| Shiba Inu and Akitas look alike. They have the same | | | | stopped when the emperor disallowed dog fighting in |
| stature, color and share a lot of their characteristics. | | | | Japan, to avoid cruelty to animals. |
| The Shiba Inu has a long history dating back more | | | | After the war, Akitas and other dogs were killed |
| than a thousand years. This is the common trait of | | | | excessively to make coats. The remaining Akitas |
| independence and intelligence. | | | | were bred with German Shepherds that the |
| This doesn't mean they are not loyal. It is quite the | | | | conquering Americans had. A few pure bred Akitas |
| opposite. A Shiba Inu may be more loyal than other | | | | survived this decade. After this decade the love |
| dogs. The problem is their loyalty is not that easy to | | | | affair with Akitas was renewed and now they are |
| get. It needs to be taken from the Shiba Inu with a | | | | considered national monuments in Japan. |
| strong hand and a firm no. They do respond to | | | | Akita breeders' dogs are known to have an |
| positive reinforcement but they still need to know | | | | undesirable temperament and reputation of hard |
| who their leader is, much like an Akita. | | | | headedness. If their temperament is left unchecked |
| Unlike an Akita, The Shiba Inu breeders grow dogs | | | | the Akita can be aggressive and destructive at times. |
| smaller in stature, growing up to 14 to 17 inches from | | | | This stresses the importance of early training. Training |
| the floor to its shoulder. Its weight will be around 23 | | | | should occur while the Akitas are still pups. This is |
| lbs. for adults. | | | | where a responsible Akita breeder can do wonders |
| The Akita is another breed that originated in ancient | | | | for their dogs. Since these dogs need a lot of care it |
| Japan. Genetically speaking, the Akita is one of the | | | | is important they go to a loving home that can |
| most ancient of dog breeds in the world. Next to the | | | | attend to the dogs needs. |
| Shiba Inu, which was its probable source, these are | | | | An Akita is very loyal to its family and would do |
| the most ancient breeds in Japan. | | | | anything to protect its territory. Once it has bonded |
| The Akita has a long and eventful history. It has | | | | with his master and his family, the Akita will go up to |
| gone through several wars and at a point was at the | | | | the point of protecting you and your family once it |
| brink of extinction. It was originally bred for hunting | | | | has sensed that there is impending danger ahead, and |
| purposes where it was used to hunt down deer, | | | | it will protect you with his very own life. |
| Black bear and other animals. This is where they | | | | Both the Shiba Inu and Akita breeds are great dogs. |
| gained their fierceness. | | | | It is the responsibility of both Shiba Inu breeders and |
| Before the First World War they were even used by | | | | Akita breeders to make sure that the dogs are well |
| samurais in dog fights to maintain their bloodlust at a | | | | taken care of wherever they go. |
| time when there was no fighting. That eventually | | | | |