Akita Inus - A Challenging Breed, But Worth It

By Cecil Carraway

I admit it....I love Akitas. Beautiful, strong, and loyal, you'll be hard-pressed to find a better, more loyal breed of dog. Sure, some may be as good, but none better. And once you look into the eyes of a new Akita puppy, you'll be ready to take home the whole litter. Not so fast!! Though I love them dearly, Akitas are not for everyone. That cute little puppy will grow up to be 100 plus pounds of solid, powerful dog, and if you aren't prepared, it could spell disaster for both of you.

3 Things You Must Know Before Getting an Akita

1. Akitas are very, very protective of their families. That includes you, your spouse, and your children. While this sounds like a good thing, and it is, it also means your Akita may be overly aggressive towards strangers. This is the most important and most difficult trait to address, though it's not impossible to overcome at all. All it takes is the right knowledge, proper training, and a little time.
2. Akitas are highly intelligent. They may even be more intelligent than their owners, lol. They certainly believe they are at times, and they may try to prove it by teaching you their way of doing things instead of learning your way of doing things. High intelligence isn't a bad thing....in fact, it's a good thing. It's important to keep this characteristic in mind though. If you're not up to the challenge, an Akita may not be for you. Just keep things interesting, and you'll do fine.
3. Last, but no less important, Akitas have a tendency to not get along with other animals, especially smaller animals such as cats and small dogs. They are very dominant and territorial, and this could cause problems if other animals are in the household. This can be overcome somewhat by properly socializing your Akita at a young age, but during times when you aren't around to break up any conflicts that occur, it's best to keep the animals separated. Larger dogs can usually take care of themselves if necessary, but smaller dogs and cats will be no match for the more powerful Akita.

These are just some things to keep in mind before you get an Akita, or if you are already a new owner. I love Akita dogs, but they can be a challenging breed to own, and they aren't for everyone. It's better to learn this before you take one home, not after. However, if you're up to it, and you're willing to make the commitment to properly raise your Akita, you will not regret your decision. I know I haven't.

If you have an Akita Dog or want one, visit AkitasExplained.com and pick up the new book "Akitas Explained: Everything You've Always Wanted to Know About the Akita". Written by Kevin Dean, it's the only book on Akitas you will ever need.