
Dogs are probably the best animals of all time and they are loved by humans. This is because of the characteristics that make them stand out from other animals. Asides from being domesticated, they are good companions, friendly, and easy to care for. They are also useful in several ways.
There are many dog breeds available and each breed comes with different unique characteristics. In fact, it is believed that there are over 400 dog breeds available; one of these is the Akita dog. You can learn more about various dog breeds here.
This is a dog breed that originated from northern Japan. It has two varieties and these are the Japanese strain and the American strain. The Japanese strain is often referred to as Akita Inu but the American strain is called American Akita or simply Akita. While the Japanese strain typically comes in a limited number of colors, the American one comes in various colors.
The Akita breed is independent, powerful, and dominant. They have short double coats and are affectionate with familiar faces but aloof to strangers. Physically, this breed of dog has a resemblance to bears.
They are big and quite impressive dogs and their strength makes them suitable as guards or watchdogs. A fully-grown male can reach up to 26 to 28 inches and they can weigh between 100 and 130 pounds. Matured females can reach up to 24 or 26 inches in height and weigh around 70 to 100 pounds. An Akita owner must be strong and be patient enough to understand and deal with them.
A Deeper Look Into the Akita Breed’s Personality
Akitas look like outdoor dogs but they love the indoors. They are fearless, courageous and very protective. This makes them highly dominant and territorial. They are also very devoted and loyal to their owners but are wary of new faces.
Akitas are also not yappy in nature. This helps them to alert you of any change in the environment and of course, this change is worth checking out. Their bark sounds almost like a moan or a murmur.
They usually do not show any emotions and are often expressionless. When they feel threatened by a stranger or intruder, they will not hesitate to attack or bite the intruder. This makes it a wise decision to be present whenever your dog has to meet with your guests. You can also put up a warning sign around your premises to alert people when they come around.
The way you treat an Akita dog will show in their behavior as they are quite sensitive to this. Because of their jealous and possessive nature, it may be best to have them as your only pet. They always want to keep everything to themselves and do not like to share. This jealous and possessive personality will lead to clashes and skirmishes if you own another pet.
This dog breed enjoys being in their owner’s company and they like calm activities and moments. They enjoy cold weather so they are happy to play in the snow. You can see more on their personality here https://www.dailypaws.com/dogs-puppies/dog-breeds/akita.
Training an Akita
Akitas can become quite problematic if they are not properly trained. However, due to their independent nature, training them can be difficult. They require strict owners who are disciplinarians. It is therefore imperative that you give this a thorough consideration if you are thinking of owning this dog.
If you love the breed and will like to go ahead with owning one, here are some helpful training tips.
- Begin training your dog early when they are puppies.
- Teach them to socialize by making them get used to seeing and interacting with other people as well as other pets. This will help them with their antisocial nature.
- Since they prefer staying indoors, they housebreak very quickly so encourage them to play and potty outdoors.
It is advisable to train them with a dog collar on because of their irascible and difficult behavior. This will help them to be better behaved and be more obedient. It will also mean that other people will be safe around them. Training them to be obedient can take a while therefore you need to be patient as well as persistent.
As mentioned earlier, the way you treat them shows in the way they behave. It is therefore pertinent that they are treated and trained with affection and respect. They will always respond the way they are treated. If you lash out at them or treat them negatively, they will do so in return.
Avoid using force or bullying them as this will make them grow to be aggressive dogs. Rather, use positive reinforcement each time.
Common Health Problem of American Akitas
An American Akita can live up to between 12 to 15 years. They are typically healthy dogs but may be susceptible to various diseases and genetic issues such as:
- Hip issues
- Eye issues
- Renal issues
- Gland issues
- Bloating
What Do American Akitas Eat?
A vital part of caring for your pet is feeding them and ensuring that they eat the right diet. For Akitas, they require a diet of top-quality dry foods. This should be given alongside fresh foods.
You should also ensure they have enough protein as this helps to preserve their robust nature. You can check out this holistapet Akita guide to learn more about feeding them.
The amount of food your dog will need will vary and is dependent on their level of activity. Typically, it is best to give one gram of protein for each pound of their body weight. You should regularly check their weight to know if you need to increase the quantity of food you provide them.
Conclusion
Dogs generally have some common characteristics but each breed also has characteristics that are unique to them. An American Akita is a lovely and dependable dog to have but you must be ready and willing to do the work. These include being patient and training them to be friendly and loving.