Orlovia
Also known as the Great Japanese Dog or American Akita, the Great Japanese Dog is closely related to the Japanese Akita. The latter formed a common breed together with the American Akita. However, the breeds diverged in Japan and the USA and so the breed division was established by the FCI in 2000.
Characteristics
The previously unified breed has a history in Japan that goes back at least to the 15th century. Many sources speak of thousands of years that Akitas can be proven in Japan. In 1931, the Japanese Akita was declared a Japanese natural monument. The breeding line from the USA is stronger and larger than the Japanese counterpart. The great genetic proximity of the Great Japanese Dog to the wolf can be experienced anew by its owner every day.
Great Japanese Dog Creature
Very instinctive, independent, and sometimes solitary, the dog subordinates itself hesitantly. His dominance rarely gets along with strangers and larger dogs. The tall Japanese guards the house and warily protects the family from anything unfamiliar.
The males are impressively equipped for this with up to 71 centimeters and almost 50 kilograms in weight – if there wasn’t a downright tendency to belittle this dog. His affiliation with the group of Asian leaders can hardly be denied.
The friendly face mask, dark eyes with a slightly triangular shape and relatively small, stiffly erect ears quickly arouse sympathy. The physique of the Great Japanese Dog is extremely compact and the dense, dirt-repellent fur matches this. It offers good protection with stiff stick hair and a thick, soft undercoat.
Fur
The coat is permitted in all colors:
- Red to reddish-brown
- White
- Black or black marks
The varieties are brindle, piebald, with and without markings. Whatever the coat, it is worn with great dignity, and its low maintenance makes up for the extra work put into training the dog. No matter how much the appearance invites to be petted – a Great Japanese Dog lives its close relationship to the wolf.
Nature of the Great Japanese Dog
Bear, wild boar, and deer were hunted with their ancestors! He also wants to work independently today. He has remained courageous, intelligent, and now and again stubborn. And yet an ideal housemate who loves his family.
In serene calm; he barks moderately and no more than is absolutely necessary. Contacts with humans are more important for him than with conspecifics. Its people and its animal roommates mean everything to the animal – strange dogs, on the other hand, remain competitors. In the form of a real dog, he explains this situation to you.
A double-edged sword: In addition to early anti-hunting training, a puppy course is mandatory. Early handling and getting used to other dogs is important to facilitate leadership. The strong sense of hierarchy demands an advanced dog owner.
Foresighted, self-confident, and patiently consistent, the tall beauty wants to be employed in a varied and challenging way. When the Great Japanese Dog cannot be used as an avalanche, search, or rescue dog, companion dog, gun dog, and farm dog duties are adequate balance.
Movement and workload must be, for example through nose work on the track and when mantrailing. The dog park alone is clearly not enough for him. Imagination and variety are a must for this breed.
The dog, who is not easy to handle, shows his gratitude in a remarkably unique, Japanese reserved way. If the animal internalizes the hierarchy to which it is entitled early and consistently, all that remains is the dog’s sincere love for its family.