Q 01/05

The Akita traces its roots to hunting dogs kept by which traditional hunters of northern Japan?

A) The Yamabushi

B) The Samurai

C) The Ainu

D) The Matagi

Answer · why

D) The Matagi

They used the dogs to track and hold bears, boar and serow in deep snow.

Q 02/05

In which region of Japan did the breed originate?

A) Kansai, in the west

B) Tōhoku, in the north

C) Shikoku island

D) Kyūshū, in the south

Answer · why

B) Tōhoku, in the north

Akita Prefecture, which gives the breed its name, lies in that region.

Q 03/05

Which large animal were the breed's ancestors used to hunt in snowy mountains?

A) Japanese red fox

B) Japanese black bear

C) Sika deer stag

D) Honshu wolf

Answer · why

B) Japanese black bear

Wild boar and the Japanese serow were other quarry.

Q 04/05

What was the breed called until it was renamed the Akita Inu in 1931?

A) Tōhoku dog

B) Ōdate dog

C) Matagi dog

D) Kubota dog

Answer · why

B) Ōdate dog

Samurai and wealthy farmers in the Ōdate area kept it as a guard and fighting dog.

Q 05/05

Which samurai clan ruled the Akita region and reportedly encouraged dogfighting among vassals?

A) Shimazu

B) Satake

C) Date

D) Mōri

Answer · why

B) Satake

The Satake West Family kept Ōdate Castle during the Edo period.