Anyone have an Akita?

[MickeysMommy]

Looking into this breed. Anyone that have one? Pros/Cons?

TIA

 

[BCV513]

My uncle used to breed them. I only remember the last one he owned. I know they have somewhat of a bad reputation, but this dog was hands down the sweetest dog I have ever met. He puts my Sheltie to shame!

My uncle's Akita was huge. I never once heard him bark. He was fabulous with kids. My two little cousins would literally ride on his back like he was a horse. But I think this is the exception to the breed, not the rule.

 

[traviesojmt]

We own an Akita, Max. I can't speak to all Akitas, but I can tell the pros and cons of Max. He is 7 years old, by the way.

Pros: Very well behaved. The only thing he has ever chewed up in our home is crayons. He really likes those, for some reason. The only accident he has ever had in our home was when he was sick. He goes to the back door when he needs to go out. They do not tend to bark very much but they do make a type of growling noise if he needs to go out. It is not an aggressive sound, but not bark-like. He frightens would-be guests. LOL This is a pro if anyone is thinking of entering without permission. I am not sure he would actually do anything, but he is so big he looks scary.

Cons: The biggest is the shedding. Twice a year they SHED. I don't mean a little either. The hair comes out in clumps. If I do not sweep and vacuum daily during these times, my kitchen looks like it has rolling tumbleweed. As much as I love our dog, the bi-yearly shedding does try my patience. Forget taking him in the car, it looks like a pillow exploded all over the backseat.

Our dog is definitely an indoor dog. We live in the south and he can't handle the heat. He spends very limited time outdoors during the summer.

He is a very good-natured dog. Keep in mind though that Akitas can be very stubborn though. Since he weighs close to 100 lbs, he is hard to move if he gets a mind not to do something.

Akitas are very loyal dogs towards their family.

 

[liamsaunt]

My inlaws had an Akita. They got her as a puppy. She required vigorous training, but once trained was well behaved. She was very protective of the family. When I would visit, my then-boyfriend, now husband would always have to go in the door first and introduce me to her. This stopped when she got a little older--maybe around age 4 or so. She was a very strong dog. She never attacked a person but I do remember one time she was out for a walk, broke off her leash, and scooped up another small dog in her mouth. She didn't bite the dog, just picked it up, and then put it back down. I don't think I would choose this breed if I had children in my home, just because they are so strong.

I think she was around 11 when she died. Not sure if this is common to the breed, but her hips basically gave out.

I have never owned a dog myself so I am not sure if this is helpful.

 

[golfgal]

Akita's are on most insurance companies dangerous dog list so check into that before you get one.

 

[pad406]

I have a friend with one and he's a fab dog, placid and loyal. But (as with all dogs, but even more important with such a powerful dog) good training is essential. You and all your family must be the boss, no exception. The friend is a dog trainer so he has it down to a tee, but on his advice it's not a dog for a first timer.

 

[HSMndLKfan92]

My neighbors have Akitas! Two of them were very sweet, calm, and quiet. However, they managed to break loose a lot. They were found within a day or two.

They both passed away awhile ago. They got their new akita while he was still a puppy. Males are much larger than females, and they're pretty large dogs to begin with. Maybe it's because he's still young, but he's rambunctious. He's not much of a barker either. I think he's escaped once.

And they really do shed.

 

[ClarabelleCowFan]

We had a Chow/Akita mix and he was absolutely beautiful but he had major skin problems which equaled big bucks at the vet and he could also be a bit aggressive with DD who was 3 at the time. We got him as a puppy and he got very big very fast.

 

[novajeanjellybean]

The only thing I know about them is that they're always on the banned list for apartments in Houston. So they must have a reputation for being aggressive. No predjudice here though, I have 2 pits bulls.

 

[robinb]

We had a female Akita for 14 years. She was very beautiful, independent (not I LOVE YOU fawning), cat like, obedient, protective and fiercely loyal. She was also incredibly dog aggressive. The breed was bred for dog fighting (especially here in the US) and many Akitas exhibit the same behavior. Our Akita was just fine until she was about 8 months old and then she attacked virtually every dog she met without provocation. The dog would come in for a friendly "hello" and Akiko would try to bite them. It was a huge PITB to have a dog that wanted to eat other dogs. She also shed like crazy. I had read that they "blow their coat" twice a year. They do ... but they also shed constantly the whole year 'round.

My DH wanted another Akita when we got our current dog but I could not go for it. Between the dog aggression and the shedding and the over protectiveness (my DD was 6 when we got our dog) it was just a no-go for us. I wanted a dog that got along with other dogs, didn't shed and would not want to "save" my DD from her friends. We got a standard poodle.

ETA from reading the other posts. She also had skin allergies. We had to do an elimination diet to determine that she was allergic to beef so we fed her dog food with chicken. She also ripped the handle off a garage door (her leash was attached ... dumb move) and chewed through a wire chain link fence when she was being boarded (to get to the dog next door). She was also an escape artist. If we left her out as a puppy she would destroy the house but if we crated her she would escape. She was able to muscle her way out of a plastic airline crate bloodying her face. Luckily she would be so tired after escaping that she didn't have enough energy for the more destruction.

 

[MickeysMommy]

Thanks for all of your insightful replies!

 

[dakcp2001]

Check with your homeowners insurance, most wont cover you. Oh and they are typically banned from apartment complexes as well.

You dont want to get yourself into a situation where your new doggy bites someone, then you find out you werent covered with that breed and you get cancelled and sued. I usded to babysit for someone that had one, he was super sweet, but if you were on his bad side or a stranger he was downright scary to be around. He HATED the poor mailman. They stopped getting mail and had to go to the post office to pick it up.

 

[java]

Our neighbors have one. It attacked another neighbor's dog and also bit the owner. It also has charged at my daughter when she takes out our Lab. thankfully she was close enough to the garage to jump in and close the door.


However, I totally blame the owners of this dog. The dog is neglected. If I was treated that way I would be attacking anyone and everyone as well. I have called animal control several times. The dog has been taken away on numerous occassions- only to be brought back. They were leaving him tied with a rope onto a tree all day- no water nothing. really so very sad. The day he charged my daughter- he had chewed through a metal pipe in the garage that he was tied to- he dragged it behind him- which is why he was slower that day.

I don't know if I would chose one for a family pet. They need more than the average dog training.

 

[goofy!]

Wonderful dogs.

However, it is a breed that you really, really want to get from an experienced, responsible breeder. Since this breed can have a strong temperament, you would be best served by having an experienced breeder that temperament tests their puppies help you select the best puppy for your lifestyle. For instance, an alpha puppy would not be a good fit for a laid back family.

The Akita National Breed club web page has lots of good information about the breed. It has a list of responsible breeders as well as a list of suspended breeders that you may want to take a look at.

Actually, having a breeder help you select the best puppy for your home is good advice for any breed.

 

[Stitchfans]

Always wanted one. Some day I may. They sure are beautiful dogs.

 

[tekoa]

My brother had a female. A very sweet placid dog. She also had skin problems as they had to apply ointments to her skin. She was not aggresive at all, in fact, she was on the shy side. But, if she knew you she was a lovable dog and love to play catch.