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Akitas => Akita Discussions => : coolsocks April 06, 2005, 02:50:26 PM

: Akita temperment
: coolsocks April 06, 2005, 02:50:26 PM
I have an Alaskan Malamute and a Siberian Husky. I'm not ready for another dog at this time, but I've been researching different breeds and have heard mixed things about the Akita temperment. I've only seen Akitas at dog shows and they seem well behaved. The handlers are standing in groups together and the dogs are not lunging at one another. (This is not always the case with malamutes.) So for those that own one, how would you rate their temperment with other dogs (same sex, opposite sex, younger, older, etc...)? Would you conisder them protective of your family? Malamutes and huskies typically are not protective and love just about everyone, but I know the Akita standard calls for them to be loyal to the family and more aloof with strangers.
: Re: Akita temperment
: noahcruzan April 11, 2005, 12:18:41 PM
I have got an Akita, he is only 15 weeks now but he seems to love other dogs, especially really big ones.  Also, he started getting protective at about 11 weeks, so by now is already extremly protective.
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: mgcsold April 12, 2005, 09:54:45 AM
The Akita has a good temperment...a round other dogs, children and even other pets....they will protect the family if they feel there is a threat by both animal and human...they are devoted to their family and very loyal....they are calm and collected unless provoked....

this is the standard for the Akita....altho ugh all breeds have stories of bad temperment.... it is all in the breeding and background...r esearch before you buy...if your dog comes form good stock and lineage...you will have a devoted, lovable, teddy bear that will let strangers know he is watching them....

hope this helps...
: Re: Akita temperment
: JCDrennan April 12, 2005, 03:04:25 PM
Akitas are generally protective of what they consider "theirs" - which will include their owners, their children, homes, cars, yards, the street in front of the house, areas surrounding the house and any other pets in the home.  Most start showing this protective instinct between 12-24 months.

The Akitas you see at the shows have been socialized and taught not to jump at or on other dogs.  However, if you look closely - you will see that the owners are not letting the dogs get close to each other and are not letting them make eye contact with other dogs.  Akitas are dominant and will try to dominate other dogs when given the chance.  Most "show people" know this and take steps to prevent it.  

Males will get along with females and vice versa.  Do not put 2 males or 2 females together.  They normally will not get along.
: Re: Akita temperment
: b_clark April 12, 2005, 04:20:58 PM
This site is pretty good for dog breed overviews - http://www.dogbreedinfo.com/akita.htm
I have found Akitas to be loving, loyal pets to people. I would not allow one to be offleash with other animals, as I have seen them attack and seriously injure other dogs (including dogs they had lived with their whole lives) as well as kill cats! Research them thoroughly before deciding if you want to adopt one, know what you are getting. They can make great pets for the right owner, make certain you are that owner.
: Re: Akita temperment
: mgcsold April 22, 2005, 05:40:53 PM
My brother in law has an Akita as well as a beagle, a shepherd mix, 3 cats and a brand new daughter....th eir Akita is very loving, protective but friendly....I have seen this dog in action...when we went to visit and we brought our dog along there were no problems...sam e with when we got together with a group of people to go to the park...again.. .no problems.....

in response to the not letting the dog off leash with other dogs or animals....thi s is true of all dogs....until they have been properly introduced you should never leave your dog off lead with anyone or anything...you never know what the reation will be...as far as Akita's being a dominant dog....you can not classify a whole breed as dominant....on ly individual dogs....it all depends on the breeding...eac h dog can be tempermant tested when they are young....
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: oneway May 23, 2005, 12:50:02 PM
My Akita, Kuma, is the sweetest, most affectionate dog.

I rescued him from the street where he was abandoned or escaped when he was about 1 year old. He was covered in oil and muck, had worn off much of the hair on his elbows, and had a chain rusted around his neck tightly with a c-clamp that was impossible to open. I had to cut the chain to get it off him.

I have a cat that he considers one of the family and even grooms and licks on occcasion! However, I am very careful introducing him to other dogs. If another dog snaps at him or acts aggressive, it's all over. I've unfortunately had two occassions where he has seriously hurt another dog. One in the dog run with a great dane about 3x his size (Kuma, at about 110 lbs, could walk underneath him) that snapped at him 3 times before Kuma got really pissed off. Another with a pit-bull who snapped at him while he was on the leash. Both dogs suffered severe sever cuts and tears in their throat.

He is very gentle with friends. However, if you show aggression toward him he will show it back. This is not a dog for enyone. An Akita is the type of dog that you must IMMEDIATELY let know who is the alpha-male (or female) or it will not listen to a thing you want it to. Most importantly, although you must show dominance, Akita's are dogs that you should NEVER HIT. The consequences could be at the very least... painful.
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: newflvr May 23, 2005, 03:37:07 PM
I agree with all the cautions with Akitas.  We had "Teddy" for 13 years and the first 5 were okay.  He had been well socialized and trained and was fantastic with my 4 young children.  After the age of  5, however, the protectiveness became frightening.  He would attack ANYBODY he didn't know...UPS man, people walking by, so we had to keep him on a "long line" (like a lunge line for horses ).  If we went out and left the kids home (by then 2 of them were teenagers) we could leave him in the house and KNOW that nobody was coming in.  That said, he would also lift his leg on the interior walls of the house to mark his territory  and this after he had been neutered at 8 months!  He always was good with my kids, but did kill cats, skunks (that was special) and whatever he could get.  I felt so sorry for him..but he just could never be trusted.

He is the reason we now have Newfs....
: Re: Akita temperment
: bigdoglover May 24, 2005, 06:22:15 AM
i just want to say that i think akitas are beautiful dogs. i would love to have one but am just too afraid that they will be overly aggressive and i won't be able to have another dog in my home with one. that being said, if i ever moved somewhere i wanted a protective dog i would consider one for myself.
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: ann June 06, 2005, 04:53:34 PM
oneway your dog is goodlookin...i'm glad you found him he's very lucky...i have a akita mix his tempermant is very much akita he loves his family and a few select friends of ours but other than that he can't be trusted i'v had him for about 10 years and it has been a challenge  but he did not come from a good place his mother who was a akita was abit aggesive..i have 2 boxers and a cat he is fine with but i did bring the boxers in the home when they were pups i realy don't think he would except a adalt dog...i think a akita would be fine for you if you got one from a good breeder and used possitive training and alot of  social activites with him..but do alot of reseach to make sure it would be a breed for you...good luck..

ann
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: rpeeples June 23, 2005, 09:11:34 PM
Akitas & other dogs -- that is profoundly variable  Most responsible breeders are breeding out overt aggression but part of being an Akita is being a dominant dog.  That alone can incite trouble with other dogs.  Akitas are also very intolerant of rude dogs (the ones that jump on every dog they see and the owners don't control) and that can cause problems as well.  What I ask of my Akitas is that they initiate NO problems with other dogs.  Expecting them to get along with all other or even most dogs is a bit unrealistic IMO -- not saying it can't happen but should not be the expectation.

Akitas & protectiveness - Akitas have an innate ability to differentiate threat from non-threat.  I have zero doubts that any of my Akitas both those i have had since puppyhood, those I have adopted & my fosters would protect me against perceived threats.  This does mean that intense socialization is needed to help them learn normal from non-normal.  My Akitas are friendly, one is a pet therapy dog, and off-leash reliable.  But do not come into near me if I do not say it is okay.  In general Akitas are more person protective than place protective and, thus, may not be good guard dogs if no one is home,

: Re: Akita temperment
: Mad Liz July 18, 2005, 07:26:27 AM
My Akita is also a rescued dog.  It is scary how many people take on these beautiful and supremely intelligent dogs without any idea of how to care for them.

Sadie is excellent with people and is about to become a Pets as Therapy dog.  However, other dogs may be a problem and there is no logic in what causes Sadie to take offence.  The other day, a very nice couple with a very nice black labrador asked if they could say hello, and I said yes, although I warned them that Akitas can be unpredictable.  Sadie snapped at the poor Lab's nose.  Ten minutes later she turned completely to slush when we encountered an Akita puppy.  The following day she was introduced for the first time to my best friend's two terriers with no problems, and the following morning she was quite friendly with a golden labrador. 

The owners of the black labrador saw all of these encounters and can't understand what their baby did to offend, and I don't know either. 

Akitas are not a dog for the faint hearted. 
: Re: Akita temperment
: oneway July 18, 2005, 07:41:25 AM
Mad Liz,

Sadie is beautiful. It's funny, my Kuma is really wonderfull with some dogs and aggresisive toward others. He typically does not like pit bulls. In general, he is the sweetest, mushiest big teddy bear and will not be aggressive unless he is provoked. However, the leash will always make him a little more moody with other dogs.
: Re: Akita temperment
: Mad Liz July 18, 2005, 08:14:09 AM
Sadie is beautiful.

Thank you.  Kuma looks lovely as well. 

I must admit I love having a dog that looks so stunning.  It is hilarious to see people walk past you, practically drooling!
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: zimas_mommie August 01, 2005, 12:11:47 AM
I also own a rescued Akita!! My Zima was givin to me by her previous owner because she did not get along with their german shep. Although she got along with their lab???? They rescued her from a pet store! The fact that she got along with the male lab and not the female germ shep we thought she just didnt get along with female dogs. You know the two females under one roof concept lol! I took her to my mothers and Zima was fine around her male dog at first then she just flipped out on him! So Im thinking it will take alot of work and training with her! Ive heard that some are more agressive then others. She is as gental as can be with my 3 children ... who range in the age of 2-8. She is scared of other people but friendly once she gets to know them!
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: eporter September 07, 2005, 02:05:37 PM
My boyfriend and I just got our akita a little over 2 weeks ago.  He's been training great and at 8 weeks is showing no signs of aggression except for dry hum**ng the cat :-)  They play together and for now, the cat shows him who is boss. 

We have been trying to socialize him with other animals.  Gets along with family's jack russell, but not the a german shepherd (Both males by the way).  accepts people willingly into the home and when we go to other homes.  I know he's too young to really judge him now, but he knows we're the dominant alpha's in the house.  Won't keep eye contact for more than a few seconds before looking away and we reward him with positive reinforcement with everything, no negative (although i have slapped his nose a time or two for biting me really hard - playfully).  Does anyone have any alternatives to letting the akitas know not to nip when they are puppies?  I've tried yelping like a puppy, that doesn't phase him one bit... and he nips at the cat too?  maybe it's just puppy behavior?  We have plenty of chew toys and he does chew on them... just thought I"d ask.
: Re: Akita temperment
: lins_saving_grace September 07, 2005, 02:11:35 PM
My boyfriend and I just got our akita a little over 2 weeks ago.  He's been training great and at 8 weeks is showing no signs of aggression except for dry hum**ng the cat :-)  They play together and for now, the cat shows him who is boss. 

We have been trying to socialize him with other animals.  Gets along with family's jack russell, but not the a german shepherd (Both males by the way).  accepts people willingly into the home and when we go to other homes.  I know he's too young to really judge him now, but he knows we're the dominant alpha's in the house.  Won't keep eye contact for more than a few seconds before looking away and we reward him with positive reinforcement with everything, no negative (although i have slapped his nose a time or two for biting me really hard - playfully).  Does anyone have any alternatives to letting the akitas know not to nip when they are puppies?  I've tried yelping like a puppy, that doesn't phase him one bit... and he nips at the cat too?  maybe it's just puppy behavior?  We have plenty of chew toys and he does chew on them... just thought I"d ask.
the best way to stop biting/nipping is to hold his muzzle and squeeze till he yelps.  Holding his face in your hand and forcing him to look you will give him the idea that you want his attention too.  It's natural for a dog to look away and loose the staredown contest anyway.
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: PrettySurvivor September 22, 2005, 11:58:41 AM
Your research has proved you right, however its often the dog who proves us somewhat wrong at times.   Gizmo is Akita...& he's fiercely protective of family...altho its more often then not he's more friendly to strangers then Akita traits would lead you to believe.  However, I think dogs reguardless of breed, have great instincts w/ people.  Rather someone is bad news or what not.    My Akita...he's a lover of other dogs, hardly aggressive unless severally corner by two or more aggressive dogs...& as for kids surprisingly he's a lover of them as well. 

I guess I lucked out huh.. too bad he's as stubborn as I am!
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: thorthugglesworth@ December 04, 2005, 03:34:35 AM
My Akita was the same way as yours. He changed OVERNIGHT at 13 months. Now he does NOT tolerate other males.

Be vigilant...
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: ReesKujo August 16, 2006, 11:42:07 AM
I have had Akita's most of my adult life and as has been said they are extremely loyal as well as territorial.My current Akita is a rescue and was 10 months when I got him.He is now a little over two.He is very sweet to everyone and tolerates my 3yr.old grandson pretty well.He'll usually just walk away if he annoys him to much.He's very friendly to people he knows but I've had him try and go through my screen door several times when strangers have approached especially if I'm home alone.He did very well with other dogs even males until last year and then starting showing some aggression but with alot of redirection and training he's much better and that includes with smaller animals.If I'm walking him and there are strangers around he will immediatley stop and stare them down warning them not to come near me and if it even looks like there going to he'll let them know in a flat second not to.They are a breed that you must gain Alpha status with right away and they will also from time to time test you to see what they can get away with.Their loyalty and protectiveness is unbelievable.I feel just as safe home alone with my Akita as I do with my husband.As has been said they are not a breed for everyone especially someone who doesn't have the patience for their stubborness or who can not gain control over them,but I can say I will never own any other breed.I think they are amazing dogs and the love and loyalty they give you can't be really expressed in words.
: Re: Akita temperment
: ReesKujo November 16, 2006, 12:23:08 AM
I to have a rescued Akita and had bred them for many years.Kujo is the sweetest most loving dog ever.However if we don't know you and you try to approach me without me telling him it's ok he will go after you.Akita's are extremely protective of their family,home,and anything that surrounds their home including a bush or parking lot.I have found that if you establish the Alpha role right away,give them intense training and socialization and teach them what is expected of them they are wonderful dogs.Kujo is very friendly and would never bite unless he felt a threat.Two weeks ago I had a seizure and he got to me before my husband and actually growled at him when my husband tried to push him back but once he realized my husband was trying to help me he backed off,however my husband had to put him up when the medics came because Kujo wouldn't allow them in the house.They are not a dog for everyone.You must be prepared to be consistent in their training and for the times that they will test you to regain their alpha status.They are not a breed that will tolerate any type of physical punishment either.To do that is asking for a problem.When I was breeding I would never sell a pup to someone who had no experience with the breed and if they already had an Akita I would not sell them one of the same sex as they are generally same sex agressive.You must do alot of research on the breed before getting one.
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: akita_luv March 23, 2007, 12:35:31 PM
My akita is great with other dogs but he has been with chance (shepard lab mix) sience he was 8 wks old. he does stand his ground and show whos boss but he isnt aggressive. He is great with all kids thou and protective in a good way. ;D hope this helps
: Re: Akita temperment
: caperica October 31, 2007, 11:58:44 AM
I came to know my first Akita through a rescue. He was about 3 months old when he came to be part of our family. My attraction to him was his attentiveness to my little girl. He had the typical aloof Akita nature, but very loving with us. I took him to a meeting of the dog club group at a ball park with many other dogs, He was a perfect gentleman. (this did not come by accident, I worked with him).  It was the other dogs that seemed to want to come at him.
From my past experience with that, I keep him back from them.
On another occasion, a doberman attacked him, with no provocation from my dog at all. Akitas will take a lot before they "blow" usually. But if the issue is pushed, they will end it. The doberman did not make out well.
Akitas can move to strike in a split second. (Remember they were bred to hunt bear and hold a bear for the master to come)

I am sure each one is different about some things. Just as people are.

One tip: When you introduce on dog to another, it is wise not to introduce face to face. Dogs take kind of eye contact as an aggressive posture.  You can walk side by side for a moment first or hold the dominate one so the other is allowed to sniff the rear, which is the way dogs shake hands, so to speak. I

We also have an Akita puppy that is only 7 weeks old. She is already guarding us and will growl and bark at a stranger. My other Akita really did not do much of this. He was more laid back and loved our male Shepherd.
So I think the breed standard is there, but there is difference in personality.

I agree with everyone else. They are dominant and powerful dogs. If you have confidence that you are the boss and can do that in a gentle way, you might consider an Akita. However, it takes a person willing to do the proper socialization and working with your Akita. If they become the boss, and they want to, you could be in for a real rough ride. Akitas learn fast, but your correction must be done in a kind, mild way. Never hit or hurt.

They are magnificent dogs and my husband and I truly admire them.
: Re: Akita temperment
: psycangel December 18, 2007, 08:32:12 PM
Hi everyone, I found this post very interesting. I raised Akitas for almost 10yrs. and found the breed to be extreamely loyal and loving. They are exceptional with kids, and other pets if well socialized, but this is something that has to happen from birth. They are very inteligent and I often found that during traing if they didnt like the way I was doing they would try to find a better way! All of my dogs were good with cats, rabbits and other small animals but some were very picky about other dogs. I had one female that when aproched by another dog she would do play bows and act excited and as soon as they get to close she would freak out and try to kill them. I did find however that you could tell which dogs would be agressive just by watching how they reacted as puppy littermates. If your considering getting an akita just be sure that you study the puppies and test temperments, and I agree they are not the dog for the faint of heart.