# What kind of dog is this? **URL:** \ **Category:** Factual Questions\ **Created:** [July 29, 2010, 12:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-kind-of-dog-is-this/548442 "2010-07-29T12:53:41Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 13\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![Khadaji](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/9e8a1a/32.png) [@Khadaji](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Khadaji)\ **Post date:** [July 29, 2010, 12:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-kind-of-dog-is-this/548442/1 "2010-07-29T12:53:41Z")
A friend sent me a link to one of those LOL sites and asked me what kind of dog was in the pic. I don’t know - do any of you? [Link](http://ihasahotdog.com/2010/07/27/funny-dog-pictures-i-iz-too-big/) ---
**Author:** ![sandra\_nz](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/eada6e/32.png) [@sandra\_nz](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/sandra_nz)\ **Post date:** [July 29, 2010, 1:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-kind-of-dog-is-this/548442/2 "2010-07-29T13:07:01Z")
Akita, I think? > **[Akita (dog)](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Akita_Inu)** > > The Akita (秋田, Akita, Japanese pronunciation: \[akʲita\]) is a Japanese dog breed of large size. Originating from the mountains of northern Japan, the Akita has a short double coat similar to that of many other northern spitz breeds. Historically, they were used by samurai for guarding, fighting and the hunting of bears. > The Akita is a powerful, independent, and dominant breed, commonly aloof with strangers, but affectionate and deeply loyal with its family. As a breed, Akitas are generally har... ---
**Author:** ![jayjay](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/jayjay/32/6765_2.png) [@jayjay](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/jayjay)\ **Post date:** [July 29, 2010, 1:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-kind-of-dog-is-this/548442/3 "2010-07-29T13:07:18Z")
It’s actually answered in the comments. It’s an [akita](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Akita_Inu). ---
**Author:** ![PapSett](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/ecc23a/32.png) [@PapSett](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/PapSett)\ **Post date:** [July 29, 2010, 2:34pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-kind-of-dog-is-this/548442/4 "2010-07-29T14:34:11Z")
Yup, an Akita that looks like he’s been shaved. ---
**Author:** ![Sailboat](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/sailboat/32/461_2.png) [@Sailboat](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sailboat)\ **Post date:** [July 29, 2010, 2:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-kind-of-dog-is-this/548442/5 "2010-07-29T14:48:33Z")
What’s interesting to me is that the owner identifies it as an Akita-ken, which is apparently the same thing as an [Akita Inu](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Akita_Inu). The Japanese (and perhaps dog fanciers outside North America, according to the Wikipedia articles) distinguish that as a different breed from the [American Akita](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/American_Akita). What strikes me as odd is that the [history of the American Akita](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/American_Akita#History) contains the following passage: > [@](#): > > American Akitas generally are heavier boned and larger, with a more bear-like head, whereas Japanese Akitas tend to be lighter and more finely featured with a fox-like head. [Another source](http://www.tamarlane.com/dillema.htm). If the monster dog pictured is an Akita Inu, the _smaller and more finely-boned_ of the two breeds, yow! ---
**Author:** ![Khadaji](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/9e8a1a/32.png) [@Khadaji](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Khadaji)\ **Post date:** [July 29, 2010, 2:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-kind-of-dog-is-this/548442/6 "2010-07-29T14:57:42Z")
Thanks guys! ---
**Author:** ![Renee](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/renee/32/287_2.png) [@Renee](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Renee)\ **Post date:** [July 29, 2010, 3:01pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-kind-of-dog-is-this/548442/7 "2010-07-29T15:01:11Z")
I dunno, it looks like the American version to me. Perhaps the owner is mistaken. The Japanese Akitas I saw living over there were much smaller than the American version, maybe 50lbs vs 100+ lbs., and without that almost chow-like face I’m seeing on this dog. I do think that photo might be deceptive, though. Dogs look big when they’re sitting on people’s laps like that, and the woman might be small framed, too. ---
**Author:** ![garygnu](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/garygnu/32/2924_2.png) [@garygnu](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/garygnu)\ **Post date:** [July 29, 2010, 3:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-kind-of-dog-is-this/548442/8 "2010-07-29T15:39:23Z")
> [@Sailboat](#): > > What’s interesting to me is that the owner identifies it as an Akita-ken, which is apparently the same thing as an [Akita Inu](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Akita_Inu)… FYI, I did a spot of research\* on “ken” vs “inu.” The symbol is the same: 犬 , but said different ways by different dialects, but they both mean “dog.” The symbol itself is Chinese and the “ken” pronunciation comes from a Chinese dialect that uses “k’iwen” for “dog.” “Inu” is a native Japanese term for “dog.” (one [cite](http://www.kanjiclinic.com/kc33final.htm)) Somehow modern Japanese use “ken” more often than “inu,” while Americans use “inu.” I haven’t figured out why. \*: I own Shiba Inus, and the question came up in a different thread. There are noticeable differences in American-bred and Japanese-bred Shibas. Most visible is the tail: Japanese want a sickle-shape and Americans want a tighter spiral. Akita differences across the Pacific are similarly different. It’s like the difference between British and American English dialects. ---
**Author:** ![Phlosphr](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/c68b51/32.png) [@Phlosphr](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Phlosphr)\ **Post date:** [July 29, 2010, 3:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-kind-of-dog-is-this/548442/9 "2010-07-29T15:56:53Z")
I think he is an Akita mixed with an [Akbash](http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_WldHkKqwVGU/TBptZJ0M4BI/AAAAAAAAAn8/vWdqeNzuWwM/s1600/AkbashDogPurebredBear.JPG). Size is my only indicator, as Akita’s don’t grow that big…do they? And an Akbash can be 250lbs. ---
**Author:** ![Khadaji](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/9e8a1a/32.png) [@Khadaji](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Khadaji)\ **Post date:** [July 29, 2010, 4:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-kind-of-dog-is-this/548442/10 "2010-07-29T16:37:35Z")
> [@Phlosphr](#): > > I think he is an Akita mixed with an [Akbash](http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_WldHkKqwVGU/TBptZJ0M4BI/AAAAAAAAAn8/vWdqeNzuWwM/s1600/AkbashDogPurebredBear.JPG). Size is my only indicator, as Akita’s don’t grow that big…do they? And an Akbash can be 250lbs. [This](http://www.atopviews.com/akita.htm)one looks pretty big (but it is an American Akita.) ---
**Author:** ![hibernicus](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/hibernicus/32/2802_2.png) [@hibernicus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/hibernicus)\ **Post date:** [July 29, 2010, 9:42pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-kind-of-dog-is-this/548442/11 "2010-07-29T21:42:17Z")
> [@garygnu](#): > > FYI, I did a spot of research\* on “ken” vs “inu.” The symbol is the same: 犬 , but said different ways by different dialects, but they both mean “dog.” […] > Somehow modern Japanese use “ken” more often than “inu,” while Americans use “inu.” I haven’t figured out why. You’re on the right track, but it’s not a difference in dialect. That kanji has two pronunciations in Japanese. One pronunciation comes originally from Chinese and the other is native Japanese, but they are both part of the standard language. The pronunciation “ken” would never be used as a stand-alone word for “dog”, only in compounds such as “kenshu” (breed of dog) or “chuuken Hachikou” (Hachikou the loyal dog). My impression is that “shiba-ken” and “shiba-inu”; “akita-ken” and “akita-inu” are used completely interchangeably in Japanese, but it’s possible that one or the other is preferred. If I had to hazard a guess I would say “akita-inu” is better because “akita” is a Japanese reading of the characters 秋田 (autumn field). ---
**Author:** ![An\_Arky](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/87869e/32.png) [@An\_Arky](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/An_Arky)\ **Post date:** [July 29, 2010, 11:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-kind-of-dog-is-this/548442/12 "2010-07-29T23:43:44Z")
We just adopted an Akita/Lab (we think) mix. Mom’s an Akita, looks like Dad was a black Lab. He looks like photos I’ve seen of Labrakitas. Here he is at age 3 months ([current photo](http://www.flickr.com/photos/26032429@N06/4842334332/in/set-72157624612127408/)) He’s going to be a big boy, for sure, but not as gargantuan as some of those photos (knock on wood). ---
**Author:** ![Sailboat](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/sailboat/32/461_2.png) [@Sailboat](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sailboat)\ **Post date:** [July 30, 2010, 4:05am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-kind-of-dog-is-this/548442/13 "2010-07-30T04:05:28Z")
> [@An\_Arky](#): > > We just adopted an Akita/Lab (we think) mix. Mom’s an Akita, looks like Dad was a black Lab. He looks like photos I’ve seen of Labrakitas. Here he is at age 3 months ([current photo](http://www.flickr.com/photos/26032429@N06/4842334332/in/set-72157624612127408/)). Oh that’s a pretty boy! Love the forehead blaze.