Collection: Personalised Japanese Akita Gifts

Known for their loyalty, the Japanese Akita is a spitz-type dog breed for hunting and fighting in Japan's cold mountains. This powerful breed has a dignified and elegant look and a courageous spirit; they make wonderful companions if they have an experienced handler.

The breed originated in the snowy and mountainous Akita region, where the Japanese Akita would help hunt Elk, wild boar, and Ussuri brown bears. As we entered the 20th century, the breed declined due to being crossbreed with other dogs and losing their spitz characteristics. There was a drive to bring back the breed, which led to the split between the American Akita and the Japanese Akita. During the Russo-Japanese war, these dogs helped hunt down prisoners of war and lost sailors. In World War two they were used as scouts and guard dogs. The most famous Japanese Akita was an example of the breed's extreme loyalty. Hachiko was a Japanese Akita born in 1923. He would follow his owner, Professor Ueno, to and from the Shibuya train station every day. However, in 1925, tragedy struck when the professor suffered a fatal brain haemorrhage at work and never returned. For the next nine years, Hachiko would walk to the station every morning and every evening to patiently wait for his owner to come back. Shortly before Hachiko's death, a statue was erected to honour his loyalty, and now each year since 1936, Hachiko's devotion is honoured in a solemn ceremony.

The Japanese Akita is courageous, dignified, and loyal to a fault. They make fantastic companions that enjoy being with their owners. However, they are not the right dog for novice owners as they need experienced handlers. They tend to dislike other animals and can show same-sex aggression. Japanese Akita needs to be socialised well from birth and be trained well to avoid unwanted behaviours.