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I always had male German Shepherds, they were my main big hunky guy protector. Very loyal and I always felt safe. After my last male passed I bought a female. She is beautful but not like my male shepherds but I decided I can't replace my other Sheperds and decided to get a baby male Akita as a friend to my female and as my new side kick.
I have little girls, all under 5. I have researched Akitas and I am getting mixed stories, some say good with kids, others say do not get if you have little kids. It also seems very difficult to adopt these dogs because it doesn't seem like there are very many breeders.
Anyone here have experience with this breed? I love the big bear heads these guys have. They look so cute and cuddly, it's hard to believe these can be mean.
akita are a strong protective working breed, highly inteligent, highly dedicated.
my experience has been akita are Wonderfull with respectfull kids in their own family BUT not reliable with rowdy kids or strange children.
being your kids are growing up around dogs, i woudlnt leave the dog and the girls ALONE together, but i wouldnt worry too much about a well socilized akita and your kids...again assuming they are taught to respect the dog, not alone around the dog unsuperzsed and that the dog is socialized as a puppy.
they are a breed that needs LOTS of mental stimulation, training, excersize and socilization as a puppy, ive known akitas socilized extensivly who still dont do well with strangers and ive met others who are fine around strangers though none seem too happy about being alone with strangers...
they can be rather exhuberant and play rough though which is another reason to never just leave the kids and dog alone together...the dog could hurt them simply by accident.
I had an Akita (RIP last year 13yrs) she was trained since being a puppy, socialized and exercised. Very loyal dog, unfortunately she was also so protective that I could not predict her next move so she had to be monitored constantly.
Sometimes she was great with everyone, other times she would become real tense and intimidate people to the point she would bite. She never was good with other large dogs, smaller dogs and cats were ok. Large dogs she would always find a way to pick a fight.
My daughter was only 2 when we had the akita, and they would sleep together constantly they loved each other, but we had a 3 year old friend over and she bit her in the hand while petting.
Very impressive dog, when she was 2 she swam across a lake and caught a bird in mid air that was trying to escape. Just too aggressive, would not do it again and no I would not recommend them for kids.
Yeah, they might be too much trouble. My kids will have friends over and I don't want to get sued because my male Akita Big Bubba Bodine bit a kid. They are so beautiful, but i guess I'll stick with the GSD and get a male pup sometimes this summer instead.
Also be aware that Akitas are one of the breeds that are "disallowed" by some homeowners insurance providers, apartment complexes, and homeowners associations.
Akita is a great dog but as stated above too much trouble for those who do not have much experience in training dogs regularly. There are better breeds for your needs. If you are looking for a full sized dog that is good with children, maybe consider a lab.
jolseen, akitas can do fine in hot climates as long as they are provided shade, indoor cool space and good grooming (NOT SHAVING, just making sure they are on a good quality diet and any shedding hair is regularly removed) but they PREFER a coolet climate.
Akita seem pretty laid back in the house, (I have owned several over the years) once they matured they were all calm quiet dogs...I still love and admire the breed. With that being said, in my experience they are not compatable with dogs of the same gender AT ALL. I also wouldn't trust an akita around other people's children...this breed doesn't typically give warning before reacting and an angry akita can do ALOT of damage. They tend to be one man dogs...like chows. Might be the greatest with the family but outsiders need to be cautious when interacting with them. Small children can't be expected to do that. I love the breed and maybe when I am old and seek a less active, single dog household I will go back to it, but I can't say I would recommend the breed to many people.
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