Akita Traits

Akitas are a loyal, complex and protective breed. They are also generally dog aggressive and usually suspicious of strangers. Originally bred as a guarding breed, they are often territorial and dominant. Potential owners need to do their homework and review the AKC standard as well as other written literature about the breed. Talk to other Akita owners, and to Akita breeders about their dogs. Meet these dogs for yourself. This is a breed that is not easy for a first time dog owner to raise. Yutori does not generally recommend this breed for beginners. Owners must be calm, able to train and correct appropriately, and willing to take all steps to safely contain the dog as well as supervise interactions with other adults and with children. Obedience classes are strongly suggested. We believe in positive reinforcement techniques and heartily recommend clicker-training. Further information can be seen at the Akita Club of America home page at www.akitaclub.org

AKITAS AND CHILDREN

Although Akitas are wonderful with children if properly raised, they should not be left alone with children, or turned over to the care of a child, especially to go for a walk unsupervised. Parents who have difficulty saying 'no' to their own children, or who have had others tell them their children are undisciplined, are NOT going to succeed with this breed.

In addition to training the dog how to behave properly around children, the children in the household must be taught how to behave around the dog. Some of the requirements the owner will need to teach childern and visitors to their home include the following: Children (and visitors to your home) may call the Akita to them and if the dog comes they may pet it....under the chin or on the chest only at first. IF the dog does not come to them, they may not pursue or follow the dog or trap it to force their attention on it. The Akita must always have a room, or a crate or special place to go, where nobody is going to disturb it. If the Akita goes there while you have company, nobody is allowed to go over and bother the dog. This may not be what you as a prospective owner would like to hear. If that is the case, perhaps this breed is not the breed for you. We at Yutori will not place a dog with you if we do not feel this will be a successful long-term placement. Our intention is that this dog become a lifetime member of your family. If we don't see that kind of future for you and the dog, we will not approve an Akita for you.

WHAT DO THEY LOOK LIKE?

Akitas are a northern breed, with roots in the Spitz family. They have a curled tail, erect ears which distinctively point forward in line with the neck, and a thick, stand-off coat. They are a large dog, ranging in size from 23 to 25 or 26 inches in the female to 25 to 28 inches tall for the male. Weights range from approximately 75 or 80 lbs up to 130 lbs on the top end. They can be any color or combinations. There are solid Akitas and there are also dogs with a predominently white background with colored patches, or dogs with a colored background and white patches. Dogs with ears that do not stand or tails that do not curl are dogs with 'disqualifying faults', from a showing standpoint. There are other less noticeable faults as well. This is a very basic description of the dog. The AKC standard gives the official description and specifications of the breed.

AKITAS AND OTHER DOGS IN YOUR HOUSE

Because Akitas are dominant and protective, as well as potentially dog aggressive, they don't always fit into a household with another dog. Some of the contributing factors include the size as well as temperament of the first dog, and even more importantly, the gender. If an Akita is to adjust to and live harmoniously with another dog in your household, you should purchase the opposite sex. You have less chance of a compatible relationship between two females or two males. There are exceptions to this, but they are not common. Usually the exceptions are in homes where the owner is very responsible, a competent trainer experienced with the breed, and able to keep a close eye on all interactions between the dogs.

On the bright side, a well socialized, properly raised and trained Akita with a stable temperament is a joy to own and live with. It is important to select a breeder with healthy, stable temperamented animals. Akitas can be very loving, intelligent and devoted companions with a strong sense of duty and a strong sense of right and wrong.

HOW DO WE SELECT A REPUTABLE BREEDER? WHAT DO WE LOOK FOR?

Ask the breeder to see the parents of the puppies. The mother at the very least, should be available to meet. If the puppies are young you will probably have to see the mother in an area away from the puppies so that she doesn't need to worry about them during your visit. Ask to meet the other adult Akitas as well. It is very important to ask about health clearances too. Were the parents x-rayed or preliminary x-rayed for hips, elbows and did they have their knees checked? Were the x-rays registered with PennHip or OFA? "Yes", is the right answer. Proof of this should be shown to you. Were the eyes examined and certified to be free of PRA (CERF) and were the parents thyroid tested. Are the Akitas' quarters reasonably clean, with shelter, fresh air and water available? If something about the Breeders or their dogs disturbs you, don't ignore your instincts. Walk away. Talk to other breeders and ask for references about the breeder. A good breeder will probably want references on you too. Do not, under any circumstances, purchase a puppy to take home with you on your first visit. If you are impressed and wish to make a deposit, fine. But do NOT buy on impulse. Walk away. Give it thought for a few days at least. People make emotional bonds and snap decisions when they see puppies. This tendency can override your common sense. These are just some of the things you should be looking at. This is a decision that you will live with for the next 10 years, possibly more. It is extremely important that you make a well educated and rational choice.

DISEASES OF THE AKITA

The Akita suffers from hereditary diseases much the same as other large breeds. Hip dysplasia, subluxating patellas (knees), and progressive retinal atrophy (PRA--a disease of the eyes) are among the diseases that can be encountered. There are tests that can be performed to determine if an adult Akita suffers from these diseases and from that information, it is possible to avoid using affected animls for breeding. Another disease which is less common but devastating that has appeared in this breed is VKH. This disease involves the autoimmune system and the details about this disease are lengthy so a link to an article about the subject of VKH is provided.

VKH affected animals should never be used for breeding. Unfortunately, VKH can show up in an animal as old as 8 years, that may have already been used for breeding. Because there is no diagnostic test available in advance of the disease's onset, it is extremely difficult to track and eliminate it from the breed. It is hoped that medical research will soon identify the genes and that a test will become available. Dogs affected with PRA, hip dysplasia, elbow dysplasia and subluxating patellas should not be bred either, in the opinion of Yutori Akitas.

Additionally,as with other large and deep chested breeds, the Akita can suffer from 'bloat' or GDV (gastric dilation volvulus). This is a situation where the stomach can turn and cut off the passage of air so that nothing can pass toward the intestines or up through the esophagus. This is an emergency and it is absolutely life threatening. Additional information about hereditary diseases in the Akita can be found at the ACA (Akita Club of America) website in their Akita Health section at http://www.akitaclub.org

VACCINATION

Akitas are sensitive to vaccination. They have an immune system which may take a little longer to mature than the standard veterinary vaccine protocols would imply. It is very likely true of other breeds as well, but here we are talking of the Akita. Yutori Akitas recommends waiting until 12 weeks of age for a first vaccination if at all possible. We also suggest using a KILLED virus and NOT a modified live virus (MLV), whenever possible. We do not advocate using the Leptospirosis vaccine at all unless there is a very high likelihood of exposure (and there is NOT a high likelihood of that in most cases). We do not recommend the Lyme disease vaccination and we do not feel that the Coronavirus is necessary, either.

The newly recommended vaccination protocols proposed by the AAHA and released to the North American Veterinary Schools this spring suggests that vaccination after 6 months or one year of age is likely to confer lifetime immunity. Titers can confirm this on a yearly basis. Continued yearly vaccination, and the frequent boosting of puppies is in fact a hazard in ALL breeds, and increases the risk of an allergic, anaphylactic or autoimmune system reaction. Unfortunately state laws require 1-3 year rabies vaccinations and compliance is mandatory, although once again this is a vaccination that probably confers immunity for much longer. We at Yutori request that you NOT give a full series of vaccinations or ANY vaccinations to your beloved Akita if it is ill, or being sedated for any reason--whether for surgery or a routine dental procedure. Please read the article on the ACA website regarding one particular case of vaccination leading to death. Our policy is "better safe than sorry" and we have learned enough through experience and anecdotal evidence to feel quite confident saying that caution is very strongly advised when it comes to vaccination frequency as well as timing.

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