Akita Facts
1. Most Akita puppies chew. A poodle puts a few teeth marks in chair, an Akita will destroy the whole chair. Most grow out of this stage by their first birthday, but some do not stop until they are about two. They have been named “100 pound termites” with good reason.
2. Akitas do not bark unless there is a good reason. When an Akita is barking, pay attention!
3. Akitas are inherently aggressive towards other animals and for this reason, they should not be allowed to run free or roam at will.
4. Akitas consider small animals as prey and hunt them. This includes cats, rodents, birds, small wildlife and small dogs. Akitas can be raised to accept animals in residence. Some adult Akitas can even be trained to fit into a home where other animals are already established. It is imperative, however, that the Akita be closely watched around the other animals until you have established a peaceful co-existence.
5. Akitas are VERY FOOD POSSESSIVE. If you have other pets, you will want to be certain the Akita is given his own food bowl or treats well away from other animals and that no other animal is allowed near the Akita until the food is gone.
6. Akitas not raised with children are not always tolerant of small children, and the Akita should never be left alone with a child until you are CERTAIN you have a dog who adores children. Often, Akitas raised with children will tolerate their own children, but may not accept the neighborhood kids.
7. Akitas do not like to be teased and may respond by biting. Some children are allowed to treat animals unkindly, a behavior that often leads to cruelty to animals. These children should be kept away from an Akita whose large size and hunting instincts can endanger the child’s life.
8. Akitas like to take charge — an inherited trait from their wolf ancestry and may, at times, challenge you for the dominant position (especially adolescent males from 1 year to 2 years of age). This behavior cannot be tolerated and a firm, CONSISTENT correction should be your immediate response. Akitas with good temperament accept discipline well — not beating, but intelligent discipline.
9. Akitas should be obedience trained BY THEIR OWNER and not sent away to school like some little poodle!! A good obedience class will guarantee a firm bond with your dog and well-behaved dog. Remember though, Akitas are extremely intelligent and tend to get bored easily. They learn quickly so short training periods are suggested. This keeps the dog from becoming bored. Akitas are very stubborn, and when the dog thinks it is a waste of time to “sit” or “stay” one more time, he may simply walk away. Obedience training requires patience!
10. Some Akitas are “talkers”. They may grunt, groan and mumble to entertain themselves and you. This conversational verbalizing is not growling and should not be interpreted as a growl which sounds quite different. Akita “talking” is an endearing trait and should not frighten you. After living with the dog, you will easily distinguish between talking and growling.
11. Akitas are not considered hyperactive; they are low activity indoor dogs and moderate activity outdoor dogs. They can fit into a sedentary household, but for optimum health for both you and your Akita, regular exercise is important.
12. Akitas are very people oriented and are not happy when kept apart from the family. If you do not plan on having your dog live with you both inside your home and yard, you should not seriously consider an Akita for a pet.
13. When keeping another dog with an Akita, it is usually more harmonious to have one of each sex.
14. If your Akita has a propensity for digging, expect your yard to resemble a lunar landscape; they are great earth moving machines when so motivated.
15. Some Akitas are escape artists. They will hook their front paws over a low fence and climb over. If they can get their heads under a fence, the rest of the body is sure to follow. Some have been known to go through a wooden fence with the right motivation.
16. Akitas usually shed twice a year in great quantities. It is called “blowing their coat”. They lose the entire wooly undercoat, which makes little tumbleweeds of hair all over your house. The shed lasts 4 to 8 weeks. It can be hurried along by daily brushing and warm baths.
17. GROOMING: If you get a puppy, start cutting toenails, brushing, bathing, ear cleaning, teeth brushing very early. It is much easier to do this to a 20 lb. puppy and get him used to it than to fight with a 100 lb. adult. Adults can be trained to accept this with patience and a little TLC.
18. Akitas are big dogs. Therefore, everything is going to be “more”. More expensive vet bills, medications, collars, food, bigger piles of stool to clean up, large food/water bowls, large size crates. It will be expensive to board your Akita, or have it bathed and dipped. This will affect you financially, so consider carefully, and be sure you can afford to have an Akita.
19. Akitas live from 10-14 years with good care and proper nutrition.
20. Akitas are loyal, excellent watch dogs, wonderful companions who enjoy affection, but do not crave it. Once you’ve been owned by an Akita, you will never switch to another breed!