By: Lisa Foo, with the help of A Passion For Paws

Big, scary, dangerous. These are some words that might come to mind when you think of an Akita. 

But you'd be sorely mistaken. 

Venerated in their native land of Japan, akitas are national symbols of courage, dignity, and longevity. Famous Akitas include Blossom Gabriella, professional model and chicken chaser, and Hachiko, Japan's most loyal dog. And loyal they are—Akitas were originally bred to protect royalty and hunt bears. 

Akitas are believed to be reincarnations of Japanese Shoguns, or military dictators, who had brought dishonor to themselves or to their families. According to Japanese folklore, being reborn as an Akita gives them a chance at redemption by allowing them to prove their loyalty to their owners. So loyal are Akitas, that mothers would leave their babies with the family Akitas while they did domestic work or tended to crops. 

So how exactly did their reputation as "dangerous" dogs come about? 

Just as every dog is unique, every Akita has its own personality. Saying it's unfair to stereotype all Akitas as being aggressive or dangerous would be an understatement, as many of their personality traits are influenced by their upbringing. But Akitas are perhaps one of the most misunderstood dog breeds. 

When public shelters are overcrowded, they are often mandated to "destroy" dogs to free up space. Sadly, large dogs, including Akitas, are always the first to go. Some Akita shelters turn away mixed-breed Akitas to "preserve" the breed, leaving countless dogs homeless. 

Enter A Passion For Paws Akita Rescue, where I recently had the pleasure of visiting. They are a no-kill non-profit organization based in Southern California that rescues homeless akitas and other large dogs from abuse, abandonment, and death. Dedicated to saving the lives of Akitas, the rescue organization provides them with food, housing, and medical care, while utilizing social media to help them find forever homes.

It was the rescue from which my good friend Aiko Wan adopted Blossom eight years ago. Over the years, the shelter has rescued over 2000 Akitas, many of whom end up in happy, loving families like Blossom.

When it comes to understanding an Akita's personality, there are a few important things to note. It is not advisable to approach an Akita the same way one would approach a golden retriever, for instance — never make direct eye contact with an Akita when you are being introduced to one for the first time. Instead, avert your gaze and allow the Akita to sniff you. If it ignores you, do not be disappointed; this is a good sign.

If an Akita fixates on you or another dog, it could potentially become aggressive. In such a case, the Akita should be distracted with a high value object (such as treats, or its favorite toy), and you should not make any further attempts to approach it. While this rarely happens, it is sadly often the result of abuse. 

As with any other dog, it is important to respect an Akita's space and refrain from approaching it enthusiastically, even if your intentions are good. Most people would be startled (at the very least!) if a stranger ran towards them and hugged them in public, so it is not unreasonable for dogs to react similarly. 

A Passion For Paws is committed to ensuring every one of their Akitas is in good hands. For this reason, they have an adoption protocol to keep adopters accountable. They mandate microchipping for every dog that leaves the shelter, and provide care packages for adopters. In rare instances where adopters can no longer care for their Akitas, the shelter requires them to return their Akitas. 

If you would like to be a volunteer, adopt an Akita, or make a donation, visit A Passion For Paws' website or visit them on Facebook or Instagram. Every contribution directly supports the lives of homeless dogs, giving them a chance at a happy life. 

Special thanks to Shelly Nunez and the team at A Passion For Paws! The Animal Welfare Station is happy to help edify the general public about the misconceptions surrounding Akitas, and we strongly support adoption as we believe it saves two lives. Once again, we would like to express our gratitude to A Passion For Paws for their dedication and for providing us the valuable opportunity to learn about Akitas.

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