# Hachiko A Dog's Story - a new film with Richard Gere http://edition.cnn.com/video/#/video/international/2008/03/24/quest.canine.co.star.bk.d.cnn?iref=videosearch I wonder how will japanese akita popularity grow after that? ## Thread In Photo / Video Gallery (Akita Inu) · started by ktrebor · 19 replies - **Category:** [Photo / Video Gallery (Akita Inu)](https://nihonken.org/community/c/photo-video-gallery-akita-inu) - **Forum:** [Nihon Ken Forum](https://nihonken.org/community/) ## ktrebor · 2008-03-29T16:21:30.000Z http://edition.cnn.com/video/#/video/international/2008/03/24/quest.canine.co.star.bk.d.cnn?iref=videosearch I wonder how will japanese akita popularity grow after that? ## _dlroberts · 2008-03-29T17:16:58.000Z I have no doubt its popularity is going to explode. ## Leonberger (admin) · 2008-03-29T17:18:57.000Z That's Hollywood for you! The puppy is a Shiba! I bet with was a size/age thing and something to do with the ears. The Akita's popularity is bound to increase. I sincerely hope that it doesn't affect the breed too much...or there will be people taking advantage of it. ## brada1878 (admin) · 2008-03-29T18:57:43.000Z yea, that really sux! I hate Hollywood... Now Akita Inu will end up in pet stores. Hasn't America done enough damage to the Akita breed? jeez. ## Leonberger (admin) · 2008-03-29T19:08:50.000Z I don't want to get into dog politics here, but America, or the AKC, if you prefer, hasn't done mountains of good to loads of breeds. Just 2 cents, I don't want to start any fire or anything. ## brada1878 (admin) · 2008-03-29T19:57:49.000Z I agree 100%. So many dogs have been ruined and bred away from their original origins and purpose just simply for pageantry. so lame. ## brada1878 (admin) · 2008-03-29T20:03:31.000Z I also want to point out that I think it is important to have an AKC, CKC, FCI, etc... I mean the point is to set a standard that breeders strive for and that is (supposed) to insure the quality of the dog. I just wish the AKC would consider the health and origins of the animals a little more when setting a standard apposed to the trend, glamour, and pageantry of a look or trait. ## Leonberger (admin) · 2008-03-29T20:16:45.000Z Yes, I think you're right on taking into consideration both health and origins. Actually I think that should be the main concern of all those associations. And, from where I'm sitting, the one that gets closer to that is the FCI. I also think the grouping used by the FCI is more logical than the AKC's or the British KC's. ## MommyofNiko · 2008-03-29T21:57:10.000Z Oh this makes my stomach churn!  i dont even know what to say!!!!! ## tsukitsune (moderator) · 2008-03-31T12:22:21.000Z Leonberger i most certainly agree - being in rescue, its heartbreaking to see 'akc registered' dogs from pet stores that end up where every other unwanted dog does, flea ridden-kennel coughing-matted dog in a cage with a number and execution date. i wish organizations would recognize only responsible breeding and not reward backyard breeding and pet store selling of 'purebred' pup mill dogs with temperment issues and congential defects. I would be more than happy to have nothing to do on weekends with rescue if all the dogs were safe and sound and responsibly bred to begin with! ## Chanur Akita · 2008-03-31T17:35:01.000Z In France, there a lot of people who want Akita, who buying Akita..... and abandon them .... lot of rescue.... So I think when this movie arrived in France, it's not good for the breed.... In France, serious Akita breeder follow their puppies, but not all of breeder do that....  more information about Hachiko by R.gere: two photography Web sites that have some photos of the shooting of Hachiko, one with Forrest in full makeup for the death scene :-(. And a couple blurry ones of Gere holding puppy Hachiko, who's actually a Shiba puppy. http://www.dyxum.com/dforum/forum_posts.asp?TID=28200 http://www.dyxum.com/dforum/forum_posts.asp?TID=27977&PID=293195 Special thanks to Linda for this information ## jmaxwell · 2008-03-31T20:47:52.000Z I wonder why they didnt use a akita puppy rather than a shiba puppy when Richard Gere is holding him in his pouch? That doesnt seem right because it is showing viewers the wrong standard of what an Akita puppy looks like. Out of all of the Native Japanese dogs, Akitas dont look like the Shiba at all...hmmm. Also I want to point out that while filming this movie they had to do several takes and training, but are viewers going to take the to their advantage and automaticlly think that when you have an Akita they will act like that and not keep them on lead or in a fenced area? I think its good to knowledge them on the real temperment of the breed and not just from a movie that was scripted for many hours....how sad. ## Leonberger (admin) · 2008-03-31T20:50:42.000Z I bet it is, on one side, because of the upright ears (probably they think it looks better, remember it's Hollywood, so it's all about looks, not accuracy) on the other side, I'd like to see Richard Gere carry a 7kg dog in a pouch, ## jmaxwell · 2008-03-31T20:52:55.000Z HAHAH thats true Leon. That would be kinda funny actually. Can you imagine him holding your ham or Hilo? They would be taking Richard for a walk then. lol. ## brada1878 (admin) · 2008-03-31T21:09:07.000Z lol - Richard does look a little frail... I don't think he could hang w/ an Akita puppy. lol! It really bothers me that they used a Shiba... just kinda insulting to the general population's intelligence. I have mixed feeling about this movie... I mean the original story is amazing, and it really illustrates what an amazing breed the Akita is, but I don't think its good enough to hurt more dogs - and that is what this movie will do. Emilie - I'm sure the same thing will happen here in the states. sad. ## budweiser82684 · 2008-07-03T20:26:09.000Z Ktrebor where did you get that link from I heard about this a while ago and my breeder told me she was the one who sent the puppy to this movie set. She had beautiful dogs but I dont know if I believe her. She had a picture of richard gear framed with kobe in her house I am not kidding. Let me know what you think about this. ## ktrebor · 2008-07-03T20:45:08.000Z From CNN, maybe she is telling the truth. ## Michelle M · 2008-07-03T21:09:06.000Z All I know is that puppy pulled every maternal heartstring I have. It makes me miss my own Hachiko. Captain Jack Hachiko: 1997-2006. Wait for me at the station, Jack. ## diggah · 2008-07-03T21:13:35.000Z Stick to gerbils Richard. ;O) ## Sangmort (moderator) · 2008-07-04T00:37:08.000Z The movie itself I look forward to, though I do see this as something bad for our favorite dog breeds...not just for the Akita but the Shiba as well. I can definitely see people looking up the type of dog that was in the movie only to find the akita puppy was actually a shiba...then looking up shibas... Just you wait, someone will make a wikipedia article about it...& let the whole world know.~ --- **Navigate:** [Forum home](https://nihonken.org/community/?format=md) · [Sitemap](https://nihonken.org/community/sitemap.xml)