Like any breed, there are typical talking points about Akitas. There have been a lot of things about this breed that deviate from what you typically hear (we're actually going to do a video about that), and so we thought it was important to share our real world experience. Thank you for your comment, it's always good to get some feedback to know if our videos are helpful!
My friend texted me @ 6am this morning to tell me his moms akita just killed their second maltese. He's 6 months old. It's unfortunate. I love this breed but I don't think they do well with other animals. I can't wait to purchase my first home so I can have an akita❤️
@@hi8942 Wait. What? This breed kill a second dog at 6 months and you love this breed? Why? But what about a child? I owned three. Please read my comment below.
Got an Akita when my sons were young and I babysat 5 kids. She was the best dog I've ever had. She watched over all the kids. Was only aggressive 1 time, guy came over to pick up car my husband worked on, she went ballistic had to lock her in a bedroom. Found out a few months later he was a pedifile. Love this breed, had shepherds my whole life. Sheba lived 17 blissful years.
All true points stated about the Akita breed. I have fortunate to have owned 3 different Akitas throughout my lifetime. Male Akitas are much more aggressive in my direct experience. The breed is VERY loyal, VERY protective and standoff-ish around strangers. Excellent breed NOT for beginners.
Thank you for sharing your experiences! Unfortunately people in the comments like to say our video is wrong because THEIR Akita was atypical. It's great to hear from other Akita owners like you!
I think we broke ours. Lol. We took her everywhere with us from day one. Lowes, Home Depot, our local Bath and Body Works and Hobby Lobby and of course Pet Smart all allow dogs. We went to at least one of these stores daily to make her use to people. We also enrolled her in puppy classed as soon as she was old enough. Now 2 years later she is obsessed with people. She LOVES the attention she gets and even gets offended when someone walks by without saying hi. We may have over socialized her.
@@1979geauxtigers I've had two female Akitas. My first was a prior show quality Akita. Female Akita can be more sociable as they don't seem to have the same dominance level needs that male Akitas do. Socialization is always important for a big powerful breed like the Akita. One thing I have been taught about dogs is that male dogs tend to protect an area, and female dogs naturally tend to protect people as they have more maternal instincts. There are always exceptions in both cases, nature vs nurture is always in play.
@@Andy-jt8wz Yes, she is very protective of us. My senior citizen mother lives with me and that is the main reason I wanted an Akita, so she would protect my mom. She never let's my mom out of her sight, especially in public. She will also sit on our feet and lean on us in public, claiming us. She is a sweetheart. I am actually happy she is so accepting of new people. Makes life easier. I would rather have her on the friendly side than stand offish, but I have no doubt she will do her job when the time comes. Her size is enough to intimate most people anyway. Lol.
@@1979geauxtigers Fun fact - Helen Keller was gifted two Japanese Akitas. As many dogs have above average empathy, I wonder if Akitas in general have heightened empathy with those that they bond with.
I got an Akita when my granddaughter was little. I wanted her to grow up with a dog. I did not plan to get an Akita but saw the pups living in awful conditions and just loved them. The first year was a battle of wills but she learnt I was the pack leader. I have never regretted getting her, she has been the best dog ever. She has never been aggressive in any way. She had amazing play times with my granddaughter, they were so funny together. Alaska was gentle and calm with her. Alaska has also never shown aggression towards anyone or any animal in or out of the home. Sadly, I have just lost her at nearly 15years old and miss her dreadfully. We are heartbroken. I was so lucky to have her in my life. 🥰🥰🥰
Oh my gosh I’m so sorry! May she Rest In Peace. I lost my dog last March and I still miss her. She wasn’t an akita, but she was very loyal and took about a year to learn she wasn’t the leader of the pack lol
My first rescue was a Akita. He was about 6 years old. He trained me as to what I should expect from an Akita. I was about 8 months pregnant with my son. So being home I figured I had enough time to retrain the dog. He changed my life totally. Sometimes dog aggressive but most the time he could be around anybody or anything one time he ran away and when we found him at the pound and they had him on death watch. If it had been another day they would have put him to sleep. That's when we started our Akita rescue I could not understand that in Ohio if an Akita was not claimed within a certain amount of time they had to be put to sleep. The people were amazed so much when I came in & found him that he curled on his back for a rub to his tummy. He hugged me when he saw me. It was so funny, they said that the only way that they were able to give him food and water was to take a pan and scoot it with a broom into the pen. He had 3 bowls in the pin. SMH. But when you talk about loyal .. he had chewed through the basement door, then opened the back door to get out. He went over a 6-foot fence all because his owner Brad had not been home for 3 days. You see I was second choice my son's father was his master and when they found him he was about two blocks away from where Brad was staying. When you count the 15 miles that it took to get from my house to there. He had one thing in mind and that was he needed to be near his daddy. Now they are both in heaven together
Yup my dog ate through the bedroom doors to try to get to robbers ! They were running through the yard and scooping the houses, they are the most loyal breeds I have ever encountered my heart hurts as we lost ours yesterday and had her cremation this morning after 12 years 😓
Talking about Wendy is a story with as much pain as happiness. The love and devotion she gave to her family is unmatched and to this day I swear she could almost talk and the intelligence was off the charts for a dog. A lady near my home raised and bred Akita's and to me they were just dogs and my son wanted a dog. I ask her about getting a puppy and then she explained they were special dogs and the cost. A few days later the lady knocked on my door with some puppy's, new born actually and explained the mother died during birth and the pups would have to be nursed and her employment was hard for her to care for the pups. The local vet got me everything I needed and educated us on how to care for Wendy. I was the first thing Wendy saw when she opened her eyes the first time and I held her in my arms when she closed her eyes the last time. She was a blessing from God and to this day I have never forgot her or the love. Akitas are like having a child and later having a protector watch over you, but for the most part there not the dog you throw some food in a bowl and tell them to go lay down.
Adopted a 55lb Akita mix. Got the cattle dog look with the Akita personality. In the beginning, she was super stubborn, wouldn't do anything, but she realized I was far more stubborn that she was. And she also realized I was more than capable of just picking her up and carrying her where I needed to and being bitten didn't scare me. I've had her for 7 years now and she's my baby. An absolutely stubborn cat dog, but my baby.
Had Akitas most of my life and every point he makes here is absolutely true but if you can do all these things you will have the most loyal companion you can imagine.
I am a first time dog owner and have a Japanese Akita. I thought a long time about it before I decided to have a puppy of this breed. We definitely had a lot of struggles because aggression towards other dogs but I finally found the right method for us and finally it's getting better. I love my dog so much but everyone thinking of getting one should really consider the unique character of the breed ❤️ This, of course, should be done no matter what breed.
My girl friend has one Akita from Japan; her dog is her eyes! Waoww! They are so well all together and her family! She is a female same color that Hachi! She went to Vancouver from a Japanese family to take her dog! Frankly she is stubborn not all the time but my friend is so patient with her since day 1! All together they are very happy with their Akita female! 😍
I have an akita 3 years old, and he’s my first dog. He’s a teddy bear and always interested in everyone and so nice. He’s very dependent on me, where he wouldn’t eat if I wasn’t home.
I have had an Akita for 13 yrs. with no problems. Aquired another Akita 2 years ago an he´s my best friend, very silent and follows me around the house. I live in Brazil with average temperatures of 30c, with no problems with the dogs. Gets on well with the cat.
As an Akita owner I love seeing someone actively trying to educate owners on the breed. I have a one of a kind akita, she’s my service dog and she lives in a household with 3 other dogs. I’m a dog groomer and she does great at work and even sometimes plays in the doggy daycare in my facility when I have time to monitor. I do everything to make sure she won’t be out in a situation where her temperament can be comprised. You have a gorgeous boy and I can’t wait to see more of your videos
This is exactly what our responsibility to them it. Don’t let them be put in any situations that make them be protective etc. I just lost mine yesterday and she was cremated today, 97lbs she gave us 12 years of the most love and affection I could have imagined, she was a lot of work, but she was worth all the money all the furniture even the doors she ate lol 😂
I adopted a female Akita-Husky mix a little more than a year ago. She is exceedingly intelligent, observant, and independent thinking. It's the independent thinking--what you called stubbornness--that will be difficult to handle for most people. Akitas aren't the kind of dog to be blindly obedient, and they practice informed disobedience just as often as they will perform a trick for a treat. My first dog--a Beagle--had that same independent, stubborn streak, which thankfully prepared me for my Akita. This may not seem like a huge ordeal but in fact, it's one of the most difficult personality traits in a dog. If you are not mentally on the level to deal with it, you will find yourself being outwitted and completely ignored by your own dog. In other words, you have to earn an Akitas respect, and most people aren't ready for that when they adopt or buy a dog.
Curious to know what the energy level of your Akita-Husky mix is like. Our Akitas have been lazy buggers, and our friends' Huskies are balls of energy.
@@TheAkitaLife She is pretty lazy, but she was already 4 or 5 when I adopted her. Also, she was pregnant when I first adopted her. No one knew. She had a litter of 4 pups, which look to be mixed with Bullmastiff. Now, they are full of the purest form of energy you can imagine. I wish I could bottle it. I'd make a fortune.
@@TheAkitaLife my husky akita mix has three walks a day , one hour each, with a big run around the park and playtime included in the hour. So 3 hours outdoor exercise & he plays or lounges around our huge garden also, he also once inside tends to chill and play when we initiate it and once we do he's happy to be a cheeky monkey but aside from his 3hour dailies, garden play & family play he definitely loves to lounge around and get cuddles and belly rubs lol. He's very close, with our 2 male cats & our 2 year old female pom mix, all 4 sleep together, eat together & play together ESPECIALLY when they think we're asleep. They leave their beds and hang out at night causing mischief & he is like a big over sized baby who let's our female dog boss him around, and she's tiny. Even our cats bop him on the nose when they're feeling cranky & don't want his drool all pver them at that moment! We have a 9 year old also & he's her absolute orotector. He never let's her even be without him when she's in our back yard playing alone. He's so soft and gentle with her & with us. Often gently picks our hand up in his mouth pretending to bite it off when really inside his tongue is gently licking us all over 😋 hes our Teddy bear. We've had him since he was just 6-8 weeks old though. He was in a bad place & had no choice but yo leave mom that early unfortunately. But he's thrived & definitely adores our other pets and kid. And on walks he tries to play with all the dogs and when any growl he just walks away immediately. He's too gentle and sweet that I worry about him being bullied by mean dogs when hubby takes him out🤣
My first dog was a rescue akita. I was inexperienced, young, and lived in a pretty small apartment without a fence. Nakita and I learned and experienced a lot, and we benefitted from a lot of luck, but I wouldn't change a thing. I went on to own a great Dane and another akita.
I’ve had rescue Akitas all my life and I’ve seen a wide range of personality and temperaments. My mom had a huge 120 lb gentle (but still protective) giant named Zeus when I was born. He once saw the cats grooming each other and thought he could help since he had a nice big tongue. Got lucky with him as her first dog, but she did do extensive research on Akitas before adopting. We’ve had 3 others since then, all with unique temperaments. We don’t have the time needed for a puppy, but we love ARSF who matches us perfectly with the right dog for us.
My Akita got 0 training, and a lot of love. He is never aggressive unless it's actually needed and expected, as when weird strangers approach our house. When I take him for walks, random kids run up to us to pet him, he has NEVER EVER shown even the slightest bit of aggression towards them. He is always super careful around my 2 year old nephew, he is aware of his size and strength and makes sure to not accidently push him over or hurt him in any other way.
My Akita was raised with me when I was 10-11 years old along side a very small and feisty cat. We got her for christmas and she's been an absolute angel ever since. I'm 23 years old now, and in all the years of being around her, I have never ONCE seen her aggressive. She was taken to puppy training and she's walked regularly and is very well loved, she's a big lazy ball of fluff and I love her a lot :)
I've had 2 male akitas. You have to start early and be consistent, it can be a battle but consistently is key. After the battle of wills, they are the most loyal, loving and will protect the nest from all intruders. They are fantastic with children, which is one of their breeding directives. Wonderful dogs.
Agreed on all except the children. The statistics don't agree. While some people may have had positive experiences with Akitas and small kids, that's not always the case with this breed.
I couldn't imagine life without our quirky Nala. She's 6 now and we got her from 10 weeks. She's a 50:50 American Akita:German Shepherd and we got her after previously having only Border Collies. What a difference. Stubborn as hell, won't sleep in a basket or a crate, fussy with her food, but undeniably the friendliest most lovable dog ever towards people. She doesn't bark, but just talks to you and sometimes chatters away to herself. She keeps herself immaculately clean and is more feline in her ways than a cat. She is protective and especially of our grand children. She senses our moods and anxiety and reciprocates with love and devotion. At nearly 50Kg she is expensive to keep but that is no hardship for what she brings to our lives. I cannot say that she is typical of the breed but we are so lucky to have her. Thank you for your channel.
I had an akita chow dog. She was by far the most smart dog I ever had. Would learn things in a blink of an eye. Very " talkative" lol! Very protective. Very friendly with other dogs. She and my German shepard were inseparable. Both in heaven now, they were a joy in my life.
Talk about an aggressive combo, my son at 5 yrs old became so close to a dog we raised as a puppy at that time. It was a Chow Akita mix. He turned out to live til he was 11yr old and was devoted to my son. Very protective and very smart. He talks about that dog today at 34 yr old.
My 1st dog was an Akita, the most loyal and personable dog I could ever ask for, proper training is a must with this breed as they are territorial, that being said an incredible dog, rip Kodiac The Bear ❤ you were a legend
So here’s a little story. When I was younger my dad was given an Akita while working at a house. Apparently the dog tore up the wife furniture and the wife to the guy to get rid of it. Anyways my dad brought him home and the dog was extremely finicky and during this time my only experience with dogs were with the ones we had since puppies so I expected this dog the be all over me and play with me. I ended up ticking the dog enough to the point he bit my face. Nothing serious just a warning bite but still leave scare. The dog remained distant for a few weeks. When I did gain his trust this dog would not leave my side. I played outside quite often and he was by my side. I never was able to train him but he did learn the basic commands and listened without second doubt
My first large dog was an American Akita when I was 16. Never had to train him at all. He didn't like my friend's rottweiler at all but he was best buds with a German Shepherd at a farm we worked on. He lived a good 12 years.
I raised and showed Akitas for thirty something years. Out of those years, I only had two that had zero prey drive. My first Akita, and my last Akita. Many people seem to think it's about how you raise them. That's only about ten percent. It's all about prey drive and breeding. The higher the prey drive, the more they will not get alone with another animal. Males especially will challenge you for the alpha position, and if you don't have an alpha personality, you are going to be in trouble. Because they will take over leadership, and you will be nothing to them but sub human. I only had one female challenge me, but she soon learned it wasn't going to happen. They blow coat twice a year, and your house and yard will look like a snow storm hit it. Birds love the undercoat for making nests.
Lived with a rescue Akita and undoubted it scarred that dog for life (mostly neglect, possible cage banged on to menace her). I was worried for a Pomeranian that lived in the house which proved to be true but that was due to another human who was not paying attention (poms can get stepped on by bigger dogs). I would not have gotten the dog until the pom was out of the picture. That said, the pom would chase the akita out of the room aggressively (for show). Akita didnt want any of that. Once she stopped and ignored the pom which just ran into her because she didnt run away. It was hilarious. But this akita loves other dogs, not people. I think, again, it goes back to her origins as an abused breeding dog that failed to be a good mother.
I had a rescued Akita over 25 years ago and he was so smart and obedient. Even after having multiple dogs since him, I still compare every dog to him. I have definitely seen a few tough ones though. I’m at the time of my life where I’m done raising dogs but he will always be my favorite ever. Love your dedication to the breed.
Great video. I have had 2 Akitas and love this breed and I totally agree with your comments, well done! As the owner, you need to be the boss. We got our first before we had kids and when they were born we slowly introduced him to them. He immediately cared for the kids and protected them. These are beautiful dogs but they do take a lot of patience and effort. Easily trainable.
We have a seven-year-old American female that we adopted from a shelter when she was four years old. We are her third owners. You are spot on about their general characteristics. We have trained ours to the point where she is a certified therapy dog that we take to nursing homes and hospitals. BUT...that was after three years of concentrated training sessions two and three times a day. Can it be done? Yes. Is it for everyone? No. Be prepared to put a lot of time in. Is she a wonderful, loyal, sweetheart? Yes! Do we love her? She is the best dog ever...
In the "I've done it but do not recommend it" boat. I went looking for a female Akita pup but ended up with a male to accompany my other dog, a 4 yr old teacup male. It all worked out in the end, but it took months of training, tons of patience, and tears of frustration trying to get them to get along. I also got an extremely rare submissive Akita pup, which helped, and he loves his older brother very much...
Just had this come up as a suggested video and as an akita owner, I have to say well done 👏🏼 I have a rescue American akita and I am well aware that she is not a typical akita in most ways (she is beyond stubborn and ignorant though 🤣). It amazes me how many people get dogs of any breed without doing their research first. We did extensive research before adopting our girl and we had friends who fostered for an akita charity who helped to educate us on the breed (our girl was their foster dog). They had three akitas of their own and had numerous fosters so their experiences really helped us with training. It was hard because our girl had been abused and she was terrified of humans but straight away, she fell in love with our westie and she trusted him. He really helped her see that we weren’t going to harm her and that we were safe. It took 18 months before she completely stopped cowering and peeing from fear whenever a human tried to pet her. I’ve had rescue dogs in the past but they never needed the time, love and patience that she needed. Thankfully she loves people now ❤ We were advised to not let her off leash due to the stubbornness and high prey drive akitas have and in that way, she is a typical akita. So instead we bought an 80ft horse training lead so she is free to run but we know we have control (and she won’t disappear chasing some animal 🙈). Another thing that people need to know is the dog hair 😱 No amount of words ever could’ve prepared us for blowing season 😳😂 If you don’t like dog hair, don’t get an akita!!! I love akitas and our girl is perfect to us but I definitely wouldn’t recommend them for first time dog owners. Akitas need experienced owners, preferably owners with experience with big and stubborn breeds. There aren’t even words to describe how stubborn akitas can be. I’ve always had stubborn breeds but all of them combined don’t compare to the stubbornness an akita has. Sometimes, you may as well be talking to a lamp because you have more chance of a lamp doing what you ask of it 🤣
I had a shep/akita cross. BEST DOG I've EVER had!! He made it 12 years. He was scary looking, but was a total cream puff and loved his pet indoor chicken. Oh, I'd give anything to have another exactly like him.
This is THE BEST Akitas channel on YT. I own a mixed Inu / American Akita for 7 years and absolutely confirm all these aspects, and it is verygood to actually hear about every aspect of the Akitas, not only the pros like most channels say. I live in Brazil and it is very hot in here some weeks. My dog has taken the time do adapt, and we always worry about his health. We maintain a pleasing temperature in the house, walk him only when it's not sunny, preferably early in the morning or late at night. For all those who plan to own an Akita, please please whatch as many videos of this channel as you can. Lovely and beautiful breed, bit come with a "price"!
Akita’s are my favorite dog breed. Although I’d love to own one someday, I won’t be selfish, I know I am currently not able to give the pup the best life I could provide. Meanwhile, I can gather as much information as I can until that big day comes 😃
I grew up with 3 Akitas. One when I was really young. From when I was a baby until I was about 5 or 6. He was very protective of me and my parents said he was very good with me. I could do anything to him and he didn't care. He got bloat unfortunately and we had to put him down. Then we got two more when I was a freshman in high school. Unfortunately we had to put them down 2 years ago due to old age. We had them for over 12 years. 2 males of the same litter. They were pretty good with most people but they could sense weirdos from a mile away. Very protective. It wasn't until we found out that one of them had myasthenia gravis. The other one started to get very protective of him and together we couldn't have other dogs around them. The only dog that they got along with from then on out was my cousins dog as long as no food was around. They really are great dogs and I wish more people would give them more of a chance. They are definitely for people who are responsible.
I always recommend a book I read a couple decades ago called “The Southern California Dog Owners Guide”, because it had a really great section on dog socialization, how critically important it is for Any breed, and the optimum age range for socialization (4 to 12 WEEKS of age! So you get your pup at 8 weeks, you have 4 weeks to optimally socialize your pup so he/age grows up to be a sane, emotionally balanced, companion). I read it before I ever got my first Akita. I’ve followed that advice and people have often commented on how friendly and mellow my dogs always are with strangers out in public. This was a great video!! And yeah, the food, the treats, the “engagement toys”, the play time, the HAIR, the health and well being maintenance. It’s all part of the package, but for those of us who understand what it means to have the love and loyalty of an Akita…is it really such a chore? Really glad I found your channel!
A lot of accurate and smart statements in this video. I am an American Akita owner, we have an almost 3-year old male. A few observations: I'd avoid using the word aggressive to describe this breed. They are a DOMINANT breed and that word describes them wonderfully. Why I think this is an important distinction is that when people imagine an aggressive dog, they think of a snarling beast at the end of a leash, straining to get at anything that comes near them with an owner doing all he or she can to restrain them. That simply isn't this breed. Dominant breeds have a need to be the alpha in their pack environment. For example, our Akita sees me as the alpha, and that's how it should be. How do I know this? Because male dogs all have scent glands on their lower jaws and will habitually mark anyone or anything they want the world to know is 'theirs.' He does this to my wife, my kids, our friends (once he's accepted them), our golden retriever, our cat, lol, the list goes on. But he won't do it to me, ever. He's telling other dogs or creatures that can smell his scent that these beings are under his protection and messing with them will result in a visit from him. Our golden is a female and she's as submissive as a dog can get, she's zero threat to his status as the alpha and they are great together. Totally agree that Akitas aren't for first time dog owners as they are very stubborn, things like playing and affection are on their terms and you just have to accept that. There are times when he wants to be cuddled and loved on and other times he'll put up with it for about 30 seconds and then he'll move away and go sit on his own. I'd also call out their shedding. They shed constantly but do (2) full body sheds a year and they are 6-8 weeks or so of constant grooming and vacuuming. I'd say in 40 years of being around and owning dogs, I had no idea I'd love this breed so much but I can't imagine I'll ever own another breed.
@@Jeff-S I cannot locate your comment but will state that any dog breed can be aggressive without the proper care and training. Are Akitas more likely to be aggressive than some species, for sure. In my household, we have a male Akita, a female Golden and we used to have a male Yorkie. The Golden is not aggressive UNLESS food is involved. She attacked and nearly killed the Yorkie over a food scrap, he ended up dying a few months later at the age of 14 and I'm sure the attack from the Golden shortened his life. The Akita would NEVER do this because he isn't food aggressive at all. The Golden will take food from the Akita if he leaves it for her. She won't mess with him directly because he's twice her size but if something falls on the floor, she gets it, every time, because he isn't food aggressive. Now, if someone new comes to our house, he's first in line to see what's what because that's how he's wired. But it's curiosity he leads with, not aggression.
@@lawrenceli28 when we have puppies we usually put them up on PuppyFind! You can see other breeders on there as well. Are kennel name is Namika Akitas and some of our friend’s have websites like DayDream Akitas and Marrow Akitas. Hope this helped!
I had one of the most wonderful dogs in the world - an Anika! He was beyond awesome. We rescued him from a local shelter when he was about 9 months old and had him until he was 16. He was so sweet and gentle, but also very protective. At the doggie day play care, he was the only big dog they allowed to play with the smaller ones because he was so gentle with them. We also had a cat and another dog, and they all slept together. He made himself the official protector of my 6-month-old granddaughter when she was visiting, and he slept on the floor beside her bed. I know that dogs, like people, have their own personalities, however my experience with Sasta was one I remember with lots of love and affection. I still miss him.
You are spot on! This is the second Akita in our family. We absolutely love them. Everything you are stating now is so truthful, they are the best dogs to have if you know what you’re doing.
I have two akitas and a yellow lab guide dog. I had the akitas when they were 10 weeks old. I got my guide dog when Sensei and Haiku were 3.5 years old. They are now 11 years old. They grew up napping with my grandkids. My vets say they are the friendliest well behaved akitas they have ever seen. You have to have knowledge, love, patience, and consistency when working with Akita‘s. If you don’t, they will take the lead rather quickly. They are very intelligent.
I rehomed my boy. He had been rehomed and brought back and I felt so sorry for him. They said they couldn't handle him. My previous dogs to him were a troublesome duo of a Sharpei and 55kg Great Dane so I was prepared. He just really lacked human interaction, love, and attention. He's a great companion. Rehoming dogs is very rewarding.
@@scottlouis4076 seriously...I got a bunch of countryside around me ...long day and night walks or electric mountain bike ....years of adventures...absolutely love them...loyalty and companions ..always ready ...fiercely protective...best breeds ever
My Akita is named ‘Hiro,’ aka ‘Hero.’ Aka ‘Superhiro,’ aka hip hop Hiro❤️I love him more than any human ever. He’s my BF my BFF my favorite person my favorite male. He’s also very talkative and so smart. He’s got white knee socks and the world is a better place with him here alive❤. Hiro FOREVER
I have had three in total. They were all super sweet and fantastic with my children. They are a lot of work. Mine were very protective and loyal but never aggressive. Akita's are one of my favorite breeds. The last one I had was a 130 pound lap dog. I miss him even after 22 years.
Thanks for the information!! What you refer to the Akita being aggressive towards other dogs, I absolutely agree 💯 My Alaskan Malamute was attacked yesterday at the beach, I was bitten and sustained open wound injuries to my right hand. My dog is lucky to be alive. The plastic surgeon said that it is very close to my tendon and to watch out for any infection. The owners of the dog were careless with a lack of insight to how dangerous these breeds can be.
@@nataliamiaomiaos1205 how old was Alaskan Malamute? And male or female? Because Alaskan Malamutes are usually very strong and able to defend themselves I'm surprised to hear that.
I have loved the breed for so long but I waited until my son was 8 years old before getting an Akita. I also have multiple dogs and cats and I trained my Akita to get along with them, he is 7 now and I still practice training with him to make sure he stays neutral and calm. He is an exception to the breed because he has the right temperament and because I have and still do put in alot of work to make him that way. If a person cannot commit to that they shouldn't have the breed.
Just passing by to thank you for your responsible, caring and thoughtful approach to the subject. I own a siberian husky and a few of the things you talked about were problems we didn't foresee (even though now it seems pretty obvious - I mean, surely I should've realized their crates would be bigger and more expensive, right?). Akitas are majestic pups and deserve the best life possible for them.
There's so much to think about when getting a dog, you can't beat yourself up too much if you miss a couple of things. Even with a good foundation of having multiple family members that work in vet medicine, and having owned other dogs+animals,I still learn new things all the time with Haga. Thanks so much for your comment and for checking out our video!
When I was a baby and growing up, we had an Akita named Jessie and she was the absolute best dog in the entire world! My mom completely trusted her. When my mom brought me home from the hospital, my mom let Jessie look at me and she loved me off the bat, she would let me lay on her and watch cartoons, now also to just throw this out there I was not a rough kid and I was very calm, but she use to also watch over me, play with me and protect me, especially when we use to visit our cabin in the woods. So he is right these dogs can be amazing if respected, loved and trained right. My biggest down size though of the Akita is please don’t get the dog if you aren’t prepared for possible heart break because the females are especially susceptible, even if spayed, to get this type of uterus cancer that is very hard to reverse. Jessie passed away at about 8 years old. Akitas mostly only live for 10 years to 14 years if lucky. They are beautiful amazing dogs but it so sad that they don’t live longer and can have pretty bad health issues.
I got an American Akita as my first dog, nearly ten years ago. She was a pain years 0-3, but at ten she is the most fantastic dog ever. If you don’t have time, do not get one, they require time and love. My saki is an amazing dog
I have a Shepkita and everything you said about the Akita is so true. You should definitely have dog experience if you plan on having an Akita or something along those lines. My dog is brilliant, but he is SUPER stubborn! I absolutely love this video because it's TRUE and you don't try and sugar coat it. Thanks for taking the time to create a really informative list that does make people really think about the reasons why or why not getting an Akita could be a good/bad reason. I think more people should be doing their research when they decide that they're going to bring a life into their home. Thanks again for the great video. -Nikki from Edmonton, Canada with a beautiful brindle Shepkita named Levi who is 8 months old. Love my dog.
from my personal experience i had a male akita and he was a great dog never had one bad time and he was great with babies he would look after them like they was his own he could be tugged on by the child and he wasn’t phased by it he would just ignore them great breed no hate towards them
I had an an Akita. I absolutely loved him, he was very well mannered and very friendly. He loved people but very protective of family. He was my best friend.
Teddy is my third Akita. When I walk with him almost everyone stops me and comments how beautiful he is. I love this breed. You are correct in what you say. I’m happy they’re not well known. When a breed gets popular in the USA, people start breeding them for money to anyone. Thanks for making videos.
Totally get what your saying but personally I love and will always get Akita’s 😂 my dad got me one when I was a toddler and he lived to a ripe old 14 years and 11 months and was easily the most loyal and likeable dog I have ever met ❤️
I had my akita for 13 years and seven months he was my big beautiful baby boy he loved cats he loved other animals he was perfect I I miss him every day since he passed away there will never be another dog like him even the sheriff's used to call my Merlin the gentle giant
@@victorneckar7743 I know my Merlin he made friends once with a bald eagle he had a skunk a wild rabbit some deer they were all his friends I miss him so much there will never be anyone like him again even the sheriff's used to pull off the main road and stop by to say hi to him I go outside and they would be right up to his fence talking to him
All great points. I had an Akita, pretty much same coloring as Haga. Your dog reminds me so much of Ollie that it brings a tear to my eye watching his videos. One thing, and I don’t know if this relates to Haga also, but Ollie’s energy levels dropped off from very high to pretty low really quickly, and this was still when he was relatively young, like I mean in and around five. That said, he did go on to live a fairly long life (for the breed). He was over thirteen when he passed, he just wouldn’t need much exercise.
My first Akita was after not having a dog as a child for 18 years. She was great, but minimal training. Got her a good home when I could not keep her in a new apartment. I have major depression and talked to my psychiatrist about a Service Dog. That doctor was not an advocate, pushed medication and said, "just get a dog". A couple of years later I was really struggling with depression and did not want to take the chemical chains that made me zombie-like. I started looking for an Akita and found a 33 month old female from a breeder. The dog was going to be the next breeding dog, but never had a good heat so they decided to sell her. She was sold once and came back because she attacked their cat. I found her and at a great price and went up to check her out. I left a voicemail to let them know I was coming, but they didn't listen to it before I got there. The dog was in the yard of a large compound (farm) and after I got out of the car, came right up to me and started rubbing against me like a cat and licking my pants. I stood as still as a statue, because it is an Akita! The owner came out and explained why she was for sale. I decided to buy her and came back the next weekend to retrieve her. When I got there, she did the same thing, it was as if she knew I was there for her! They didn't think she would be a good guard dog because she was so friendly. They were wrong! She knows intention and is very protective of our property. She barks when deliveries are made and sometimes at my wife coming home! I had her professionally trained to be a Service Dog. When she smells I am producing adrenalin, she will alert me. She is very professional when working! I had some issues with a neighbor's cat and other dogs that harassed her from the moment they saw her. She has been to the other side of the world with (Sri Lanka) me and was very professional except when she got to my mother-in-law's cat while I was taking a nap. Again, she impresses people all the time with her obedience and training as she is with me on appointments and travel (11 successful flights in the last 2 years). Not having her from a puppy was a challenge, but she knows she has a purpose and always floors me when she follows her training. When not working and walking around the neighborhood, she is a typical Akita: stubborn and high prey drive. I am focused on keeping her happy and try to balance her work/play life so that she looks forward to everyday and so far she does. Thank you for your video. The characteristics you bring out in your reasons are true and should be considered. I didn't have to pay for her flight to Sri Lanka, but to qualify (International Health Certificate) her was about $1,000.00.
I rescued two young Akita's, Halo (female) 10 weeks old and a few months later, Kobe (Male) 5 months old. Halo was very aloof, strong willed, had aggression which was well managed with strong training. Kobe was like Scooby Doo, soft nature, very snuggly, and daft. So I experienced both extremes of the Akita nature, and I absolutely would NOT recommend this breed to a first time dog owner, Halo could very easily have become a big problem if I had not been experienced and also very in tune with her temperament.
I have a male japanese akita and yes they are protective and will defend you to strangers even they are not trained to do so. He is very clever and independent but so loving and loves hugs and kisses. He is my first dog and I did not give up on him. He is 5 years old now and I love him to bits. ❤️
It makes me happy to see people like you who point out the negatives. Akitas are a high maintenance breed, we need more people to be able to explain why sometimes high maintenance isn't the best for some people.
Beautiful dog. Had a stray that was probably dumped show up on our property. She only weighed 45. Pretty sure she came here to die. 8wks later she was pushing 95. Older dog with hip problems, but always patrolled the perimeter. Hated to, but had to put her down after 2yrs of having her. Hips got too bad. I miss her a lot.
We had to put our last Akita down due to hip problems as well. Unfortunately it's fairly common with large breeds like Akitas, especially with so many people backyard breeding them.
I have an Akita mix that I got as my first dog based on how cute he was (and still is), and I learned very quickly to research breeds before I get one. I absolutely love him, he's an AMAZING dog. And I will never get another Akita
Good for you for pointing out the downsides!! We’re in Newfoundlands, also a breed that that’s not easy to keep, especially for first time dog owners. Great presentation, good things to think about!
I’ve got an akita lab mix along with 2 other big dogs…. And since I was a kid my akita lab dog has been the best dog I’ve seen or been around. Loyal, smart, cuddly, and just chill. So I’d say if you want to mellow out some of that akita aggressiveness they have or whatever. Get one mixed with a lab….. mine is the size of an akita but the coat of a lab
I grew up with dogs in the family but chose an American Akita as my first puppy on my own, along with my 2 cats. The first year and a half was rough! The house I lived in during that time was pretty beat up from potty training to chewed base boards and furniture. He’s now going to be 4 this year and only 70lbs (runt). Socialized very well when he was young and continue to have him around other dogs and people. He DOES NOT like young kids, however! Yes, when I get frustrated with his stubbornness (such as getting in the car) I like to say he just does not work. He runs on good vibes only! Mostly raw diet with supplementation so quite expensive and food driven. Owning an Akita changed my life and I couldn’t be more grateful for the experience!
You are right and right, my Marcel died in my hands, heart attack, he was 18, and he was my child. You do something very important to educate the public about these dogs. They are NOT city dogs, I live in NH, and he had vast spaces to run and play. They love snow, in big winter storms he didn't want to come in the house, so he spent the night outside, my wife used to cook for him stews with all sorts of meat, you're right, is definitely not for everyone They need special environment, and yes, they have strong personality. Yours, looks happy
My Akita had 11 puppies!! I had the mom & adopted the father, his owner wanted to put him down because he was so Aggressive. He’s an American Akita. I fell in love with him ,& adopted him. He was mean but everyday, l started talking to him & giving him treats through fence & just spent time letting him smell me, get use to me. Now, he goes crazy jumping on me, & licking me 🤗 eventually, we got him use to my female Akita by walking them together every day. They had a litter of 11 Akita puppies!! I kept two puppies & sold the rest. I now have the mom , dad , & their two female pups. I have a hugh yard, & l keep the dad separated from the three females in his own fenced off area to keep him from mating with my female Akitas. I love 💕 my 4 Akitas they’re my babies. One ☝️ thing for SURE!!! If you’re going to adopt an Akita make sure that you have him around people & other pets as a puppy . Take him for walks, dog parks, gatherings. These dogs are very protective of their families, as they get older they can become aggressive, he’ll wanna go at people & other dogs. So you gotta get him use to being around people & pets so they don’t become aggressive towards anyone
I'm glad you made this video. Some people get Akita without doing proper research on the breed. Same thing with some Chow Chow owners. Chow's are mean af, don't let that fluffy exterior fool you. 😂😂
Great video brother. I just laid to rest my 10 year old American Akita a few days ago (6 weeks after his sister, a 14 year old Golden Retriever) and I've enjoyed your content and seeing your pups play. I got him on a whim and learned all of these lessons the hard way but I wouldn't change it for the world. I'd say that most important thing I learned was to socialize more when they are puppies because it's much harder when they are full grown. Akitas are 100% calm and collected until they are not and then it happens in the blink of an eye. He was never aggressive but defensive and skeptical of other male dogs no doubt. Much love and keep spreading the good word.
Our first dog as a married couple was an Akita/ Pitbull mix I was 7 months pregnant when Nikki came into our lives and we still miss her 20 years later! She definitely had an attitude and showed her opinion of things but never in an aggressive way to humans or her pets! She let our son lean on her and read his books, cuddled him and fretted over him if she was separated from him. Our neighbors loved her because she watched their houses as well as ours and was considered a assistant in our neighbor’s catch a peeping Tom because of Nikki’s barking in alarm! We brought 2 other rescued dogs (not Akitas) into our home with her and she became Mom and playmate to them both. She lived 12 years and the day we had to put her down was one of the hardest I had ever experienced! I agree Akitas are not for everyone but if I am able to own an Akita again I will be twice blessed!
Sounds like a beautiful dog! Interestingly I have noticed that mixes are typically a bit softer in temperament compared to pure bred. That was definitely my experience with my Akita/Dalmatian, as well as what I hear from other Akita mox owners!
I moved to my boyfriend's and his cat when my Akita was a year old, it took us a year for them to become a best friends and sleep in one bed (our bed 🙈) but I think I am lucky with my boy 🐕❤️
I love my Akita, yes he's a pain in the ass, super stubborn, never friendly with anyone, very dominant yet super loving, loyal, and protective. They are absolutely beautiful dogs, I always get "handsome" compliments for him from other ppl even though he always barks aggressively towards them 😂
I have the atypical male Akita, Hiko. As far as humans are concerned to him there can be only ONE! I got him at 12 weeks old, he's now 12 years old. When I got him I had three cats and my girlfriend's little dog. Never had any issues between them. He treated them all like family. He is now the only one left. He did like other dogs and wanted to play until there was a challenge. I used to take him to the dog park when he was younger until most of the dogs started fights with him. He has put into submission 2 pitbulls, 2 huskies, 1 shepherd, 1 Airedale terrier and 2 black labs. And to this day he hates black labs for some reason. Akitas are one tough breed. I love them.
I have owned two Akitas. One female and now a male. I am very experienced. Most dog owners are lazy. They will not walk their dogs consistently. Akita need medium walks one or two times EVERY DAY
Thank you for the very informal video you have made. I am an akita owner for 3 years and we are living in Hungary/Europe. I am a first time akita owner however in the past we always had large sized shephard dogs like caucasian shepard or kuvasz shephard (Its a local hungarian breed). It was no doubt I will handle a strong dog like an akita however I had to realize this breed is very different than I expected. We have learned that we can not walk him unleashed in the city and he needs a controll all the time during our walks. We have socialized him from his baby time but he still can not accept the repairman the mailman and so on. You need to be very confindent with him and repeat the rules all the times. I absolutely believe that an akita is not for everyone especially for an unexperienced owner. If you are experienced you still need to be the boss but probably you will know how to make it. I really appreciate a video like yours because It can save akita lifes from a bad owner-dog relationships. Thank you.
Thank you so much for this video. I've really wanted an Akita for years. It's my dream dog and I just adore every single thing about them. But I'm a medical student and every single source tells me just "No :)" 😭😭😭😭 I hate not having the time. Right now I can't have it because I'm living in a rented house that doesn't allow pets, then I have to go to my internship and service years, that mean I'm hardly ever going to be home, then I have residency and I just won't have enough time to care for it. It breaks my heart, but I guess it's just not meant to be.
You might think about volunteering with an Akita rescue group. They often need an extra set of hands and you could get some great experience and tips about having them. Glad you are being considerate of theirs needs. Blessings to you for your studies.
Just got together with my girlfriend my little Akita girl Lisa in dez 20 From an animal Station with 6 years Had a sweet start and after few weeks we knew we're screwed if we don't go to an dog trainer to get her under control because she loves to chase rabbits, don't like other dogs and don't listen at all After that trainings (2 dog trainer with various types of trainings) And many other trainings And training and training she reacts on the walk if we call her and finally respects us and I'm happy to say there is some more training waiting for us Not regretted it a Day
I grew up watching shows like Ceasar and always valued being strict yet loving with the dog, it needs to be loved yet reminded that we are his owner and leader. I am waiting on the pup to arrive and am ready with deshedders, double coat rakes, brushes for his fur and teeth. I have treats for training and a will of iron, I raised a husky to be obedient and quiet, I will raise this fine akita inu pup into a great dog to keep my wife safe and our lack of children less heavy.
I had 4 or 5 akitas growing up ages 5 to 18, fiercely loyal and loving to me and my family, they were aggressive to everyone else if we weren't around especially other dogs. Good guard dogs And the most stubborn to train, snow is their favorite play toy, If I owned another dog it would b a akita, I just love them. If u rescue one they are harder to train as adult dogs, and they r stupid strong and very good at breaking chains and collars
My grandmother bought a "cute little" pure white puppy in the late 1970s for $400. Bear was his name. He grew so fast that he ended up on a chain in a fenced in kennel with a roof. He was to large and strong to handle. At a year old a guy showed up at my grandma's and offered her $10,000 for him. Come to find out Bear was a direct descendant to the Emperors' dogs. She never sold him. Good thing my grandfather didn't know how much she paid for him or the $10,000 offer. A lot of money back then.
Very good explanation of owning Akita's. I've had 4 over the last 40+ years and I wouldnt have any other breed. My son was raised with/by an Akita from birth and we never had any problems in that area, quite the opposite as this Akita was like a daddy-dog to my son and highly protective.
I had an Akita named Max. He lived to be 15. And he was the best dog I’ve ever had. Only complaint is when I was younger, he was so powerful. It was hard to take him for a walk. He would drag ya across the ground.
Can you make a video explaining more about what "stubborn" means when referring to an Akita? Just because people might associate that a child or human bring stubborn, and might believe it needs to be challenged or overcome. We're planning to get an Akita for our next dog and have been researching, joining social media groups and searching out breeders who's dogs carry the characteristics we desire and learning about their successful adoptions into homes like ours (we have cats, so no high prey drive lines). Back to my point tho, I just think with deeper understanding of stubborn behavior comes patience to overcome in a peaceful manner.
@@Jennikatt it is like that. My late akita dog would lay on the floor to not walk if she didn't want to leave a place. Also she was also really sociable, so it was worse when she had been playing with other dogs and we had to go. She would also get mad sometimes and try to take the leash off from my hand when we didn't walk the way she wanted and some of the rare occasions she barked was whenever she was denied something, like if she was arguing against me xD
Sorry but I disagree with a lot of what you are saying! Have you ever heard of doggy parks?! You have to socialize them when they are a pup! They are very smart dogs! My akita loves kids and people, and loves to play with other dogs!
About the last place I would take any dog that is independent and dominant is a dog park. I have had 2 Shiba Inu( naturally smaller than Anita, but same temperments) and I would never put them into a position of being forced to socialize with other dogs. Like Akita, they do not enjoy the company of same sex dogs and are fairly standoffish with strangers. That being said, the term "socialize" does not mean party with other dogs. It means behave appropriately in a variety of circumstances outside the home environment. This is an excellent video, well explained so, to you "Akita Life," thank you. BTW, that independence is the mark of a thinking dog...and I have come to respect the choices that my Shiba Inu makes on many occasions.
@@jacklynsher6046 I've had dogs my whole life! My akita is a service dog, you really need to know what you are talking about before you say things you don't know about!
I had a neighbor long time ago whose daughter had two of these dogs. Believe me I was totally intimated by them. They would just look at me like they were thinking about what they were planning on doing. To me they look like bears. I love dogs. I've had four miniature schnauzers. That said, I would never allow my dog to come in contact with an Akita and also other breeds including Pits. You did a great job explaining why someone shouldn't get an akita and you did it out of love and in the best interest of the breed. Thank you.
This is such a helpful video! We have a lab hound, Catahoula, And a cat. An Akita was recently abandoned near our home and he has been coming around. It seems obvious he has been abused and he is very very fearful. He’s also very hungry so we’ve been giving him some food out in the pasture. We have thought about keeping him, but we also have a baby and while I do think we have the capacity for another dog and we have experience, I think it’s also important to consider the lifestyle and the awareness that would be required. This is not a breed I have ever been interested in or drawn to so, I did not know anything about them until I watched your video and a few others to start thinking through whether or not this would be a good fit for our family.
Thank you so much it was so nice hearing someone speaking about Akita’s and not going on and on and never getting to the point , it was a real pleasure listening to this young gentleman, and again thank you ,.
It’s nice to hear the opinion of Akita owner, unlike some other channels who just like to comment on Akitas .
Like any breed, there are typical talking points about Akitas. There have been a lot of things about this breed that deviate from what you typically hear (we're actually going to do a video about that), and so we thought it was important to share our real world experience.
Thank you for your comment, it's always good to get some feedback to know if our videos are helpful!
My friend texted me @ 6am this morning to tell me his moms akita just killed their second maltese. He's 6 months old. It's unfortunate. I love this breed but I don't think they do well with other animals. I can't wait to purchase my first home so I can have an akita❤️
@@hi8942 Akita should be paired with the opposite sex.
@@TheAkitaLife my first dog i ever own was an Akita! She was the best dog ever and very sweet
@@hi8942 Wait. What? This breed kill a second dog at 6 months and you love this breed? Why? But what about a child? I owned three. Please read my comment below.
Got an Akita when my sons were young and I babysat 5 kids. She was the best dog I've ever had. She watched over all the kids. Was only aggressive 1 time, guy came over to pick up car my husband worked on, she went ballistic had to lock her in a bedroom. Found out a few months later he was a pedifile. Love this breed, had shepherds my whole life. Sheba lived 17 blissful years.
Wow she knew
Whoa!!!😲😲😲. Man, the stuff dogs know……
Clearly your Akita watches the news
@@adrenalinehigh2070 lol
Akita seem to overall be good with kids.
All true points stated about the Akita breed. I have fortunate to have owned 3 different Akitas throughout my lifetime. Male Akitas are much more aggressive in my direct experience. The breed is VERY loyal, VERY protective and standoff-ish around strangers. Excellent breed NOT for beginners.
Thank you for sharing your experiences! Unfortunately people in the comments like to say our video is wrong because THEIR Akita was atypical. It's great to hear from other Akita owners like you!
I think we broke ours. Lol. We took her everywhere with us from day one. Lowes, Home Depot, our local Bath and Body Works and Hobby Lobby and of course Pet Smart all allow dogs. We went to at least one of these stores daily to make her use to people. We also enrolled her in puppy classed as soon as she was old enough. Now 2 years later she is obsessed with people. She LOVES the attention she gets and even gets offended when someone walks by without saying hi. We may have over socialized her.
@@1979geauxtigers I've had two female Akitas. My first was a prior show quality Akita. Female Akita can be more sociable as they don't seem to have the same dominance level needs that male Akitas do. Socialization is always important for a big powerful breed like the Akita. One thing I have been taught about dogs is that male dogs tend to protect an area, and female dogs naturally tend to protect people as they have more maternal instincts. There are always exceptions in both cases, nature vs nurture is always in play.
@@Andy-jt8wz Yes, she is very protective of us. My senior citizen mother lives with me and that is the main reason I wanted an Akita, so she would protect my mom. She never let's my mom out of her sight, especially in public. She will also sit on our feet and lean on us in public, claiming us. She is a sweetheart. I am actually happy she is so accepting of new people. Makes life easier. I would rather have her on the friendly side than stand offish, but I have no doubt she will do her job when the time comes. Her size is enough to intimate most people anyway. Lol.
@@1979geauxtigers Fun fact - Helen Keller was gifted two Japanese Akitas. As many dogs have above average empathy, I wonder if Akitas in general have heightened empathy with those that they bond with.
Wow - an Akita video by an actual Akita owner who actually knows what he is talking about! Liked and subbed
Thanks for the support!
I've had my Akita for 12years. Best thing I've ever done bit of work when she was young but now she is no trouble at all she is my soulmate ❤️🇮🇪
I got an Akita when my granddaughter was little. I wanted her to grow up with a dog. I did not plan to get an Akita but saw the pups living in awful conditions and just loved them.
The first year was a battle of wills but she learnt I was the pack leader. I have never regretted getting her, she has been the best dog ever. She has never been aggressive in any way. She had amazing play times with my granddaughter, they were so funny together. Alaska was gentle and calm with her. Alaska has also never shown aggression towards anyone or any animal in or out of the home.
Sadly, I have just lost her at nearly 15years old and miss her dreadfully. We are heartbroken. I was so lucky to have her in my life. 🥰🥰🥰
Oh my gosh I’m so sorry! May she Rest In Peace. I lost my dog last March and I still miss her. She wasn’t an akita, but she was very loyal and took about a year to learn she wasn’t the leader of the pack lol
They are the best dogs ❤
Sad to hear that but 15 years with a big dog is incredible, you were blessed 😊
I miss mine very much after 12 years from pup to old gal.
Sorry for your loss. It breaks my Heart knowing the my Akita will live for more 6-7 years only, if that much. I wish he could live for more 60!
I'm a first time dog owner, I got an Akira, but I can follow a schedule. We trained her every day kids played a part and it worked out.
Sounds like you did it right!
My first rescue was a Akita. He was about 6 years old. He trained me as to what I should expect from an Akita. I was about 8 months pregnant with my son. So being home I figured I had enough time to retrain the dog. He changed my life totally. Sometimes dog aggressive but most the time he could be around anybody or anything one time he ran away and when we found him at the pound and they had him on death watch. If it had been another day they would have put him to sleep. That's when we started our Akita rescue I could not understand that in Ohio if an Akita was not claimed within a certain amount of time they had to be put to sleep. The people were amazed so much when I came in & found him that he curled on his back for a rub to his tummy. He hugged me when he saw me. It was so funny, they said that the only way that they were able to give him food and water was to take a pan and scoot it with a broom into the pen. He had 3 bowls in the pin. SMH. But when you talk about loyal .. he had chewed through the basement door, then opened the back door to get out. He went over a 6-foot fence all because his owner Brad had not been home for 3 days. You see I was second choice my son's father was his master and when they found him he was about two blocks away from where Brad was staying. When you count the 15 miles that it took to get from my house to there. He had one thing in mind and that was he needed to be near his daddy. Now they are both in heaven together
I love all white Akitas! You don't see many of them around. Thanks for watching and commenting.
Yup my dog ate through the bedroom doors to try to get to robbers ! They were running through the yard and scooping the houses, they are the most loyal breeds I have ever encountered my heart hurts as we lost ours yesterday and had her cremation this morning after 12 years 😓
Talking about Wendy is a story with as much pain as happiness. The love and devotion she gave to her family is unmatched and to this day I swear she could almost talk and the intelligence was off the charts for a dog. A lady near my home raised and bred Akita's and to me they were just dogs and my son wanted a dog. I ask her about getting a puppy and then she explained they were special dogs and the cost. A few days later the lady knocked on my door with some puppy's, new born actually and explained the mother died during birth and the pups would have to be nursed and her employment was hard for her to care for the pups. The local vet got me everything I needed and educated us on how to care for Wendy. I was the first thing Wendy saw when she opened her eyes the first time and I held her in my arms when she closed her eyes the last time. She was a blessing from God and to this day I have never forgot her or the love. Akitas are like having a child and later having a protector watch over you, but for the most part there not the dog you throw some food in a bowl and tell them to go lay down.
Adopted a 55lb Akita mix. Got the cattle dog look with the Akita personality. In the beginning, she was super stubborn, wouldn't do anything, but she realized I was far more stubborn that she was. And she also realized I was more than capable of just picking her up and carrying her where I needed to and being bitten didn't scare me. I've had her for 7 years now and she's my baby. An absolutely stubborn cat dog, but my baby.
That's a very cool mix!
Had Akitas most of my life and every point he makes here is absolutely true but if you can do all these things you will have the most loyal companion you can imagine.
I am a first time dog owner and have a Japanese Akita. I thought a long time about it before I decided to have a puppy of this breed. We definitely had a lot of struggles because aggression towards other dogs but I finally found the right method for us and finally it's getting better. I love my dog so much but everyone thinking of getting one should really consider the unique character of the breed ❤️ This, of course, should be done no matter what breed.
Thank you for sharing your experiences!
My girl friend has one Akita from Japan; her dog is her eyes! Waoww! They are so well all together and her family! She is a female same color that Hachi! She went to Vancouver from a Japanese family to take her dog! Frankly she is stubborn not all the time but my friend is so patient with her since day 1!
All together they are very happy with their Akita female!
😍
I have an akita 3 years old, and he’s my first dog. He’s a teddy bear and always interested in everyone and so nice. He’s very dependent on me, where he wouldn’t eat if I wasn’t home.
I have had an Akita for 13 yrs. with no problems. Aquired another Akita 2 years ago an he´s my best friend, very silent and follows me around the house. I live in Brazil with average temperatures of 30c, with no problems with the dogs. Gets on well with the cat.
As an Akita owner I love seeing someone actively trying to educate owners on the breed. I have a one of a kind akita, she’s my service dog and she lives in a household with 3 other dogs. I’m a dog groomer and she does great at work and even sometimes plays in the doggy daycare in my facility when I have time to monitor. I do everything to make sure she won’t be out in a situation where her temperament can be comprised. You have a gorgeous boy and I can’t wait to see more of your videos
This is exactly what our responsibility to them it. Don’t let them be put in any situations that make them be protective etc. I just lost mine yesterday and she was cremated today, 97lbs she gave us 12 years of the most love and affection I could have imagined, she was a lot of work, but she was worth all the money all the furniture even the doors she ate lol 😂
I adopted a female Akita-Husky mix a little more than a year ago. She is exceedingly intelligent, observant, and independent thinking. It's the independent thinking--what you called stubbornness--that will be difficult to handle for most people. Akitas aren't the kind of dog to be blindly obedient, and they practice informed disobedience just as often as they will perform a trick for a treat. My first dog--a Beagle--had that same independent, stubborn streak, which thankfully prepared me for my Akita. This may not seem like a huge ordeal but in fact, it's one of the most difficult personality traits in a dog. If you are not mentally on the level to deal with it, you will find yourself being outwitted and completely ignored by your own dog. In other words, you have to earn an Akitas respect, and most people aren't ready for that when they adopt or buy a dog.
Curious to know what the energy level of your Akita-Husky mix is like. Our Akitas have been lazy buggers, and our friends' Huskies are balls of energy.
@@TheAkitaLife She is pretty lazy, but she was already 4 or 5 when I adopted her. Also, she was pregnant when I first adopted her. No one knew. She had a litter of 4 pups, which look to be mixed with Bullmastiff. Now, they are full of the purest form of energy you can imagine. I wish I could bottle it. I'd make a fortune.
@@TheAkitaLife my husky akita mix has three walks a day , one hour each, with a big run around the park and playtime included in the hour. So 3 hours outdoor exercise & he plays or lounges around our huge garden also, he also once inside tends to chill and play when we initiate it and once we do he's happy to be a cheeky monkey but aside from his 3hour dailies, garden play & family play he definitely loves to lounge around and get cuddles and belly rubs lol. He's very close, with our 2 male cats & our 2 year old female pom mix, all 4 sleep together, eat together & play together ESPECIALLY when they think we're asleep. They leave their beds and hang out at night causing mischief & he is like a big over sized baby who let's our female dog boss him around, and she's tiny. Even our cats bop him on the nose when they're feeling cranky & don't want his drool all pver them at that moment! We have a 9 year old also & he's her absolute orotector. He never let's her even be without him when she's in our back yard playing alone. He's so soft and gentle with her & with us. Often gently picks our hand up in his mouth pretending to bite it off when really inside his tongue is gently licking us all over 😋 hes our Teddy bear. We've had him since he was just 6-8 weeks old though. He was in a bad place & had no choice but yo leave mom that early unfortunately. But he's thrived & definitely adores our other pets and kid. And on walks he tries to play with all the dogs and when any growl he just walks away immediately. He's too gentle and sweet that I worry about him being bullied by mean dogs when hubby takes him out🤣
My first dog was a rescue akita. I was inexperienced, young, and lived in a pretty small apartment without a fence. Nakita and I learned and experienced a lot, and we benefitted from a lot of luck, but I wouldn't change a thing. I went on to own a great Dane and another akita.
There is no breed of dog with so many qualities, it is a loyal, brave, guardian, loving dog, a great friend, unique🐕
I’ve had rescue Akitas all my life and I’ve seen a wide range of personality and temperaments. My mom had a huge 120 lb gentle (but still protective) giant named Zeus when I was born. He once saw the cats grooming each other and thought he could help since he had a nice big tongue. Got lucky with him as her first dog, but she did do extensive research on Akitas before adopting.
We’ve had 3 others since then, all with unique temperaments. We don’t have the time needed for a puppy, but we love ARSF who matches us perfectly with the right dog for us.
My Akita got 0 training, and a lot of love. He is never aggressive unless it's actually needed and expected, as when weird strangers approach our house. When I take him for walks, random kids run up to us to pet him, he has NEVER EVER shown even the slightest bit of aggression towards them. He is always super careful around my 2 year old nephew, he is aware of his size and strength and makes sure to not accidently push him over or hurt him in any other way.
My Akita was raised with me when I was 10-11 years old along side a very small and feisty cat. We got her for christmas and she's been an absolute angel ever since. I'm 23 years old now, and in all the years of being around her, I have never ONCE seen her aggressive. She was taken to puppy training and she's walked regularly and is very well loved, she's a big lazy ball of fluff and I love her a lot :)
I've had 2 male akitas. You have to start early and be consistent, it can be a battle but consistently is key. After the battle of wills, they are the most loyal, loving and will protect the nest from all intruders. They are fantastic with children, which is one of their breeding directives. Wonderful dogs.
Agreed on all except the children. The statistics don't agree. While some people may have had positive experiences with Akitas and small kids, that's not always the case with this breed.
I couldn't imagine life without our quirky Nala. She's 6 now and we got her from 10 weeks. She's a 50:50 American Akita:German Shepherd and we got her after previously having only Border Collies. What a difference. Stubborn as hell, won't sleep in a basket or a crate, fussy with her food, but undeniably the friendliest most lovable dog ever towards people. She doesn't bark, but just talks to you and sometimes chatters away to herself. She keeps herself immaculately clean and is more feline in her ways than a cat. She is protective and especially of our grand children. She senses our moods and anxiety and reciprocates with love and devotion. At nearly 50Kg she is expensive to keep but that is no hardship for what she brings to our lives. I cannot say that she is typical of the breed but we are so lucky to have her. Thank you for your channel.
I had an akita chow dog. She was by far the most smart dog I ever had. Would learn things in a blink of an eye. Very " talkative" lol! Very protective. Very friendly with other dogs. She and my German shepard were inseparable. Both in heaven now, they were a joy in my life.
That's surprising she liked other dogs. Both Akitas and Chows can be very grumpy lol
Talk about an aggressive combo, my son at 5 yrs old became so close to a dog we raised as a puppy at that time. It was a Chow Akita mix. He turned out to live til he was 11yr old and was devoted to my son. Very protective and very smart. He talks about that dog today at 34 yr old.
I had an akita chow too. Extremely smart. Lovely dog.
My 1st dog was an Akita, the most loyal and personable dog I could ever ask for, proper training is a must with this breed as they are territorial, that being said an incredible dog, rip Kodiac The Bear ❤ you were a legend
RIP Kodiac
@@TheAkitaLife Thankyou ❤
@@TheAkitaLife sir what if we purchase kid akita is that too not OK????
So here’s a little story. When I was younger my dad was given an Akita while working at a house. Apparently the dog tore up the wife furniture and the wife to the guy to get rid of it. Anyways my dad brought him home and the dog was extremely finicky and during this time my only experience with dogs were with the ones we had since puppies so I expected this dog the be all over me and play with me. I ended up ticking the dog enough to the point he bit my face. Nothing serious just a warning bite but still leave scare. The dog remained distant for a few weeks. When I did gain his trust this dog would not leave my side. I played outside quite often and he was by my side. I never was able to train him but he did learn the basic commands and listened without second doubt
They definitely take time to build a bond
My first large dog was an American Akita when I was 16. Never had to train him at all. He didn't like my friend's rottweiler at all but he was best buds with a German Shepherd at a farm we worked on. He lived a good 12 years.
Our guy is also buddies with a GSD
I raised and showed Akitas for thirty something years. Out of those years, I only had two that had zero prey drive. My first Akita, and my last Akita. Many people seem to think it's about how you raise them. That's only about ten percent. It's all about prey drive and breeding. The higher the prey drive, the more they will not get alone with another animal. Males especially will challenge you for the alpha position, and if you don't have an alpha personality, you are going to be in trouble. Because they will take over leadership, and you will be nothing to them but sub human. I only had one female challenge me, but she soon learned it wasn't going to happen. They blow coat twice a year, and your house and yard will look like a snow storm hit it. Birds love the undercoat for making nests.
Lived with a rescue Akita and undoubted it scarred that dog for life (mostly neglect, possible cage banged on to menace her). I was worried for a Pomeranian that lived in the house which proved to be true but that was due to another human who was not paying attention (poms can get stepped on by bigger dogs). I would not have gotten the dog until the pom was out of the picture.
That said, the pom would chase the akita out of the room aggressively (for show). Akita didnt want any of that. Once she stopped and ignored the pom which just ran into her because she didnt run away. It was hilarious.
But this akita loves other dogs, not people. I think, again, it goes back to her origins as an abused breeding dog that failed to be a good mother.
I had a rescued Akita over 25 years ago and he was so smart and obedient. Even after having multiple dogs since him, I still compare every dog to him. I have definitely seen a few tough ones though. I’m at the time of my life where I’m done raising dogs but he will always be my favorite ever. Love your dedication to the breed.
Great video. I have had 2 Akitas and love this breed and I totally agree with your comments, well done! As the owner, you need to be the boss. We got our first before we had kids and when they were born we slowly introduced him to them. He immediately cared for the kids and protected them. These are beautiful dogs but they do take a lot of patience and effort. Easily trainable.
Thanks for watching!
We have a seven-year-old American female that we adopted from a shelter when she was four years old. We are her third owners. You are spot on about their general characteristics. We have trained ours to the point where she is a certified therapy dog that we take to nursing homes and hospitals. BUT...that was after three years of concentrated training sessions two and three times a day. Can it be done? Yes. Is it for everyone? No. Be prepared to put a lot of time in. Is she a wonderful, loyal, sweetheart? Yes! Do we love her? She is the best dog ever...
They are the best dogs! Thank you for sharing your experiences and thank you for adopting!
In the "I've done it but do not recommend it" boat. I went looking for a female Akita pup but ended up with a male to accompany my other dog, a 4 yr old teacup male. It all worked out in the end, but it took months of training, tons of patience, and tears of frustration trying to get them to get along. I also got an extremely rare submissive Akita pup, which helped, and he loves his older brother very much...
Thank you for sharing. More people need to hear this!
Just had this come up as a suggested video and as an akita owner, I have to say well done 👏🏼 I have a rescue American akita and I am well aware that she is not a typical akita in most ways (she is beyond stubborn and ignorant though 🤣). It amazes me how many people get dogs of any breed without doing their research first. We did extensive research before adopting our girl and we had friends who fostered for an akita charity who helped to educate us on the breed (our girl was their foster dog). They had three akitas of their own and had numerous fosters so their experiences really helped us with training. It was hard because our girl had been abused and she was terrified of humans but straight away, she fell in love with our westie and she trusted him. He really helped her see that we weren’t going to harm her and that we were safe. It took 18 months before she completely stopped cowering and peeing from fear whenever a human tried to pet her. I’ve had rescue dogs in the past but they never needed the time, love and patience that she needed. Thankfully she loves people now ❤
We were advised to not let her off leash due to the stubbornness and high prey drive akitas have and in that way, she is a typical akita. So instead we bought an 80ft horse training lead so she is free to run but we know we have control (and she won’t disappear chasing some animal 🙈). Another thing that people need to know is the dog hair 😱 No amount of words ever could’ve prepared us for blowing season 😳😂 If you don’t like dog hair, don’t get an akita!!! I love akitas and our girl is perfect to us but I definitely wouldn’t recommend them for first time dog owners. Akitas need experienced owners, preferably owners with experience with big and stubborn breeds. There aren’t even words to describe how stubborn akitas can be. I’ve always had stubborn breeds but all of them combined don’t compare to the stubbornness an akita has. Sometimes, you may as well be talking to a lamp because you have more chance of a lamp doing what you ask of it 🤣
Haha yeah people just see a cute puppy and go for it without knowing what they're gettin themselves into! The shedding and prey drive is no joke.
I had a shep/akita cross. BEST DOG I've EVER had!! He made it 12 years. He was scary looking, but was a total cream puff and loved his pet indoor chicken. Oh, I'd give anything to have another exactly like him.
This is THE BEST Akitas channel on YT. I own a mixed Inu / American Akita for 7 years and absolutely confirm all these aspects, and it is verygood to actually hear about every aspect of the Akitas, not only the pros like most channels say. I live in Brazil and it is very hot in here some weeks. My dog has taken the time do adapt, and we always worry about his health. We maintain a pleasing temperature in the house, walk him only when it's not sunny, preferably early in the morning or late at night. For all those who plan to own an Akita, please please whatch as many videos of this channel as you can. Lovely and beautiful breed, bit come with a "price"!
Thank you for the support! 🙏
Akita’s are my favorite dog breed. Although I’d love to own one someday, I won’t be selfish, I know I am currently not able to give the pup the best life I could provide. Meanwhile, I can gather as much information as I can until that big day comes 😃
You're going to be a great dog owner ❤️
I grew up with 3 Akitas. One when I was really young. From when I was a baby until I was about 5 or 6. He was very protective of me and my parents said he was very good with me. I could do anything to him and he didn't care. He got bloat unfortunately and we had to put him down. Then we got two more when I was a freshman in high school. Unfortunately we had to put them down 2 years ago due to old age. We had them for over 12 years. 2 males of the same litter. They were pretty good with most people but they could sense weirdos from a mile away. Very protective. It wasn't until we found out that one of them had myasthenia gravis. The other one started to get very protective of him and together we couldn't have other dogs around them. The only dog that they got along with from then on out was my cousins dog as long as no food was around. They really are great dogs and I wish more people would give them more of a chance. They are definitely for people who are responsible.
Yep they are awesome but misunderstood dogs!
I always recommend a book I read a couple decades ago called “The Southern California Dog Owners Guide”, because it had a really great section on dog socialization, how critically important it is for Any breed, and the optimum age range for socialization (4 to 12 WEEKS of age! So you get your pup at 8 weeks, you have 4 weeks to optimally socialize your pup so he/age grows up to be a sane, emotionally balanced, companion).
I read it before I ever got my first Akita.
I’ve followed that advice and people have often commented on how friendly and mellow my dogs always are with strangers out in public.
This was a great video!! And yeah, the food, the treats, the “engagement toys”, the play time, the HAIR, the health and well being maintenance. It’s all part of the package, but for those of us who understand what it means to have the love and loyalty of an Akita…is it really such a chore?
Really glad I found your channel!
A lot of accurate and smart statements in this video. I am an American Akita owner, we have an almost 3-year old male. A few observations: I'd avoid using the word aggressive to describe this breed. They are a DOMINANT breed and that word describes them wonderfully. Why I think this is an important distinction is that when people imagine an aggressive dog, they think of a snarling beast at the end of a leash, straining to get at anything that comes near them with an owner doing all he or she can to restrain them. That simply isn't this breed. Dominant breeds have a need to be the alpha in their pack environment. For example, our Akita sees me as the alpha, and that's how it should be. How do I know this? Because male dogs all have scent glands on their lower jaws and will habitually mark anyone or anything they want the world to know is 'theirs.' He does this to my wife, my kids, our friends (once he's accepted them), our golden retriever, our cat, lol, the list goes on. But he won't do it to me, ever. He's telling other dogs or creatures that can smell his scent that these beings are under his protection and messing with them will result in a visit from him. Our golden is a female and she's as submissive as a dog can get, she's zero threat to his status as the alpha and they are great together.
Totally agree that Akitas aren't for first time dog owners as they are very stubborn, things like playing and affection are on their terms and you just have to accept that. There are times when he wants to be cuddled and loved on and other times he'll put up with it for about 30 seconds and then he'll move away and go sit on his own. I'd also call out their shedding. They shed constantly but do (2) full body sheds a year and they are 6-8 weeks or so of constant grooming and vacuuming. I'd say in 40 years of being around and owning dogs, I had no idea I'd love this breed so much but I can't imagine I'll ever own another breed.
All good points! Thank you for watching and commenting!
Good comment but can we stop with this alpha theory? It’s been debunked as untrue several times, now.
Aggressive is very accurate, I owned three and used to defend this breed. See my comment above.
@@Jeff-S I cannot locate your comment but will state that any dog breed can be aggressive without the proper care and training. Are Akitas more likely to be aggressive than some species, for sure. In my household, we have a male Akita, a female Golden and we used to have a male Yorkie. The Golden is not aggressive UNLESS food is involved. She attacked and nearly killed the Yorkie over a food scrap, he ended up dying a few months later at the age of 14 and I'm sure the attack from the Golden shortened his life. The Akita would NEVER do this because he isn't food aggressive at all. The Golden will take food from the Akita if he leaves it for her. She won't mess with him directly because he's twice her size but if something falls on the floor, she gets it, every time, because he isn't food aggressive. Now, if someone new comes to our house, he's first in line to see what's what because that's how he's wired. But it's curiosity he leads with, not aggression.
Has nothing to do with being the "alpha" of the pack lmao
Thank you for making this video, with having 12 Akitas (we breed and show) this is very helpful for people that are questioning.
Awesome! So glad we could help :)
Hey there we are extremely interested in an Akita. Was wondering how I can get In touch for one. Thanks.
@@lawrenceli28 when we have puppies we usually put them up on PuppyFind! You can see other breeders on there as well. Are kennel name is Namika Akitas and some of our friend’s have websites like DayDream Akitas and Marrow Akitas. Hope this helped!
I had one of the most wonderful dogs in the world - an Anika! He was beyond awesome. We rescued him from a local shelter when he was about 9 months old and had him until he was 16. He was so sweet and gentle, but also very protective. At the doggie day play care, he was the only big dog they allowed to play with the smaller ones because he was so gentle with them. We also had a cat and another dog, and they all slept together. He made himself the official protector of my 6-month-old granddaughter when she was visiting, and he slept on the floor beside her bed. I know that dogs, like people, have their own personalities, however my experience with Sasta was one I remember with lots of love and affection. I still miss him.
You are spot on! This is the second Akita in our family. We absolutely love them. Everything you are stating now is so truthful, they are the best dogs to have if you know what you’re doing.
Thank you! They really are the best dogs!
I own an Akita and it’s the best dog I’ve ever had, he’s so well mannered and amazing I wouldn’t trade him for any other breed
I have two akitas and a yellow lab guide dog. I had the akitas when they were 10 weeks old. I got my guide dog when Sensei and Haiku were 3.5 years old. They are now 11 years old. They grew up napping with my grandkids. My vets say they are the friendliest well behaved akitas they have ever seen.
You have to have knowledge, love, patience, and consistency when working with Akita‘s. If you don’t, they will take the lead rather quickly. They are very intelligent.
Definitely one of the smartest breeds!
I rehomed my boy. He had been rehomed and brought back and I felt so sorry for him. They said they couldn't handle him. My previous dogs to him were a troublesome duo of a Sharpei and 55kg Great Dane so I was prepared. He just really lacked human interaction, love, and attention. He's a great companion. Rehoming dogs is very rewarding.
I got an Akita husky mix as my first dog and was not prepared for the craziness in the beginning, 100% worth it in the end, great dogs!
That's a hell of a mix!
I grew up in a house where we bred Akitas and Pitts. I love Akitas in particular so much. They’re incredible.
I have a pit and an akita right now..they get on amazing there's some dominance scuffles over toys but play nice....mostly👍
@@user-pt8fg8ix1c wow an Akita and a pit, some combo. The people would have you belive that's not possible. Must be a joy. The two best dogs....
@@scottlouis4076 seriously...I got a bunch of countryside around me ...long day and night walks or electric mountain bike ....years of adventures...absolutely love them...loyalty and companions ..always ready ...fiercely protective...best breeds ever
My Akita is named ‘Hiro,’ aka ‘Hero.’ Aka ‘Superhiro,’ aka hip hop Hiro❤️I love him more than any human ever. He’s my BF my BFF my favorite person my favorite male. He’s also very talkative and so smart. He’s got white knee socks and the world is a better place with him here alive❤. Hiro FOREVER
I have had three in total. They were all super sweet and fantastic with my children. They are a lot of work. Mine were very protective and loyal but never aggressive. Akita's are one of my favorite breeds. The last one I had was a 130 pound lap dog. I miss him even after 22 years.
Thanks for the information!! What you refer to the Akita being aggressive towards other dogs, I absolutely agree 💯
My Alaskan Malamute was attacked yesterday at the beach, I was bitten and sustained open wound injuries to my right hand. My dog is lucky to be alive. The plastic surgeon said that it is very close to my tendon and to watch out for any infection. The owners of the dog were careless with a lack of insight to how dangerous these breeds can be.
Sadly, there are too many careless owners out there. Wishing you a speedy recovery.
@@TheAkitaLife Thank you 🙏
@@nataliamiaomiaos1205 how old was Alaskan Malamute? And male or female? Because Alaskan Malamutes are usually very strong and able to defend themselves I'm surprised to hear that.
@@umarkhattab756 Dexter will be turning 13 on the 12 September.
I have loved the breed for so long but I waited until my son was 8 years old before getting an Akita.
I also have multiple dogs and cats and I trained my Akita to get along with them, he is 7 now and I still practice training with him to make sure he stays neutral and calm.
He is an exception to the breed because he has the right temperament and because I have and still do put in alot of work to make him that way.
If a person cannot commit to that they shouldn't have the breed.
💯!!
Just passing by to thank you for your responsible, caring and thoughtful approach to the subject. I own a siberian husky and a few of the things you talked about were problems we didn't foresee (even though now it seems pretty obvious - I mean, surely I should've realized their crates would be bigger and more expensive, right?). Akitas are majestic pups and deserve the best life possible for them.
There's so much to think about when getting a dog, you can't beat yourself up too much if you miss a couple of things. Even with a good foundation of having multiple family members that work in vet medicine, and having owned other dogs+animals,I still learn new things all the time with Haga.
Thanks so much for your comment and for checking out our video!
When I was a baby and growing up, we had an Akita named Jessie and she was the absolute best dog in the entire world! My mom completely trusted her. When my mom brought me home from the hospital, my mom let Jessie look at me and she loved me off the bat, she would let me lay on her and watch cartoons, now also to just throw this out there I was not a rough kid and I was very calm, but she use to also watch over me, play with me and protect me, especially when we use to visit our cabin in the woods. So he is right these dogs can be amazing if respected, loved and trained right. My biggest down size though of the Akita is please don’t get the dog if you aren’t prepared for possible heart break because the females are especially susceptible, even if spayed, to get this type of uterus cancer that is very hard to reverse. Jessie passed away at about 8 years old. Akitas mostly only live for 10 years to 14 years if lucky. They are beautiful amazing dogs but it so sad that they don’t live longer and can have pretty bad health issues.
I got an American Akita as my first dog, nearly ten years ago. She was a pain years 0-3, but at ten she is the most fantastic dog ever. If you don’t have time, do not get one, they require time and love. My saki is an amazing dog
I have a Shepkita and everything you said about the Akita is so true. You should definitely have dog experience if you plan on having an Akita or something along those lines. My dog is brilliant, but he is SUPER stubborn! I absolutely love this video because it's TRUE and you don't try and sugar coat it. Thanks for taking the time to create a really informative list that does make people really think about the reasons why or why not getting an Akita could be a good/bad reason. I think more people should be doing their research when they decide that they're going to bring a life into their home. Thanks again for the great video. -Nikki from Edmonton, Canada with a beautiful brindle Shepkita named Levi who is 8 months old. Love my dog.
Would love to see pictures of your pup!
@@TheAkitaLife If I could send you pictures of him I definitely would. Do you have a way I can do that?
from my personal experience i had a male akita and he was a great dog never had one bad time and he was great with babies he would look after them like they was his own he could be tugged on by the child and he wasn’t phased by it he would just ignore them great breed no hate towards them
I had an an Akita. I absolutely loved him, he was very well mannered and very friendly. He loved people but very protective of family. He was my best friend.
Teddy is my third Akita. When I walk with him almost everyone stops me and comments how beautiful he is. I love this breed. You are correct in what you say. I’m happy they’re not well known. When a breed gets popular in the USA, people start breeding them for money to anyone. Thanks for making videos.
Going out with them in public is like hanging out with a celebrity, everyone wants to come see them!
Totally get what your saying but personally I love and will always get Akita’s 😂 my dad got me one when I was a toddler and he lived to a ripe old 14 years and 11 months and was easily the most loyal and likeable dog I have ever met ❤️
I had my akita for 13 years and seven months he was my big beautiful baby boy he loved cats he loved other animals he was perfect I I miss him every day since he passed away there will never be another dog like him even the sheriff's used to call my Merlin the gentle giant
RIP Merlin
Exactly how mine was , Beautiful well around kids and other animals
@@victorneckar7743 I know my Merlin he made friends once with a bald eagle he had a skunk a wild rabbit some deer they were all his friends I miss him so much there will never be anyone like him again even the sheriff's used to pull off the main road and stop by to say hi to him I go outside and they would be right up to his fence talking to him
His sister was a Siamese cat and they absolutely loved each other they were so beautiful just to look at them
@@michellmyers3422 I miss my big girl😢, she was great. Never forget
All great points. I had an Akita, pretty much same coloring as Haga. Your dog reminds me so much of Ollie that it brings a tear to my eye watching his videos. One thing, and I don’t know if this relates to Haga also, but Ollie’s energy levels dropped off from very high to pretty low really quickly, and this was still when he was relatively young, like I mean in and around five. That said, he did go on to live a fairly long life (for the breed). He was over thirteen when he passed, he just wouldn’t need much exercise.
My first Akita was after not having a dog as a child for 18 years. She was great, but minimal training. Got her a good home when I could not keep her in a new apartment.
I have major depression and talked to my psychiatrist about a Service Dog. That doctor was not an advocate, pushed medication and said, "just get a dog". A couple of years later I was really struggling with depression and did not want to take the chemical chains that made me zombie-like. I started looking for an Akita and found a 33 month old female from a breeder. The dog was going to be the next breeding dog, but never had a good heat so they decided to sell her. She was sold once and came back because she attacked their cat. I found her and at a great price and went up to check her out. I left a voicemail to let them know I was coming, but they didn't listen to it before I got there.
The dog was in the yard of a large compound (farm) and after I got out of the car, came right up to me and started rubbing against me like a cat and licking my pants. I stood as still as a statue, because it is an Akita! The owner came out and explained why she was for sale. I decided to buy her and came back the next weekend to retrieve her. When I got there, she did the same thing, it was as if she knew I was there for her! They didn't think she would be a good guard dog because she was so friendly. They were wrong! She knows intention and is very protective of our property. She barks when deliveries are made and sometimes at my wife coming home!
I had her professionally trained to be a Service Dog. When she smells I am producing adrenalin, she will alert me. She is very professional when working! I had some issues with a neighbor's cat and other dogs that harassed her from the moment they saw her.
She has been to the other side of the world with (Sri Lanka) me and was very professional except when she got to my mother-in-law's cat while I was taking a nap. Again, she impresses people all the time with her obedience and training as she is with me on appointments and travel (11 successful flights in the last 2 years). Not having her from a puppy was a challenge, but she knows she has a purpose and always floors me when she follows her training.
When not working and walking around the neighborhood, she is a typical Akita: stubborn and high prey drive. I am focused on keeping her happy and try to balance her work/play life so that she looks forward to everyday and so far she does.
Thank you for your video. The characteristics you bring out in your reasons are true and should be considered. I didn't have to pay for her flight to Sri Lanka, but to qualify (International Health Certificate) her was about $1,000.00.
Thats awesome! I'm glad you have her in your life!
It’s interesting you added as a side note..
the Akita “got”to my Mother-in-laws cat😬💦
@@mollysimmons2960 That was her only mistake during the whole international trip!
I rescued two young Akita's, Halo (female) 10 weeks old and a few months later, Kobe (Male) 5 months old. Halo was very aloof, strong willed, had aggression which was well managed with strong training. Kobe was like Scooby Doo, soft nature, very snuggly, and daft. So I experienced both extremes of the Akita nature, and I absolutely would NOT recommend this breed to a first time dog owner, Halo could very easily have become a big problem if I had not been experienced and also very in tune with her temperament.
I had 2 Akitas. I love them. They are huge responsibility, my favorite dogs my life.
They are the best!
I have a male japanese akita and yes they are protective and will defend you to strangers even they are not trained to do so. He is very clever and independent but so loving and loves hugs and kisses. He is my first dog and I did not give up on him. He is 5 years old now and I love him to bits. ❤️
It makes me happy to see people like you who point out the negatives. Akitas are a high maintenance breed, we need more people to be able to explain why sometimes high maintenance isn't the best for some people.
Thank you!
Beautiful dog. Had a stray that was probably dumped show up on our property. She only weighed 45. Pretty sure she came here to die. 8wks later she was pushing 95. Older dog with hip problems, but always patrolled the perimeter. Hated to, but had to put her down after 2yrs of having her. Hips got too bad. I miss her a lot.
We had to put our last Akita down due to hip problems as well. Unfortunately it's fairly common with large breeds like Akitas, especially with so many people backyard breeding them.
I'm sure you gave that dog the best 2 years of its life!
Fantastic advice! As an Akita owner for 11 years I 💯 agree with this advice!
Thank you for your support!
I have owned 2 Akita dogs over a 20 year period. Great breed, loyal, intelligent, playful when they want to be. They also like their own me time.
I have an Akita mix that I got as my first dog based on how cute he was (and still is), and I learned very quickly to research breeds before I get one. I absolutely love him, he's an AMAZING dog. And I will never get another Akita
Good for you for pointing out the downsides!! We’re in Newfoundlands, also a breed that that’s not easy to keep, especially for first time dog owners. Great presentation, good things to think about!
Thanks for watching and commenting!
I’ve got an akita lab mix along with 2 other big dogs…. And since I was a kid my akita lab dog has been the best dog I’ve seen or been around. Loyal, smart, cuddly, and just chill. So I’d say if you want to mellow out some of that akita aggressiveness they have or whatever. Get one mixed with a lab….. mine is the size of an akita but the coat of a lab
It's true many Akita mixes are more mellow. Our last Akita certainly was.
I grew up with dogs in the family but chose an American Akita as my first puppy on my own, along with my 2 cats. The first year and a half was rough! The house I lived in during that time was pretty beat up from potty training to chewed base boards and furniture. He’s now going to be 4 this year and only 70lbs (runt). Socialized very well when he was young and continue to have him around other dogs and people. He DOES NOT like young kids, however! Yes, when I get frustrated with his stubbornness (such as getting in the car) I like to say he just does not work. He runs on good vibes only! Mostly raw diet with supplementation so quite expensive and food driven. Owning an Akita changed my life and I couldn’t be more grateful for the experience!
Yep it's a lot of work but a great reward!
You are right and right, my Marcel died in my hands, heart attack, he was 18, and he was my child.
You do something very important to educate the public about these dogs.
They are NOT city dogs, I live in NH, and he had vast spaces to run and play.
They love snow, in big winter storms he didn't want to come in the house, so he spent the night outside, my wife used to cook for him stews with all sorts of meat, you're right, is definitely not for everyone
They need special environment, and yes, they have strong personality.
Yours, looks happy
My Akita had 11 puppies!! I had the mom & adopted the father, his owner wanted to put him down because he was so Aggressive. He’s an American Akita. I fell in love with him ,& adopted him. He was mean but everyday, l started talking to him & giving him treats through fence & just spent time letting him smell me, get use to me. Now, he goes crazy jumping on me, & licking me 🤗 eventually, we got him use to my female Akita by walking them together every day. They had a litter of 11 Akita puppies!! I kept two puppies & sold the rest. I now have the mom , dad , & their two female pups. I have a hugh yard, & l keep the dad separated from the three females in his own fenced off area to keep him from mating with my female Akitas. I love 💕 my 4 Akitas they’re my babies. One ☝️ thing for SURE!!! If you’re going to adopt an Akita make sure that you have him around people & other pets as a puppy . Take him for walks, dog parks, gatherings. These dogs are very protective of their families, as they get older they can become aggressive, he’ll wanna go at people & other dogs. So you gotta get him use to being around people & pets so they don’t become aggressive towards anyone
Is it time to desex him?
I'm glad you made this video. Some people get Akita without doing proper research on the breed. Same thing with some Chow Chow owners. Chow's are mean af, don't let that fluffy exterior fool you. 😂😂
Cousins to the Akita! Most of the Asian breeds are very moody lol
@@TheAkitaLife just like the ccp 🇨🇳
Great video brother. I just laid to rest my 10 year old American Akita a few days ago (6 weeks after his sister, a 14 year old Golden Retriever) and I've enjoyed your content and seeing your pups play. I got him on a whim and learned all of these lessons the hard way but I wouldn't change it for the world. I'd say that most important thing I learned was to socialize more when they are puppies because it's much harder when they are full grown. Akitas are 100% calm and collected until they are not and then it happens in the blink of an eye. He was never aggressive but defensive and skeptical of other male dogs no doubt.
Much love and keep spreading the good word.
So sorry you had to say goodbye. It's the hardest thing ever.
Our first dog as a married couple was an Akita/ Pitbull mix I was 7 months pregnant when Nikki came into our lives and we still miss her 20 years later! She definitely had an attitude and showed her opinion of things but never in an aggressive way to humans or her pets! She let our son lean on her and read his books, cuddled him and fretted over him if she was separated from him. Our neighbors loved her because she watched their houses as well as ours and was considered a assistant in our neighbor’s catch a peeping Tom because of Nikki’s barking in alarm! We brought 2 other rescued dogs (not Akitas) into our home with her and she became Mom and playmate to them both. She lived 12 years and the day we had to put her down was one of the hardest I had ever experienced! I agree Akitas are not for everyone but if I am able to own an Akita again I will be twice blessed!
Sounds like a beautiful dog! Interestingly I have noticed that mixes are typically a bit softer in temperament compared to pure bred. That was definitely my experience with my Akita/Dalmatian, as well as what I hear from other Akita mox owners!
I moved to my boyfriend's and his cat when my Akita was a year old, it took us a year for them to become a best friends and sleep in one bed (our bed 🙈) but I think I am lucky with my boy 🐕❤️
I love my Akita, yes he's a pain in the ass, super stubborn, never friendly with anyone, very dominant yet super loving, loyal, and protective. They are absolutely beautiful dogs, I always get "handsome" compliments for him from other ppl even though he always barks aggressively towards them 😂
haha yep, you'll get more comments owning an Akita than any other dog.
I am happy to See people like you who care and inform others about the responsibilities that come with owning a dog. Thank you for being so mindful!
I have the atypical male Akita, Hiko. As far as humans are concerned to him there can be only ONE! I got him at 12 weeks old, he's now 12 years old. When I got him I had three cats and my girlfriend's little dog. Never had any issues between them. He treated them all like family. He is now the only one left.
He did like other dogs and wanted to play until there was a challenge. I used to take him to the dog park when he was younger until most of the dogs started fights with him. He has put into submission 2 pitbulls, 2 huskies, 1 shepherd, 1 Airedale terrier and 2 black labs. And to this day he hates black labs for some reason. Akitas are one tough breed. I love them.
I have owned two Akitas. One female and now a male. I am very experienced. Most dog owners are lazy. They will not walk their dogs consistently. Akita need medium walks one or two times EVERY DAY
Yep. We do 2-3 walks per day, mile or more each time.
Thank you for the very informal video you have made. I am an akita owner for 3 years and we are living in Hungary/Europe. I am a first time akita owner however in the past we always had large sized shephard dogs like caucasian shepard or kuvasz shephard (Its a local hungarian breed). It was no doubt I will handle a strong dog like an akita however I had to realize this breed is very different than I expected. We have learned that we can not walk him unleashed in the city and he needs a controll all the time during our walks. We have socialized him from his baby time but he still can not accept the repairman the mailman and so on. You need to be very confindent with him and repeat the rules all the times. I absolutely believe that an akita is not for everyone especially for an unexperienced owner. If you are experienced you still need to be the boss but probably you will know how to make it. I really appreciate a video like yours because It can save akita lifes from a bad owner-dog relationships. Thank you.
Thank you so much for your support, and welcome to the Akita community!
Kérdésem - körülményesebb mint a németjuhász? thx
@@leventezari7540 szerintem igen. Intelligens fajta de nagyon önfejű.
I have an Akita mix and she’s absolutely the best dog I’ve ever owned. This is a great video. ❤️
Thank you for watching!
Our Japanese Akita Hoshi died yesterday. She was so gentle and even loved strangers
Very sorry for your loss
Thank you so much for this video. I've really wanted an Akita for years. It's my dream dog and I just adore every single thing about them. But I'm a medical student and every single source tells me just "No :)" 😭😭😭😭
I hate not having the time. Right now I can't have it because I'm living in a rented house that doesn't allow pets, then I have to go to my internship and service years, that mean I'm hardly ever going to be home, then I have residency and I just won't have enough time to care for it. It breaks my heart, but I guess it's just not meant to be.
Definitely not best time imo, but you can always get one when you're finished your medical training!
You might think about volunteering with an Akita rescue group. They often need an extra set of hands and you could get some great experience and tips about having them. Glad you are being considerate of theirs needs. Blessings to you for your studies.
Just got together with my girlfriend my little Akita girl Lisa in dez 20
From an animal Station with 6 years
Had a sweet start and after few weeks we knew we're screwed if we don't go to an dog trainer to get her under control because she loves to chase rabbits, don't like other dogs and don't listen at all
After that trainings (2 dog trainer with various types of trainings)
And many other trainings
And training and training she reacts on the walk if we call her and finally respects us and I'm happy to say there is some more training waiting for us
Not regretted it a Day
They can be a lot of work, but it's worth it!
I grew up watching shows like Ceasar and always valued being strict yet loving with the dog, it needs to be loved yet reminded that we are his owner and leader. I am waiting on the pup to arrive and am ready with deshedders, double coat rakes, brushes for his fur and teeth. I have treats for training and a will of iron, I raised a husky to be obedient and quiet, I will raise this fine akita inu pup into a great dog to keep my wife safe and our lack of children less heavy.
I had 4 or 5 akitas growing up ages 5 to 18, fiercely loyal and loving to me and my family, they were aggressive to everyone else if we weren't around especially other dogs. Good guard dogs And the most stubborn to train, snow is their favorite play toy, If I owned another dog it would b a akita, I just love them. If u rescue one they are harder to train as adult dogs, and they r stupid strong and very good at breaking chains and collars
My grandmother bought a "cute little" pure white puppy in the late 1970s for $400. Bear was his name. He grew so fast that he ended up on a chain in a fenced in kennel with a roof. He was to large and strong to handle. At a year old a guy showed up at my grandma's and offered her $10,000 for him. Come to find out Bear was a direct descendant to the Emperors' dogs. She never sold him. Good thing my grandfather didn't know how much she paid for him or the $10,000 offer. A lot of money back then.
Very good explanation of owning Akita's. I've had 4 over the last 40+ years and I wouldnt have any other breed. My son was raised with/by an Akita from birth and we never had any problems in that area, quite the opposite as this Akita was like a daddy-dog to my son and highly protective.
Thank you so much for your support!
I had an Akita named Max. He lived to be 15. And he was the best dog I’ve ever had. Only complaint is when I was younger, he was so powerful. It was hard to take him for a walk. He would drag ya across the ground.
15 is an amazing life span for an Akita
Had a Akita for 15 years got as a puppy. Best dog in the world never got sick died of old age went out like a champion best dog ever.
Can you make a video explaining more about what "stubborn" means when referring to an Akita? Just because people might associate that a child or human bring stubborn, and might believe it needs to be challenged or overcome. We're planning to get an Akita for our next dog and have been researching, joining social media groups and searching out breeders who's dogs carry the characteristics we desire and learning about their successful adoptions into homes like ours (we have cats, so no high prey drive lines).
Back to my point tho, I just think with deeper understanding of stubborn behavior comes patience to overcome in a peaceful manner.
From what I've seen online "stubborn" has typically meant; dog chooses to stay outside in the snow and ignores other commands.
Sure thing!
@@Jennikatt it is like that. My late akita dog would lay on the floor to not walk if she didn't want to leave a place. Also she was also really sociable, so it was worse when she had been playing with other dogs and we had to go. She would also get mad sometimes and try to take the leash off from my hand when we didn't walk the way she wanted and some of the rare occasions she barked was whenever she was denied something, like if she was arguing against me xD
Sorry but I disagree with a lot of what you are saying! Have you ever heard of doggy parks?! You have to socialize them when they are a pup! They are very smart dogs! My akita loves kids and people, and loves to play with other dogs!
Do you know what N=1 means?
About the last place I would take any dog that is independent and dominant is a dog park. I have had 2 Shiba Inu( naturally smaller than Anita, but same temperments) and I would never put them into a position of being forced to socialize with other dogs. Like Akita, they do not enjoy the company of same sex dogs and are fairly standoffish with strangers. That being said, the term "socialize" does not mean party with other dogs. It means behave appropriately in a variety of circumstances outside the home environment. This is an excellent video, well explained so, to you "Akita Life," thank you. BTW, that independence is the mark of a thinking dog...and I have come to respect the choices that my Shiba Inu makes on many occasions.
@@jacklynsher6046 well said!
@@jacklynsher6046 I've had dogs my whole life! My akita is a service dog, you really need to know what you are talking about before you say things you don't know about!
I had a neighbor long time ago whose daughter had two of these dogs. Believe me I was totally intimated by them. They would just look at me like they were thinking about what they were planning on doing. To me they look like bears. I love dogs. I've had four miniature schnauzers. That said, I would never allow my dog to come in contact with an Akita and also other breeds including Pits. You did a great job explaining why someone shouldn't get an akita and you did it out of love and in the best interest of the breed. Thank you.
Thank you for watching and commenting!
This is such a helpful video! We have a lab hound, Catahoula, And a cat. An Akita was recently abandoned near our home and he has been coming around. It seems obvious he has been abused and he is very very fearful. He’s also very hungry so we’ve been giving him some food out in the pasture. We have thought about keeping him, but we also have a baby and while I do think we have the capacity for another dog and we have experience, I think it’s also important to consider the lifestyle and the awareness that would be required. This is not a breed I have ever been interested in or drawn to so, I did not know anything about them until I watched your video and a few others to start thinking through whether or not this would be a good fit for our family.
Thank you so much it was so nice hearing someone speaking about Akita’s and not going on and on and never getting to the point , it was a real pleasure listening to this young gentleman, and again thank you ,.