17 Akita dogs visited Barga this morning, all born in Barga and ranging from 3 months old to 3 years old. They visited Barga Vecchia and of course found their way up to the high point of the city -- the Duomo with their guide, Marco Rocchiccioli.
Marco Rocchiccioli from the Casa dell’Akita -- Loc. Pedona, Barga (LU) -- facebook page is here
The Akita is a large breed of dog originating from the mountainous regions of northern Japan. The Akita has a short double-coat similar to that of many other northern spitz breeds such as the German Shepherd or Siberian Husky, but long-coated dogs can be found in many litters due to a recessive gene.
The Akita is a powerful, independent and dominant breed, commonly aloof with strangers but affectionate with family members.
The Akita originates from native Japanese dogs from the Akita prefecture of northern Japan and go back up to 1000 years. Predecessors of the modern Akita were used for hunting bear, wild boar and deer in Japan as late as 1957. They would be used to flush out the bear and keep it at bay until the hunter could come and kill it. Today, the breed is used primarily as a companion dog.
In 1931, the Akita was officially declared a Japanese Natural Monument. The Mayor of Odate City in Akita Prefecture organized the Akita Inu Hozonkai to preserve the original Akita as a Japanese natural treasure through careful breeding.