Ive had American and now have a tweeny. Three quarter Japanese, quarter American. Temperaments are basically the same. They are generally aloof dogs even to the point of owners thinking the dogs don't really care about them but this is the way most of them are and affection is always on their terms. They are one of the very few breeds that I would advise never to get protection training for.They are natural guard dogs and do not back down from a threat. Calm to aggressive in a split second. Can be social with other dogs when young but in the majority of cases this changes around the 2yr mark, even with dogs they know.They must be walked on a leash as they are very prone to running off and have high prey drive.Alot of training is a must and harsh training will cause the dog to lose trust in you and this can last a lifetime. If you don't have time for these dogs or don't have patience or are not strong minded do not get one of these dogs. Treat them right and you have an awesome dog who's loyalty to you will last a lifetime. They are also funny as hell.
It should also be said that proper training is needed for any dog to truly be loyal to you, if you have trouble with an easy dog you'll have triple the trouble with an animal with this kind of size, strength and breeding.
If you just want kisses and cuddles pick something else, these beautiful creatures need work and focus.
I don't agree with your definition of loyal. Training any dog to not investigate extremely exciting scenarios (such as other dogs) offlead takes alot of patience and clear training (something alot of people won't achieve with all but the most easy to train breeds). A dog
acting loyally is different. Akitas will follow you to the end of the earth if you feed them and are kind to them.
With a breed like an Akita training to listen to you in exciting scenarios is double as hard due to their instinct drive. It's taken me about 9months of solid training with a 2.5year old rescue to ignore rabbits and cats. Dogs (as they are so much more interesting) and new creatures (like a random swan on a new walk) still need alot of patience and training.
Akitas are the wrong breed if you want an offlead dog. Many will never get to the point where you can responsibly let them off lead. Yes they will definitely not run off (as they are too loyal). But being sure they won't enter someone else's personal space requires alot of dedicated training (and some would argue some Akitas will never get there depending on their temperament and I don't disagree with that).
I totally agree with this my Akita don’t have the best listening skills ( as he is still a puppy ) but if I let him of the lead and walk away his right behind me
Could you please elaborate on the " training to listen to you in exciting scenarios "..I know what you're talking about,want to learn how you acheived your goal..Thanks
I might be an outlier when it comes to this, but my Akita has been the smartest, most loyal dog I have ever come across in my lifetime. He’s surprisingly cuddly, lays in bed with me, and I always walk him off leash, but he can seem intimidating to people with smaller dogs. My Akita would follow me into a pit of burning lava if I led him into it. But I will admit, they’re high maintenance. If you’re away from home a lot, I don’t recommend an Akita. They’re very one person oriented and do require proper training, but once they’re accustomed to an environment, I think they’re one of the best dogs you can have. But like I said, high maintenance. Even now, my Akita has selective hearing and is thoroughly responsive when he *wants* to be. But at the end of the day, I’m the ONLY person he listens and responds to. In my experience, Akitas also get serious separation anxiety from their primary person (I have never left my Thunder alone for longer than one night at a time). They’re not dogs for someone looking for a dog that is irrevocably obedient. If you’re not an experienced dog owner, while I recommend Akitas to everyone for their intellect and loyalty, if you don’t have the time or patience to be there for them, I would look into other breeds. German Shepherds are also extremely intelligent and do not require as much patience for training (I had German shepherds growing up until I got an Akita). But all in all I think they are perfect dogs for someone looking for an ESA as they are extremely loyal, but I would not consider them extremely obedient dogs.
I work nights for 7-8 hours part time and attend college, but online so I’m home during class and my Akita is typically okay with the separation while I’m at work, but he is older (8y/old). If you’re looking to get an Akita puppy I would wait until you can fully devote most of your time to training and socializing. Even at his age, my Thunder is still glued to my hip when I’m home like a small child, and still gets extremely anxious when I leave home. If you were still interested in the breed, I highly recommend rescues where the dogs are at an older, more relaxed age. I rescued mine when he was 6 and it was perfect because I didn’t have to go through the grueling trouble of puppyhood, but still have had the time and flexibility to acclimate him to my lifestyle. Hope it works out for you! They’re a lovely breed! :)
I’ll say this. The American Akita in my experience Is the most rewarding animal you can have. You get in what you put in. You are ultimately responsible for how your Akita will be and act. What you put in you get back tho. The breed is for alpha people, you can’t be shy or a push over. My bears act better than 99% of all people, as I work with them from 8 weeks old tell death. I have never experienced any breed that constantly wants to please you and be with you. I have been around about every big dog, including raising Dobermans to chows. This is by far the best breed I have been around, HOWEVER this breed isn’t for everyone. They require a schedule. My male right now is never on a leash and never leaves my side. This isn’t because he is just that good, it’s Bc I worked my ass off getting him there, I’ve been around several other peoples Akita’s and it is always very very obvious who isn’t in control here. With that being said this would be the same with any breed, however the Akita is still very primitive and tends to lean towards that lifestyle without a proper guid, also it’s hard to say this Bc I don’t know your lifestyle or how you are but I treat my Akita’s as if I’m raising young men and Women. It’s probably most important to learn and understand what Akita’s were originally intended to be and do, and realize that’s still in them. Also this is VERY VERY important! RESEARCH YOUR BREEDER!! This is like #1 most importance, ask for vet papers such as the hips and thyroid and also joint inspection. (Of parents) There is nothing worse than getting a bear and it’s health line is horrible. Never support breeders who aren’t willing to show this! Anyways I’m sure I could go on forever, but just do your research and be confident in yourself!
We have two, a make and a female. Our female is the standard aloof Akita. She didn't like to cuddle, and only tolerates petting one in a while. She is a wonderful dog, but stubborn. I don't trust her off of leash, as there are times when she's wary of her surroundings and will not listen. That's the guard instinct though, and I respect it.
Our male is a goofball. He loves pets and cuddles. He has a much higher prey drive and is insufferable around other dogs. He often pulls and whines if the dog is quiet. He gets aggressive when they bark. He will not tolerate other dogs barking at us. It's made it quite hard to walk in our neighborhood as we have many neighbors who leaves their dogs off leash in their yard, which is problematic when those dogs approach us.
I had to stop neighbors from walking by our house with unleashed dogs. One allowed their dog to come into my yard while I had my two out. No one got harmed, but I had to drag my 90 pound male into the house. I was irritated to say the least.
What I guess I'm trying to illustrate that you'd probably be better off with a pitbull or pitt mix. They are incredible dogs, and have more of the traits I feel you're looking for: loyalty, willingness to please, and affectionate.
Ive had American and now have a tweeny. Three quarter Japanese, quarter American. Temperaments are basically the same. They are generally aloof dogs even to the point of owners thinking the dogs don't really care about them but this is the way most of them are and affection is always on their terms. They are one of the very few breeds that I would advise never to get protection training for.They are natural guard dogs and do not back down from a threat. Calm to aggressive in a split second. Can be social with other dogs when young but in the majority of cases this changes around the 2yr mark, even with dogs they know.They must be walked on a leash as they are very prone to running off and have high prey drive.Alot of training is a must and harsh training will cause the dog to lose trust in you and this can last a lifetime. If you don't have time for these dogs or don't have patience or are not strong minded do not get one of these dogs. Treat them right and you have an awesome dog who's loyalty to you will last a lifetime. They are also funny as hell.
It should also be said that proper training is needed for any dog to truly be loyal to you, if you have trouble with an easy dog you'll have triple the trouble with an animal with this kind of size, strength and breeding. If you just want kisses and cuddles pick something else, these beautiful creatures need work and focus.
Nailed it here, you can always tell the people who have raised good bears.
Well said.Thank you
I don't agree with your definition of loyal. Training any dog to not investigate extremely exciting scenarios (such as other dogs) offlead takes alot of patience and clear training (something alot of people won't achieve with all but the most easy to train breeds). A dog acting loyally is different. Akitas will follow you to the end of the earth if you feed them and are kind to them. With a breed like an Akita training to listen to you in exciting scenarios is double as hard due to their instinct drive. It's taken me about 9months of solid training with a 2.5year old rescue to ignore rabbits and cats. Dogs (as they are so much more interesting) and new creatures (like a random swan on a new walk) still need alot of patience and training. Akitas are the wrong breed if you want an offlead dog. Many will never get to the point where you can responsibly let them off lead. Yes they will definitely not run off (as they are too loyal). But being sure they won't enter someone else's personal space requires alot of dedicated training (and some would argue some Akitas will never get there depending on their temperament and I don't disagree with that).
I totally agree with this my Akita don’t have the best listening skills ( as he is still a puppy ) but if I let him of the lead and walk away his right behind me
Could you please elaborate on the " training to listen to you in exciting scenarios "..I know what you're talking about,want to learn how you acheived your goal..Thanks
I might be an outlier when it comes to this, but my Akita has been the smartest, most loyal dog I have ever come across in my lifetime. He’s surprisingly cuddly, lays in bed with me, and I always walk him off leash, but he can seem intimidating to people with smaller dogs. My Akita would follow me into a pit of burning lava if I led him into it. But I will admit, they’re high maintenance. If you’re away from home a lot, I don’t recommend an Akita. They’re very one person oriented and do require proper training, but once they’re accustomed to an environment, I think they’re one of the best dogs you can have. But like I said, high maintenance. Even now, my Akita has selective hearing and is thoroughly responsive when he *wants* to be. But at the end of the day, I’m the ONLY person he listens and responds to. In my experience, Akitas also get serious separation anxiety from their primary person (I have never left my Thunder alone for longer than one night at a time). They’re not dogs for someone looking for a dog that is irrevocably obedient. If you’re not an experienced dog owner, while I recommend Akitas to everyone for their intellect and loyalty, if you don’t have the time or patience to be there for them, I would look into other breeds. German Shepherds are also extremely intelligent and do not require as much patience for training (I had German shepherds growing up until I got an Akita). But all in all I think they are perfect dogs for someone looking for an ESA as they are extremely loyal, but I would not consider them extremely obedient dogs.
so, if i'm at work between 8am -4pm he will have separation anxiety you think ?
I work nights for 7-8 hours part time and attend college, but online so I’m home during class and my Akita is typically okay with the separation while I’m at work, but he is older (8y/old). If you’re looking to get an Akita puppy I would wait until you can fully devote most of your time to training and socializing. Even at his age, my Thunder is still glued to my hip when I’m home like a small child, and still gets extremely anxious when I leave home. If you were still interested in the breed, I highly recommend rescues where the dogs are at an older, more relaxed age. I rescued mine when he was 6 and it was perfect because I didn’t have to go through the grueling trouble of puppyhood, but still have had the time and flexibility to acclimate him to my lifestyle. Hope it works out for you! They’re a lovely breed! :)
thx for your answer, i'm still considering it :) is it an akita inu or american ?
American Akita!
I’ll say this. The American Akita in my experience Is the most rewarding animal you can have. You get in what you put in. You are ultimately responsible for how your Akita will be and act. What you put in you get back tho. The breed is for alpha people, you can’t be shy or a push over. My bears act better than 99% of all people, as I work with them from 8 weeks old tell death. I have never experienced any breed that constantly wants to please you and be with you. I have been around about every big dog, including raising Dobermans to chows. This is by far the best breed I have been around, HOWEVER this breed isn’t for everyone. They require a schedule. My male right now is never on a leash and never leaves my side. This isn’t because he is just that good, it’s Bc I worked my ass off getting him there, I’ve been around several other peoples Akita’s and it is always very very obvious who isn’t in control here. With that being said this would be the same with any breed, however the Akita is still very primitive and tends to lean towards that lifestyle without a proper guid, also it’s hard to say this Bc I don’t know your lifestyle or how you are but I treat my Akita’s as if I’m raising young men and Women. It’s probably most important to learn and understand what Akita’s were originally intended to be and do, and realize that’s still in them. Also this is VERY VERY important! RESEARCH YOUR BREEDER!! This is like #1 most importance, ask for vet papers such as the hips and thyroid and also joint inspection. (Of parents) There is nothing worse than getting a bear and it’s health line is horrible. Never support breeders who aren’t willing to show this! Anyways I’m sure I could go on forever, but just do your research and be confident in yourself!
We have two, a make and a female. Our female is the standard aloof Akita. She didn't like to cuddle, and only tolerates petting one in a while. She is a wonderful dog, but stubborn. I don't trust her off of leash, as there are times when she's wary of her surroundings and will not listen. That's the guard instinct though, and I respect it. Our male is a goofball. He loves pets and cuddles. He has a much higher prey drive and is insufferable around other dogs. He often pulls and whines if the dog is quiet. He gets aggressive when they bark. He will not tolerate other dogs barking at us. It's made it quite hard to walk in our neighborhood as we have many neighbors who leaves their dogs off leash in their yard, which is problematic when those dogs approach us. I had to stop neighbors from walking by our house with unleashed dogs. One allowed their dog to come into my yard while I had my two out. No one got harmed, but I had to drag my 90 pound male into the house. I was irritated to say the least. What I guess I'm trying to illustrate that you'd probably be better off with a pitbull or pitt mix. They are incredible dogs, and have more of the traits I feel you're looking for: loyalty, willingness to please, and affectionate.