The Akita Inu, the pride of Japan, is actually the biggest of all six native Japanese dog breeds – others being the Shiba Inu, Kai Ken, Shikoku, Hokkaido, and the Kishu. This is an incredibly beautiful Spitz-type dog that is best known after its great strength, amazing loyalty and dominant attitude. Indeed, the Akitas are above anything else very tough, powerful, brave, determined, athletic, agile, and hardy, but also very intelligent, docile, resourceful and independent. They make wonderful family dogs, but are also known as superb guard dogs and watchdogs. Yep, the Japanese Akita is very territorial, very protective, and ready to give its life in defense of its family. Considering how large, strong and heavy these dogs actually are (males up to 26 inches (66 cm) height and 122 pounds (55 kg) weight), it’s not hard to guess that strangers can be in serious trouble if enter the owner’s property unannounced. So, if you own this dog you should definitely put a proper ‘beware of dog’ warning on your front gate! Apart from that, this dog is usually not willing to share its space with too many other animals. That’s why it is of great importance that you socialize and train your dog in obedience as soon as possible. Of course, it will take you some time to have your Akita well-mannered and well-behaved, but once you get the job done, it will be a pure joy to share your living space with this wonderful and authentic dog. And now let’s take a look at our list of ten most interesting Akita Inu facts. Continue Reading →
Dog History
Ten Most Interesting Shiba Inu Facts
The Shiba Inu is a small Spitz type dog originating from Japan. Together with the Akita Inu, this is definitely the most famous Japanese dog breed in the world. Well, that is not hard to guess, considering how truly awesome, appealing and cute Shiba actually is. Indeed, this is a type of dog that will literally put a smile on your face at first sight. The Shiba Inu is small, attentive, lively, and quirky, with a lovely, fox-like look and cute gaze. This dog is also incredibly loyal, highly intelligent, brave, tenacious, alert, agile, and proud. He is literally the embodiment of good spirit, boldness and alertness, which is the reason he is so prized in his native land. On top of that, the Shiba Dog is very clean and likes to take care of himself, which makes him suitable for almost all living conditions, including apartments. However, though it might seem this is an obedient, calm family pet, that is actually far from truth. The Shiba Inu is one of the most stubborn, independent and least trainable dogs you can find. Besides, he is an independent thinker, which will test your will to the limits. So yeah, in order to put one of these in its place, you will have to dedicate a lot of time to its training and socialization. Now combine all of this and it’s perfectly clear that this is an irresistible dog with an unbreakable will and kingly mentality. With that being said, it is time to take a look at our list of ten most interesting Shiba Inu facts. Continue Reading →
American Eskimo Dog Breed Info And Characteristics
The American Eskimo Dog or American Spitz (Eskimo Spitz, American Eskimo Spitz, Eskie) is a Nordic Spitz-type dog that originated in the US at the beginning of the 20th century, but it actually descended from the European Spitz dogs. In fact, the breed was probably developed from a one variety of the white German Spitz, with influences from other similar breeds, such as the white Keeshonden, the Volpino Italiano, and the larger white Pomeranian. Although purebred, the white Keeshonden and the larger Pomeranians were excluded by the breed standard. So, they became pets of the working people, who brought them into the US in the 1900s. In fact, all these breeds were imported in America by German (mainly) and other European immigrants. At the beginning of the 20th century, these Nordic-type dogs became quite common all around the US, especially in the immigrant communities. At that time, these dogs were all referred to as the American Spitz rather than the German Spitz, and were mainly used as watchdogs and property guardians, as well as working farm dogs. They were highly prized for their incredible intelligence and trainability, but also because of their fluffy, cute look. Continue Reading →
Carolina Dog Breed Info And Characteristics
The Carolina Dog (Swamp Dog, Native Dog, Old Yeller Dog, Ol’ Yaller, Yellow Dog, Native American Dog, Southern Aboriginal Dog) or American Dingo (American Pariah, American Pariah Dog, Dixie Dingo, Southern Dingo) is an ancient landrace dog or a pariah dog that originated more than 10.000 years ago in East Asia. According to some DNA studies, this breed is actually a direct descendant of the original Asian Pariah Dogs, whose ancestors were the Asian wolves. So, this is definitely one of the oldest and most primitive dogs in the world. Based on its appearance, many experts believed that the American Pariah is the close relative of the Australian Dingo and the New Guinea Singing Dog, but a new study of this breed’s mDNA haplotypes confirmed that there is no direct genetic relationship between them. However, another, more recent genetic study confirmed that the breed definitely originated in East Asia, so there’s still a possibility that these three landraces are somehow related. With all that being said, you probably wonder, how this breed ended up in the North America then? Well, this happened some 8.000 years ago when the primitive Paleolithic men reached America through the Bearing Strait crossing. Their pariah dogs accompanied them at this long and perilous journey that led them through West America all the way down to the Southeast of the continent. The American Dingo is actually the direct descendant of these dogs, together with the Basketmaker Dog and the Kentucky Shell Heap Dog, which are now extinct unfortunately. Continue Reading →
Afghan Hound Dog Breed Info And Characteristics
The Afghan Hound (Ogar Afgan, Balkh Hound, Baluchi Hound, Barakzai Hound, Kuchi Hound, Shalgar Hound, Kabul Hound, Galanday Hound, Eastern Greyhound, Persian Greyhound) or Tazi Spay (Sag-e Tazi, Tazi, Tazi Dog, Da Kochyano Spay, Sage Balochi) is an ancient Middle Eastern Sighthound that originated in the Mountains of Afghanistan. Unfortunately, very little is known of the early history of this basal breed that predates all modern dog breeds. There are many theories among the breed fanciers about how it came into being (the most popular opinion is that these dogs had arrived in the region of Afghanistan from Egypt more than 4.000 years ago), but there is almost no evidence to support either of these. However, there’s no doubt that the Ogar Afgan has the identical ancestry with some other Sighthounds from the Tian Shan region, Turkmenistan, Arabian Peninsula, and the Caspian Sea area of Russia, such as the Tasy, Kurram Valley Hound, Barakzay, and the Saluki. In fact, the Tazi Dog is thought to be the closest relative of the Saluki, which is quite reasonable since they share many traits, including hunting together with falcons. They are both included in the group of 14 ancient breeds – the oldest and purest dogs in the world, closely related to the wolf. In this group are some of the most famous dog breeds around the world, such as the Pekingese, Basenji, Samoyed, Chow Chow, Siberian Husky, Shar-Pei, etc. Continue Reading →