Helen Keller was the first to bring an Akita to these shores from Japan in 1937, and although receiving much media attention and capturing the interest of American readers, the "Akitas" arrival didn't really begin till after World War II, when American servicemen returning from duty in occupied Japan, brought with them Akitas they had taken into their care during this most difficult time for the Japanese economy/peoples. (for the full story of Helen Keller's Akitas)

Thomas Boyd known for breeding some fine Akitas at his kennel while living in Japan, produced the first male Akita to sire puppies on American soil, whelped July 2, 1956. During the Akitas' first ten years in the United States, 138 litters were registered, producing some 322 puppies. Some 141 imports were registered by 1966. When the Stud Books were turned over to the AKC (Akita Club of America), the Akita Club registry reflected 682 litters which totaled 4,263 Akitas. Not all of these Akitas were individually registered, that number being 2,661, of those only 1,865 were registered with AKC as foundation stock.

The first Akita club was called Akita Kennel Club and was formed in 1956, the name was changed to Akita Club of America in 1959 and remains so today. ( ACA as it exists today)

It was in 1973 that the Akita was accepted into the AKC Working Group. The Stud Book was closed at that time and remained closed for over nineteen years until 1992 when AKC recognized the Japanese Kennel Club, thus opening the AKC Akita Stud Book to Japanese registered Akitas. Since that time, importing of new Akita stock has become widely popular, although the "type" or appearance of the Japanese import is quite different than the Akita as it has evolved through breeding programs in America. There is some controversy both in the U.S. and in Japan over the blending of the two types. Some favor mixing the two, some vehemently oppose. Regardless, none can deny the beauty of both types of this magnificent breed.