| The Akita is a powerful, alert, large dog with a heavy | | | | quality meat and bone meal food, not grain based |
| build that can remind you of a bear. She does not | | | | food. *Grooming. This breed sheds twice a year. It |
| need a tremendous amount of exercise and may | | | | has a short haired stiff coat that needs frequent |
| even be suitable for an apartment if one is willing to | | | | brushing. Bathing should be infrequent as it removes |
| enjoy daily vigorous walks with her. A properly | | | | the oils from the coat that waterproofs the dog. Her |
| fenced yard for exercise is preferable. She is good | | | | teeth should be brushed at least twice a week with |
| with the kids in her adopted family but she may not | | | | toothpaste and toothbrush designed for dogs. |
| take to your kids friends, which scares me when you | | | | Brushing removes the accumulation of plaque and |
| consider her size and potential for harm. She does | | | | tartar which can cause cavities (rarely) and |
| not do well with other pets and is determined to be | | | | periodontal disease. Dog periodontal disease can lead |
| the top dog. She has no problem getting into a | | | | to pain, loss of teeth, bad breath and other serious |
| serious blood and guts dog fight. She must always be | | | | disease. To avoid health problems, her toenails may |
| walked on a non retractable leash. As a general rule, | | | | need to be examined weekly. The toenails of the |
| never leave any young child alone with a dog for any | | | | rear feet grow slower than the toenails of the front |
| period of time, no matter how short. Sometimes the | | | | feet. Generally a guillotine type trimmer is the best |
| Akita is also associated with the name Inu which | | | | for this chore and instructions to accomplish this can |
| means dog in Japanese. The American Kennel Club | | | | be found on the net. *Life Span. The Akita lives to |
| lumps both the Japanese Akita and The American | | | | around 10 to 14 years with proper nutrition and |
| Akita together but many other countries consider | | | | excellent care. *History. The Akita comes from the |
| them separate breeds. The Japanese version comes | | | | mountains of northern Japan and is considered an old |
| in four colors, Sesame, Red Fawn, White and Brindle. | | | | native dog breed. Early on she was only owned by |
| The American also comes in the Pinto color. The | | | | the elite, the Shoguns. This dog was bred to guard, |
| American type is larger and has shorter fur and more | | | | herd, fight and hunt. The animals it hunted were large |
| colors. *Temperament. The Akita has devotion, | | | | game including boar, antelope, elk and bear. The |
| alertness, dignity, large size, is fearless and was bred | | | | Japanese government has designated this dog as a |
| to be a watch dog. It can be very aloof with | | | | national treasure in 1931. The American Kennel Club |
| strangers and needs good socialization. *Approximate | | | | approved this breed on December 12, 1972. *Training. |
| Adult Size. The male stands about 26 to 28 inches tall | | | | The Akita is smart and will learn quickly. They need |
| at the withers (highest point of the shoulders) and | | | | firm training. He can become bored very easily to |
| the female stands 24 to 26 inches at the withers. | | | | vary the training routine enough to keep him |
| The weight varies to around 75 to 115 pounds, the | | | | interested. It is a very good idea to have him |
| males slightly heavier. *Special Health Considerations. | | | | obedience trained. He is currently employed in guard |
| The major health concern is hypothyroid disease | | | | and police work in Japan. *SPECIAL GOOD POINTS |
| (sluggish thyroid gland which can result in weight gain) | | | | Very good watchdog. Very affectionate and |
| which affects a high percentage of the breed and | | | | courageous. They are not barkers unless there is a |
| can be treated with hormone replacement drugs. | | | | good reason. They can have a calming influence in a |
| Symptoms of this disease include itching, lethargy, | | | | house. Very easy to housebreak. Keep themselves |
| sudden aggressiveness, and odd odor. There are also | | | | very clean. *SPECIAL BAD POINTS Aggressive to |
| less common disorders such as hip problems, some | | | | other dogs. Can be willful. Can be aggressive about |
| blood disorders and degenerative myelopathy. Kidney | | | | his food. May not accept children from outside his |
| disease can affect older dogs. Akitas require high | | | | family. Easily bored, they need to be stimulated. |