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We sometimes meet rare dog breeds at our London vet. This was where we first discovered a Podengo Pequeno. At that time, we had not heard of the breed. But Brando, a Labrador look-alike who normally disdains all small dogs was quite attracted to this small female. That was when we realized that he had some Podengo Medio in his genes.
Maria our Podengo Medio actively dislikes most smaller dogs. But she was interested in this male Akita Inu, at least until he made the cardinal error of sniffing her bottom. The Akita was a little smaller than Maria, but possibly heavier at say 15kg/35lbs. A stockier, heavily furred dog, he carries his tail curved above his back like a Podengo, He has fixed upright ears, well-covered with thick hair like a Husky. He has a white patch on his forehead and a white tip to his furry tail like Brando. He also has a white waistcoat and white apron strings like Maria. His color is fawn with white socks and a white chest, like a Podengo.
The Akita originated in the northern part of the main Japanese island of Honshu, which has a harsh winter climate. Wild boar, deer and Asian black bear live in its thickly forested mountains. All of these were hunted by Akitas, which would chase them and hold them at bay until the hunters caught up. So their role was not unlike the Podengo`s, although their prey were larger and more powerful. Like the Podengo it is classed as a Spitz or primitive hunting dog. It is possibly a direct descendant of the Siberian wolf. Its closest relatives are the Chow and the Siberian Husky, which live across the Sea of Japan, on the Asia mainland. Putin has an Akita.
Akitas are famously loyal. One used to accompany its owner to the Shibuya rail station in Tokyo, every day and wait there for his afternoon return. When Professor Ueno died at work and failed to return, the Akita continued to wait for him daily at the station for nine years.
Akitas became popular in the US before the war and during the occupation of Japan, when some were adopted by servicemen. The American Akita is now generally larger and more powerful than the Japanese original. From the US, Akitas spread to other english-speaking countries.
Maria our Podengo Medio actively dislikes most smaller dogs. But she was interested in this male Akita Inu, at least until he made the cardinal error of sniffing her bottom. The Akita was a little smaller than Maria, but possibly heavier at say 15kg/35lbs. A stockier, heavily furred dog, he carries his tail curved above his back like a Podengo, He has fixed upright ears, well-covered with thick hair like a Husky. He has a white patch on his forehead and a white tip to his furry tail like Brando. He also has a white waistcoat and white apron strings like Maria. His color is fawn with white socks and a white chest, like a Podengo.
The Akita originated in the northern part of the main Japanese island of Honshu, which has a harsh winter climate. Wild boar, deer and Asian black bear live in its thickly forested mountains. All of these were hunted by Akitas, which would chase them and hold them at bay until the hunters caught up. So their role was not unlike the Podengo`s, although their prey were larger and more powerful. Like the Podengo it is classed as a Spitz or primitive hunting dog. It is possibly a direct descendant of the Siberian wolf. Its closest relatives are the Chow and the Siberian Husky, which live across the Sea of Japan, on the Asia mainland. Putin has an Akita.
Akitas are famously loyal. One used to accompany its owner to the Shibuya rail station in Tokyo, every day and wait there for his afternoon return. When Professor Ueno died at work and failed to return, the Akita continued to wait for him daily at the station for nine years.
Akitas became popular in the US before the war and during the occupation of Japan, when some were adopted by servicemen. The American Akita is now generally larger and more powerful than the Japanese original. From the US, Akitas spread to other english-speaking countries.
