Bred in the mountains of Japan's Akita Prefecture since the 1600s as a hunter of bears, boar, and elk, the Akita is famous worldwide thanks to Hachiko, the dog who waited at Shibuya Station for his deceased owner for nine years. A symbol of loyalty in Japanese culture, today's Akita is dignified, quiet, and intensely bonded to one family. Not a dog for novices: they show strong same-sex dog aggression, are wary of strangers, and require careful early socialization. Average lifespan 10–13 years.
