Oh yeah, truly hardcore me ! I wikied the story and had to wipe myeyes just reading about. Bizarrely, all the gloom and doom in the world seems to just wash over me, but animal stories reduce me to tears.
Why is that, a lot of people say this...? Very true, plus both mine have the black masks, another factor which seems to make dogs wary of them, not being able to read their faces, my male is always getting attacked :-( Luckily he doesn't even retaliate else I would have to keep him on a lead - like I do my bitch, she's not impressed when a dog dare to look at her funny, never mind growl or bark at her!!! I have a male and a female. Both rescues. I adore them and can honestly say I will always have an Akita in my life forever more . My male is laid back, soft and very dog friendly (even a little scared of small dogs and jumps back if they come close too quick - but has a fetish with Westies! ). He is snuggly and nestles his head into anyone, always leaning on people for cuddles. I have heard him bark twice in his life but he talks and howls, loudly when he is excited . My female is fun, bolshy, loving and cheeky, she will snarl and 'go for' a dog that shows her any aggression, but is ok with dogs that don't. But because of her size, the stupidity of other people letting dog aggressive dogs offlead plus the amount I care about the reputation of this breed I won't let her off lead around other dogs. She talks and barks a little bit more than Zeke, Akitas are quiet dogs, so when they bark we take note - usually a stranger/visitors in the cul de sac. They both walk beautifully on lead and are a pleasure to train, no issues whatsoever.. People say they have poor recall...due to their high predatory drive, hmm i don't buy that, of course SOME do - same as other similar breeds. My male was easy to train, and my female has wonderful recall if there is no other dogs around - because she just wants to play with us! They are so loyal and loving, they adore us, our family and neighbours (yes, they're aloof so anyone else they just ignore!) I was ill over Christmas and Keisha wouldn't leave my side, the same, Zeke will follow me around the cul de sac when I go to visit my neighbours etc off lead like a fluffy sheepdog. I always have at least one of them snuggled up to me or on my feet! They are VERY snuggly with each other too, they live in such harmony, never a bad word, not once. I do a little bit of helping out for all 3 Akita breed specific rescues in the Uk. It breaks my heart. I am ashamed to live amongst such stupid human beings who put no effort into these bears as puppys then give them up at the 1st sign of difficulty. We get a lot by the time they are 7 months :-(. Zeke attends a lot of events at shows and P@H on the charity stand bless him Keisha posing with her christmas bandana on Zeke posing, (tail down I always wonder if he has a bit of some other breed in him) he adores hiking, this is him up Mount Snowdon
I love the look of them and in theory their personality but have never met one in RL. A breed I would consider in the future
AkitaGirl They are totaly lovely. I can see why you adore them and a fab honest apprasal of the breed One day - they are on my list
i really like them, and know what they are like to handle, the breeder of my cresteds has them and when we took one to crufts last year we had to watch him at the end of the day because other people were letting dogs get up his bum and in his face. so he was on a short lead, like literally couldnt leave her side, because as she said, a hungry tired akita is not one to be messed with i look on dogs blog alot and there are alot on there. i really like them and would love one one day, the only thing that puts me off is when they blow their coat
I like reliable recall. I enjoy/want to be able to take them out, let them off lead to do their thing, knowing they'll come back when I call them.
here is a few on the site that i love! http://http://www.dogsblog.com/thai-6-month-old-male-akita/ http://http://www.dogsblog.com/mac-14/ http://http://www.dogsblog.com/tye-13/ and this gorgeous girly! http://http://www.dogsblog.com/star-18/ i want them all :-(
I guess I was lucky with my old girl who I lost last year. She lived in a multi bitch household without ever a cross word, would allow any dog into her home, bed, food bowl or toy box. She was never on a lead, always recalled for her whole nearly 15 years of her life, was great with any kids, adults and was a rubbish guard dog. She was attacked multiple times, mainly by collies and JRTs funnily enough but she never once retaliated, just shook them off and left Mum to take it up with the owner ;-) I do, however, think that they are a specialist breed, they need firm training and won't respond to harshness well. They can be stubborn but Nala knew when to be stubborn and when not to be I would have another tomorrow but only from a very good breeder and from very good lines that are bred for temperament and health and not just showy looks.
Oh my goodness yes! I didn't mention that . You do get used to it...the birds love it for their nests! (The dogs get used to being hoovered too LOL). Those links don't work for me, :-( but I recognise the names and searched them on there, I drove the 6 month old 'Thai' to his new home last week so he's gone to his new forever home!! And I know 'Tye' too, he comes from a home with 3 other Akitas that are ALL up for rehoming because their family are emigrating. Ah right. Even though I say my male has reliable recall, dogs, rabbits, deer...fine... but - Sheep - a massive no, no. I do really have to be aware if there's any nearby when we go to new places, for example walking up any mountains etc, as they are often roaming.. and I don't trust him not to take off after any, he has that look in his eyes...lol. I'm luckily, I jog with Keisha so we get out for miles and miles..and her having to be on lead doesn't stop us going anywhere. You get used to living with a dog that is kept on a lead I guess. She goes swimming and does agility because she needs so much exercise to keep her weight off, the little fatty. Thank you. I am partial to GSD's too, would you believe that when we went to the local dogs home to get 'a dog' we went looking for a GSD, and saw Zeke, I was like 'well, he IS sort GSD coloured...?' haha. Chellie, I;m so sorry you lost your Akita girl :-( She sounds VERY much like my Zeke. One in a million xxx
Just confirms what I said in post #2 - I don't know that much about them! Lovely looking dogs, I'd never say never, but when my mind drifts onto getting another dog I feel guilty looking at the beautiful pups due to the number of GSD's in rescue. Maybe one day. When there are no longer any GSD's in need........
I'm a bit like that - I do want other breeds (I blame dogsey and all the lovely dogs on here for that!) but will always have a rescue Akita too, because there's so many in need. I joined a popular GSD forum because I wanted to take Zeke on a dog friendly group walk and I was GOBSMACKED how many GSD's there were advertised in rescue :-(
Same sex aggression? I guess no-one told the two boys next door or our 2 girls then! LOL. It's all in the training a d early socialisation mate. And when the poster above says about biting. Do you mean BITING or mouthing? An Akita will take hold of you and take you to something they want or find interesting. This behaviour has to be carefully managed if you don't mind it happening or trained out if you do. Our 2 will now sit in front of us and maintain eye contact if they want something until we get up to follow. We have cut the mouthing out. Although Beau will sometimes pick my foot up and move it if she fancies that spot of the carpet! She will also remove my slipper and socks to lick my feet LOL
Ben McFuzzylugs, you are quite right! Akitas can be difficult to read-- for people as well as other dogs. Just look: the big face, but the small, dark, hard-to-read eyes. The ears that are pricked forward, even if they're asleep. The straight, upright, forward-oriented posture that makes them look on high alert even if they're totally relaxed. And the tail-- the curled tail-- that another dog can't see wagging behind the big face. It's just another thing that we have to be aware of. As to what they're like: they're wonderful. But before you get one, do your homework. Make sure this is the right dog for you. They're not for everyone, certainly not for first time owners or for the particularly house-proud.
