mythology, n. The body of a primitive people's beliefs
concerning its origin, early history, heroes, deities,
and so forth, as distinguished from the true accounts
which it invents later.
-Ambrose Bierce
Startling news: Forget everything you have likely heard and read on the history of the Akita breed. Most published and commonly held beliefs by fanciers about the origin and "purpose" of Akitas are not factual. These myths are composed of fabrications, arise from confused timelines, and are often the result of pure old-fashioned romanticism. Many breed books and internet resources about Akitas are completely wrong concerning the breed's history. I realize this seems radical, but I refer you to the Japanese sources I reference below to form your own conclusions.
Even the AKC's Complete Dog Book innocently misleads readers of the Akita section. This is not the fault of the AKC--their synopsis of the breed's development was written by a fervent, well-meaning if not fully-informed, early Akita fancier, who had limited information available to him at the time.
Contemporary scholars and translators are revealing more about our breed's true history than was known or understood in the 1950's, when many of the current mythical histories were written. The conventional "history" of the Akita breed is an indicator of how deeply myths can replace realities in official histories of purebred dogs.
Having said that, here are the facts:
The "Akita" is a modern breed with its origins entirely within the 20th century. Most writers and fanciers in this breed claim the Akita's "ancient" background. One hears and reads that, as a breed, the Akita dates back four or five hundred years. One writer even dates the breed to the Bronze Age! There is tendency by fanciers in many pure breeds to fictionalize their breeds' histories so that they are more exciting, more ancient and, well, just "more." And often, hyperbole supercedes facts.
Factually, this is a breed developed entirely within the 20th century. The term "breed" is an important distinction.
Many in our breed hold the misconception that Akitas are (were) hunting dogs ("used to track and hold large game") and that the breed's physical features, somehow, reflect that "original purpose." These two assertions are not factual. The real history of the modern Akita breed is much more fascinating than these simple myths. It is also more complex.
Part of the myth (and much of the commonly told "history") of the "ancient Akita" arises from the confusion of Akitas (by even the most tenured fanciers) with a "type" of dog which existed between the 17th & 19th centuries. This "type," loosely called the matagi (hunting) inu (dog), wasn't a "breed" in any sense, but a group of dogs bred not for a particular conformation or "look" but to perform a competitive task--hunting. While the demands of "tracking and holding large game" required dogs that looked and acted certain ways (large, fast, courageous, strong, etc.), each feudal breeder selected dogs that suited his eye rather than those fitting any formal standard--written or oral. Such standards simply did not exist. Matagi dogs were a "type" not a "breed."
Some historians believe that "matagi dogs" persisted into the 20th century, but it is now consistently agreed to by Japanese breed scholars that such dogs were not purebred. Therefore, they were not Akitas. They were only one group of many hybridized dogs and other pure breeds that, together, make up the Akita breed's family tree.
A popular "sport" in Japan during the early 1900's was competitive dog fighting. During this period, various mixtures of Mastiffs, Tibetan Mastiffs, Oriental Pariah Dogs and numerous other breeds and hybrid dogs (including a long-coated type of dog called Karafuto dogs) were bred and selected for one function over any standardized type: to be ferocious, strong, and, thereby, victorious in fighting pits.
A small population of regional, naturally-selected dogs also figure prominently in the general "look" of modern Akitas. These were an early 20th century group of isolated dogs referred to as "Odate dogs" (named for the community in which they were often found). Each represented variations on a general theme of "large Japanese dogs." Some had the erect, pitched ears and curled tails that are still part of all worldwide Akita standards today. They were not hunting dogs. Their primary purpose was guarding and fighting. They are known to have been freely crossbred with Tosa inu, another Japanese dog of dubious early genetic history. It is known that these dogs were not uniform in conformation and that they were not subjected to any standardization, written or otherwise, until 1934. It is documented that prior to 1934 Odate dogs were crossbred freely with other breeds and were not "purebred." No records of Odate dogs exist prior to 1870. Interestingly, Odate was known as "dog town" in the late 1880's and was the epicenter for competitive dog fighting in Japan.
A Japanese publication, Akita, by the Japan Kennel Club, relates a "round table discussion" of Odate elders, reported in an article "Talking About the Dog Scene of the Dog Town Odate." It is this single "round-table" recount that is responsible for another frequently-repeated myth about Akitas: that they were "temple dogs." The elders discussed a specific Odate dog, Moku-Go, which was a long-coated pinto-marked dog of unknown lineage, who happened to have been raised in the Jououji Temple at Odate. Moku-Go was a fierce fighting dog of fabled strength and exaggerated size (35"+). Akita ancestors, except for Moku-Go, were never "temple dogs."
While Odate dogs are probably the most direct contributors to the modern Akita (likely far more closely related genetically than the "matagi dogs"), they were not Akitas. As natural Japanese dogs, they became rough blueprints for what would eventually come to be purebred Akitas. However, none of these early Japanese dogs, alone, evolved into the pure Akita breed.
The Akita as a standardized "breed" dates only to 1938. A "restoration" of the Japanese breeds was formalized in 1919, when the Japanese government passed legislation that would lead to several "reconstruction" breeds being declared "natural monuments" (this would not actually eventuate until 1931). A key phrase is "natural monument," not the common misnomer "national monument." This is an important distinction if one is to understand the goals of the restoration and the true "purpose" of the Akita breed.
One year after the passage of the "restoration" legislation, Dr. Watuse, who had drafted the legislation, traveled to Odate to search for dogs that could be used in the creation of the Akita breed. He found no dogs of sufficient excellence to be named "natural monuments." No dogs would be so designated for another decade.
Based upon a desire to preserve the physical characteristics of the Odate dog "type," Mr. Shigeie Izumi, Mayor of Odate, established the Akitainu Hozonkai or AKIHO (the Akita-Inu Preservation Society) in 1927. Included in this restoration plan were dogs of unknown but varied lineage from the dying and out-of-favor pit fighting activities; they were chosen for certain physical traits desired by restoration breeders. again, these dogs were not "Akitas."
The name "Akita" was not officially given until 1931 (and then, to several variations of size). The first Japanese dog standard was not written until 1934. This was not an exclusively-Akita standard,though, and did not cover all sizes of Akitas.
The first Japanese Akita standard was not adopted until 1938. Prior to these dates, Akitas represented a concept and goal rather than an existent "breed."
One must understand (and this can be a bit confusing) that the goals of the "restoration" of the Akita were never to recreate a dog that had ever previously existed. Restoration goals were much more creative.
The original (and continuing) goals of the restoration were to create (not recreate) a large breed of dog, standardized in type, that reflected the general traits of other primitive "native" Japanese dogs, and to reflect also the general "look" of other natural Japanese fauna and of Japanese cultural, artistic ideals. These are the cultural ideals that have led to the contemporary Japanese preference for the white or "open face" markings ("purity") and rich, brilliant "natural" coat colors. (Have you ever seen Japanese snow monkeys or weasels that are indigenous to Japan?) In fact, the urajiro marking patterns (white mask, silhouette outlined in white...see "Willie," and his mother Ch. Japan, on the "Photo" page) popular in Japanese dogs mimic the makeup of apprentice Geisha!
Modern Akitas have no natural function or purpose. They are expressions of art in Japanese animal breeding! Again, the Akita was not "originally" bred to hunt bears, deer or anything else (except other dogs, perhaps). That history, again, belongs to the impure, feudal "matagi dogs." Akitas were not "temple" dogs. The modern Akita, again, descends exclusively from large crossbreeds that existed in Japan at the turn of the century. In 1931, a few of these (only 9 or so original dogs) were selected not for pedigree (genotype) but only for physical characteristics (phenotype) and were designated "Akitas." These were the world's first Akitas, if not the first purebred Akitas.
Since the early Japanese breeders were working with an enormously varied gene pool, several trends arose in Japan during which certain colors or marking patterns went in and out of fashion. During this developmental period, variations in body type and general body shape also occurred--each having dedicated followers. Two general pre-World War II types became somewhat fixed, although other "lines" also existed. These two predominant lines are generally referenced as the Dewa line and the Ichinoseki line. These were the lines that were popular in Japan during post-war occupation. Akitas predominantly of these lines that were brought home by U.S. servicemen. The Dewa Akitas were heavy-bodied dogs, often with loose skin (particularly under the neck). The Ichinoseki type had a more refined look, tighter skin, and, proportionately, more length of leg. Both lines contributed significantly to the American foundation gene pool.
Upon acceptance by the AKC as a recognized breed, further importation of Japanese-born Akitas for registration in the United States was disallowed. For several decades, the Akita developed here from a small gene pool of around 300 individual "American foundation" Akitas--isolated from their Japanese relatives. During these decades, the "American" Akitas' appearance deviated from the Japanese restoration goals, and, in this writer's opinion, from their own written standard. Instead, the breed was bent to the much different American cultural ideals. Bigger and "tougher" dogs became desirable. Type slowly eroded.
Many type deviations also occurred and were "set" into the gene pool because of "fads" in the show ring and due to the influence of a single dominant stud dog during the "popularization" and heavy marketing of Akitas that occurred during the 1970's & 1980's. (To learn more about the negative -- often disastrous effects of dominant studs in purebred animals, see the "Links" page and select "Genetic Diversity")
Many breeders of Akitas in the US and abroad have failed to ever understand the original goals of Japanese breed restoration or, they have chosen to ignore them. They have therefore ended up with Akitas that often do not fit closely any Akita standard. Such breeders and fanciers have even recently campaigned to split the breed because of this type deviation, arguing that "American Akitas" are now a "different breed." Fortunately, this movement has failed.
Type deviation is not a reason to split our breed. Rather, it is cause for alarm and for correction. Breeders must be re-educated to produce and select "standard-type" Akitas, and judges must be encouraged to reward such specimens rather than the fashionable "type deviant" dogs so common and so often wildly successful in today's show rings. Dog show wins do not validate dogs nor breeding programs any more than dog show losses invalidate them. Very few AKC judges are or have been Akita breeders. Consequently, the non-specialist judge is often the least knowledgeable person in the Akita ring on questions of correct type.
In some cases, this drift from the AKC standard has occurred out of ignorance. The selection criterion of many breeders can be paraphrased as follows: "If they were made to hunt bears, they ought to look like bears, and be big and heavy enough to bring down a grizzly." This wrong-thinking is still being passed along to those new to the breed and to judges. Many of these breeders and judges have simply had little mentoring or have been mentored by the equally misinformed.
In some cases, unfortunately, this deviation from type requisites and restoration goals has been the result of greed and ego, just as in many other breeds which become too popular, too fast. Puppies become marketable commodities. Disreputable breeders have sought to satisfy demand with litters after litters. Many of these carelessly-bred Akitas are then themselves carelessly bred, often to justify their cost.
Such persons are not really hobby breeders but are puppy marketers who (often with large, splashy advertising campaigns) drive up the demand for Akitas on the backs of show wins rather than on "standard-based" quality and upon reputable personal ethics. "Puppy mills" are not all dirty, little operations in Kansas. Like countless other breeds, Akitas have suffered in conformation, health and temperament because of this "marketable" popularity in the hands of the unscrupulous.
In the meantime, Japanese breeders have been patiently and progressively achieving the goals of restoration while holding a tight lead on "breed type characteristics" (see the AKC annotated standard on this site) so important to achieving a beautiful, artistic Akita.
Art! If the Akita breed serves any true "purpose," it is as a mode of artistic expression. This "purpose" derives from and is in harmony with long-established Japanese cultural perspectives. Akitas, to the Japanese, are the canine equivalents to Koi carp, and their breeding is analogous to the art of horticultural bonsai. They exist to be artistic, yet to conform, again, to consistent historical and cultural ideals. That is how it is in the breed's native country, where consistent progress has been made toward the original goal of restoration -- the Akita as "natural art."
Okay....so do you think there is anything good about American Akitas? Some of my best friends are American Akitas! I have spent nearly the entirety of my 25 years as an owner, breeder, exhibitor and trainer of Akitas working with dogs of exclusively American foundation blood. Most of our current Akitas are "American" in pedigree. American dogs have much to contribute to the worldwide Akita breed. The Japanese version, though beautifully artistic, is often too structurally refined. Since Akitas in Japan are not judged on movement (they are judged "in place," freely standing), they frequently need improvement in their structural conformation. "American" Akitas are rich in these very attributes. Each type has much to contribute to the improvement of the other.
We are glad that the American Kennel Club has reopened its registry to Akitas of current Japanese breeding. We applaud the large majority of Akita Club of America members who recently (August 1, 1999) voted to maintain the Akita as a single breed in the United States. That is as it should be.
At the ACA Annual Meeting of the membership in September, 1999, the Board of Directors was charged with developing a statement to all AKC judges who are approved for Akitas (to be included in the AKC's official judges' newsletter) which will make it clear that Akitas are to be judged against the AKC standard and are not to be penalized because they may have "oriental" markings or because the judge thinks they "look Japanese" and believes, therefore, that they are somehow "incorrect." Those holding such biases are in direct conflict with the expressed majority will of the membership of the national parent breed club.
For additional Akita historical information from a Japanese perspective, go here
The exciting possibilities of the marriage between Akitas from America and Akitas from Japan make the future of our breed brighter than it has ever been. Stay tuned.
Michael Sanders
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