History: The Akita was developed originally as a hunting dog in the northernmost province of the island of Honshu. Hunting singly or in pairs to track large game such as bears and hold them at bay. They also hunted stag and wild boar. Later in the 19th and early 20th centuries dog fighting became a major Japanese sport. The Akita was cross-bred to increase its size and aptitude for fighting. Alarmed that the original qualities of the Akita were being diminished, a group of Akita owners collaborated to preserve the breed and wrote a standard (a description) in 1938, it remains the same today.

The breed difficulties were not over, for following World War II in Japan, food was scarce and people could not support owning large dogs. The breed was almost
wiped out due to starvation. The Akita's survival is attributed in part to American servicemen in Japan, who admired the large noble dogs and took them into their families. Many became attached to their Akitas and although against Japanese law, due to the scarcity of the breed, brought their Akitas with them upon returning to the United States. However, the first Akita in the United States, was brought here by the renowned Helen Keller. (full story of Helen Keller's Akitas w/pictures) In 1937 Ms. Keller and her companion, Ms. Polly Thomson embarked on an extended speaking tour taking them throughout much of Japan. Ms. Keller was most highly revered by the Japanese people often being referred to as "Saint Keller...Saint of Three Burdens...Miracle Saint...Miracle Hands...Great Heart of Love...Light of All Miracles...Sacred Light. No foreign visitor had ever been met with such enthusiastic reception. When Ms. Keller expressed desire to meet (have) an Akita, the wheels were put in motion for her to do so. A young Police Department instructor (five belts Kendo master) Mr. Ichiro Ogasawara, an Akita owner himself, was asked to arrange for Ms. Keller to get one. He soon learned that the mature dog taken to her was inappropriate and arranged to introduce his own new puppy "Kamakaze-Go to her. She was enchanted. Mr. Ogasawara decided to make Kamakaze-Go a gift to Saint Keller and a formal presentation took place on June 14th, the pup then just 75 days old.

The Akita has exploded in popularity over the last few years and with that has
come the necessity for rescue groups to form, these dedicated organizations
take displaced/abandoned Akitas and find new devoted homes for them. Many
deserving Akitas have been given a second chance. Spaying and neutering of pet
quality Akitas is very important. We all know there are not enough homes for
all the companion pets being born, and many purebreds die in shelters.