami Ken — Ｋａｔｕｕｙａ · CC BY-SA 3.0 · file page
Photographs come from Wikimedia Commons under the licence each one names. How Animalso credits photographs.