The Akita was originally known as the “snow country dog,” but he was sometimes called Akita-Ainu, meaning “son of dogs.”  The term may have its roots in a fable in which the “First Dog” was an Akita, and all that came after him were the children of First Dog, and then the grandchildren of First Dog, and so on.

Akita used to be able to speak like a human, but with speech can come pride, and the Akita didn’t much appreciate being told by people what to do and what not to do. He especially didn’t care for the word “master,” particularly since he wasn’t it.  Akita resented the position that people gave him – namely, something short of a human being, outrageous since he was one of the earth’s firstborn. Akita expected equal, if not top billing.

As the story goes, First Hunter took Akita with him to hunt, then later would brag to his woman about his prowess and bravery as a hunter. First Hunter did this, and First Hunter killed that, and look how much First Hunter brought home to eat. Hearing this and getting none of the credit made Akita’s heart turn cold, and he determined to set the record straight.

One day, Akita told First Hunter to enter a stand of trees where he would find game. Asking what the game was, Akita lied and said it was a deer. First Hunter was taken aback by the break in their hunting routine, which was for Akita to go first, but Akita explained that he would wait beyond the trees and stop the deer from escaping. Believing this, First Hunter entered the grove of trees, but what met him wasn’t a deer, it was a mighty bear that killed First Hunter with one swipe of his huge paw.

Satisfied at the outcome, Akita next decided to return home and marry First Hunter’s wife. She was, of course, saddened, but Akita comforted her by explaining that she would not be alone, and that First Hunter’s wish as he lay dying in Akita’s paws was that they marry. First Hunter’s woman was growing suspicious as to what really happened, but when Akita boldly stated that above all, First Hunter wanted them to live together as Dog and Wife, she could bear the lies no further. She whisked the broom she’d been using to sweep dirt away at Akita which got him a mouthful of dirt. Choking, he couldn’t speak, the words weren’t there!  As they said, Akita had “bitten the dust,” but he was not dead, he was forever silent.

That is why it’s said today that Akitas can’t speak as they once could, and that when given the chance, an Akita will dig in the dirt trying to find his voice.

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