Beau Designs

Akita Dog Products

The Akita is a muscular, double-coated dog that originated in the mountains of northern Japan, where they were trained to hunt large animals such as elk, boar, and bear. In Japan, the Akita symbolizes health, happiness, and long life. They are spitz-type dogs standing 24 to 28 inches at the shoulder and weighing 70 to 130 pounds. They live 10 to 14 years. Akitas are quiet, fastidious dogs, wary of strangers and often intolerant of other animals. They love companionship and are hard-wired to protect those they love. The most famous Akita was Hachiko. On May 25, 1925, when he was a young dog, he would wait for his owner’s arrival on the four o’clock train. One day his owner, Professor Ueno, suffered a fatal brain hemorrhage at work. Hachikō continued to travel to and from the station each day for the next nine years. He allowed others to care for him, but he never gave up the vigil at the station for Professor Ueno. His guard became known worldwide, and in 1934, shortly before his death, a statue was erected at the Shibuya train station to commemorate this Virgil. Another well-known Akita was Kenzan-go, Helen Keller’s constant companion and beloved pet.