How Aggressive Is A Japanese Akita?

Bred in Japan, many years ago.

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. The coat can be white, brindle or tan and any mix of these. 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 are excellent 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.

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Akita Puppy - The First Few Days

After the delivery, mother and puppies are best left on their own, while you get some rest. When you return to the whelping box you should find a contented scene, with the mother busily attending to her babies. By now, the puppies should be sucking strongly and their coats should have dried out and will look like shining velvet. Approach carefully, so as not to disturb the mother. She needs to practise the art of not stepping on her puppies, so give her the chance to leave the box calmly and sedately, if she wishes to do so. This will give you a good opportunity to inspect her for any discharge and make sure that she can stand easily. You may have to clean her, although she will probably have done a good job of this herself. She should also be offered food and a drink at this stage.

The bitch will want to return to her puppies as quickly as possible. Help her to position them, and then you may begin your inspection. We do not weigh our puppies, although many people do. We do not see the point, because even if they do not weigh the ideal weight, there is little you can do about it. It is far better to let nature take its course. In the first few days all the puppies will feed well, whatever their size. It is only later that a smaller one may need help to hang on to the fullest teat, so that it is not pushed aside by larger puppies.

The first few days should be ones of watchfulness, though you should also handle the puppies, so they get used to the touch of the human hand. You will need to move them to change their bedding, and if they know your touch right from the start, they will accept it as part of their life. Never take a puppy away from the whelping box; whatever you do must be done under the mother's nose, just as it was during the delivery. After all, they are her babies and she wants them. You are just the helper. Puppies are very quick to tell mother, and you, if there is anything wrong. An ill or unhappy puppy will not be contented. Sometimes the mother will tell you the puppy is "rejected" by pushing it away. You may not be able to see any problem, but in our experience the bitch knows what she is doing. It is a difficult situation, but any rejected puppy should be seen by your vet to try to establish what is wrong.

Given that they are all healthy you should check that all the puppies can feed easily. Place your little finger on to the roof of the mouth to ensure there is no cleft palate. Feel the rear legs to check for the dew-claws. These may or may not be present. If they are, they may be large, small, double or minute. Dew-claws on an Akita puppy can be located in the usual place, just above the rear foot on the inside of the leg, or sometimes right at the bottom almost on the last toe. They are sometimes so small that you can miss them on a quick inspection. The best way to check is to gently rub your fingernail from the toe up the inside of the leg to the hock joint. Repeat this process each day for the first five days, in case a claw has grown during that time. We always ask the vet to remove dew-claws at five days, and not before. It is not until five days that the blood gains clotting properties, and so then the operation can be done without causing bleeding and minimising the risk of infection. Keep an eye on the umbilical cord to ensure it dries up properly and that there are no signs of swelling or rupture. The whelping box should be kept warm, at about 70 degrees Fahrenheit for the first few days.

Related book

Guide to Owning an Akita: Puppy Care, Grooming, Training, History, Health, Breed Standard

It is a recent book on the Akita dog. The photos are of excellent quality. A small book jammed packed with everything you need to know about the Akita. A great beginners book for anyone considering obtaining this breed.

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Weaning Akita Puppies

Akita bitches will feed and indeed demand to feed their puppies until they are about eight weeks of age. They continue to produce large quantities of milk and the fullness of their teats stimulates them to feed their babies. The more they feed, the more milk is produced, and so eventually you have to give a helping hand.

Obviously, the pups will not be so keen to feed from their mother once you start feeding them. It is difficult to judge the right time to wean puppies. It should be when they look fine but you have the feeling that a solid meal would give them that extra strength to stand and move around. It does not depend on the precise age of the litter: the puppies could be three and a half weeks old or four and a half weeks old. But when you see the puppies feeding fiercely, emptying the teat and quickly moving to the next, you will see that mealtimes are developing into a frenzied search for food, and it is time to start weaning.

I always wean on to solid food. We have found that Akita puppies do not take kindly to any milk except their mother's. We recommend that you use very finely minced beef and place a small amount on your fingertips and allow the puppy to sniff it. Within seconds it takes the morsel into his mouth. The pup will soon realise it not only tastes good but it makes him feel good to have a nice, full tummy. A teaspoonful is ample for the first two or three times, usually at breakfast and tea. Again, keep a close eye on the toilet and use the sweeteners to regulate. Remember what they always tell us humans: "Healthy on the inside means healthy on the outside!"

It is a good idea to keep the mother away for longer periods when you are weaning. Although you are providing food, the Akita puppies will still need their mother's milk, which contains the natural antibodies against disease. If she is kept away, the puppies will be more ready to accept your food and the mother will have the chance to replenish her milk store. She may object initially, but her absences should be increased gradually. If you feed the puppies before she does, they will not draw on her so hard when she returns.

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When Akita Puppies Are Ready to Leave Their Mother

By the time the puppies are seven to eight weeks old, they should be fully weaned. Their mother should still be in attendance so that she can play with them and enjoy them, but they should have learnt that there is no milk to be had from her, and they should not pester her. The puppies' education should be well underway and they should have learnt some words and some sounds, like the rustle of the biscuit packet and the clatter of the feeding bowls. They will be emerging as individuals, with their own distinctive characteristics.

Every breeder has their own way of managing the sale of puppies, but we feel that all future homes should have been vetted for suitability. The puppies should be sent on their way with a diet sheet, a complete run- down on future care, your telephone number, a pedigree and a Kennel Club registration certificate (or a promise of one if there has been a delay). You can decide whether you provide written receipts and agreements. You may also wish to sell or "place" a puppy with the proviso that it should not be used for breeding. There are a number of ways this can be done: some people give written contracts, some withhold registration certificates, some use the Kennel Club facility of endorsing the registration, although this can be lifted by the Kennel Club at their own discretion. Some breeders do not register the puppy. Some provide a veterinary certificate before the puppies leave. Some future owners will insist on a veterinary inspection, in any case.

All you can do is to take every safeguard to ensure that the Akita Puppies you have bred go to the best possible homes. The greatest reward is when you meet up with one of your pups at a future date and see the dog looking fit and well, and in many instances, it will still recognise you. Although you spend a relatively short time with the puppies, it is an all-important time in their lives and will have a significant bearing on their future welfare.

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Akita Puppy Diet and Feeding Tips

You will have found out about your puppy's diet at the time of purchase and you should be equipped to give him the food he is used to. Most good breeders will send you away with a diet sheet (and it should be exactly the one they have been feeding, and not one copied from a book and not actually used), plus a quantity of the main food of the puppy's diet so that continuity can be maintained over the first few days. This is important, because a change of geographical area will mean a change in "bugs" around and continuity of food will minimise the risk of upset. You should ensure your puppy is fed regularly; little and often is the order of the day. Four small meals are better than one or two large ones so that weight distribution is kept at an average.

Your puppy will drink a lot of water and this should always be available. Remember to show the puppy where the bowl is and keep it in the same place. Any change in diet should be undertaken gradually and increases in food intake monitored very carefully. The puppy should look nicely covered; neither too thin and ribby, nor too fat and blown. Each time you increase the food, check that the puppy still looks the same, and you will know you have got it right. Diet is a matter of personal choice, but the puppy does need plenty of protein, calcium and minerals. Overdoing it is, however, just as bad as not doing it at all. So be sensible and check with your vet if you have any worries. Ask other owners and always keep in touch with the breeder.

As your Akita Puppy grows, it will naturally cut down on the milky meals until they can be left out altogether. The timing is not important; watch the puppy and be guided by what it is telling you. We feed growing youngsters exactly as we feed our puppies; we just increase the quantities. After all, the formula was fine for babies, and so it should suit growing youngsters. Your puppy may continue with two meals a day until it is twelve month old. (In fact, we feed all our dogs twice daily.) This is a matter of choice; but remember, sensible feeding is the key to your dog enjoying a long and healthy life.

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Akita Exercise Begins When They Are Puppies

Akitas are large dogs that are very smart and opinionated. They will soon enough ignore you if you don't show them who the boss is. This is why Akita puppies must be started out on the right foot. A good training regimen is important to their development. Aside from training there are also other important items that Akitas need in order to develop into the big beautiful dogs that they are.

It is important that they get the love and affection that they need in order to be able to adjust as social animals. Untrained, an Akita can be aloof to strangers and potentially be a danger to the people around him. It is also important to bond with an animal that requires companionship like the Akita. They are very loyal to their masters so it is important that you develop a bond with the Akita Puppy right away.

An Akita is also a working dog that has a need to be doing something. The character of this dog is to serve its masters. It doesn't matter what you have her do as long as it is activity. An Akita is not content to lie on the couch all day. The Akita puppy can get restless if left with nothing to do. 

A solution to all of this is Akita exercise, and Akita puppies are never too young to exercise. Akita exercise can be as simple as running around the yard, a long walk or a hike up a mountain. You are the master and you will be the one to decide.

Exercising in the park is a good way to teach socialization to Akita puppies. It puts them in a safe environment that is full of people. Play with your puppy with a Frisbee. It keeps her active and he sees a lot people while she is having fun. It shows her that it can be fun being around people. 

Akita puppies draw a lot of attention because they are cute and cuddly. So let the people touch him or her. Remember to make sure that when other people are playing with your Akita puppies that they aren't too rough.

Exercising is also a good way to bond with your Akita puppies. They will be able to get the fresh air they need and this could be a way you can develop a bond with your Akita puppies. The most important thing is that you spend time with your Akita puppies so that at a young age they will know who their master is.

Training can also be addressed by Akita exercise. Akita exercise can be used to disguise training. A simple command of sit, stay and rollover is a good way to exercise and it gives this magnificent working dog something to do.

One awesome side effect of Akita exercise is your own health. It takes a lot of work exercising a big dog like this, and it goes a long way on your body to help your Akita puppy to exercise.

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Is An Akita Inu The Right Dog For You

The Akita, or Akita Inu hails from the Akita region of Japan where they breed has been revered for centuries. Throughout history they've been used as flood dogs, fighting dogs and for hunting deer and bear but today many people keep them as loving companions. Introduced to the United States in 1937 by Helen Keller the Akita Inu became even more popular after World War II when many American servicemen brought them back.

A member of the American Kennel Club working group, the Akita Inu was admitted to the AKC in 1972. It is a spitz type dog with the car and a triangular shaped head who weighs in at between 75 and 120 pounds. This dog has a powerful strong build with a deep, broad chest and level back. His ears stand erect on his head and he has dark brown eyes and a black or brown nose. The tail is carried high over the back. The Akita is a great swimmer due to his webbed feet. This dog has a double coat made up of a thick insulated undercoat and a waterproof outer coat and comes in white, red, sesame or brindle.

The Akita Inu is very affectionate with his family and while docile and home, can be aggressive towards other animals when he is outdoors being taken for walk. He is intelligent and fearless - a dog faithful to his family that craves companionship. This dog can be willful, however, so training will require patience as well as diversity since he can also become bored easily.

Like many purebred dogs the Akita does have some health issues that he is prone to. Hypothyroid and autoimmune thyroiditis can come up in this breed as can hip dysphasia. They can also suffer from terrible skin problems in immune diseases such as VKH. They can also have problems with their knees and our eyes.

Although they are a large dog, the Akita Inu can adapt well to apartment life as long as he gets sufficient exercise. In fact, a moderate amount of exercise is all this dog needs to keep in shape than happy.

This dog does not have any excessive grooming considerations, however the thick coat does shed heavily twice a year. They should be brushed with a firm bristle brush as often as needed and, of course, daily when shedding. Do not bathe your Akita unless it is necessary as giving him a bath will cause the natural waterproofing on their coat to be disrupted.

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Meet the Akita - Akita Inu

The Akita is a large dog weighing between 75 and 120 pounds and up to 28" in height. Of the Japanese Spitz-type breeds, the Akita is the largest. Pronounced AH-ki-ta in Japan and a-KEE-ta in the western world, the Akita is a powerful, top notch watchdog and protector of his family and territory.

The AKC recognizes Akitas in any color including pinto, white or brindle. Colors are clear and brilliant. All white Akitas do not have a mask whereas other colors tend to have one. The soft, undercoat can be a different color than the outer coat. The harsh, thick outer coat requires regular grooming.

This large, energetic dog is extremely protective of family and territory. For this reason, they might be aggressive to other animal and children that they don't know if they feel that their territory is being invaded. They do best with older, well behaved children and are not recommended for children who might mistreat or tease them. They should be kept in a fenced in yard and never allowed to roam free. The Akita can be a loving, affectionate dog when properly treated. Early training and socialization is highly recommended for this breed. They require regular exercise and love to be with their family.

The Akita is a native of Japan and dates back to the 1600s to the Island of Honshu. It is the national dog of Japan and highly revered by the Japanese. You can find statues and Akita art throughout the country. Originally used as a military dog, guard dog and hunting dog, the Akita has not lost these watchdog instincts. Helen Keller was the first person in the US to own an Akita.

A breed with such a high instincts to protect and patrol his surroundings makes for an awesome guard dog. Depending on your family dynamics, the Akita may be ideal for your pet companion needs. Those with lots of other pets or small children might want to do more research before bringing and Akita into your home.

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The Differences Between Akita inu and Shiba inu

Akita inu and Shiba inu are pet dogs that have its origins in Japan. Both the Akita inu and Shiba inu share many traits and characteristics. They have certain similarities in their colours and temperament that makes it hard to make a distinction between Akita inu and Shiba inu.

Both Akita inu and Shiba inu breeds are known to be the oldest dog breeds in the world. Shiba inu is said to be the oldest dog breed and Akita inu is known as the second oldest breed in Japan. Both these breeds were known from ancient times.

First of all, let us compare the physical character between the two breeds. Akita inu breeds are more powerful and heavy boned dogs than Shiba inu breeds. Akita inu has an average height of 28 inches and weighs between 70 to 120 pounds. On the other hand, Shiba Inu’s are medium sized dogs that have an average height between 13 to 16 inches and weighing 17 to 23 pounds.

Akita inu are known to be protective, dominant and aggressive towards other canines. These breeds, which are very clean dogs, also have strong prey drive characteristics. Shiba inu breeds are independent dogs and very much reserved with strangers. These breeds are also good at prey drive.

When the Akita inu breeds are quite, the Shiba inu breeds are a little hyper. Unlike Shiba inu, Akita inu are more playful. In maintaining the two breeds, Shiba inu are less expensive.

When comparing the colour, Akita inu are mostly tora, red and white whereas Shiba inu are black, white, red and red/black sesame.

Summary:

1. Akita inu breeds are more powerful and heavy boned dogs than Shiba inu breeds.

2. Akita inu has an average height of 28 inches and weighs between 70 to 120 pounds. On the other hand, Shiba Inu’s are medium sized dogs that have an average height between 13 to 16 inches and weighing 17 to 23 pounds.

3. When the Akita inu breeds are quite, the Shiba inu breeds are a little hyper.

4. Akita inu breeds are more playful than Shiba inu breeds.

5. Akita inu are mostly tora, red and white whereas Shiba inu are black, white, red and red/black sesame.

6. In maintaining the two breeds, Shiba inu are less expensive.

7. Akita inu are known to be protective, dominant and aggressive towards other canines. Shiba inu breeds are independent dogs and very much reserved with strangers. These breeds are also good at prey drive.

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Caring For the Akita Mother After Birth

The mother is feeding the puppies and therefore her diet is extremely important. Although during her pregnancy you have not given her excessive amounts of food, you may now feed as much as you like. She will tell you what she needs. During the first few days she will not be ravenous. The puppies are small and she will have made ample milk for their needs. A high-protein diet and plenty of water is the best formula for producing milk, and Akita mothers produce what appears to be gallons of it. We have never known such a plentiful supply in any other breed. As the days go by, the flow will increase and as the puppies grow stronger they will enjoy it immensely. We would supplement her diet with a little natural calcium, such as bonemeal, but nothing else unless the vet advised it. Porridge and milk do not produce milk; all they do is fill the mother's stomach without giving any goodness to the puppies.

The mother's health and well-being are most important. She should be inspected frequently. Her teats should be examined to ensure they are not damaged or swollen. There should be no swelling or hardness of the areas around the teats which might lead to milk fever (mastitis). The vulva should gradually become smaller, but it will be very tender as it is undoubtedly bruised from the birth. This will not be visible because of the dark colouring. Any discharge, other than a small amount of mucus- stained clear red from blood, should be reported to your vet and investigated. Any odour of any kind should also be investigated.

The Akita Inu bitch's mental health should be monitored. She should appear well and be happy in her eyes and expression. She should eat and drink almost normally, although she will need more water and you should ensure she has an adequate supply. Staining from the discharge should be wiped away and a mild disinfectant should be used in an attempt to deter any flies. Care should be taken not to mask her natural smell, as this is how the puppies know her. Keep a regular check on the toilet of both mother and babies. A common occurrence is to observe a puppy grunting unhappily, suffering from constipation. Mother may also suffer from this, as her normal exercise has been drastically reduced. A small drink of warm milk, sweetened with sugar, or ideally with natural honey, should ease the problem. If you make the drink too sweet, you will get the opposite problem, so it is easy to regulate until you get it right.

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Caring For a Pregnant Akita

Caring for an Akita bitch during pregnancy is basically commonsense. She should be watched carefully and made as comfortable and happy as possible. You should ensure that she has a dry bed, ample clean drinking water and regular feeds of good quality. For the first five weeks she will probably behave quite normally. She may have her "off" days. She may be extra hungry. She may display a slight change in temperament and be more careful how she carries herself, but so long as she is obviously healthy and happy, that is all that matters.

As soon as you suspect that she is pregnant, it is a good idea to contact your vet so he can enter the date of the expected birth in his diary and monitor the bitch's progress. Akitas do not carry much water with their puppies, nevertheless a considerable amount of weight will have to be carried as the weeks progress. It is generally not advisable to give lots of extra food in the early weeks. Experience has taught us that overloading a bitch with food will put weight on her puppies, and she will also put on extra weight. This causes two problems. Firstly, she will not exercise so well, and so she will not be keeping her muscles toned up. Secondly, the puppies will be fat, which means they will be larger and will experience a more difficult passage down the birth canal. And when they are born, they will be fat and lazy.

It is far better to have an active mother and lean, vigorous puppies, who will fight to get to the teats to fill themselves with that all-important mother's first milk. We have found the best policy is to feed a balanced diet with an increase in food after about five weeks. Naturally the future mum will be hungrier, but rest assured that whatever food you give to her she will pass on to her unborn babies before she takes it herself. She is a natural in parental care. Additives in the form of calcium and perhaps iron are a good idea, again after the five-week deadline. These days most foods are carefully balanced and numerous additives should not be needed. Indeed, the general view is that they can do more harm than good. But if the bitch suggests that she may have a deficiency, you should take her to the vet so that proper tests and analysis can be undertaken.

Akita bitches "hide" their puppies very well until at least five weeks, more often six. They may show no signs at all that they are pregnant, and this can be extremely annoying to the owners, who obviously want to know if they are to expect a litter so they can make the necessary preparations. Probably the best indication is a swelling of the bitch's teats. From as early as three weeks these can "pop", or enlarge slightly and become pinker in appearance. In our experience this is the only "sure" sign. Ultra-sound scanning can also give a definite diagnosis, but this is costly and sometimes the hair on the bitch's side or underside has to be removed.

Your bitch may show signs of thickening in the rib or loin earlier, but it is most unlikely. Akita Inu bitches do not generally carry their babies across their loin like most breeds. They hide them under their ribs and then later "drop" them and carry them in the belly, rather like a cow carries its calf. Whether you observe positive signs or not, it is wise to contact your vet and book the expected date of birth into his diary so he will be available if necessary.

Seven weeks into the pregnancy, introduce the bitch to her whelping place. A suitably sized box should be prepared and the absolute minimum measurements for this would be about 4ft 6ins by 3ft. This will allow the bitch to lie fully stretched on her side. The box can certainly be larger, but not so big as to allow the puppies to crawl away from their mother and so get lost. Make sure the bitch is happy with the box and its position. After a few days she will welcome the peace, quiet and solitude of this area and so will accept it as the natural place when the time comes to give birth. If she is at all unhappy you must give in to her and make other arrangements. She probably has a good reason for not wanting things the way you do. So listen to her and adjust. She may accept the box, and then on the day of whelping, she changes her mind and wants to go somewhere else. Again, you must give in to her request. She may return to the box after she has had her first puppy, but let her decide. It is worth all the upheaval to have a happy, contented bitch who comes through her pregnancy successfully and delivers her puppies safely, without causing you - - or herself - - any undue anxiety.

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Health Issues Common to Akita

All purebred dogs have the potential to develop genetic health problems, just as all people have the potential to inherit a particular disease. Run, don’t walk, from any breeder who does not offer a health guarantee on puppies, who tells you that the breed is 100 percent healthy and has no known problems, or who tells you that her puppies are isolated from the main part of the household for health reasons. A reputable breeder will be honest and open about health problems in the breed and the incidence with which they occur in her lines.

The Akita has some health problems that can be a concern, especially if you aren’t careful whom you buy from. They include hip and elbow dysplasia, progressive retinal atrophy and autoimmune hypothyroidism. At a minimum, ask the breeder to show evidence that both of a puppy’s parents have hip scores of Excellent, Good or Fair from the Orthopedic Foundation for Animals or a PennHIP score and certification from the Canine Eye Registry Foundation that the eyes are healthy. 

The Akita Club of America, which is the American Kennel Club parent organization for the breed in the United States, participates in the Canine Health Information Center Program. For an Akita to achieve CHIC certification, he must have an OFA or PennHIP evaluation for hips, an eye clearance from the Canine Eye Registry Foundation, and an OFA thyroid evaluation. Additional certifications that are recommended but not required are OFA patella (knee) and elbow evaluations. Breeders must agree to have all test results, positive or negative, published in the CHIC database.

Do not purchase a puppy from a breeder who cannot provide you with written documentation that the parents were cleared of health problems that affect the breed. Having the dogs "vet checked" is not a substitute for genetic health testing.

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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.

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Go Oriental With Japanese Breed Dogs

Dogs have a long history even in distant places like East Asia particularly in Japan. One of the most popular Japanese dog breeds is the Japanese Spitz characterized by its petite height, pointed muzzle with slanted oval eyes. Another interesting feature of the Spitz is that its hairs have the tendency to stand and tailor long from its back and its hind legs. It is also an excellent security animal as it suspicious of strangers and will bark repeatedly at first sign of doubt. Children also love having a Japanese Spitz at home as they are very friendly and patient with the child's playful actions. Keeping the Spitz nice and healthy is not a problem as it only requires minimal bathing and its coat barely catches a serious amount of dirt.

On the more ancient side of Japanese dog breeds comes the Shiba Inu which are said to breed from the mountains of Japan where they are very susceptible to the cold climate. It is also quite remarkable that Japanese authorities are able to save the almost extinct Shiba Inu in the 1920's The Shiba Inu's part wolf appearance makes it a revered animal to Japanese. Recently, this type of dog is considered as a national treasure in their country due to its early cultural existence.

Finally, another example of these Japanese dog breeds is the Akita Inu or Akita Ken which also stems from the Spitz family. It currently holds the title as the largest dog coming from Japan.

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How to Train Akita Inu

Before starting out with your akita inu training, make sure you fully understand the verbal commands, some tips on how to train akita inu and the exercise that you want to teach you dog. Don't start out any training with your dog when you are in skepticism because akita inu is an intelligent dog and easily get bored.

Some dog trainer believes that akita training take a longer time when compare with other dogs, but it is not true. It can, however, take lots of your dog's serenity. Rewarding your dog while on training can serve as a motivation especially when the compliment is delivered from a pleasant vocal tone, pack behavior. Always take note of these things.

Akita dogs does not understand our language, while many akita's owner assume they do. Always understand that if your dog seems to be making mistakes, the problem lies with the trainer who is not conversing the meaning clearly enough towards the animal. When instructing akita to do something, make sure that your voice is apparent and your own tone is definitely firm.

While teaching akita, he may start to lose curiosity so let him complete any task that he likes. Allow your dog to achieve its goal, always praise him for any short adventure, then resume back to your training. Be aware that different akita puppies make different progress in training at distinct rates. As the dog owner understands that your dog may learn instruction immediately or little by little, depending on the level of his intelligent.

The training lessons really should be short so that they won't get bored with the training. Start by using 10 minutes then gradually increase the time. As a professional dog trainer, I discover that long time training make dogs lose their curiosity. Get the right knowledge on how to train akita inu or else you may have problem with the dog.

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Akita Inu - The Six Unique Characteristics of the Breed

1. The forward-pointing ears of the Akita are an absolute must. They add to the alertness of stance and were almost certainly useful in hunting. They should be small, thick and representing an equilateral triangle in shape.
2. The eyes should be of oriental suggestion, not bold or piggy, but keen and dark to suggest the "oriental gaze".
3. The beauty and power of the Akita is very much evident in its forward quarters. The shortish, powerful neck should blend almost undetectably into the shoulders: it should only be noticed by the lovely arch which continues into the line of the ear to give that unique, proud stature.
4. The Akita tail is prized by the Japanese people and is considered as important as the head. The tail should be alive and well-carried, to be in perfect balance with the head.
5. The coat should have no suggestion of a wiry or yak-like texture. It should look and feel as though it could be found on that other lovely animal, the mink.
6. The colour is described as brilliant and clear. In the dictionary, 'brilliant' is defined as: splendid, sparkling, shining; and 'clear' is listed as: undimmed, pure and bright. These qualities should be reflected in the colour of the Akita's coat. It should never be mushy, sooty, dull or lack lustre. Ask the simple question: What colour is that Akita? If you can answer with a definite red, black, silver, fawn etc., the colouring is correct. If you have to say browny, fawny, greyish, sable, creamy-whitish, the colouring is incorrect to the standard of the breed.

The ears, the oriental eye, the line of neck, the high-flung tail, with a most luxuriant and brilliantly coloured coat, are the qualities which capture the Akita fancier's imagination. They are a most definite part of the breed's standard and must be observed intently when breeding so that they are preserved for the future.

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Akita Training For Your Best Friend

Due to their dominant personality an Akita dog can be a bit of a challenge to train. This characteristic is precisely the reason training is absolutely necessary. It is imperative that the Akita knows who is in charge from the very beginning.

Training methods for a dominant dog such as the Akita are a little different. When training any dog one should never use force or cruelty. Dogs learn best when treated with patience and kindness. As each pet has its own personality an owner must decide which dog training method is best for them. Sometimes a method is chosen after trial and error.

Positive reinforcement has been found to work best with most dog breeds. This method is often called the Reward Method. Using your Akita's favorite treat you coax them into obeying the command you are trying to teach such as "sit" or "stay." When your pet responds, either purposely or accidentally, reward him with the treat and with lots of praise. All good behavior should be praised as the Akita enjoys pleasing his owner.

It is very important to leash train your Akita. The adult Akita can weigh up to 125 pounds, and if not properly trained on a leash, the owner may find that his dog is walking him rather than he is walking his dog. The Akita breed is not tolerant of people or other dogs he does not know. For this reason leash training is also necessary to keep your Akita from aggressive behavior. While walking your Akita on a leash you will accomplish three things; training to walk on a leash, socialization, and exercise.

Some owners prefer to use the clicker method when training their dog. This method is especially effective if you are training your Akita to be a show dog. Clickers can be purchased at any local pet store. The clicker and reward training can be used together to train your Akita.

The Akita dog breed is smart and intelligent. They learn quickly and easily. Due to the size and strength of the Akita it is so important that they receive proper obedience and socialization training. A well trained Akita will become a welcome member of the family and be a pleasure to have around always. Be patient, kind, firm, and consistent and you will achieve the desired results.

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The Profile of Akita Inu

Having a right knowledge of a dog will help you to interact and train the dog properly. Akitas have been dogs that you will love to have as your home's pet. Because of its natural instincts and traits, it has been one of my favorites pet. Here are some of Akita Inu breed profiles.

The first birthplace of Akita Inu is the Japanese island of Honshu. According to history, the dog is used as a hunting and sturdy guard dog for animals like boar, bear. It is known for its good hunting.

 During the early days of the 19th century some hunters started breeding both Akita and Tosa together. This leads to a dog that are larger and more aggressive that its parent. Rabies outbreak diminished this breed and also during the World War 2, Akita's furs are used for uniform for Japanese soldiers.

Akita Inu is usually measure around 26 to 28 inches at the shoulder. They weigh from 70 to 120 pounds and have a lifespan of 10 to 20 years.

Lastly, one of the most interesting things about Akita is their temperament. The dog is loyal to its pack and because of this you need to consider an Akita as part of your family. Note that the Akitas are always aggressive especially when they are around others dogs. So you need to carefully counter these natural instincts by training the dog right from the early age.

An extensive training should be considered when choosing Akita because of all its natural instincts and traits. Do some research to get more knowledge on how to train the dog.

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Akita Inu Temperament

For any potential dog owner, the temperament needs to be well considered. I am considering the temperament of a Japanese dog called Akita Inu.

Understand the fact each dog has its own ways of reacting to stimuli. Akita is a dog that is loyal to its pack. I remember the story of an Akita in Japan who was so loyal that its goes to the train station everyday for 5 years to meet his master after the master had died.

Akita always looks to protect every members of its owner. They easily sense any threat around them. So you need to train your dog to understand that not all situations are threatening.

Other thing about Akita Inu is that they are dominant dogs. They don't easily mix with other pets in the house. In fact Akita is likely to act aggressively around other dogs. For you to overcome its natural instinct, make sure you start training the dog right from an early age. One of the ways to do this is by constant socialization with other dogs as part of its training exercise program.

Proper understanding of Akita Inu temperament will help the owner to have successful dog training. If you are considering owning an Akita, I will advise you to do some extensive research on the dog's temperament. This will help you to know its natural instincts and ways you can train the dog properly.

Get the knowledge needed for you to train your dog as soon as possible.

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The Difference Between The American And Japanese Akita

Looks.

There is a difference between how the American and Japanese Akita's are built and the way they look. The most noticeable difference between the American and Japanese Akitas of today is in the shapes of their heads. The American Akita is larger-boned with a large triangular head and small eyes resembling the look of a bear.

The Japanese Akita's head on the other hand, has almond eyes with ears that are set lower and more forward and this Akita resembles the head of an over-sized fox.

Color.

The Japanese Akita's colors are limited to brindle, white, and red with white markings.

The American Akita can be many different colors; often the undercoat has a different
color than the upper coat. However, they have mostly black masks.

Your Choice

If your preference is for a smaller boned dog with a face that looks similar to that of a fox, and you prefer to have a pure bred Japanese type of dog, then the Japanese Akita-Inu is one you will want to buy for yourself and your family.

Should you prefer the larger American Akita with its historical cross breeding, and its uncanny resemblance to a bear, you should make sure you select a reputable a breeder who specializes in this type of Akita.

Breed

The Japanese Akita-Inu was bred to be a companion dog whereas the American Akita was bred to be a guard dog. Even so, the two Akitas have similar temperaments.

Each individual dog will of course have its own personality. It is more important to look at the personality traits of the parents of the puppy that you may want to buy. The puppy will most probably inherit a similar temperament and personality to that of the parent dogs.

Always ensure that you are prepared to make a commitment to love and care for your Akita before you actually buy that adorable puppy!

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