Advice on akita's

[Chrisheathcote]

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I am looking at getting an Akita puppy to add to the family and am after some advice.

Firstly as a household this will be our first dog, however I am not new to medium/large dogs. Growing up I had a Border Collie until the age of 9 after that I have looked after/been responsible for dogs that belonged to family friends, these include Labradors, German Shepherds and Old English Sheepdogs. From carrying out lots of research on Akita's I had seen all the "first dog, do not buy warnings". What I am looking for is expansion from owners as to what makes them so unsuitable. (I am aware of the strong willed/stubborn/dominant tendencies that they have).

We have been thinking of getting a dog for a while but we have a son who is Autistic so have dismissed the idea. However research is now showing that caring for a dog can be good for autistic children (I have seen 1st hand the benefits). So we have decide to get a family pet. So that he feels involved we have asked my son to help in the choice and needless to say he fell in love with Akita's, (must admit they are gorgeous ).

We are looking at a puppy so that we can start to train and socialise it from an early age. There are classes near me which will take puppies providing they are fully vaccinated. I have also looked at taking this further with the KCGD scheme.. Although both myself and my wife work full time, I work from home and we also have good friends and family members who are prepared to check in when required.

I guess what I want to know from everyone on here, is have I missed anything? Is there anything I need to know if we do choose an Akita?

Thank you in advance

 

[Raven oaktree]

Honestly..i would never own an akita..there are just 2 dogs i wouldnt own..an akita and a caucasion shepherd. ..and i own a GSD and ive owned an anatolian shepherd x mastiff. obviously everyone has their breed love..

From what ive read akitas are one person dogs, though are loyal to their family..they are not good on strangers coming into the house and neither are they very good with other dogs. Obviously there is always an exception to the rule an you will find people who tell you theirs is great with everything and anything. Obviously training and socialisation helps alot, but most of the temprament traits are breed related so although you may be able to train them to tolerate visitors /health proffessionals etc for your son..it will only ever be a tolerance. My anatolian loved my disabled son so much he wouldnt let anyone near him..he even broke out of his crate when he could hear my son having physio...if the dog had managed to get out of the kitchen i dread to think what could have happened..he wated to protect his boy and that was that !! breed traits are there however you train!!..i am going to be biased im afraid because i really do not think these are first time family dogs...so what i suggest you do it ring an akita rescue..not a breeder because they may have other motives ..but a rescue..speak to someone, explain your life style and talk to them about the breed. They will offer the best insight into the breed in general..and the problems encountered by akita owners. Im training my young GSD to be a care dog, I love GSDs..fantastic family pets who can step up when needed..i have met a guy who has an akita as a companion dog..the guy is deaf and the dog helps him..but even he said the dog is aloof with people and wont tolerate dogs....speak to a few akita rescues...get good advice..good luck and im sorry if i seemed a little rude about akitas..its just a dog i would never own, especially as a first time owner, but thats not to say they are not right for you and your family ..get advice and speak to the people who know them ..i gather they love their children but if your child is prone to teasing a dog or lashing out they will not tolerate that