Dog attack at WTMJ/Dog Discussion

[Thurston Fluff]

Backup is correct that Akitas were bred for fighting at one point, but the breed originated from those that were used to hunt bears. Also, they weren't bred specifically for dog fighting for thousands of years, it was closer to ~200 years

 

Didn't communicate that very well multi tasking while typing. Akitas were oringinally bred as bear hunting dogs for over a thousand years. They were not bred as a hound to find the bears but but to take them on after found. It was the Japanese version of bears which runs about 75 pounds if memory serves not a big bear by any means. Still the need for a tough dog is there. Sorry wasn't clear on that point. While not bred specifically for dog fighting until much later they have been bred for high bite pressure and agressivness for a long time. I think one thing that helped the breed was after the bear breeding they became royal court dogs. They often were used as playmates of sorts for children in the aristicrats families. Which I would imagine meant some of the breeding habits must have changed. If you've ever seen an akita around kids it's weird how they seem to understand the differance between kids and adults. The two we've had, and from what I've read they are the norm, are aloof towards people in general. Ours will walk away from you while petting them and tend to like to be on their own. When it comes to kids though it's entirely differant tolerant freindly and outgoing. Great, very fun, dogs but they do require more training than the average dog.

 

Almost forgot this fun fact. Helen Keller had the first two documented Akitas in the US.