Akita dogs. anyone here have/had one?

[desmocat]

I am thinking about getting an Akita. I have been doing a lot of research on the breed and just wanted to see if any of the folks here have any experience with them.

One of my motorcycle riding buds has had them for 20 years and has told me that they can be a handful, and aggessive, and hard headed, but if properly trained, you will find no better DOOOOOG(had to do that ) to protect you and your family, in addition to being very intelligent and another "family member". I believe all our pets are family members anyway...
Just looking for some input from current previous owners of the breed. Thanks.

[shahani]

I would prefer a Golden Retriever or a Cocker Spaniel myself, and don't know abot this breed. I don't like aggressive DOOOOOGS.

[JacobM5727]

i am sure they are fine -my dad had one about a week and got rid of it (nothing wrong with the dog, just his "son")

it was a cutie though

You want something to protect your family then a Mastiff is for you. My brother has two and I must say they are HUGE dogs but they will protect your family and scare you neighbors but will love your kids. The bigest one is 230lbs but she is a sweetheart.

[thekingofpain]

A pal has one, a BIG white dog that has a head as wide as a frying pan---he likes me alot ( I babysit him when my pal vacations) but his tells me---"he's too big to play with like THAT!" (a 100lb puppy under a year old) as I roll around on the floor kicking my feet in the air, the dog prancing about wildly biting at me with glee :-)

[AzKidd69]

Akita are awesome.. Never had one myself but I have known plenty and haven't really seen any major prolems as a breed... And they do have some interesting personalities, but then what animal doesn't??



TKOP ~~

Sounds like me playin with my 11mo old Rottie..... 110lbs already and still eatin like a horse....

[Warthog]

Sorry, can't help.

I'm a fan of Dobermans

We had one when I was 5-6 years old.....she was an awesome dog. We lived in Louisville, Kentucky at the time......scared the druggie neighbors pretty bad

When I'm on my own, I'm definately getting one - ONLY as a puppy, after that, they get ruined (seen it happen). IMO, "ruined" is when a perfectly normal dog turns into a 100mph tail wagging, dumb@$$ who takes naps in the middle of the road when cars are coming, does HUGE poops in our lawn so I have to shoot it with a pellet gun and is generally really, REALLY dumb (of course none of that relates to MY life....hehehehehe).

Warthog

[ocit]

IMO The Dog should fit the home (ex: kids and pitts dont mix) I have 2 german sheps and one (who is in your face if he dont know you) is extremely loving towards kids. The other who seems to be only aggressive towards other dogs doesnt care for kids. i havent had any experience with akita's but my nephew was once bit by one that he knew well for no apparent reason. my best advice is to pick a dog that suits your house

[BBA]

I'm a fan of German Shephards. They are the sweetest dogs alive...as long as they know you. I was raised around then, and pit bulls ( ) The Shephard just has that "I want to please you" personality which makes them extremely obedient and trainable.

BTW: Here's a pic:

[BUMTY]

YES desmocat - i have an Akita, and they can be problematic, they can be Aggressive, they can tend to bolt off after cats, rabbits, squirrels etc, and not come back till they are good and ready. They can also have problems with their eyes i have forgotten the name of it but it is hereditary, and it takes expensive surgery to correct it. I have been lucky with mine health wise so far, she is a loveable dog, but she does bolt off after any thing that moves, which is pretty maddening at times.

Having said all that i believe that all breeds can have problems in one way or another, German Shepherds - Wrottwielers and Dobe's tend to get Hip Displacia, Dobes tend to get Tumours etc,
so i reckon its just pot luck, but the best thing about my dog is the fact that she absolutely loves kids, which is a great plus for me.

Hope this helps you some. Bumty

[Tomteriffic]

I have a friend who's had Akitas for years. Yes, they can be bumptuous, they can chase after anything for no reason, come back when they're ready, and, once trained (two courses isn't out of the question) they'll defend their families to the death. I've seen them be extremely gentle with small children and take the kind of ear-tugging, belly whomping and tail-pulling that would drive a lesser dog to distraction.

They're tough to handle, but worth it once you do.

[desmocat]

BUMTY, I have read up on the eye thing,(OFA) I know what you speak of, and that's one of the requirements of the breeder that I will choose, to show that the parentage were checked for the ailment.

I think you have to get them checked more than once for the eye problem. You also can have a preliminary exam for hip problems at about 8 months, but one breeder told me that to really be certain, you have to wait until they are about 2 years old.

I have been told more than once that they are good with kids, and if raised from a puppy with cats, they will get along rather well with "their" kittys, but woe to the stray that ventures into their domain..kitty jerky will be the result.

[Nancy k]

I am partial to german shephards,but all of my friends are doggie people. One of my best friends has , and has had Akitas. They are great guard dogs and love and protect children. Any dog can be good or bad depending on breeding and raising.I strongly recomend obidience classes for any dog

[thekingofpain]

Hah!
I almost replied!
Then I noticed I did, almost 2! years ago...

[Bill in SD, CA]

Where did this come from?

Oh well, relative had one and it was very quiet.

That was the clue to get away ...... quick!

Very stealthy and quick to bite.

Bill

[Nancy k]

I am partial to german shephards,but all of my friends are doggie people. One of my best friends has , and has had Akitas. They are great guard dogs and love and protect children. Any dog can be good or bad depending on breeding and raising.I strongly recomend obidience classes for any dog

[osprey4]

Our neighbors have had two and both have had very nice dispositions and are great around kids.

[desmocat]

Dang, dragging the bottom again..
I was wondering where this came from.
We now have two of them, as witnessed by my pictures in the gallery.
We absolutely love both dogs..
Meadow and Tundra both are very sweet pups, never a growl towards anyone when we have them out with us.

[Bill in SD, CA]

Great!!

Bill

[Toadman]

Awww nice! Take the puppies to a dog park off-leash so they get acclimated to other dogs. When I come across an owner walking an akita on the sidewalk while walking my springer, I take a detour and step out of the way. 90% of the time I am right as they lunge and bark fiercely against their leash. They can be very over-protective, almost paranoid. But they are beautiful dogs!

Don't let them pee on your bikes in the garage, Desmo.