photo credit: aldenchadwick

The Akita Inu, or the more familiar American Akita, is a breed of dog that sometimes is foreshadowed by its own history.

Early historical accounts of this dog breed tend to find it as a menu item instead of a pet and its pelt was valued as a source of warmth. From the being this was a working dog, sometimes used as hunter, but predominately used for fighting.

Much of its history has been obscured due to the centuries of isolation on the remote Japanese island of Honshu. Akitas have been traced to as far back as 1150 A.D.

In Japan, the Akita is known as Matagiinu, which translates into the esteemed hunter. In the past, Akitas were limited to ownership by Japan’s elite. Today, in many places around Japan, Akitas are considered a symbol of loyalty and there are several monuments located all over the islands dedicated to this dog breed.