Q 01/05

The Akita traces its roots to the hunting dogs of which group in northern Japan's mountains?

A) The Yamabushi

B) The Samurai

C) The Ainu

D) The Matagi

Answer · why

D) The Matagi

The Matagi's dogs were only medium-sized: the Akita became a large breed later, when the dogs were crossed with bigger breeds for fighting.

Q 02/05

In which region of Japan did the Akita breed originate?

A) Chūbu, in the centre

B) Tōhoku, in the north

C) Hokkaidō, in the far north

D) Kyūshū, in the south

Answer · why

B) Tōhoku, in the north

Tōhoku, in the north of the main island, includes Akita Prefecture, which gave the dog its name; its winters bring deep snow, which is why the breed w...

Q 03/05

What did the Akita's ancestors do for hunters on a bear hunt?

A) Killed it outright

B) Held it at bay

C) Drove it into nets

D) Hauled the kill home

Answer · why

B) Held it at bay

Held it at bay: the dogs were not there to make the kill, only to track a bear through deep snow and pin it in place until the hunter caught up.

Q 04/05

What was the Akita called, after its home town, until it was renamed in 1931?

A) Sendai dog

B) Ōdate dog

C) Tsugaru dog

D) Kubota dog

Answer · why

B) Ōdate dog

Ōdate dog was one of several local names for the big guard and fighting dogs of Akita Prefecture; the 1931 name gathered them all under the prefecture...

Q 05/05

Which Olympic figure skating champion was given an Akita puppy named Masaru in 2018?

A) Evgenia Medvedeva

B) Alina Zagitova

C) Yuzuru Hanyu

D) Kim Yuna

Answer · why

B) Alina Zagitova

Alina Zagitova received Masaru soon after winning in Pyeongchang: the breed's preservation society brought the puppy to Moscow, and Japan's prime mini...