representatives from each side, called a meeting of all Akita enthusiasts. The four were John Dunhill, Jill Bingham, Mike Window and Meg Purnell-Carpenter, who together formed the Japanese Akita Association, which gained acceptance by The Kennel Club in 1987.
The Japanese Akita, as the breed is known in the UK, competes in the Utility Group, whereas in the US the breed competes in the Working Group. October 1998 saw the first Japanese Akita Association Open Show, run by the newly formed breed club, and the first Challenge Certificates (CCs) were awarded at Crufts in 1990. The dog CC and Best of Breed went to the imported Ch. Tamarlane’s Veni Vidi Vici, owned by Mike Window. Veni Vidi Vici went on to become the first male champion to be made up; the first bitch was Ch. Goshens Classy Sassy at Redwitch, owned by Dave and Jenny Killilea.
Since those early days, the breed has progressed, not only in the show ring but also in other areas. There are many Akitas that have received The Kennel Club Good Citizen Award. Some have become therapy dogs while others have taken to sledding. There is even one that has been participating in Afghan racing and has qualified in acceptable times!
The English American-type Akitas have made a great impact world-wide, many taking Best in Show and other top awards. In the UK, the Akitas have consistently been winning groups and group placements at Championship Shows, which must make this breed one of the most competitive in the show world.
At the Crufts Dog Show in 1999, Eng-Nor. Ch. Redwitch Dancin in the Dark won the Utility Group—a cause for celebration in the British Akita fancy.
In a published interview wherein she was asked which Akita not owned or bred at Overhill she considered to be the closest to the standard, Mrs. Purnell-Carpenter responded thusly, “The Akita closest to the breed standard would be The Widow Maker O’BJ. This superb male—a top-winning Akita in the US—is full of breed type, the nearest example to the breed standard. His outstanding attributes for me would be his wonderful head, hindquarter, vibrant color, movement and overall balance. I set him as my ideal. The Akita I have personally owned and bred that has been nearest to my ideal would be my Ch. Overhill’s Cherokee Lite Fut, a daughter of the above dog. She inherited her sire’s outstanding movement and hindquarters, excelling in bone and substance. She was one of the early English champion bitches to gain her title. In my opinion she would compete very strongly in today’s competition.”
Breeders in the UK have been surprisingly successful in restoring and selecting for correct ear size and tail carriage, and, in the 21st century, two of the top-winning Great Japanese Dogs in Europe are American imports owned by Katharina Round in France.
“HACHI-KO”
There is a very famous story that endears many to the Akita. In the 1930s there was a dog named “Hachi-Ko,” who each day would go to the local train station to meet his beloved owner, Professor Uneo, who arrived on the evening train from work. On one occasion his master did not arrive, having suffered a fatal heart attack while at work. Such was the dog’s loyalty to his master that he sat and waited daily at the station for his master’s return.
Although commuters had accepted the dog’s daily presence as natural, everyone was terribly saddened by the sight of the faithful dog waiting for his master. No doubt, many wished for a way to tell the dog that his master would never again arrive on the train. Every day, the big Akita met the train and watched hopefully as the passengers stepped down from the train. Day by day, he grew thinner and ever more depressed.
Commuters brought him food and finally the station master provided him with a bed, but Hachi-Ko took no comfort in their attentions. His owner’s former gardener took the dog in, but it was not Hachi-Ko’s home. Gradually he began to spend more and more time at the station. Dr. Itagaki, a veterinarian and good friend of Professor Uneo, provided medical attention as required. Hachi-Ko grew older. He waited.
By 1932 the press had picked up his story and a bronze statue was commissioned in honor of his fidelity. The Society for the Preservation of Japanese Dogs unveiled the statue in April 1934. Shibuya Station commuters and onlookers were suitably impressed, but the old dog was not. The bronze monument did nothing to lift his unbearable sadness. Still he waited.
Author Meg Purnell-Carpenter poses with the bronze statue of Hachi-Ko. The Society for the Preservation of Japanese Dogs originally unveiled the statue to Hachi- Ko in April 1934 in the Shibuya Station Square.
Japan’s fondness for its great Akitas is evident in modern-day Tokyo and other cities in Japan. Hachi-Ko’s statue is flanked by a huge marble mosaic depicting Akitas of all ages.
He died the following year at 11 years of age, which is not really old for an Akita, but Hachi-Ko had been too lonely for too many years. The statue of Hachi-Ko is still in the same place today, although the original was melted down to make ammunition during the war. After the war, the son of the original sculptor was commissioned to recreate the statue. School children sent monies and the statue was rebuilt in the same place at Shibuya Station Square. Hachi-Ko was “home again,” and it brought a measure of reassurance that all would be right with the world. Today he looks with unblinking wonder at the modern world around him.
He was no show dog, but he sits in the square outside the station, with his one soft ear, seeming to observe all that comes and goes to the station. Many people touch his likeness for luck, and it is now well worn and smooth in places. As a further mark of respect, Hachi-Ko is now flanked by a huge marble mosaic depicting Akitas of all ages.
This unique meeting place is called Hachi-Ko Plaza, and it has become a meeting place for businessmen and a place for lovers. It was, in fact, young students of Tokyo University who finally realized that something wasn’t quite right. There was one more thing that must be done in order that Hachi-Ko might finally be at peace. In 1983 the students carried a bust of Professor Uneo from the school and placed it next to the statue of Hachi-Ko. Man and dog were finally reunited and in a respectful and simple ceremony conducted by the students; a story of undying loyalty received a postscript. Hachi-Ko was finally at rest next to his beloved master.
THE CAT’S MEOW
Although not related to the feline species, the Akita shares many attributes with the cat. He is extraordinarily clean in the house. He often cleans himself with his paws and buries his feces just like a cat. Similar to a cat’s penchant for the aquatic, the Akita will instinctively choose fish over steak, though, true to his Nipponese beginnings, he also loves rice and fruit! Just as most cats hate water, the Akita does not like to swim even though he is strong and buoyant in the water. Akitas are dignified enough to endure comparison to the feline, but, for the record, most Akitas are not terribly fond of kitties.
IS THE AKITA FOR YOU?
Today we are asked, what is the breed like to live with? Both authors are great believers that a dog is what you make it. Having said that, this breed is different. It is strong in character, feels no pain or at least does not admit to it,
