In that case you will require a "box" of tissues ;)
The breed of Akita in the movie is the Japanese Akita, which is different to the American Akita in that they are generally smaller in size and have smaller eyes. Japanese Akita's are very rare in Australia as most of the Akita's here are American Akita's.
The puppy used in the beginning of the film was a Shiba Inu and not an Akita, this was used as it was easier to train than a puppy Akita. The Shiba Inu was still cute but if they had used Akita puppies your heart would have melted in an instant.