I would like to tell you about my dog Bobby. He is a Japanese Akita and his pedigree name is Amada Glory Affect. We got him when he was six months old. He was only small then and now he has grown to full size at two years of age.   

When we first got him we had to house train him and stop him eating newspapers and books. Anything that was made of paper he ripped up. He was very nervous at first but he got used to his new family and home. After a few weeks we gave him his first bath as he was very dusty and smelly.

We took him to the vets for his injections and a check up. He was a bit underweight so we had to feed him small meals four times a day. Now he is full size he has two meals a day of dried dog food and we always make sure there is clean water for him too.

I have had a great time training him to sit, stay, lay down and wait; he is a good learner. He will also give you his paw. Akitas do not bark a lot but when they do it is very deep and loud, it can make you jump if you are not used to it.

Bobby is good with people and he is good with my younger nephews and nieces. If he has not met you before he will come up to you slowly and sniff you to say hello and when you stroke him he is your friend. 

The good thing about walking Bobby is lots of people come to talk to you and say “what a lovely dog he is!” and “is he friendly?” They ask what kind of dog he is. People go past in their cars and look at him. He makes people smile and that has to be a good thing. I keep saying I will get him his own fan club! 

I would like to tell you about the history of the breed which is very interesting. Akitas are very powerful and muscular and they are working dogs. The Japanese government holds the Akitas in high esteem, they are held as a national treasure in Japan. Akitas are hunting dogs known for their courage, good nature and keen intelligence.

Akitas have a double coated fur; the short outer coat is dense and harsh and stands away from the body but the under coat is soft and dense. The breed comes in a variety of colours and markings including all white, brindle and pinto.  Except for the white, all bear a distinct mask - a dark area around the muzzle. They have pointed ears set wide apart. They have small eyes that are deep set and brown. The tail is large and curved and is carried over its back.

Adult Akitas are approximately 24-28ins tall at the shoulder and weigh 75-110lbs (35-50 kgs) or more. The males are heavier than the females.

The breeds are regarded as protectors of the home, loyal companions and a symbol of good health and happiness in Japan. The Japanese give statues of this dog as presents to new parents at the birth of their child.

The modern breed originated in the mountains of northern Japan about 300 years ago. Original breeds were for fighting dogs; they were used for hunting deer, wild boar and black bears. Helen Keller, who visited Japan in 1937 to see the Akitas, introduced this dog to the USA.

A huge statue of an Akita was erected in the Shibuya station in Tokyo in 1920 to commemorate a faithful dog that daily greeted his master as he returned from work. The dog did this for 10 years after his master died.  

I hope you enjoyed my writing because I enjoy spending time with my dog.

By Lynne Montague