[tmobmobfil]

Currently part timing at a spay-neuter center. Spaying and neutering APBTs and mixes all day (so it seems) and pretty much all of them are sweet hearts.
Today, somebody brings in their Akita male... on a flexi.. dragging the owner along as he goes.. with his own muzzle, "because sometimes, at the groomer's, when he touches his feet, he growls a little."

Sure he does. I put on the slip lead, step through the door into the back... the dog gets entirely stiff, slowly lifts his head to look me straight in the eye with the look that says: oh no you didn't! You are LUNCH, biatch! Luckily, his very own muzzle is already on, so I just walk him along as if I didn't notice the challenge with renewed gusto. Once we had weighed him, he growled once and then turned into Cujo. He ended up on a rabies-pole, on his rear feet, giving the best impression of a rabid sumo wrestler. Effing ridiculous.

[joanbertis]

Akitas can be NASTY dogs, all the Inus can be NASTY. The worst dogs I have ever worked with were a Shar pei and an Akita.

[TeveVikep]

I get your point but I think the main point here is just like with Pit Bull type dogs any dog can be bad with a bad owner. This owner is clearly not a responsible pet owner showing up with a huge breed like an Akita (known for not liking other animals) on a flexi lead and not giving a crap that the dog growls at the groomer, just slapping a muzzle on it instead of working with the dog to accept people touching is in odd situations.

On a side not I really freaking HATE that people have these pure bred dogs like Akitas but are using a Spay and Neuter client which should be for people who really can’t afford it. So you can dish out the money for an Akita but can’t pay for the vet bills. Ugh.

[Arratherimi]

I've met really nice Akitas, they aren't all bad, they just need an owner who knows what they're doing...And they need to have good genetics, but i feel that most people who own Akitas shouldn't.
The worst dogs i've worked with were Cocker Spaniels, and other tiny breeds.

But i've met nice and mean dogs of all breeds

[Coellacag]

Akitas can be NASTY dogs, all the Inus can be NASTY. The worst dogs I have ever worked with were a Shar pei and an Akita.

My dad worked with a guy years ago who loved akitas. He did his research and bought a well-bred puppy. He socialized the hell out of him and trained him well. Couldn't cover up the fact that the dog had a horrible temperament. Inflicted a serious bite on his owner before he was a year old.

[joanbertis]

My dad worked with a guy years ago who loved akitas. He did his research and bought a well-bred puppy. He socialized the hell out of him and trained him well. Couldn't cover up the fact that the dog had a horrible temperament. Inflicted a serious bite on his owner before he was a year old.

Don't get me wrong. A friend of mine owns a Shiba (Kaeko) and an Akita (Aki) who I ADORE with ALL of my heart and are GREAT dogs. One of my all time favorite dogs to train was Lady Saphora an Akita. But they can be NASTY. I think people don't care and like other breeds, breed dogs with HORRIBLE temperament flaws.

[DoctorWeryDolt]

I feel so bad for Akitas. It's another breed subjected constantly to completely retarded, irresponsible ownership. And it's a shame because the Akita Inu is a fantastic breed. One of my favorites, actually.

The thing is, the spitz breeds are very 'wolfy' in their behavior. They're independent, stand-offish, cautious. They develop an intense bond with those they view as their pack and they don't warm up to strangers well. They're very protective and intelligent and they like to make their own decisions about how to act in certain situations. They're just not suitable for many people. Most people, in fact.

So, so sad. People need to stick to what they're capable of handling.

[User-Luser]

I had a shiba inu mix and boy was he feisty at times indeed! he was a great dog nonetheless, but I agree, the spitz family of dogs are very "Wolfy" in behavior. I would love a Japanese Akita (not the american version) someday honestly, if I ever have the land for a few dogs.

People truly seek these dogs out because of their beautiful coats usually, when they can't handle them at all. They are just like pit bulls when it comes to ownership, not for most of the general public.

[Arratherimi]

I had a shiba inu mix and boy was he feisty at times indeed! he was a great dog nonetheless, but I agree, the spitz family of dogs are very "Wolfy" in behavior. I would love a Japanese Akita (not the american version) someday honestly, if I ever have the land for a few dogs.

People truly seek these dogs out because of their beautiful coats usually, when they can't handle them at all. They are just like pit bulls when it comes to ownership, not for most of the general public.

could you post a picture of a Japanese akita? if you can find one? i've searched and searched and searched, every breeder and picture is the American akita

[tmobmobfil]

On a side not I really freaking HATE that people have these pure bred dogs like Akitas but are using a Spay and Neuter client which should be for people who really can’t afford it. So you can dish out the money for an Akita but can’t pay for the vet bills. Ugh.

Oh.. I SO get this one. It warps my mind to see Goldendoodles, Bengals, English Bulldogs and other expensive pure-bred dogs show up for low cost spay/neuter and vaccines. All I can be happy about is, that they aren't breeding the dog/cat.. because, obviously, they are not smart enough to start a quality breeding program.

[tmobmobfil]

They are just like pit bulls when it comes to ownership, not for most of the general public.

Honestly, I don't think they are.
I don't think that you would be able to do to an Akita what you can do to an APBT and walk away alive. They are not going to let you slip in the leadership department.... APBTs are a terror to deal with without leadership.. but IMHO, they are ideally NOT going to turn into Cujo. Akitas.. every time.

[agrismhig]

On a side not I really freaking HATE that people have these pure bred dogs like Akitas but are using a Spay and Neuter client which should be for people who really can’t afford it. So you can dish out the money for an Akita but can’t pay for the vet bills. Ugh.

Oh.. I SO get this one. It warps my mind to see Goldendoodles, Bengals, English Bulldogs and other expensive pure-bred dogs show up for low cost spay/neuter and vaccines. All I can be happy about is, that they aren't breeding the dog/cat.. because, obviously, they are not smart enough to start a quality breeding program.

Really? Because I have a purebred show dog (whom I may breed in the future) and I use my local low cost clinic for most of his vet care (shots, HW test, HW preventative).. so that makes me a bad person? Am I only allowed to take Wilson & Piper to low cost clinics (in your eyes) because they're mutts?

It's not because I can't afford to go to a "regular" vet. I just see NO reason to go to my regular vet for routine stuff when I can pay half (if not less) the price at the low cost clinic.


Oh and, I've met some nice Akita's, and some not-so-nice Akita's. Really depends on the breeding and socialization of the dog.

[casinochniks]

I've met really nice Akitas, they aren't all bad, they just need an owner who knows what they're doing...And they need to have good genetics, but i feel that most people who own Akitas shouldn't.
The worst dogs i've worked with were Cocker Spaniels, and other tiny breeds.

But i've met nice and mean dogs of all breeds

Me too I used to own a really great Akita, she was DA but we just made sure that she didn't come into contact with other dogs and when she did we had her sit and focus on us. The breed isn't bad but they do require a firm hand, not one I would recomend for just anyone.

[maclaudser]

Akitas are not supposed to be stranger-friendly. Having an Akita that hates strangers is like having an APBT that hates dogs.

[Tauntenue]

I had an Akita-APBT mix. He was sweet around us and such a lovable dog. But the vet we took him to nicknamed him "devil dog". Oddly enough his name was Malachi....remember Children Of The Corn? He was an Alpha male and was VERY territorial. Prob one of the most aggressive but loyal cross breeds I've ever seen. But what a sweet dog. He is still around. Going strong at age 16. He's with the ex though. There was no way I was gonna get him in the split. But I still visit him. I miss him.

[Arratherimi]

it's easy to find a pure bred dog without having to pay a ton of money, you can find one in a shelter, the newspaper, on craigslist,from a friend for a lot cheaper than from a breeder, just because someone has a pure bred dog doesn't mean they dropped a lot of money on it...Just saying.

But i will admit the majority of people who come in the vets office i work at spend a lot of money on their purebred dogs, and even more on those designer mutts.

[Tauntenue]

It's about the bloodline. If you want a good bloodline, you will usually pay more for it. If you just want a pure breed dog, those are available all over. And can be reasonably priced also. I always say to do research, no matter what you are looking for. But be prepared to do more research if you are looking for a rare or well known bloodline. In the end.....all dogs deserve a good home.

[machpamb]

I agree with Joey&Zoey and Cliffdog... Akita's are very impressive dogs physically, used to hunt bear and the likes. But they're a breed the vast majority of the public should NOT own. They're not supposed to get along with strangers, be handleable around them, yes, judge when it's appropriate to act protectively yes, but get along with and respond positively to things a stranger does to them, not so much.

I'd imagine one owned by a competent person educated about the breed and responsible whom purchased a well bred dog would have a dog that accepts the hands of a stranger, but will not tolerate challenging behavior (keeping in mind the differences of our body language and dogs and how people don't realize the differences.)
They are more independent dogs, so they won't rely on human guidance as much as say, a GSD would.




adjecyca, here.
This is a Japanese Akita Inu

This is a American Akita Inu

[machpamb]

Found a few better examples of Japanese types

[machpamb]

They're not supposed to get along with strangers, be handleable around them, yes, judge when it's appropriate to act protectively yes, but get along with and respond positively to things a stranger does to them, not so much.

I worded that badly, basically think "As long you respect me, I'll respect you." sort of dog.