From: kaufmanj@iccgcc.decnet.ab.com (And be ye kind one to another...Eph. 4:31)
Newsgroups: rec.pets.dogs
Subject: Re: Akitas
Date: 3 Sep 92 18:10:53 EST
Distribution: usa

In article <1992Sep2.215013.3093@oakhill.sps.mot.com>, whooper@oakhill.sps.mot.com (William Hooper) writes:
> I am thinking about getting an Akita sometime in the
> unspecified future, and have a couple of questions.
> First, does anyone happen to know how you say "bear"
> in Japanese?  My wife and I thought Bear might be a
> good name for an Akita, but was wondering how it would
> sound in Japanese (seems to make sense for a Jap. dog).
> 
> Also, what are net.people's experiences with Akitas
> (good, bad, and indifferent)?  The dogs that the breeder
> I know has seem to like people very much and are not
> too dog aggressive.  I already have 2 female Shelties, so
> I was thinking about a male Akita (supposed to keep tensions
> down some).  Anyway, feel free to post or e-mail replies,
> I will watch the newsgroup to make sure I don't miss any.
> Thanks in advance.
> 
> -- 
> --William Hooper                  | whooper@howler.sps.mot.com
>   High End Systems Design         |"I dare you to be real
>   Microprocessor Products Group   | To touch, to touch the flickering flame"
>   Motorola, Inc.                  |  -- bauhaus



I have to add my two cent's worth...but a word of warning...this is rather 
long.  I tend to be windy (no comments from you, Kimberly Williams!)...


	I own two akitas -- a 4 year old male and a 14 month old female. My
husband Tom and I "purchased" them both from a breeder in New York -- the male
at 4 months old and the bitch was a replacement for for the male (we bought
him as show quality and he wasn't quite, so they honored the contract and gave
us the bitch).  The male is "Big Benz Talyn Warlord" (Talyn to his friends),
and the bitch is "Big Benz Tropic Storm"  (Stormie, or more appropriately,
Hurricane!). 

	I have two other males -- a 9 year, 20 lb terrier/sheltie mix 
(Wolfe -- he looked like a shepherd mix when we got him as a pup from the 
pound!!), and an almost 9 year old, 45 lb keeshond (Bere pronounced "Bear").

	Talyn has been a wonderful addition to my household.  We don't have
children, but he loves them (I do have a niece and nephew 5 and 6) and follows
them around.  He is very tolerant of them.  He is also protective of them even
though he isn't around them much.  Akitas aren't a herding breed, but I've
seen Talyn herd my niece (when she was 3) away from trouble (stair cases,
etc.). 

	I took Talyn to obedience classes when he was 4 months...he handled
them very well for so young an age and was the top in his class (that had older 
dogs!).  This showed me that akitas are very intelligent and quick to learn
*when they want to*.  There were times, especially in the second set of 
classes, where he just REFUSED to do a certain item -- like jumping or holding
a dowel rod.  He will never make a good obedience dog -- an obedience 
dog (to be REALLY good) has to enjoy the work.  Talyn hates it.  He performs 
the tasks, but his heart isn't in it.  He's just too independent (that trait 
tends to run through most akitas).

	Talyn has ALWAYS been very well behaved whenever we take him anywhere.
We've taken him to ball games at our church ball field (lots of kids), dog
shows (yes, I showed him in confirmation for a year...), family & work
picnics, flea markets, an auction (everyone wanted HIM to be for sale!), etc.
The only comments we've ever gotten were positive:  "I didn't know big dogs
could behave so well!", "He's so well mannered!",  "He's so calm", "You mean
he *doesn't* bite??" (people always seem to think that Talyn looks nasty
because of his big head..??) etc. etc.  I've had several people seriously
offer to take Talyn -- and they've all had small children that Talyn has
pampered.  Talyn has been neutered (when we got Storm).  He stands at 27" and
weighs 105 lbs.  Unfortunately, Talyn isn't the healthiest of beasts -- he is
low thyroid (medicated twice daily), and is highly allergic to grass and trees
(injections weekly).  Otherwise, he has never been ill.  He's sweet, a real
"mush", and passed his temperament test in May. 

	Storm, while a half sister to Talyn (same mother), is so very 
different.  Where Talyn is aloof, dignified, and "regal", Storm is exuberant
(the best word for her!), out-going, and just full of vinegar!  She's eager to 
please, obedient, to a certain degree, and loves to play Frisbee (I tease my 
friend Kim that Storm played with her golden Spencer too much as a pup!).  
Even with all of this, Storm is very dominant.  She ruled her litter and had 
to be alpha-roled at 10 wks.  But as she has gotten older, her desire to be 
with her people has gotten stronger.  She rules the roost, when Talyn lets 
her, but she has total dominance over my other two males.  I've shown her off 
and on for a while -- her puppy career consisted of 7 matches where she took 
1 Group III, 5 Group Is, and a Best-in-Match (all at the tender age of 12 
weeks).  She's growing now (I'm waiting for that chest to fill in!).  She's
approximately 24" tall and weighs in around 85 lbs.  Storm goes to take her
temperament on September 13th.  She seems very inclined to obedience work, and 
I'm beginning her in classes within the next few months.

	Loyal -- yes, akitas are that, and protective. I wondered if Talyn, who
is so gentle and non-aggressive towards strangers whenever we've taken him
anywhere, would defend his home and his family.  I don't wonder any more.  My
19 year old nephew (whom Talyn knows, but isn't around much) was visiting my
home one evening.  He left the house to go to his car for a minute, but when he
returned, he just came right in without knocking.  I was in the living room
with Talyn.  As the door began to open, Talyn moved himself to stand between me
and the door.  When the door opened, and my nephew came in, Talyn barked
(actually it isn't a bark -- I've never heard him "bark", he "baa-woof"s) once,
then looked at me as if to say "Is it okay for him to come in un-announced?"  I
said "It's okay Talyn" and he immediately ran up to my nephew, tail
wagging...everything was fine. 

	Lovable, companionable, sweet, but no nonsense with other animals.  He 
gets a long fine with my other two (full) males.  The keeshond has always been 
submissive, so no problems arose.  My terrier/sheltie, though, was alpha male 
before Talyn came on the scene.  Yes, we've had "altercations" between the two 
as Talyn has matured and demanded the alpha role.  You'd think that a 20-lb dog 
wouldn't argue with a 100 lber -- wrong.  Terriers are the kind that don't give 
in to anything...stupid?  I think so.  We've had 3 battles between them, and 
Wolfe has lost all three.  Talyn has never been angry during these episodes, 
but he is responding to Wolfe's challenge of his authority and he is decisive.  
Wolfe has had a few punctures in him...but no "vet-visit" serious injuries.  
Nothing has occurred over the last year or more, and after 4 years, I think
they've finally settled it between them.  But we don't leave much to chance --
the two are NEVER left together alone... 

	Talyn was 3 years old when Storm came on the scene.  Boy, was she a 
real bugger for him -- she never left him alone.  Always grabbing at his ears, 
tail, feet, etc, but he was always wonderful with her.  I'm not saying that he 
didn't put her in her place...she would attempt to act dominate with him and
he would knock her down and stand over her until she submitted.  He definitely 
helped "train" her and calm her down.  Now, they are the best of friends.  
There are times when she tries to push him, but in typical pack situations, 
the corrections are quick, hard, decisive, and immediately forgotten.

	Back to your questions, though.  Be sure you buy from a reputable 
breeder.  Pick up a few akita books...subscribe to Akita World magazine.
Does this breeder's dogs resemble those in these medias, or are theirs 
under-sized, with improper coats, or incorrect tail carriage?  I'm not saying 
that every dog is perfect, nor do you want, I'm sure, that perfect akita.  Just 
be sure that the breeder is attempting to IMPROVE THE BREED.  Ask them about 
the thyroid of the parents (it is becoming an increasing problem in akitas),
which can affect personality.  

	Do you have a nice sized yard?  Is it fenced?  Akitas are large
animals, and seeing my two run my 1 acre fenced yard is a wonderful sight.
Akitas tend to be dog-aggressive, especially males, and protective.  Fenced
yards help prevent strays (and ornery kids) from coming into "your dog's
territory".  And what is "not too dog aggressive" ? You have two dogs already. 
Can they walk their dog within 10 feet of another dog without an incident?  5
feet?  

	Are you prepared for the vet bills?  Medications are typically dosed
by weight.  An animal over 100 lbs (typical, for a male) costs a great deal
more than *both* of your shelties.  Also, there are many vets who do not like
to service such a breed.  Can the breeder recommend a good one in your area? 

	Are you prepared to take this dog to obedience training?  Any dog this
size should have basic obedience classes. This class is also a perfect
environment for socializing (people as well as other dogs). 

	Akitas are stubborn and independent -- they don't tend to be cuddlers.
Are you ready to exert your dominance when that 16 month, 90 lb  male decides
he's going to try to be pack leader and replace you?  (Again, training will
help with this.)

	I love akitas.  I will always own at least one.  They are beautiful, 
intelligent, impressive-looking animals.  They are loyal, independent, but can 
be very stubborn.  If raised improperly, or obtained from the wrong breeder, 
they can also be unpredictable and aggressive (towards other animals AND 
people) -- but isn't this true for any breed?

	Good luck, and I'd love to know if you end up with an akita!

							Jan

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Jan Kaufman			Family:  4.00 yr Akita male - Talyn (alpha)
Allen-Bradley Co.			 9.00 yr Terrier/sheltie male - Wolfe
Highland Heights, Ohio			 9.00 yr Keeshond male - Bere
                             AND         1.20 yr  Akita female - Storm
Plus a yellow-nape Amazon, a blue-front Amazon, and one Grey-cheeked parrot
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