Akita: The Fearless Protector with a Noble Spirit and Unwavering Loyalty
Fun Fact
In Japan, when a child is born, the family is often presented with a small Akita statue as a symbol of good health, happiness, and a long life.
About
Akitas were bred in the early 17th century in northern Japan. These large dogs were used by Matagi hunters for hunting Asian Black Mountain Bears, Monkeys, Japanese Serows and for guarding. There are two seperate varieties of the breed namely Akita Inu and Akita Ken. The mixed versions of these are larger and are known as American Akita. The first Akitas were sent to the USA in 1937. Akitas were also used to locate prisoners of war during the war between Japan and Russia in 1904. The movie ‘Hachikō Monogatari’ is based on an Akita dog who loved his owner.
Appearance
Akitas are big dogs with males weighing between 35-50 kilograms and females between 25-35 kilograms. They have a big head, dark eyes,Black or Brown nose, short snout, erect ears and dense bones. They are double-coated with a thick undercoat and short top coat. They have large paws that help them move easily through the cold mountains. The usually come in Brown, Fawn, White and Black. They have a mask like shade on their face except the white ones.
Temperament
Akitas are very territorial, independent and dominant dogs. They usually don’t get along quickly with other dogs or animals. They are quiet, attentive and are sceptical about strangers. They are very loyal and loving towards their family. Due to reported aggression towards strangers and other animals, currently India, Singapore and Bermuda Islands have banned the breeds from import and breeding for public safety reasons.
LifeSpan/Health
Akita live between 10-12 years. They are prone to multiple diseases. VKH syndrome is a condition where it affects melanin pigmentation causing problems to the skin and eyes. The breed develops Anemia, blistering of skin and (SLE) which is a condition where the body’s immune system attacks healthy tissue. They also develop Diabetes and Hypothyroidism.They also get (PRA) A genetic eye disease that causes blindness over time. Entropion, a condition where the eyelids are rolled inwards and causing trauma. Bloating twists the stomach filled with gas causing pain. However, the key to try and increase their life expectancy is to make sure they have a proper diet, required exercise/walk, timely medication, yearly Vaccinations, deworming tablets every three months and regular blood tests with Vet regarding the overall health. This breed is prone to get hip Dysplasia. Make sure they DO NOT jump from heights or constantly jump down from cots or sofas onto a smooth floor.
Maintenance
Lot of attention and care needs to be given to Akita. Since the coat is dense, brushing regularly is mandatory. Eyes need to be checked regularly to prevent eye diseases. They need a minimum of an hour’s walk per day. Since this breed is prone to many diseases, Pet health insurance is advised. It is very difficult to train Akitas, hence it is suggested to start training them from when they are puppies and get used to many humans and other dogs.
Good food and nutrition is significant. Awareness of what to feed and how much to feed is extremely important. Processed food is not ideal due to the chemicals used causing increasing effects on the gut. Bloating, digestive issues, stinky stool, diarrhea, obesity and dehydration are some of the most common issues faced.
Canine diet requires a blend of fresh and natural ingredients. It should include the right amount of protein, fiber, fat, and carbohydrate. We understand that it is not easy to make fresh food at home on a daily basis that meets all the nutritional requirements.
We at Genie Pet Meal understand the nutritional requirement of each dog because we customize the food according to the requirements. 100% fresh and natural ingredients like Chicken, 7 types of Vegetables, Rice, Egg white, and other ingredients combined in the right quantity make our food extremely healthy! It’s tailor made for your dog as we keep in mind the importance of giving the best to your fur ball.
