Akita Inu belongs to one of the most ancient dog breeds. These Spitz-like animals were bred in the northern part of Japan, more precisely on the island of Honshu in Akita Prefecture, which is how they got their name. Muscular Akitas, covered with thick short hair, look a little funny and plush-toy, but at the same time they have a rather independent and dominant character, which must be corrected through persistent training, and demand respect. That's why these pets are best suited for confident and calm people, or at least experienced dog lovers. However, despite its largely difficult character, the Akita Inu dog has truly earned nationwide love and recognition. Let's tell you why.
Yorkshire Terrier - breed characteristics, care, education and maintenance
The Yorkshire Terrier is one of the most popular breeds of miniature dogs in the world. These are smart, cheerful and cheerful pets. In addition to these positive character traits, Yorkies are one of those rare types of dogs that do not have an undercoat, do not shed and do not cause allergic reactions! Let's take a closer look at this breed and find out what a Yorkshire Terrier looks like, how to care for it, what to feed and where to buy puppies?
History of the breed
Yorkshire Terrier dogs originated in England in the 18th century during the Industrial Revolution. Since large breed dogs were banned, and cats were considered unclean animals, the need arose for dwarf dogs capable of exterminating small rodents.
By order of the monarchs, people began to select and breed small dogs, which were used as rat catchers on farms and local coal mines. These dogs were larger than their modern counterparts.
As a result of the mixing of several terrier breeds, the Yorkshire Terrier was born, and in 1886 it was registered in the Kennel Club stud book. The dog's name was Huddersfield Be and he became known as the founder of the breed.
How the Akita Inu breed of domestic dog appeared and developed
Research in the field of genetics confirms that there are 14 ancient dog breeds all over the world and, as already mentioned, this list includes the Akita Inu. Proof of this is the images of animals that have survived to this day and are very similar in appearance to this breed. More than two thousand years ago, the ancestors of the Akita lived in the northern territories of the island of Honshu, but the image of the Akita Inu that is familiar to us today was formed already in the 17th century. According to experts, the breed appeared as a result of crossing a mastiff with one of two types of dogs - a Siberian husky or a Spitz-type dog.
Historical sources from ancient times claim that the very ancestors of the Akita, whose habitat was the island of Honshu, were called Matagi Inu: the Matagi are an ethnic community of hunters, and “inu” means “dog” in Japanese. Matagi Inu were truly indispensable assistants to hunters, as they allowed them to hunt even such large and hardy wild animals as bears or wild boars.
In the early stages of the breed's development, local peasants were interested in it. However, over time, it became in demand among the nobility, to the point that already in the 18th century this breed began to be considered elite, and these dogs were happily kept by representatives of the ruling aristocracy and the imperial family. Caring for animals at court was truly royal and was even included in the palace ceremonies, and the emperor himself signed a law according to which anyone who dared to offend or, even worse, take the life of an Akita Inu, was subjected to the most severe punishment.
In the 12th-13th centuries, such entertainment as dog fighting appeared in the country and rapidly gained momentum, therefore, as a result of the most severe selection, only the strongest, hardiest and most evil matags, also known as Akitas, were kept. And in order for the dogs to become even more fighting, large and aggressive, they were crossed with “foreign” mastiffs and bullmastiffs. In addition, a wave of crime swept across Japan, and these dogs were retrained from their usual hunting “specialization” into guard dogs, which also could not but affect the initially peaceful nature of Akitas.
Description of the Yorkshire Terrier breed
In many countries there is a conditional division of the breed into:
However, according to the breed standard, the weight of an adult dog should not exceed the norm - 3.1 kg; nothing is said about the minimum weight and height of the animal.
Despite its miniature size, this breed has a proportional build.
Interesting fact! The smallest dog, a Yorkshire terrier named Big Boss, weighed 481 grams and was only 11.9 centimeters tall.
How much does an Akita Inu puppy cost?
The cost of a purebred Akita Inu puppy can hardly be called too low, but if you try to save money, you risk getting an inferior, not purebred or even sick animal. On average, an Akita baby will cost you from 30 thousand to 90 thousand rubles. A fairly wide range of prices is due to differences in the color of the animals, the exhibition merits of the puppies’ parents, the degree of reliability of the kennel, etc. In addition, puppies with long hair will be cheaper, because, despite the genetic belonging to their breed, such dogs do not have the right to participation in exhibitions and competitions.
Training
Due to their character traits, pet training should begin as early as possible, at the age of 1-2 months.
If you decide to train your pet at home, then you will have a question: how to raise a dog correctly?
Follow the following recommendations and by the first year of life, the dog will delight you with its successes:
Remember! If you do not have the time or desire to train a dog, it is better to entrust this process to experienced dog handlers, otherwise there is a risk of getting a wayward and uncontrollable animal!
Suitable names for Akita Inu boy and girl
Akita Inu are exceptionally noble, loyal, intelligent and fearless animals. That is why it is advisable to give them nicknames that maximally reflect the main characteristic of the breed - dignity. Keeping in mind the origin of the dog, many seek to reward their pet with a beautiful Japanese name that carries a certain meaning. Such a nickname will sound original and mysterious, emphasizing the special ancient roots of the animal.
For example, for a boy these could be names such as Haruki (clear light), Aki (bright), Katsu (winner) or Makoto (sincere), and for girls - Maki (hope), Emi (lovely), Hoshi (star ) or Kimi (noble).
However, your Akita Inu is unlikely to be offended if you choose a name for him with a more traditional sound. For example, Paul, Louis, Ricky, Leo, Patrick, Baileys or Bruno - for a boy, Trixie, Sherry, Molly, Jena, Chubby, Leah or Chloe - for a girl.
Care and maintenance
Before you get a Yorkie, you need to know how to properly care for it. How to wash, comb and cut a dog? How long should you walk her and how often should her nails be trimmed? What to do with females and males during puberty?
Let's take a closer look at the above and other questions that an owner has when a Yorkshire Terrier appears in his home.
Health
Life expectancy is on average 12-15 years. They are not distinguished by the strongest health among their fellows, therefore they require more attention in care.
Yorkshire terriers are characterized by the following breed diseases:
Important! In order for your pet to always be healthy and feel good, it is necessary to follow preventive measures: regularly visit the veterinarian, get vaccinations on time and deworm the animal.
What to feed your Yorkshire Terrier
In order for your dog to feel good and have good health, monitor its nutrition from puppyhood. An important aspect is not only a balanced diet, but also the nutritional culture of your pet. Immediately teach the animal to accept food only from the hands of the owner and under no circumstances from strangers.
Train your puppy to have good manners and patience by doing the following:
Thus, you will not only raise an obedient dog, but also protect him from unnecessary troubles.
Now let's look at the most important issues in dog nutrition.
What should the portion be?
Due to its small size (up to 3 kg), a serving should be no more than 60 grams. And with this small amount of food it is necessary to provide the entire set of nutrients and microelements.
What food should I feed my dog?
Let's figure out together what to feed your pet - natural products or dry food and canned food.
Feeding dry food is very convenient, but there are pros and cons of such feeding.
Advantages of dry food:
Flaws:
If you prefer this type of food, then choose exclusively “premium” class food.
When preparing food for your pet yourself, consider the following recommendations:
The following foods are prohibited for the breed:
Important! It is unacceptable to mix types of feeding or suddenly change the diet.
What to feed a puppy
Until the age of three weeks, puppies should feed exclusively on their mother's milk. After this age has passed, babies can begin to be fed liquid cereals and cottage cheese.
At first, this is one feeding per day, immediately after receiving mother's milk. Next, you need to feed more often, bringing the amount to five.
Reviews about the breed
Christina: “When they gave me a Yorkshire terrier, I was confused because I knew nothing about this breed. But every day I spent with Juicy, I realized that this was exactly the dog I had dreamed of! It seems to me that there is simply no more affectionate, kinder and more loyal dog. Juicy won my heart with his energetic personality and love for me. Every time I return home, he greets me so joyfully that I immediately understand that he is a true, sincere friend!”
Vladimir: “I have always sincerely believed that small dogs are not for me, because I am a man, which means my dog should be big and representative. But my opinion changed radically when I came across the Yorkshire Terrier breed. I first saw a Yorkie at a friend's birthday party. And since then, the love for this breed has become even stronger. There are two pets living in my house: Louis and Tim, they are brothers. Yes, these are two bundles of inexhaustible energy!”
Tatyana: “I always wanted a small dog. I spent a long time choosing among different breeds until I decided on the Yorkshire Terrier. I read a lot of reviews, both positive and negative, so I decided that everything is individual. I purchased a puppy a year ago from experienced breeders and, in principle, I am happy with the choice. Eva brings a lot of joy to my life. She is an affectionate and loving girl. She and I are “on the same wavelength.” I love doing her hair, dressing her and taking her to the salon for various treatments.”
The character of the Akita Inu and the peculiarities of raising a pet
It is difficult to describe the character of the Akita Inu in a nutshell, because they are quite multifaceted animals. It is traditionally believed that Japanese Akitas are more frivolous and love games, while American Akitas are much more serious. However, neither of these dogs can definitely be called “sofa dogs”. Among the special character traits of pets are the following.
Strong sense of hierarchy
In relations with the owner and members of his family, as well as with other dogs, these dogs try to establish certain ranks and boundaries. That is why it is so important when raising a dog to ensure that it recognizes the owner as the leader already in the first months of the puppy’s life. Otherwise, the Akita will strive to dominate. For the same reason, you should not accustom your furry to the master’s bed: from an early age, the puppy must get used to the fact that the leader sleeps on the bed, and his companion sleeps on the floor, or on his own separate bed.
Critical and independent thinking
This trait of the Akita Inu is often regarded as stubbornness, but it can easily turn into nobility and restraint provided that the dog is properly raised, competently trained in a timely manner, and is sufficiently socialized.
Excellent learning ability
Dogs of this breed literally learn new knowledge and skills on the fly. However, their critical mind requires an understanding of the meaning of certain tasks, therefore, so that the pet does not get bored and does not show obstinacy, you should think of a worthy motivation. And, of course, it is worth starting training as early as possible: puppies must understand and execute the required standard set of commands by the age of two months.
Activity and courage
Akita Inu has no fear of heights at all, so you should protect your pet, especially during puppyhood, from open balconies and other potentially dangerous places. Akita also loves to run and frolic in open spaces, explore new places, etc. Therefore, as already said, this dog is not for the lazy.
Sensitivity
Akita Inu are very gentle and vulnerable dogs; they are extremely easy to offend with a rude word, a cool attitude or even a disapproving look.
Loyalty to the owner
Representatives of this breed cannot be called clingy, but they love to silently follow their owner everywhere. In addition, a properly raised Akita has fantastic patience and can modestly wait for hours for its person to come home from work. It is no coincidence that in 1932, Hachiko , an Akita Inu dog who met his owner at the railway station every day at the same time, became famous throughout Japan, and then throughout the world. When a man died at work, his devoted pet still came to the station for nine years, waiting for his return.
