The Japanese Akita is not a suitable dog as a normal family pet. It was originally bred in the Akita Prefecture in Japan, as a hunting dog, for deer, wild boar and even bears. For this purpose, it required to be a large, strong dog with confident, dominant tendecies and an independent nature. The Akita is also known as Akita Inu, which is Japanese for dog.
The average height for the Akita is between 24 to 28 inches and will weigh from eighty to one hundred and ten pounds. He has strong, heavy bones and a muscular body. This is a lot of dog!
The Akita has a double coat, which is harsh and waterproof, with a thick, dense undercoat. It sheds profusely, all year round and requires brushing and grooming every day. Colors include white, white with tan patches and other combinations, including brindle. This breed loves the cold and the snow but will not be happy in a hot climate.
This is not a dog for inexperienced owners, or for people who are elderly or weak. Akitas are intelligent and athletic and when socialized are faithful and affectionate but will always strive for the dominant position in the family group. He may show aggression towards family members and may not suit a family with small children. With this breed, it is vital that you are the Alpha Dog and that he knows his place in your "pack"!
The Akita may show aggression towards other dogs and small animals and should not be allowed to roam off-leash in public areas where there are many people and other dogs.
Training Akitas
The Akita can be difficult to train because they are intelligent and stubborn and can quickly become bored. it should never be a question of "asking" an Akita to do something. It must always be a strong command from a dominant owner. When you say "NO", mean it and make it stick. You may have problems with house training, as Akitas suffer from urinary infections in infancy.
There is plenty of information available online, much of it Free, on the subject of Dog Aggression. Any dog which shows undue aggression, to people or animals, is in urgent need of proper expert training.
If you take an Akita into your family, you must be prepared to spend time and effort on training, socializing, excercise and grooming. This large dog also costs a lot to feed.
Akitas in the Family
There are conflicting opinions about the suitability of Akitas with young children. Historically, the breed had a strong reputation for being protective of young children and were often left in sole charge. Other opinions point out the dominant nature of the breed and the fact that these dogs will compete for their place in the pack. Certainly, a young child will be no match physically for an adult Akita.
Proper supervision of the behavior of the dog and the children is essential in this situation. Having said this, a well socialized Akita will be more comfortable with this.
Akitas make extremely good guard dogs. They have a strong territorial instinct and will be very protective of family and property. As a watch dog, they are quietly effective. They do not bark unnecessarily but will certainly raise the alarm at the approach of any strange visitors or sounds.
The average lifespan of the Akita is about 12 years. Like many other breeds of dog, cancer is the most common cause of death. Recent surveys in both the United Kingdom and the USA/Canada revealed this to be the case, with other causes including cardiac and bloat/torsion.
Identify your needs and lifestyle before you start looking at puppies. Answering these questions will help you choose a breed that fits your family's lifestyle. Do you have children? What are their ages? Some breeds do well with young children and others don't. Do you have a home or an apartment? Some breeds need room to roam, some are couch potatoes.
Is your yard fenced or will you have to take your dog for walks? You might not want to walk a huge dog several times a day. How much time can you spend with your dog? If you're gone most of the day, choose a breed that doesn't mind being alone for long periods of time.
Are you an active person or a couch potato? Be honest. Do you spend a lot of time outdoors? Choose a breed that matches your energy level. Where will your dog be spending most of his time? Outside or inside? If outside, make sure the breed you choose can handle the temperature changes in your area.
There are many factors to consider when looking at dog breeds. Once you've identified your families needs, it's time to start researching breeds. One caveat: Breeders raise a particular breed of dog because they love that breed. They truly believe that their breed of dog is the best. Do your research before you visit a breeder.
How do you find the perfect breed for you? Armed with your family's "lifestyle profile", read and research breeds that interest you. Here are some important points to consider:
Size How big will this dog get? Look at height and weight. Even though a Bulldog is short, it can weigh 50+ pounds as an adult. Can you lift a 50 pound dog? Perhaps you think a little dog would be the perfect choice for a family with little kids. Maybe not. Small dogs have small bones that are easily broken if stepped on. Dog breeds come in every shape and size. Find one that fits your needs.
Hair and Grooming Do you want a long-haired or short-haired dog? The amount of grooming each breed requires varies greatly. On one end of the spectrum you have the easy care coats. These breeds need an occasional wipe down with a damp cloth and a bath once or twice a year. On the other end, you have coats that need extensive grooming and care. Afghan Hounds, for instance, require daily grooming. From the time an Afghan puppy is 8 weeks old you can expect frequent baths, cream rinses and daily brushing to prevent tangles. Most dogs fall somewhere in between. Decide how much time and money you want to spend on your dog's grooming needs.
Energy level How much exercise will your dog require as an adult? Will a game of fetch be enough to wear him out? Some smaller breeds are easily exercised indoors. Dog breeds are separated into groups. Breeds in the Working and Herding groups, for example, are usually high energy and require lots of exercise. This is not the rule, however, so be sure to read everything you can about your chosen breed.
Doing your research before you shop for a puppy is the easiest way to minimize frustration later on. Now you can be sure that you and the breed you choose are a good fit for each other.
Both Ken Charles & Geoffrey English are contributors for EditorialToday. The above articles have been edited for relevancy and timeliness. All write-ups, reviews, tips and guides published by EditorialToday.com and its partners or affiliates are for informational purposes only. They should not be used for any legal or any other type of advice. We do not endorse any author, contributor, writer or article posted by our team.
Ken Charles has sinced written about articles on various topics from Pets, How to Train a Puppy and Pets. There is a load of Free information and many useful links on Japanese Akitas at This website also covers all aspects of dog ownership, incl. Ken Charles's top article generates over 165000 views. to your Favourites.
Geoffrey English has sinced written about articles on various topics from Pets, Lingerie and Dog Care. We are committed to carrying only the finest Dog Training Products on the market. Visit www.gundogsonline.com for all your dog training collars. We offer a wide variety of shock collars, with a 100% money back guarantee.. Geoffrey English's top article generates over 6600 views. to your Favourites.