Andrews / Purnell-Carpenter Akita

1. Auflage 2012
ISBN: 978-1-59378-966-4
Verlag: CompanionHouse Books
Format: EPUB
Kopierschutz: Adobe DRM (»Systemvoraussetzungen)

E-Book, Englisch, 160 Seiten

Reihe: Comprehensive Owner's Guide

This Comprehensive Owner's Guide to the Akita serves as a complete introduction to the largest of Japan's spitz breeds. Hailing from 'Land of the Rising Sun,' the Akita is a official recognized as a Natural Monument in Japan and regarded by Westerners as a dignified and courageous guardian breed. Written by two of the most influential Akita breeders in the world, Barbara J. ('BJ') Andrews of O'BJ kennels and Meg Purnell-Carpenter of Overhill kennels (UK), the book begins with a fascinating and informative chapter on the breed's history in Japan, tracing its development in the U.S. and England a historical path that both authors were instrumental in achieving. The authors continue with chapters on the breed's characteristics and the standard, encapsulating all of the virtues of this handsome, dominant and loyal breed, offering sound advice about which owners are best suited to the breed.New owners will welcome the well-prepared chapter on finding a breeder and selecting a healthy, sound puppy. Chapters on puppy-proofing the home and yard, purchasing the right supplies for the puppy as well as house-training, feeding, and grooming are illustrated with handsome adults and puppies bursting with attitude and personality! In all, there are over 135 photographs in this compact, useful, and reliable volume. The author's advice on obedience training the strong-minded and strong-bodied Akita will help readers better mold and train their dogs into the most socialized, well-mannered dog in the neighborhood. The extensive chapter on healthcare provides up-to-date detailed information on selecting a qualified veterinarian, vaccinations, parasites, infectious diseases, and more. Sidebars throughout the text offer helpful hints, covering topics as diverse as historical kennels, toxic plants, first aid, crate training, carsickness, fussy eaters, and parasite control. Fully indexed.

Autoren/Hrsg.

Andrews, Barbara J.

Carpenter, Meg Purnell

Leseproben

The Akita was a known dog as early as 500 BC. It appeared as a distinct type in written records more than 300 years ago. One peek at a litter of Akita puppies and the world’s fascination with this ancient Japanese breed becomes evident.

ORIGINS OF THE AKITA OF JAPAN

As is so with many of the old wolf-spitz breeds, the origin of the Akita is a puzzle. Drawings and other artifacts dating back more than 3,000 years document the existence of a wolf-spitz dog throughout Asia. This early domesticated dog evolved into the breeds that we now call the Chow Chow, Norwegian Elkhound, husky (generic term) and, quite likely, the Akita. Actually, the Akita’s remote ancestors became identifiable by about 500 BC, and we can trace the Akita-inu as a distinct type back through over 300 years of written records.

The ancestors of the Akita may even have come to Japan before the European continent was separated by the Sea of Japan. Such ancient dogs were excellent bear hunters and served man in many ways. Dogs with big, double- or triple-layered, weather-resistant coats are usually referred to as Arctic-type dogs and have always had a history of working for their keep. The Akita might be said to fit into that category as well. It is a very complex breed and, like a colorful painting that has been converted into an intricate jigsaw puzzle, there are hundreds of pieces which, when fitted properly, become the masterpiece we call the Akita.

To further complicate accurate research, the Akita’s beginnings are obscured by a very old culture that is in itself still a mystery to most of the rest of the world. There is so much that we do not understand but that made perfectly good sense to the Japanese dog lover of the last century. For example, we are positively squeamish about skinning one of our beloved dogs, but the Japanese did so with the dogs they most revered. The skins were tanned and thus the favorite dog was preserved. The famous companion Akita, Hachi-Ko, is not only remembered as an awe-inspiring statue but also was preserved and is on display in one of Japan’s national museums.

The Akita’s importance in the daily life of the Japanese family is obvious in that he is considered a symbol of health and prosperity. In most countries, one presents a new mother or sick friend with flowers. In Japan, an Akita is still given as a token of the bearer’s wishes for a speedy recovery and all things good.

We are enchanted by Oriental customs related to the Akita, but we do indeed find it difficult to understand why dogs are still eaten in many Asian countries or why the Japanese were once so fond of appalling sporting events involving dogs. Although dogs have been and are still perceived as food in other parts of the world, it is a puzzling contradiction in Japan, where the Akita has long been so highly regarded. Equally puzzling, long ago it was considered entertaining to turn a hundred dogs loose in an arena as targets for men with bows and arrows. Thankfully, this is no longer done.

Along the same lines, dog fighting is another inhumane practise that once thrived in Japan. Probably as old as is the semi-domesticated canine, it has also been practiced in many other countries, including Britain and the US. The pastime of pitting dogs against one another evolved in Japan during the Kamakura period (1185–1333) under the reign of Shogun Hojo Takatoki. The Satake Clan of Odate City (a.k.a. “Dog Fighting Capital”) crossed the Akita-Matagi-inu with the mastiff-like Tosa-inu for precisely that purpose. During the relatively recent Meiji period (1866–1912), the Enyukai Club, formed in Odate in 1897, was still in vogue. Several such clubs hosted fighting tournaments, where eager fans would gather for a full day of entertainment. In 1908 Japan passed ordinances that officially outlawed the fighting of dogs. Shocking as that may be, it is in stark contrast to the fact that it wasn’t until the 1980s that the US officially forbid dog fighting in every state and began to prosecute offenders.

THE EMPEROR’S DOGSPEAK

Akitas were once owned only by royalty and a special language was used to talk to them.

The Akita is still a dominant dog, but thankfully the influence of the Tosa and other such fighting breeds has waned and the Akita is rarely quarrelsome. Very sure of his superiority over other dogs, he is quite the gentleman and can be surprisingly tolerant.

Despite the rather sketchy history of the Akita in Japan, we know he served a variety of useful purposes at different levels of society. As the peasant’s dog, he was a hunter. As the sporting partner of royalty, he is said to have hunted with falcons. Although he is reputed to have been a good water retriever, we personally refute that as we’ve never known an adult Akita to swim without strong encouragement! Wade? Lay down in cool water? Of course. Swim for the fun of it or to retrieve anything? Never.

As a hunter of big game such as mountain bear and boar, he was (and in parts of America, still is) quite adept. His courage is well documented and his fighting ability is legendary. Although he does not “give tongue,” as do the hound breeds, hunters will be able to follow the direction of the chase as the mighty bear and even the wild boar will not run as far as other game. They will be brought to bay by the dogs, and the tenacity and courage of the Akita will hold the quarry until the hunters arrive.

The Japanese have been recording tales about Akitas for hundreds of years. This statue, in bronze, commemorates the legendary loyal Akita Hachi-Ko.

Written history tells us that the breed at one time was officially owned only by the Japanese ruling class. In fact, during Emperor Senka’s reign, the office of Dog Keeper was officially established. There was even a special language used when talking to or about an Akita; the words themselves were actually called “dog words.” The care and training of an Akita were very ritualized. There were also special leashes used to denote rank and there were very specific ways in which the leash could be used to tie up an Akita. Special dogs achieved greater rank according to their degree of training and, of course, the personal preference of the Emperor.

WHAT IS THE REGISTER OF MERIT?

The suffix ROM (Register of Merit) indicates that an Akita has produced in the top 2 to 3% of breeding animals, a sure indicator of genetic superiority. The suffix was initiated in the early 1970s by author B.J. Andrews in her widely acclaimed Akita Handbook. Her record-keeping and publications were later adopted by the Akita Club of America. Two other suffixes are used: ROMX and ROMP, which can be combined as ROMXP. The “X” indicates that the dog has produced twice the number of progeny required for the ROM. The “P” indicates that the dog has produced an ROM-holding progeny.

The O’BJ dogs of the Andrews’ breeding in America claim the top three positions for the sires, namely Ch. Okii Yubi’s Sachmo of Makoto, ROMXP, who produced 101 champions, 16 of whom hold ROMs; Ch. The Widow-Maker O’BJ, ROMXP, who produced 65 champions, 3 of whom hold ROMs; and Ch. O’BJ Bigson of Sachmo, ROMXP, who produced 49 champions, 3 of whom hold ROMs. The top dam of all time is Ch. The Mad Hatter O’BJ, ROMXP, who produced 16 champions, 2 of whom have also produced ROM holders.

The Akita, like many breeds, derived its name from the area with which it was most closely associated. The Akita’s primary development is associated with Akita Prefecture in the northern part of Japan, Honshu Island. More specifically, the breed is closely connected to a particular town in Akita Prefecture called Odate City, also known as “Dog City” and “Boulevard of Dogs.” Mr. Shigiei Izumi, the mayor of Odate City, founded the Akita Dog Preservation Society in 1926.

As a point of clarification, one should not be confused by Japanese dog terms such as “ken” and “imi.” These words are used as a suffix, attached by a hyphen, as in Akita-ken or Shiba-inu. Both simply mean “dog.”

Japan established Natural (not “National” as it is sometimes mistakenly printed) Monument legislation during the middle of the Taisho era (1912–1926). This was designed to preserve culturally significant objects, including animals. In the early part of the Showa era, about 1925, Katsusuke Ishihara bemoaned the fact that there were very few dogs that possessed what he considered to be the standard in each breed. So it was with the Akita. Dr. Watase, who pioneered the Natural Monument bill, was most disappointed when he journeyed to Odate to study the Akita-inu.

Odate City was a logical place from which to begin his search as it was, at that time in history, a very remote area surrounded by towering mountain ranges and shut off to winter travel by severe weather. The local dog that was to become the Akita-inu evolved for several hundred years, untouched by other developing breed types. The large region that includes Akita Prefecture remained quite isolated until the 14th century. As a point of fact, the Hokkaido region is often referred to as the Ezo-chi or “Land of the Ainus” even today.

Dogs from China and Korea had begun to trickle into Japan under the reign of Emperor Jinmu, about 660 BC. With the introduction of Christianity in the 15th century, all sorts of dogs began to arrive in Japan along with their European owners. The mastifftype influence is still seen in dogs with an excess of skin, loose eyelids and hanging ears....