akitas are the biggest of the japanese spitz type breeds..large males can get up to 130, 140 pounds. they were once used to hunt the 800 pound yezo bear in japan. it was also used for dogfighting, as it is very dog aggressive and dominant.

in my opinion, the real question is why not? ..not that I want the akita banned, it's just unfair to label 1 dog breed as "unsafe". many dog breeds are unsafe in the hands of the wrong owner...