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Although the American Akita has a long history in Japan, the breed really became known after World War II. American soldiers returning from Japan brought with them heavy, molosser type Akitas - dogs that they were so devoted to that they did not want to leave them behind. The breed at this time was known as the Akita and once in the US, these dogs were called American Akitas. The breed, even today, is known as the Akita in the US, but is divided into two types; the American Akita and the Japanese Akita. The Japanese Akita is a smaller and lighter Spitz which was earlier used in hunting and immensely popular in its country of origin. The Akita Club of America was founded in 1956 under the auspices of the American Kennel Club. This Club is devoted to the American Akita. A Stud Book was opened for the breed and all specimens were registered in this Stud Book until 1972 when it was closed, but had served an important role in collecting data of the American Akita.
 
The first American Akitas were imported to Finland in the late 1980's to early 1990's. Until the year 2000 the breed was known as the Akita. When the Japanese type Akita became more popular in Europe, we faced a problem as the same breed had two totally different types under the same name so to speak! The two breeds had grown very much apart on two different continents - the American Akita in the US and the Japanese Akita in his native country.
 
A decision was made therefore to split the breeds into two and this took place in early 2000. The Japanese type Akita remained registered as the Akita and the American type was re-named to Great Japanese Dog (currently American Akita). Thus the two unique breeds were now officially separated and selective breeding could begin.
 
The origin of the American Akita dates a long way back in the Japanese history. The American Akitas forefathers were called Odate Inus according to the village of Odate and Inu simply denoting dog. The forefathers of the Odate Inu and the current Japanese Akita have certainly been, at least partly, the same dogs. The Odate Inu was a large and very heavily built molosser type dog which was used for guarding and dog-fighting. The distinct molosser type was secured through using Bulldogs, Bull Terriers, Mastiffs, Great Danes and St. Bernards as well as another Japanese breed, the mighty Tosa Inu, in the breeding programme. These molosser type Akitas were the most common breed in Japan after World War II as most other breeds were almost extinct because of the war. The American soldiers took back home with them just these heavy, molosser type Akitas which immediately became quite popular in the US.
 
 
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