Akita is divided into large and small Akita is not divided into large and small, Akita has only one body type, which is large. Akita males are 63.5-71 cm tall at the shoulder and females are 58.4-66 cm tall at the shoulder, below the minimum level is out of order. Akita’s Origin StoryThe Akita is probably the most famous and noble of the Japanese native dog breeds. Although they look like the dogs depicted in ancient Japanese tombs, the modern Akita actually originated from one of the seven native dog breeds that the Japanese people worked together to save and revive in the 19th century. The Akita was one of the largest breeds, and many breeds were chosen to crossbreed with many fighting dogs to revive the breed. As time passed, Japanese breeders sifted through and eliminated many of the traits left behind by the fighting dogs, including the black face (like a mask), the spotted ones, and the oversized ones; however, American breeders continued these traits of the Akita, and in 1918, the Akita Conservation Association was established to maintain the pure Akita bloodline. In 1931, the Akita was established as a national symbol of Japan. The first Akita to arrive in the United States was brought back from Japan by Helen Keller in 1937. Subsequent to World War II, many officers who served in the military brought back many Akita dogs from Japan. However, the Akita population grew slowly until 1972 when the breed was recognized by the AKC. Since then, the Akita has steadily gained a following, and the population has continued to grow. Today, Akita dogs are used as guard dogs and police dogs in Japan.
