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American Akita
In the beginning, the history of the American Akitas is similar to the history of Japanese Akitas.
Since 1603, in the Akita region, Akita Matagis (medium-sized bear-hunting dogs) were used as fighting dogs.
From 1868, Akita Matagis were crossbred with Tosas and Mastiffs. Consequently, the size of Akitas increased, but characteristics associated with Spitz type were lost. In 1908 dog fighting was prohibited, but Akitas were nevertheless preserved and improved as a large Japanese breed.
As a result, nine superior examples of Akitas were designated as « Natural Monuments » in 1931. During World War II (1939-1945), it was common to use dogs as a source of fur for military garments.
The police ordered the capture and confiscation of all dogs other than German Shepherd Dogs used for military purposes.
Some fanciers tried to circumvent the order by crossbreeding their dogs with German Shepherd Dogs.
When World War II ended, Akitas had been drastically reduced in number and existed as three distinct types:
1) Matagi Akitas
2) Fighting Akitas
3) Shepherd Akitas.
This created a very confusing situation in the breed.
During the restoration process of the pure breed after the war, Kongo-go of the Dewa line enjoyed a temporary, but tremendous popularity.
Many Akitas of the Dewa line, which exhibited characteristics of the Mastiff and German Shepherd influence, were brought back to the United States by members of the Military Forces.
The Akitas from the Dewa line, intelligent and capable of adapting to different environments, fascinated breeders in the United States and the line was developed with increasing number of breeders and a great rise in popularity
Akita Club of America was established in 1956 and the American Kennel Club (AKC) accepted the breed (inscription into the stud book and regular show status) in October 1972.
However, at this time, the AKC and the JKC (Japan Kennel Club) did not have reciprocal agreements for recognizing each other’s pedigrees and therefore the door was closed for the introduction of the new bloodlines from Japan.
Consequently, Akitas in the United States became considerably different from those in Japan, the country of origin.
They developed as a type unique in the United States, with characteristics and type unchanged since 1955.
This is in sharp contrast with Akitas in Japan which were crossbred with Matagi Akitas for the purpose of restoring the original pure breed
Akita was fully recognized as a breed by the AKC in early 1973.
At that time, the doors were closed to further imports because the AKC did not recognize the Japanese Kennel Club.
Meanwhile, in Japan the restoration process was in full swing
But even in Japan there was not total agreement as to what constituted the true Akita.
There were five organization, all with their own standard promoting their version of the breed.
The organization that became dominant, and is today the parent club for the breed in Japan, is known as AKIHO.
Largely through the efforts of this club and its breeders the Akita in Japan changed dramatically from the dog found right after World War II.
The Japanese breeders decided that the true Akita was the ancient Matagi, or hunting type.
The Fighting Akita type was also deemed incorrect because of the many foreign breeds that had been introduced over the past several hundred years in order to create it.
Certainly, the German Shepherd type, a necessity because of the war, was not desired.
In spite of the fact that the Akita breeders in Japan chose to promote the Matagi Akita, it must be understood that the Matagi and Fighting Akitas are both historically Japanese breeds.
In the US, the breeders and fanciers were more drawn to the large and substantial dogs typified by what the Japanese call the Fighting Akita.
Some Akitas of the Matagi type were brought in over the years.
But by and large, American breeders preferred the Akitas typical of what we have today.
When the AKC recognized the JKC in 1992, it opened the doors for further imports.
By this time, the Japanese dogs had diversified even further from what we were breeding US.
Many of us found them quite exotic and some breeders imported them to cross with our type.
A few started to breed them true to the Japanese type and have continued to do so.
It was at this time that problems started to arise worldwide in regard to judging and breeding.
Most Akitas in other countries had come from the US and were of our type.
The FCI is a show giving organization with which most countries other than the US, Great Britain and a few other are affiliated.
It accepts the standard of the country of origin for a breed. Japan started to push toward having the FCI judges judge according to the standard and wishes of Japan Kennel Club.
They phased this in gradually. At first, not much was made of it.
However, when it became apparent that Akitas with black masks and colors other than red, white and brindle could not receive excellent ratings, and eventually could not be used for breeding, the issue of the two types rapidly came to a head.
Through pressure applied by several countries, most notably Mexico and the Central and South American countries the FCI as well as Japan were forced to face the issue.
After all there were many breeders in the FCI countries who had and bred what became known as the American Akita, yet they could not show them and in some cases they could not even register them.
In response, JKC organized the first World Akita Conference which was held in December 1996 in Tokyo.
At this conference, which I attended and included representatives of 14 countries, it was decided that the American type of Akita and the Japanese Akita were two different breeds and should be shown separately and not be interbred.
JKC wanted the change to occur worldwide at the same time.
FCI would have preferred that it happen right away.
To that end, representatives from JKC have had meetings with both the Akita Club of America and AKC to present and discuss the issue.
A second World Akita Conference was held in Haam, Germany in December of 1998.
At this meeting, it was again decided that the Akita would be divided into two breeds in the FCI countries as soon as possible.
As a result both the Scientific Commission as well as the Standards Commission of the FCI have passed on this proposal and it will be voted on by the FCI assembly in June, just before the World Show in Mexico City.
All indications are that it will be passed by an overwhelming majority.
Much to the dismay of American breeders and breeders of American type Akitas in other countries, the name for the American type will be, at least for now, Great Japanese Dog.
Today we not only have American Akitas that cannot be shown or bred under FCI rules in the FCI countries, but also Japanese Akitas whose breeders and fanciers would like to have their dogs compete for AKC championships under their own standard and against their own type.
In the FCI countries, the American Akita is the minority, while in the US it is the Japanese Akita that is at a disadvantage.
The differences are so great that it is very much like comparing Malamutes to Siberian Huskies.
The Japanese dogs are not as large or massive and heavy boned as the American Akita.
They are square in proportion and have a much more pronounced tuck up.
The head proportions are more 50/50 where as our standard call for a 40/60 (as two is to three) ratio between muzzle and top skull.
US standard allows all colors where as the Japanese dogs are only allowed to be red, white or brindle with no pintos or black masks.
Red and brindle dogs are required to have white shading on face, chest, inside of legs and under tail.
In general the Japanese dogs have a striking resemblance to Shibas, but in a much larger size
The problem of the two very diffent types has for all practical purposes been solved in the FCI countries.
In fact American Akitas are now being exported in greater numbers to Europe and a few have already been exported to Japan in anticipation of the split into two breeds.
In the US however, there is as much dissention amongst the fanciers as there was previously in the FCI countries.
Many breeders want to split into two breeds and just as many do not.
It is an issue that has generated a huge amount of debate.
The Akita Club of America will be voting on whether to split the breed or not in the near future.
Till then all types will be called Akita in these countries.
The FCI has officially split the Akita into two breeds.
The two are now known as the Japanese Akita and the Great Japanese Dog (formerly American Akita) and compete in two separate groups.
The name "Great Japanese Dog" for the American type was politically motivated and has not made breeders of American Akitas happy.
Second, a straw poll to consider a split of the breed in the US was not passed by the membership of the Akita Club of America.
As of January 1, 2006 the name Great Japanese Dog, has been officially changed in the FCI standard to "American Akita" and will compete in the same group (FCI Group 5).
The United States is now the only major country in the world that has not divided the breed into two.
Both types are still be called "Akita"
The United Kingdom has split the Akita in to two breeds.
The two are now known as Japanese Akita (Jan,2006) and the Akita (July,2004)
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1olena1
10 Aug : 13:15
Thanks for the compliment Webmaster! Yes, I'm an artist and have created 17 children's books, of which this is the most recent, for ages 3 - 6. It is the ONLY book about a Shiba that I have been able to find! Hope other members will have a look.
Webmaster
07 Aug : 06:02
Olena i seen a pic of ur book, Looks very nice. I see u illustrate in childerens books. Is this new book also made for the kids or isnt it?
For those who want to order the book i just opend a new part in the forum so ill add this book to it.
Webmaster
07 Aug : 05:56
Hi Members, I just made a special part on the Forum where u can put all messeges and share the info that u want to share.
Keep it clean, Spammers of Ads will be removed.
Admin
1olena1
19 Jul : 12:08
The book is titled Nicholas, you are ridiculous!, and can be googled, since the website doesn't seem to appear here!
1olena1
19 Jul : 12:07
I've just published a new picture book about a Shiba puppy - see it on my site, Would love to get your input!
Lazulum73
12 Jul : 21:55
Hello,, would like to know how much costs to whatsh atournement in japan and when. Thank you
jawg
08 Nov : 14:45
DOES ANYONE KNOW WHAEN THE NEXT TOSA-INU TOURNAMENT WILL BE HELD IN JAPAN OR HOW CAN I FIND THIS INFORMATION
jawg
08 Nov : 14:43
ANY THOUGHTS OR HELP WILL BE WELCOMED
jawg
08 Nov : 14:42
SORRY ALL SHE IS A TOSA
jawg
08 Nov : 14:41
I JUST HAD THE LUCK OF GETTING A 20MOS FEMALE; SHE WAS VER DEPRESSED LEAVING HER DAD,MOM,2SISTERS AND BROTHER. SHE WOULD NOT RESPOND TO HER NAME AND ONLY AFTER NOW 8WKS AND HEAT CYCLE IS SHE COMING AROUND, SHE IS ALWAYS AFFRAID
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