Akita Breed Info
by Valiant Akitas

Do they shed??
Oh yes, Akitas can shed! Akitas are seasonal shedders, and will "blow coat" usually about twice a year, in accordance with light cycles, and in females with hormones. They will shed medium amounts of hair year-round but twice a year is the big shed, where the old coat is cast off in chunks. Please take a look at this video produced by my friend at Skyline Akitas, showing an Akita being groomed while blowing coat. Pictured below is my dog Soco after having some hair taken off of him. With the right tools, you can remove the bulk of the shedding hair from an Akita in one or two grooming sessions. Lacking tools and time, many people choose to use a professional groomer. It is best if the Akita gets used to grooming from the time he is a puppy. If you are a neat freak, the shedding of this breed might be too much for you! I personally find their shedding easier to manage than breeds that shed all year round, such as a Lab or Shepherd.



Are Akitas good with kids?
Akitas CAN be fantastic with kids, if they have a proper temperament, good training, and if the kids are taught how to behave around a dog. Most Akitas should be raised around kids when they are puppies, but many older Akitas can and do learn to like kids if the dog comes before children. Akitas can be very protective of their kids so if there is a party or sleepover, I usually only let the kids around the dogs if they are carefully supervised, otherwise the dog is safely crated in my bedroom. Rough play could be misinterpreted by the family Akita who feels he might need to protect "his" kid from an "attack" by a friend. Just because your own child can chase your dog, hug his neck, and play with his toys, doesn't mean such liberties will be allowed by a visiting child. If you have a lot of kids coming and going in your home, neighborhood kids in and our of your yard, this might not be the right breed. The key with young kids is you need to supervise them together, and teach your children how to behave around a dog. Kids should not be allowed to bother the dog while he is eating, sleeping or in his crate. This breed will not tolerate abuse, so it is very important to be careful especially around very young children who often don't understand that a dog is not a toy. Visiting childrent might not know how to behave around a dog. Having said all that, when raised around the family children, most Akitas are very loving and tolerant of "their" kids. Pictured below are Courtney and Kahlua, Kate and Clancy and Courtney and Striker.



Are Akitas good with other dogs/animals?
This is the one aspect of an Akita's temperament that gives owners the most challenges. If you have a multi-pet household, with more than 1 dog already, critters, etc, think carefully because this might not be the right breed for you. Akitas are often good with other pets in the family that they have been raised with from a puppy. An Akita raised with cats will usually get along with the family cats, though most Akitas that haven't been raised with cats will probably consider them just another "critter". Akitas will probably chase and kill all critters (bunnies, ferrets, birds, etc) so if you have a family hamster or parakeet it is best to keep their playtime VERY separate and keep the cage where the Akita can't get into it. Most Akitas will get along with another dog of the opposite sex. Having all dogs in the home spayed or neutered helps them get along, because hormones can cause some dominant behavior. This is one reason I require spay/neuter in my puppies sold as family pets. Some Akitas will get along with same sex breeds, especially if they are a submissive breed, but this is always risky. I have had a few of the same sex that do get along, but they are always supervised and well trained, and it is uncommon. I do not like dog aggressive Akitas so I personally have tried to breed for more social Akitas, but it varies in different bloodlines. For some reason, my Akitas have always loved smaller breed dogs, and will often tolerate an amazing amount of abuse from their "pet". Obviously, you need to be careful and know your dogs, because the size difference could be easily fatal for the small dog. Akitas can be food and toy possessive so use caution and you may need to feed and give treats separately sometimes. As a puppy, the Akita will play with other dogs like any puppy, but as he matures he will become more dominant. Two males raised together might get along for months, even years, then one day get into a horrible fight. From that point forward then the owners almost always have to separate the dog. This is a hardship for most owners, so that usually means one of the dogs has to go. For this reason, most responsible breeders (myself included) won't place an Akita into a home where another dog of the same sex already lives, unless special arrangements are made. Most Akitas are dominant when meeting strange dogs and will not tolerate aggression from another dog. Many strange dogs will run right up to an Akita and get in his face and Akitas do NOT like to have a dog or person push their attentions on them. Some Akitas are more dog aggressive than others, it can vary with bloodlines. Very few adult Akitas will play with strange dogs and are not the right breed to take to the dog park. They make friends (both human and canine) slowly, so use caution when introducing your Akita to another dog. There are some Akitas that are just downright dog aggressive and will not get along with any other dogs but I have found these to be uncommon, most were simply not socialized around other dogs as puppies, but some are just born that way. It is very, very important to socialize an Akita puppy to other dogs while he is a puppy. He needs puppy classes and going to parks, etc. The more he socializes with dogs and people from a young age, the more accepting he will be as an adult. Pictured below are 3 females in the same kennel (Cayenne, Dazey & Kahlua), Zabu and Dora the Beagle, and Gee the Akita with his buddy Cody the Papillon.


Are Akitas friendly with people?
The Akita is a protective breed, most are very loyal to their families and slow to make new friends and can be suspicious of strangers. There are a few social butterflies (my Dazey was one)but they are probably less common. If you have visitors to your home, it is best to train your Akita to sit/stay when you greet and admit visitors inside. A new person should not push himself all over your dog or be allowed to hug or ruffle him up, as Akitas don't always like this attention from a stranger. Similarly, your Akita should not be allowed to jump up on the visitor and should be trained to wait nicely. Akitas like meeting people at their own speed,and they are often amazing judges of character! Akitas do not like loud, pushy people. Since we all have that "one" obnoxious friend or relative, beware that your Akita may never accept him. I have seen Akitas accept a friendly stranger instantly, while they never warm up to the creepy neighbor even after years of living next to him! Often Akitas will look to their owner and will accept a person you are clearly comfortable with, but the dog might not let people into the home or yard if you aren't home. The more your Akita is socialized to people as a puppy, the more social he will be as an adult. It helps to take a puppy out to flea markets, garage sales, the park, etc. often when he is young. If your Akita grows up around just your family and doesn't get exposed to other people, he will likely be quite aloof, so be sure to work with him while he is young.



Is this breed expensive to own?
Yes, it certainly can be. Any large breed is going to probably cost more than a small breed. Everything you buy (crates, bowls, leashes, toys, etc) will be bigger. Boarding, grooming, surguries, are all going to cost more for a big dog than a small one. Most people with Akitas even consider having a vehicle that is Akita-friendly, and SUVs and vans cost more than a compact car! Pictured below is Cayenne in her crate.



Are they easy to train?
In a word, yes, Akitas are very smart and quick learners. You won't find many other breeds that housebreak as quickly as most Akitas do. Most go through a relatively easy puppyhood, and are not as destructive as many other breeds. For some reason, my girls are more likely to chew things than the boys. Using a crate and confining pups to a small area like a kitchen on tile is smart while they are small. Akitas learn obedience quickly but this is NOT a push-button obedience breed. Just because the Akita KNOWS what you are asking it to do doesn't mean he will do it! This breed can have a stubborn streak and many have selective hearing! It is best to keep training to short, frequent sessions, heavy on praise and reward. It helps to have a trainer who understands this breed is NOT like a Retriever or a Shepherd. Some Akitas are more willing workers than others. This breed must have a fenced yard and be walked on a leash and can't always be trusted off leash without training. An Akita can have a mind of her own and might ignore your commands to come if she's chasing a bunny out of the yard. Pictured below is Cole, a CH Gambler son, with his owner and trainer Shawna Vencel, winning High In Trial.


What kind of fencing do I need?
Akitas need very secure fencing. While some dogs will not jump a 4' fence, many will, so I prefer a 5' or 6' fence. It is important it goes to the ground. Akitas will dig out of fencing so it is best if this breed is not left unattended in the backyard. The average family keeps their pet Akita in their home and lets him out in the back yard to potty, this is fine. If you will be leaving your Akita in the yard unsupervised it is best to install a secure kennel on top of a surface he can't dig out of, like decking or patio block. This also keeps him clean. Many dogs that are left out in the yard will dig and get muddy then there is the habit of not wanting to bring him in the house. A kennel is more secure (can be padlocked) and can have a shade cover and a dog house to give shelter. Many of these commercial kennels are too small to be permanent enclosures so you need to be sure you are exercising your Akita if you use one. I do not recommend just leaving your Akita out in the back yard. He will probably get lonely and bored and will escape or dig out. If he does, you can try putting block along the bottom of the fence so he can't dig out, or use a "hot wire" along the inside of the fence to keep him from digging. Not all dogs will try to dig out, but some will. Most Akitas that try to escape their yards are either intact Akitas searching for a mate or dogs that are left in the backyard and get lonely and bored. Akitas that get attention and exercise are more content dogs. Akitas are loyal dogs and are clean in the home and belong inside with their families. I do not recommend underground fences for this breed AT ALL, because it doesn't keep other dogs or people from entering your yard, and this can be a protective, territorial breed. For sure, this is not a breed to just "let roam", he may get into fights with other dogs and Akita owners have a responsibilty to keep this large, powerful breed safely on their own property.