Origin: Japan
The Japanese Akitainu’s history parallels that of the other five existing native Japanese breeds, shifting from the brink of extinction to becoming a source of national pride. Over centuries, five major eras of the breed history may be identified, some of which overlap:
Hunting - In the mountainous terrain of the Tōhoku region, where Akita Prefecture is located, traditional village hunters called Matagi developed the Matagiinu (Matagi dog), a slightly larger than medium-sized dog to hunt large game. The Matagiinu is considered the ancestor of the modern-day Akitainu.
Guarding - Due to civil unrest in the Ōdate area, noblemen began to use their hunting dogs to also guard their homes.
Fighting - Across various historical periods (Edo to Meiji and Taisho), some Akitainu were crossed with larger western breeds such as Mastiffs to yield winning results in dog fight rings.
Restoration - By the Meiji era, the Japanese agricultural department deemed the breed as existing in a state of impurity. In 1927, Akitainu Hozonkai (AKIHO), the world’s first and most influential Akitainu registry and organization, was established in the city of Ōdate, ushering in a concerted effort to restore and preserve the characteristics of the original native Akita dogs. The Akitainu was officially designated Tennen Kinen Butsu (Natural Monument) of Japan in 1931; however, continued restoration efforts were interrupted by WWII. It is believed that only 16 Akitainu existed by war’s end and some were said to have been crossbred to military German Shepherd Dogs while a few pure specimens remained in a remote village in Tōhoku. Japanese Akitainu breeders again began to restore the breed away from the transitional mixed Akita dogs to their native origin.
Preservation - Throughout the post-war decades, breeders have made great strides restoring and preserving the Akitainu. With encouragement from Japan, the first overseas AKIHO club was officially established in 1970 in the US. With encouragement from AKIHO North America, the Japanese Akitainu Club of America was formed in 1997.