Hachiko is a breed of Akita Inu dog (photo): an excellent companion and wayward friend. The dog breed from the movie “Hachiko” and everything about the Akita Inu breed. What a Hachiko dog looks like

The Land of the Rising Sun gave the world a wonderful, unique Akita Inu dog. For almost 4 centuries, selection took place endemicly, in the mountainous area of the same name in northeastern Japan. For a long time, only a superficial description of the Akita Inu was available; there was information about the breed that it was a hunting and guard dog.

Fame and recognition fell on the “Japanese treasure” through the efforts of cinema, which glorified the animal’s devotion: the dog breed from the film “Hachiko” became recognizable and loved.

The Akita Inu dog is a large breed that can hunt wild boars, deer, and bears. It is surprising that at the same time she has a good-natured, restrained disposition, only in case of emergency. Perhaps such self-control was passed on to her from her teachers—the hosts who cultivated oriental friendliness and equanimity.

Looking at the Akita Inu, whose photo can rightfully decorate popular prints or pastoral paintings, you are amazed at its beauty. The harmoniously built, powerful dog is covered with magnificent hair - thick, fluffy, and very soft in appearance. The colors are also impressive: the purest shades of red with a sesame effect, pure white, brindle print.

The large muzzle with rounded ears, a relatively short mouth and a slightly upturned tip of the nose slightly resembles a bear, as it is depicted in puppet cartoons and embodied in toys. This miracle with the attentive gaze of narrow squinted eyes, gravitating towards a triangular shape, has an oriental flavor. He has “pants” on his front and hind legs. The longest fur is on the tail, which is always curled up and rests on its side.

Three more properties of the dog are worthy of special mention:

They mature slowly: up to 2 years old you can enjoy the spontaneity of a puppy or teenager;
The animals are completely devoid of the characteristic smell inherent in dogs. They are compared to clean cats.
The structure of the dense paw with wide membranes also resembles a cat’s and allows for excellent swimming.

To raise an Akita Inu, each of which has a bright personality and character - such an experience is worth a lot and will definitely be adequately appreciated in the communities of amateur and professional dog trainers.

The Akita Inu is not just a dog, but a real Japanese treasure and the favorite breed of dog lovers around the world. Thanks to the famous dog Hachiko, who showed unique devotion, the Akita Inu gained worldwide popularity. The number of people wishing to buy a puppy of this breed has increased 15 times! And until now, interest in her has not waned. What is the secret of dogs of this breed?

If you look into history, the Akita Inu is one of the oldest dog breeds. Scientists, having thoroughly studied the origin through numerous archaeological excavations, were able to find out that pets of this breed lived in Japan as early as the second millennium BC. In addition, images of dogs very similar to Akita Inu are present in drawings from antiquity.

It was not possible to study the origins of the Akita Inu for certain, its roots went so deep. There is a theory that these animals originated from the Spitz-shaped dog from China and the ancients. There is also an opinion that the Akita is a descendant of the mastiff. But, despite the external similarity, northern dogs and Akitas have nothing in common.

The name seems exotic to our ears, but in reality it is not. The Japanese did not fantasize much, in translation “Akita” is the name of one of the provinces in Japan, while “inu” is translated as dog.

Research has shown that the breed in the form in which it now exists was formed in the 17th century and has not changed until now. Akita Inu are also unique in that they are truly purebred, and breeding activities have not affected them.

In those days, Akitu Inu were not ordinary dogs; only the most noble nobles could afford a pet of this breed. Representatives in the imperial family had a special position. But this did not happen immediately.

Initially, purebred dogs performed hunting and guarding functions in the homes of ordinary people, but by the 18th century the situation had changed, and Akitas significantly increased their status. During that period, a new decree appeared, according to which a person who killed or offended a representative of this breed was subjected to severe punishment. And soon the Akita Inu turned out to be an elite breed, inaccessible to peasants.

Naturally, this could not but affect the development and spread of the breed. According to the Japanese love of ceremony, caring for a pet has become a real ritual. Akita Inu began to match the rank of their owners. This was indicated by special attributes and the presence of his own servant. By looking at the Akita, one could determine the status of its owner.

In 1927, a special Society was formed whose activities were aimed at preserving the breed. They also monitored the purity of the breed, not allowing crossbreeding with other representatives.

Of course, World War II had a significant impact on the breed, since almost all of its representatives ended up at the front. Then the breeding process almost stopped. But still, several pets with pure blood were preserved; they possessed all the qualities inherent in the Akita Inu.

In the 19th century, representatives of other breeds began to appear in the country. The Japanese awoke the desire to obtain, based on Akita with the addition of blood, Great Danes, St. Bernards, Bulldogs, dogs with a more aggressive character, in order to use them for security purposes. Then completely new breeds appeared - Karafuto (Sakhalin Huskies) and Tosa Inu (a dog from the Principality of Tosu).

This also had some impact on the Akita breed. Their descendants acquired a more dense physique and a little aggression in character.

Descriptive characteristics

Akita is a 100% Japanese dog, whose homeland is the northern regions of the country. Initially, it performed two functions - security and hunting. Today, the range of her responsibilities has expanded, but most often the Akita is used as a companion dog.

The height of males varies from 64 cm at the withers to 75. The minimum weight is 40 kg. Like other breeds, female Akitus are much smaller in size.

The standard confirms three possible colors:

A combination of red and white. In this case, light hair can only be on the inner sides of the chest and limbs, and also create a “mask” on the face. The professional name for this muzzle coloring is “urazhiro”.
Tiger fur on the body with a white mask on the face.
White Akita Inu - inclusion of other colors is not allowed.

If an Akita is decorated with a black mask on its face, then we are talking about a representative of the American species of the breed. In the Japanese version, this is considered a marriage.

Thoroughbred representatives have a strong, proportional physique, with heavy bones and powerful muscles. In dogs, the lumbar girdle is clearly prominent.

Characteristic features of the external structure help distinguish pets from other canines:

Head The Akita Inu has a triangular shape, slightly blunted, of medium size relative to the body. Small, slightly slanted eyes, not protruding, with dark brown irises. The ears are open and erect. Compared to the size of the head, they are quite small, shaped like a triangle with slightly rounded edges.
Forehead wide, with a hollow between the eyes that extends slightly onto the forehead.
tip of the nose large, black, slight coloring is possible only in animals with white hair.
Lips black, fit tightly to the jaw.
Skin They do not fit tightly to the body, but do not hang down either. Sometimes the skin forms small folds.
Tail high-waisted, quite large, has a curled shape and is thrown over the back. The coat is dense, coarse, and of medium length. There is a thick undercoat.
Paws Akita Inu's are strong, muscular, ending in soft cat-like paws.

In general, looking at a dog of this breed, one gets the impression that this is a harmoniously developed animal, strong and strong, and in fact it is so.

Extraordinary amazing character

The photo shows a still from the movie "Hachiko".

Akita Inu is a whole set of positive characteristics that four-legged friends can have. No negative traits - only positivity and joy from communicating with this dog.

The fun and mischief that puppies of this breed are endowed with does not disappear throughout the dog’s life. Akitas are balanced dogs, without signs of aggression.

They will not get involved in a fight without assessing the situation and their own strengths. The Akita's intellectual indicators are high; they really have prudence and wisdom that have accumulated over centuries.

There is only one negative trait in the character of these dogs - pathological curiosity. Akita simply must be aware of everything that is happening, and for this she will try to explore all corners of the house. Even a slight noise can distract her from her work and force her to rush in search of the source. But this quality weakens over the years, making the Akita less curious and more phlegmatic.

The nature of the Akita makes it possible to keep the animal both in a large family and to make it a companion for one person. For parents, such a pet is a real find, which can entertain even the tiniest little ones for hours.

You should not think that a dog without human intervention will be able to demonstrate all its qualities given by nature. It should definitely be done, starting from the very moment you enter the house and until the last days. By the way, the Akita Inu has the longest childhood among dogs - it is considered a puppy up to 2.5 years old. Only by constantly communicating with an animal can you raise the smartest and most devoted family member.

Purebred pets are very friendly towards all family members. But only under the condition of complete reciprocity. It is worth knowing that an Akita can appreciate a good attitude towards itself. Possessing an independent appearance, this dog is submissive and has no tendency to disobedience or bad behavior.

Akita Inu are wary of strangers, this applies to strangers. They regard other dogs as invaders of their personal territory, and can rush into battle. Experienced dog breeders attribute this quality to the sense of dominance inherent in nature.

How to properly maintain and care for an Akita Inu

The photo shows the dog breed Akita Inu (Hachiko).

If you plan to purchase a puppy of this ancient Japanese breed, then you can be sure that the new pet will not cause much trouble. The dog is universal, it feels good both in the apartment and on the street. For outdoor living, the Akita has a warm coat equipped with a thick undercoat. But, despite this, it is still worth providing your pet with a warm booth.

Akitas living in an apartment require walking twice a day, which should last at least two hours. Walking alone, the dog behaves restrained and calm until a relative suitable for play comes into view, and then the pet will show all its agility.

If the Akita Inu is not allowed to throw out excess energy, the dog can become lazy, gain excess weight, and even lose obedience.

No special care is required for the coat; it is enough to comb it a couple of times a week and remove any tangles that have formed. During periods of shedding, of course, additional combing of the old fur will be required to speed up this process.

Akita should not be bathed frequently, as this can cause the pet to get sick. Two or three baths throughout the year will be enough. It is necessary to use only specialized detergents, after which the coat requires careful drying, in this case it is permissible to use a hair dryer.

Akitas have an excellent appetite, so it is necessary to carefully balance their diet, avoiding overeating and subsequent weight gain. It is highly not recommended to feed your pet from your own table. You can choose a quality one. Feeding the Akita also allows for a mixed diet. Several times a week you can give your dog fresh cottage cheese, yogurt or kefir, a piece of lean meat, vegetable or meat broth. The pet must be provided with clean and fresh drinking water.

Video about Akita Inu

How much do puppies cost?

The popularity of representatives of this breed does not weaken, so the cost of puppies of this breed cannot be called low. And of course, prices depend on the quality of the dog itself. In Moscow, on average, the following prices for Akita Inu can be noted:

A puppy without a pedigree or with an existing breeding marriage with a further ban on breeding will cost about 15,000-30,000 rubles.
The price of standard class puppies ranges from 32,000 to 70,000 rubles.
The cost of a show-class puppy can reach 100,000 rubles.

Far from the capital, you can purchase an Akita Inu pet at a price 30-40% lower than the specified price. The owner decides which puppy to purchase and for what needs.

Akita Inu kennels:

The best Akita Inu kennel around the world: http://dog-akita.com

Nursery in Moscow and the Moscow region: http://www.akita-inu.ru

Nursery in Ukraine: http://www.akita-inu.com.ua

And other primitive types of dogs); section 5 (Asian Spitz)

Usage: companion dog

Color: red and white, brindle and white and white.

Dimensions: height at withers: males from 66 to 71, females from 61 to 66; weight: males from 45 to 59, females from 32 to 45

Lifespan: about 11-15 years

Akita Inu got its name because of its place of origin - it was bred on a Japanese island in the Akita province.

This is a very smart animal, endowed with real wisdom and strong-willed qualities.

Extreme devotion is proven by the famous story of Hachiko, in whose honor a film of the same name was even made.

You can read other touching stories about dogs’ loyalty in the article

Everyone who knows what breed Hachiko is is especially fond of the Akita Inu, which has become incredibly popular among dog breeders precisely because of its amazing intelligence, devotion and gentle character.

This animal, belonging to the family, is quite unpretentious, perfectly fulfills the role of a companion dog and simply perfectly combines playfulness and mobility with tranquility and a stunning mind.

History of the breed

The Akita Inu's homeland is the island of Honshu. Due to the country of origin, this dog is sometimes also called the full phrase - Japanese Akita Inu.

In its past, this breed was a hunting breed and specialized in hunting large animals such as deer or bears.

After conducting archaeological and genetic research, as well as studying ancient drawings depicting dogs, scientists found that the Akita Inu breed is one of the 14 most ancient breeds in the world, the list of which also includes the Russian.

In Japan, at the beginning of the 6th century, clubs for Akita Inu lovers were created, the purpose of which was to create instructions for the maintenance and breeding of these animals for the sake of preserving the country's hunting grounds.

Character and psychology

The Akita Inu dog has a developed intelligence and a lively, strong mind.

Dogs of this breed are characterized by a high level of intelligence and a calm character, just like dogs of the West Siberian Laika breed.

They have a phenomenal memory, easily remember all commands and can even independently adjust their behavior to the mood of their owner;
The independence and willfulness of this breed, extreme self-willed character, goes well with the high degree of affection of the Akita Inu to its owners and complete devotion to them;
Akita Inu is one of those dogs that does not tolerate condescension and unnatural displays of attention; this animal should be treated as equals with love and affection, and not imagine a stupid puppy in the place of an adult dog.

Application

These dogs perform well in a home with children.

They easily take responsibility for the behavior of children and monitor it well, making sure that the child does not do anything bad or get into trouble.

At the same time, Akita Inu is easily given into children's hands, without objecting to constant games. A wonderful nanny and friend for the baby.

How to choose a puppy

First of all, you need to remember that a black mask, familiar to the related breed of American Akita, is categorically unacceptable for the Akita Inu, just like a hanging tail.

You should not choose a dog from a litter that is too large, nor should you give preference to the largest and most well-fed puppy in the entire litter.

The ideal choice would be a playful and active puppy from a small litter where all the babies are approximately the same size.

Healthy Akita Inu puppies are moderately well-fed, are not at all afraid of loud and unexpected sounds and do not show aggression at all - only lively curiosity.

In addition, puppies of this breed have an amazing temperament; only with age do they become reasonable and calm.

Features of care

Combing

The Akita Inu's coat does not cause any particular inconvenience; brushing it once or twice a week is enough.

Only during heavy shedding, which happens a couple of times a year, should you approach hair care more carefully and do it every day.

To do this, you need to have at least two brushes - for wool and for thick undercoat.

Dogs of this breed should be bathed once or twice a year; more frequent water procedures can damage the coat.

Once every two weeks you should trim your dog’s nails, and once every few days you should brush its teeth with a special paste.

Walk

The Akita Inu is a very characterful dog, so you don’t need to “walk” it, but “walk” with it.

In most cases, she decides where to go and often prefers to walk without.

At least once a week, she should be released without him and given the opportunity to run around to her heart’s content without the owner’s participation in this.

The dog needs frequent and high-quality physical activity, so at least two hour-long walks a day are necessary.

If you are short of time, you can shorten one walk and make up for the lack of activity on the weekend by staying outside for several hours in a row.

The same type of games and walks gets boring for the dog; it is better to alternate both places for walks and equipment for games, constantly choosing something new.

And are ideal for such a pet.

Feeding

In their historical homeland, the Akita Inu was fed rice, fish and some other seafood, seaweed and a lot of vegetables.

They digest boiled eggs and wild meat (for example, venison) well.

Purebred dogs are adapted precisely to such foods; they can exhibit very strong reactions to chicken, beef, other meats and excessively fatty dairy dishes. serious allergies .

This breed also does not tolerate corn and oatmeal.

Akita Inu can be described in just a couple of words - “innate valor”

Health

Characteristic diseases

Akita Inu often exhibits diseases associated with its nature, body characteristics and size:

dysplasia of the hip or even elbow joint;
hypothyroidism and the development of skin diseases;
birth defects and vision problems;
immune blood diseases;
a large number of allergic reactions to products;
volvulus of the stomach.

Vaccinations

Mating

Akita Inu is one of the most purebred dogs that does not require an influx of “new blood” into the breed and the improvement of any characteristics.

The purity of the breed is especially strictly controlled in Japan within the framework of breeding; in all other countries, all healthy representatives of this breed are simply allowed to breed.

Hachiko - Akita Inu dog breed: an excellent companion and wayward friend

Akita Inu got its name because of its place of origin - it was bred on a Japanese island in the Akita province. Extreme devotion is proven by the famous story of Hachiko, in whose honor a film of the same name was even made.

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 wanting to buy Akita Inu dogs increased by about 20 percent.

The story behind the film "Hachiko"

Hachiko is a real dog that existed in life. She was born on November 10, 1923. As a puppy she was given to a Japanese professor. Hidesaburo Ueno gave him the name Hashiko, which means eighth in Japanese. This nickname is easy to explain: the professor already had 7 dogs at that time, and Hashiko became the eighth. When the whole world learned about the existence of Hashiko, they began to pronounce his nickname with a European sound. This is how the name Hachiko came about.

Perhaps the world would never have known about Hachiko if the professor had not raised him and taught him accompany you to the train in the morning and meet you in the afternoon sitting at the station. Every day for 2 years, Hashiko came to the train station with him, waited until he left for work, and only then slowly went home. Exactly at 15.00 he again came to the platform to meet the owner.

But in May 1925, disaster struck: Hidesaburo Ueno became ill at work. The heart attack was fatal. That day, his pet could not wait for his owner. But for almost 10 years, the professor’s favorite came to the platform at the same time, at 15.00, and waited for the owner. The dog was sleeping on the porch of the house where he grew up and used to live with the professor.

Relatives and even close friends, seeing the dog’s suffering, tried to take Hashiko for themselves, but he still returned to the station and to the porch. Soon all the railway workers and merchants knew Hachiko and admired his devotion. They always recognized him and tried to feed him.

Spring 1935 Hachiko was found dead close to the station. All the inhabitants of Japan already knew the history of this dog and everyone admired him. But then another circumstance became clear: after examining the body of the dead Hachiko, doctors discovered that he had the last stage of cancer, and he died of a heart attack. Since that day, March 8, the day of Hachiko’s death, was declared a day of mourning, and Hachiko himself, an Akita Inu breed, became a symbol of devotion. Now all dogs of this breed are considered the most loyal.

Hachiko and culture

In 1932, when Hachiko was still alive, an article appeared in the most famous Japanese newspaper published in Tokyo in which talked about the dog's devotion. When people read the article “A faithful dog is waiting for the return of his owner, who died seven years ago,” they then tried to see this dog. To do this, they gathered at the station and watched Hachiko, touched to the depths of their souls by his behavior.

Already in 1934, the dog was present at the opening of the monument, which was solemnly erected in honor of Hachiko for his devotion and love. But since it was built from metal, during the First World War it was dismantled to give the metal for victory. But already in the post-war period, in 1948, at Shibuya station, where the dog died, a monument to the dog Hachiko from the movie was erected. Now this monument serves as an ideal place for lovers to meet, because it is a symbol of eternity and fidelity.

After Hachiko's death the entrails were buried next to the owner, and a stuffed animal was made from the skin. It can now be seen in the Japanese National Science Museum.

This true story formed the basis of the film "The Story of Hachiko", which was filmed in Japan in 1987. But in 2009, directors from America created a remake called “Hachiko: The Best Friend.” But the directors added their own vision of this situation to the plot.

Description of the Akita-Inu dog breed

It is known that the main character of the film “Hachiko: The Best Friend” is an Akita Inu dog. Let's try to tell about it.

The Japanese Akita Inu originated on the island of Honshu, and received its name from the name of the Akita province. According to legend, the ancestors of these dogs were spitz breeds, crossed with mastiffs. In ancient times, the Akita Inu was a good hunting dog, without which a person could not go hunting. It was Akita dogs that easily defeated any animal: bear, deer, and wild boar.

During the Great Patriotic War of 1941–1945, the Akita breed was destroyed, because only German shepherds were needed for the army. To save the Akita, many owners tried during this period to cross their dogs with the German Shepherd. This is how the modern type of Akita breed turned out.

Today there is a slightly different type of Akita dog, which is officially approved. She was nicknamed the big Japanese dog or the American Akita - Inu. She was bred after the Japanese gave the Akita to Helen Adams Keller, who lived in America.

What does a Japanese Akita Inu dog look like? The appearance features are as follows:

The coat color can be any, but only natural.
The coat itself is long, beautiful and silky.
The height of an adult dog reaches 57–71, but the female will be slightly smaller.

By nature, these dogs are brave, of course, loyal, intelligent and active. They are easy to train, they love children, and will never offend their owner. If the family where they grow up also has pets, then they will be treated with respect. It is believed that Akita dogs are excellent helpers, good companions in any business, intelligent guards and loving and caring nannies.

Most often dogs of this breed used in the following areas:

Police.
Rescue service.
Guide for the blind.

Several rules for caring for an Akita Inu dog

Knowing what breed everyone’s favorite movie character Hachiko is, you need to know how to properly care for such dogs. It is worth noting that Akita Inu does not require any special care. You just need to follow these steps:

The Akita Inu breed has always been valued in Japan, but after the release of the film "Hachiko: Best Friend" it became famous throughout the world. Puppies became in demand, and many dogs of this breed received the name of their favorite hero - Hachiko.

Akita Inu dog

Akita Inu - the famous Hachiko! Akita Inus are very intelligent, friendly and never bark without a reason. You will not find a more calm, loyal and quiet dog. Almost all dog owners of this breed say that it helps fight stress by making the person interacting with it relax. This is probably due to the fact that the breed was bred in Japan, a country of harmony, wisdom and peace.

Japanese Akita Inu breed

Breed characteristics

Due to the lack of a characteristic dog smell and cleanliness, many compare Akita Inu dogs with. Akita Inu are very patient and loyal, not vindictive, and love to tinker with children. Without a doubt, many have seen the film “Hachiko's Most Faithful Friend.” Hachiko was of this exact breed.

Still from the film Hachiko

Characteristics:

Height – up to 70 cm at the withers (“girls” are slightly lower);
Weight – up to 45 kg;
The coat is very thick, warm, of medium length;
The color is predominantly white and red, but rarely fawn, and closer to black;
Muscles are very developed, regular physical activity is required;
Life expectancy is up to 12 years.

Since these dogs are characterized by hunting instincts, they should be tamed to communicate with other animals and people from puppyhood. If representatives of this breed are not tamed to communicate with other animals, especially of the same breed and gender, they may show aggression towards them in the future. These dogs make good watchdogs.

If you do not expose your dog to physical activity, it begins to get sick, becomes more aggressive, and destructive, since it needs physical activity.

Despite their devotion and loyalty, Akita Inu have a strong character and willpower, so training such dogs is quite problematic. This breed is best suited for experienced dog breeders, since an ordinary person may not be able to cope with its temper and spoil the animal, causing harm to both himself and the dog.

Akita Inu puppies

You can buy a puppy of this beautiful breed only in a specialized nursery, or from breeders, since only in this case you are guaranteed to get not only a beautiful, but also a healthy friend. The price starts from 30,000 rubles, but in some cases it can be up to 50,000 rubles.

Education

From the moment the dog appears in the house, you should show it who is the owner. This dog has willpower, the owner must match it, otherwise the dog will control the man, and not the man over the dog.

The dog knows who's boss

It should be understood that teaching a dog to obey a person does not mean punishing it or offending it. This should not interfere with your communication with her.

Do not forget that the description given above applies to the breed as a whole, but each dog is individual! You need to find your own approach to each representative of the Akita Inu breed!

Grooming

The Akita Inu has a soft coat. You need to comb it about once a week.

Akita Inu is not afraid of frost

Dogs of this breed shed a lot, although only for 1-2 weeks twice a year. The wool should not be cut. During shedding periods, it is recommended to groom your dog's coat daily. If the dog lives in a cool climate or indoors, sheds less.

If there is not enough information about the breed, and about dogs in general, then you can visit a good website about dogs, which has a lot of useful information about each breed.

And remember - we are responsible for those we have tamed!