5 Things to Consider Before Adopting an Akita
When searching for a guard dog, an Akita may not be the first to come to mind. Akitas were historically used for bear hunting in their native country, Japan. However, this massively powerful breed can also be used for companionship and cuddles.
At Little River Akitas, you can trust that your fluffy companion is coming from certified trusted breeding environment. If you’re concerned about the size of the breed in regards to your living space, take a moment to peruse this short questionnaire to see if this gorgeous guard dog is a good fit for you!
Do you have a SIZEABLE YARD OR QUAINT APARTMENT?
Apartment: Despite their large size, Akitas make for great apartment dogs since they aren’t prone to excessive barking. Their quiet nature paired with 30 minutes to an hour of daily exercise helps to prevent destructive behaviors. The saying, “A tired dog is a well-behaved dog” truly applies with this breed. With proper training over a few months, an adult Akita could be left home alone for up to 6 hours.
Sizeable Yard: Amazing! Enjoy the benefits of having a canine companion who will be just as comfortable with Netflix-n-chill in addition to roaming outdoors.
Will this be your FIRST DOG?
No: Great! If this is your first guard dog, you’ll love the loyal and protective nature of an Akita.
Yes: Akitas require a great of amount of time and commitment. Be sure to obtain dog training skills beforehand. Akitas are smart and independent. While they easily pick up commands, their independence can cause stubbornness. They’ll need someone who commands authority while not exerting too much force. There are plenty of YouTube training videos that are very useful if you don’t wish to pay for obedience classes.
Do you HAVE ANY CHILDREN?
No: Due to their size and independent nature, Akitas are better suited for adults with previous dog experience. A childless household may also have more time to dedicate towards training and bonding.
Yes: This doesn’t have to be a dealbreaker. Children between the ages of 12-18, or if the Akita is a puppy upon adoption, could work well. If you have small children and still wish to adopt, please carefully monitor all interactions and teach the children careful play tactics. Even puppies can be a bit rowdy in the teething phase. If adopting an adult Akita, you’ll want to keep your new pooch and small child separate until familiarization and proper training are in place. Ask about the dog’s temperament before adopting. All in all, it mostly depends on you as an owner. Be assertive, treat your pooch with love and respect, and everything will be fine.
DO YOU MIND A LITTLE (A LOT) OF GROOMING?
No: Whip out the slicker brush, de-shedding shampoo, and coat conditioner because you’re now an official groomer. Grooming an Akita is fun. Their luscious coat, when cared for properly, will give the impression that you have a show dog as well as an adorable companion. Bathing them once every 5-6 weeks will suffice. Also, look for a semi-powerful, low-heat dryer, as this will speed up the drying process immensely.
Yes: Regard this as extra bonding time! Akitas require regular brushing as with any double-coated dog. If you don’t brush them at least once every other day, then prepare to see wooly finish all over your house. Also, the de-shedding season can be a lot if you’re not prepared or if you strongly dislike fur appearing…literally everywhere. This is a great time to build a friendship with your neighborhood dog groomer!
P.S. Coat blow season is…fluffy. Cruella didn’t need to kill puppies for a fur coat, she just needed to wait for an double-coated dog’s blow season and have enough fur to last through Fashion Week! You’ll want to do this outdoors. If you don’t have a space to conduct this without having hair on the ceiling, consider finding a professional groomer.
Is an adoption fee around the $1000 range okay?
No: If you’re looking to spend well under $1000 for your new pooch, you could luck out and find a purebred at a shelter. That could take a while, so if you’re in a rush to love your new fur child, Little River Akitas is a great place to start looking for ethical breeders. Well-bred Akitas can run from $1200-$3000. Regardless of the breed, buying from low-end breeders will possibly result in costly health issues in the future. This also further advances the monetary motivation for abusers to commoditize animals while keeping them in terrible conditions. True breeders with a love for the breed take the utmost care of the dogs from conception to the 8-week adoption period. That care costs the breeder a lot of time and money. If the price seems steep, just know it’s worth it.
Yes: Wonderful, you won’t be sorry.
Regardless of your answers to any of these questions, Akitas are simply great. Hopefully, this breed is the best fit for you. If you’ve never thought of owning an Akita until now, congrats to you for educating yourself on this awesome breed.
Now that you’re ready to move forward, please contact Little River Akitas for new litter dates or any other information.