5 Tips to Bring Home a Healthy Akita Puppy

• Finding a good breeder is more important than finding the right puppy. A good breeder will match you with the right puppy, and will without question have done all the health certifications necessary to screen out health problems as much as possible. To find a list of breeders, visit the website of the Akita Club of America.
• Consider an adult dog from a shelter or a rescue group. Many of the health problems in Akitas aren't apparent in puppyhood, but by adopting an adult dog, most of them can be ruled out. In addition, an Akita can live 10 or more years, so an adult dog will still be a part of your family for a long time to come.
• Puppy or adult, take your Akita to your veterinarian soon after adoption. Your veterinarian will be able to spot visible problems, and will work with you to set up a preventive regimen that will help you avoid many health issues.
• Don’t ever, ever, ever buy a puppy from a pet store. You’re more likely to get an unhealthy, unsocialized and difficult to housetrain puppy and will be supporting the cruelty of high-volume puppy mills.
• Make sure you have a good contract with the seller, shelter or rescue group that spells out responsibilities on both sides. In states with “puppy lemon laws,” be sure you and the person you get the dog from both understand your rights and recourses.