For this first article, I particularly wanted to introduce you and especially with no taboo my favorite dog breed. Those who follow us for a while know the energy that I put to inform, prevent and advise (at my level) people who are closely interested about this superb breed. On instagram and many other social medias, you can admire this beautiful breed : the AKITAS
I gather today the two breeds , the Akita Inu and the American Akita because they remain similar despite some small details. These beautiful Japanese dogs make us dream by their presence, beauty and strength … Indeed, Akitasare incomparable loyal dogs, clever with a temperament approaching cats and their attitudes are sometimes very funny. ( Sure that some owners will smile )
DO NOT JUDGE A BOOK BY ITS COVER !
Their teddy bear appearance can often cause issues for peoples who do not know the breed. Yep, they look like cubs but they’re not made of marshmallow ^^ . As a primitive breed, there are many things to know before buying this kind of dogs. First facts you should know is that Akitas are naturally very dominant, they hardly tolerate other dogs especially of the same gender. A huge socialization from a very early age is extremely important to accustom the dog to tolerate its furriends the best way as possible. Nevertheless, Akitas build their characters well after adolescence, a puppy or young dog who willingly played with his comrades can very well stop this overnight and no longer accept contact with them, be sure that he can also attack them .
This is why it is strongly discouraged to get an akita of the same gender if you already have a dog and if you don’t even have the necessary facilities to separate them for life. For life, because akitas are very resentful, usually if they decided to no longer accept a dog, it is forever. To avoid abandonment, you must be aware of this risk and not try to change their temperament. Those who have already experienced an Akita fight know that it’s gonna be very difficult to separate and that it won’t be without some risks. Yes, they are real ninjas ! Don’t think that because your current dogs are submissive or very sociable, that the Akita who has grown up with will necessarily get along with them during all his life. Many peoples are very surprised and often don’t even know what to do when a fight comes and that’s usually very hard to stop them. The “pulling the back legs’s technical doesn’t really works with akitas.
KEYS TO SUCCESS: POSITIVE EDUCATION, PATIENCE, SOCIALIZATION AND LOVE
It is necessary to raise an akita with gentleness, patience and a lot of tact. Positive education is paramount with them. We educate but we do not train an akita … Despite the fact that it is not a breed that obeys perfectly, we can achieve very beautiful things through a smooth and regular work.
Personally, I manage to obtain a great result of obedience with Malcolm to which I am very proud. He likes to make me happy and it’s proof of a successful connection between us. Like all primitives, their hunting instinct is very present.
A recall will never be one hundred percent reliable when an Akita decides to go hunting. Many owners use large lanyards to let them sniff and hunt in peace but especially safely. You should know that akitas owners often keep their dogs on a leash because of the risk of crossing other dogs or if they decide to go hunting . They are relaxed without leash in safe places and cleared to see a potential danger. If you have the habit or the desire to have a dog without leash and without constraints, you will be disappointed to see that the akita is not suitable for you. For many owners, outings are not always just relaxation and their obsession is to cross detached dogs. Most incidents happen very often in this way.
CODES VERY DIFFERENT FROM OTHER DOGS
Akitas carry their tails and their ears very high, their postures return to other dogs some signals which they can interpretlike dangerous. Some will go and face them, others with more canine codes will go their way. Sheepdogs are particularly even more sensitive to the akita’s attitude because their canine codesare rather different. After several experiments of my friends akita owners and with the sight of the reserve of my owndog with the German Shepherds, I could notice that it is particularly necessary to be very careful between Shepherdsand Akitas, but not only…
Akitas are often not recommended for people who have never owned dogs but personally I think that sometimes it is better to be a first time owner who has time to devote to education, socialization of his dog and who feels the desire to learn, rather than someone knowledgeable about other dog breeds and who think that Akitas are the same and applies stuffs that are not necessarily valid for an Akita. Obviously you have to have grip and tact to manage them, but it can be learned, especially when you are well prepared.
For all breeds, research are necessary before adopting a dog. Meeting owners, breeders are the best way to learn more about them. Ask yourself whether or not you’ll be able and if you will know how to fill the needs of the breed. Each of them have specificities that needs to be adapted. In the opposite case, it is better to continue daydreaming while looking at pretty pictures. Don’t think either to change the instinct and behavior of a primitive, that’s why we shouldn’t buy a dog for his beauty, there are enough dogs in shelters.
To minimize abandonment or accidents, it is better to be ready to meet all these conditions to accommodate a dog like this.
Talking about the Akita breed without taboo is important, they are not bloodthirsty monsters, they simply need some space with other dogs and you just have to know how to respect it. If you cross an akita during a walk with your dog, it would be better to avoid any problem, to get yours on leash if it’s not already done or to have a good control on him to not approach the other dog, unless the akita owner has proposed it to you.
AN EXTREMELY WONDERFUL BREED
As an Akita Lover, I am very happy to discover them a little bit more each day, because we learn every day a new thing with them. Their behaviors are so interesting and their attitudes often very funny, they are often called cat-dogs and this is rather true. The love of an Akita is an inestimable thing, on this point I take willingly the example of the legend “Hatchiko” .
I hope that you will enjoy this first article dedicated to the Akita breed. Feel free to visit kennels, meet owners and send us messages if you have other questions.
See you soon !
