The Akitas that we know today have been primarily developed from dogs native to the Akita prefecture on the island of Honshū, although their ancestry suggests that they are descended from the Matagi, one of the oldest native breeds of dog in Japan. Since the beginning of the breed, these dogs were prized hunting dogs among royal families in Japan, trained to The Akita was even declared to be a Japanese Natural Monument in 1931, and in 1936 the first breed standard was written for the Akita. Helen Keller even took a particular interest in the breed when she visited Japan in 1937 and ended up bringing 2 of the dogs back home with her. These first two dogs to reach the U.S. would, in great part, bring about the writing of a new breed standard in 1939. During the second world war, German Shepherd influences were added to the Akita line in order to save the breed from culling since it was considered not to have military use at the time. Thanks to this, the breed was able to survive the war and populations were able to rise once again. Today these dogs have become a favorite of many breeders and owners all over the world thanks to their lovable character and the hard work of those who sought to see the breed survive into the future so that they could continue to spread their love and joy.