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In recent
years, the Akita has moved from complete unknown to popular
pet. This Japanese breed has a recorded history dating back
over 300 years. They were bred as guard dogs and for hunting
deer, bear and boar. Very large, powerful and protective the
handsome Akita is not a beginner’s dog. His physical strength
is sufficient to drag an adult down the street with ease. His
highly protective “one family” personality often
leads to aggressive guarding behavior.
Although
most Akita puppies are easy going, lovable teddy bears, at 5
to 8 months old the majority of them undergo a change to a classic
adult Akita personality. Pushiness, guarding of toys, bones
and food, aloofness with strangers, irritable aggression, dog
aggression, predatory behavior and aggressive guarding of owners
and territory frequently begin to emerge at this age. As you
can see from this description, even a well bred Akitais a challenge
to raise, requiring patience, firmness and knowledge. He is
definitely not a beginner’s dog.
Tragically,
the Akita’s great popularity has led to bad breeding practices,
and today the majority of all Akitas are plagued by a variety
of health and temperament problems. Many Akitas are “shy-sharp”.
This term is used to describe a personality that is very, very
easily irritated, annoyed and threatened (“shy”)
and that uses a high level of aggression (“sharp”)
when upset. These are dogs that bite you because you looked
in their eyes, touched their paws, spoke sharply, moved suddenly,
or any one of a hundred other things the dog might find distressing.
In addition to being shy-sharp, many Akitas (especially un-neutered
males) are excessively dominant, often to the point where any
attempt to control them elicits aggression. Additionally, many
Akitas suffer from a thyroid deficiency which can cause aggression,
but usually goes undetected and therefore untreated. Most of
the Akitas suffering from aggression issues end up being put
to sleep before their third birthday.
In a well
bred dog, irritable and “shy-sharp” aggression should
not be present, and with training the other behaviors should
be controllable. These behaviors are a normal part of the Akita’s
temperament, and were deliberately bred in to produce a bold,
determined hunting and guarding dog. However, these qualities
are not very desirable in a pet. As a dog trainer, I frequently
have clients who report that their Akita changed in a few months
from a cuddly little bear into a seemingly unpredictable, aggressive
powerhouse over whom they feel they have no control. Many owners
are even afraid of their own dogs!
The Akita
Rescues (groups of people who help Akitas to find new homes)
are so over run with dogs in need of help that they frequently
refuse to take in a new dog – they simply have no more
room. The really dangerous dogs are immediately put to sleep,
but the Rescues try their best to save the dogs who are just
pushy or untrained. Unfortunately, there are never enough homes
available.
If an Akita
seems like the right breed for you, be sure to do careful research
into the dog’s breeding and get a dog from a well bred,
sociable line, or adopt from a Rescue. (As with any breed, you
should never buy from a pet store.) Do not purchase any puppy
whose parents are aggressive! The pup has probably inherited
the temperament. Ask the breeder’s vet whether the pup’s
parents and grandparents are free from genetically inherited
physical defects such as hip displaysia and weak knees. How
much does the breeder know about genetics and what precautions
have been taken to ensure that the pup will be healthy and of
good temperament? Get a Temperament Evaluation done by an expert
when the puppies are 7 weeks old to help you choose the right
pup for you, and then start training.
Puppy kindergarten
is absolutely essential to help you in raising a friendly, obedient
dog that can be a joyful addition to the family instead of a
frightening, tragic mistake. Akitas are not “bad dogs”
– but they are not for everybody. |
