GeordieSteve Posted September 1, 2008 Share Posted September 1, 2008 It's probs not quite that bad. He gets naturediet http://www.zooplus.co.uk/shop/dogs/canned_dog_food/naturediet which is a great food (no grains, human grade meat etc.). He's on 3 of those a day (he weighs around 8.5 stone at the mo). On top of that he gets treats (although sometimes we give him frozen veg... just as good). Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bolarbag Posted September 1, 2008 Share Posted September 1, 2008 Fkin love these dogs, the next door neighbour has one, its about 3years old, huge and I've honestly never heard it bark once, but then I can't say I'm in the house that often I've just heard too much about them to warrant not getting one, the couple next door are old(very) and tbh I think the dog takes the old man a walk rather than the other way about, absolutely beautiful though, paws are massive!! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
shaf Posted September 1, 2008 Author Share Posted September 1, 2008 lol, yeah they have massive paws. they dont generally bark unless something is wrong or they are arguing with other dogs. ours barks when someone walks past the front door and shes in the front room. otherwise the only sounds we hear from her are yawns and snores Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chris Wilson Posted September 1, 2008 Share Posted September 1, 2008 I'd just love an Akita too, but would be madness to mix one with the dogs we have. Been bitten this morning stopping a fight starting, the wife's old dog is a bloody menace, bit like her, IMO Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
THE DON Posted September 1, 2008 Share Posted September 1, 2008 Iv got 2 akitas the males pure white hes got loads of champions on his papers a few are in a book on akitas hes the best thing i ever bought brilliant temprement:) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Simon K Posted September 1, 2008 Share Posted September 1, 2008 IVe got an akita too. He's a 9 year old male and I picked him when he was 3 weeks old (had to wait for 5 wks before I could collect him ). Akitas are lovely dogs, and can be a right handful. Yes they are dominant, so you need to be dominant back to them, so they learn their position in the pack. This is why Akitas are only recommended to people that have had dogs, and understand what the breed is all about. If you want a stick fetching, roll over and play died dog, then an Akita isnt for you. It scares me seeing adverts like this, i.e. akita pups given away free, as the idea of a free dog over rules the importance of finding the right family and environment, more than saving a few quid. No disrepect to the advert writer / user. When I got my boy 9 years ago, the Akita breed was still rather small and unheard of, nowadays everyone knows what an Akita is, and they have such bad press due to stupid, young, immature and unresponbile owners. Then umber of tv new reports you see, where young boys have akitas, walking the streets looking hard, just ruins the image of what is a fine, loving dog. Akitas dont bark like normal dogs, and are incredibly quiet. My boy only barks if someone is near and he feels they are threatening his pack, i.e. my family, and mainly howls. As an owner, you need to be so firm with these animals, and I mean firm. At the age of 1, my dog tried to `become the daddy` so to speak, having a go at me, and I had to put him in his place. Once you show you are the top dog, your ok. As for kids, other pets, well my boy doesnt get on with other dogs. He tries to dominate them, so walking him means always on a lead. Cats ? well, if he catches one, you will soon see why he has to have a house on his own. For kids, well again I wouldnt recommend it myself, ok I know plenty of people will say they are ok, but for me and the experience Ive had ( 2 attempted police charges, court cases, etc etc ) I wouldnt suggest it. I suppose if your children at 10 and above, and the dog is a puppy, then no worries, they all grow together. The problem I had was as these dogs looks so cute, fluffly and lovable, you have to be careful of young girls, (7 - 9 ), seeing them as teddybears and trying to hug them. These dogs do not take kindly to people just grabbing them etc. These dogs suffer from gland issues, ear issues, and for food, are recommended dry stuff, although my one loves a good chinese on a friday :-) If local, I could be so tempted to have one, as I know my boy has about a year left in him. But, if honest, the next dog I get will be a stick fetching, roll over and play dead dog type, as although I love my dog and he cant be replaced, the dog warden / police issues, dog fights, other dog owner punch ups, well , I would prefer a more easier time :-) So, please, look beyond the cute, furry little devil, and research the breed. If its for you, then you will have a loving friend by your side for ever. Also, research the dangerous dog acts, there are 2 of them. The police kept of trying to get me using these rules, but they dont cover private properties. Any dog that bites or protects himself in public areas can be taken and distroyed by the police. Police hate akita's ! SBK Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
shaf Posted September 1, 2008 Author Share Posted September 1, 2008 i think you are taking the free bit out of context. the charity conducts homechecks and dont just offer the dogs to anyone and everyone as for the dogs not being able to get on with other dogs, cats and children, that is more to do with the dog/ owner than the breed. the charity has homed dogs with all of the above and only when the owner has done something stupid has an issue ever occurred and likewise if a dog has not been socialised with other dogs, does it take offence at being around other dogs case in point, here is an akita with another one that needed re-homing. they got on absolutely great Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Simon K Posted September 1, 2008 Share Posted September 1, 2008 Like I said, no dis-respect to anyone, or what the charity does, it does a fine job. Im sure you do home checks etc, so no worries. Im just an owner that tries to hit home the reality of owning an Akita. SBK Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
shaf Posted September 1, 2008 Author Share Posted September 1, 2008 sure, no worries. i just didnt want people to get the wrong impression. i posted this thread ages ago when i first got into it and wasnt sure how it worked. just wanted to re-home dogs in a suitable home. i know our akita is the best dog we've ever had Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Simon K Posted September 1, 2008 Share Posted September 1, 2008 I agree, Ive just come back from my dog walking me. :-) As he's 9, he has rheumatism in his left rear leg, and front paw. Still in good shape, but its hard seeing your little boy get old. Anyway, hope all goes well for you , the dog and the pups. SBK Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
shaf Posted September 1, 2008 Author Share Posted September 1, 2008 cheers bud. yeah i know how you feel mate. our girl is already slowing down but not a lot. it will be hard to see her grow old, we have grown so attached to her. the pups were all gone within a few weeks. this is an old thread but there are loads of older akitas that are always after homes Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
THE DON Posted September 1, 2008 Share Posted September 1, 2008 Both my dogs are no bother if a dog goes for the male he dont want to know hes unbelievably soft with dogs and people. The bitch is not so soft she nearly killed 2 staffs one night after they took a pop at her i shit myself i was kickin her to get her off them i managed to grab her collar and free the one she had after the other scarpered she was just protecting herself and probably me in her eyes so couldnt fault her shes great with my sisters kids they both are. I know someone else who has male and female and their fairly nasty from what iv heard but they seem nice dogs when i seen them it depends on the bloodline and how the dogs brought up imo. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chris Wilson Posted September 1, 2008 Share Posted September 1, 2008 IVe got an akita too. He's a 9 year old male and I picked him when he was 3 weeks old (had to wait for 5 wks before I could collect him ). Akitas are lovely dogs, and can be a right handful. Yes they are dominant, so you need to be dominant back to them, so they learn their position in the pack. This is why Akitas are only recommended to people that have had dogs, and understand what the breed is all about. SBK Great post, whilst understanding the need for rescue placement PLEASE be sure that you understand what and why breeds were bred for, and don't go for looks alone. An Akita is a working dog, and despite some misguided best efforts, they have hundreds of years of guarding instincts in them. I agree, they aren't a dog for most people, and uncontrolled are liable to bring grief on their owners and more importantly themselves and their siblings. I'd still like one, but as of now it would be folly to consider it. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GeordieSteve Posted September 4, 2008 Share Posted September 4, 2008 I hate having people think you bad treat the dog for being strict. It's dominance training and they respect it. If we didn't our dog would be a right handful without a doubt. Meanwhile... he's lying eating his birthday bone which I can take from him any time I like and he won't make a sound Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chris Wilson Posted September 4, 2008 Share Posted September 4, 2008 I hate having people think you bad treat the dog for being strict. It's dominance training and they respect it. If we didn't our dog would be a right handful without a doubt. Meanwhile... he's lying eating his birthday bone which I can take from him any time I like and he won't make a sound Ah, the old baseball bat over the head trick? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tbourner Posted September 5, 2008 Share Posted September 5, 2008 http://leerburg.com/corrections.htm Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GeordieSteve Posted September 5, 2008 Share Posted September 5, 2008 A nice little nip on the back of the neck usually does the trick. Pointless giving him a clip... your hand will hurt before his hand will! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest girlracer1970 Posted September 22, 2008 Share Posted September 22, 2008 http://www.bebo.com/PhotoAlbumBig.jsp?PageNbr=1&MemberId=17200462&PhotoAlbumId=4377828126&PhotoId=8753829820 Just found this post and thought I would put up a pic of my akita, she is 8 mths old and has a very placid nature and she is great with kids I do intend to breed her, so if anyone interested in a couple of yrs time...........lol Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
THE DON Posted September 24, 2008 Share Posted September 24, 2008 http://www.bebo.com/PhotoAlbumBig.jsp?PageNbr=1&MemberId=17200462&PhotoAlbumId=4377828126&PhotoId=8753829820 Just found this post and thought I would put up a pic of my akita, she is 8 mths old and has a very placid nature and she is great with kids I do intend to breed her, so if anyone interested in a couple of yrs time...........lol i would of considered if you wasn't so far away:) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tbourner Posted September 25, 2008 Share Posted September 25, 2008 Distance shouldn't be an issue for the right breeder. We're going up to Essex for ours (110 miles), and we're doing several trips to see them at different times. I know a couple of people that have done 400 miles or more for a breeder. Our breeder (from Essex) went to Spain to meet a sire dog!!!!! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dragonball Posted September 25, 2008 Share Posted September 25, 2008 We have a small nature reserve and park about 200 yrds away ...and one day last Summer two of our nation's finest exports (you know the ones - English flag T shirts with half mast trousers with pseudo trainers and cap at a jaunty angle - no brain - marker pens in hand - great adverts for national service etc. - tw@ts basically!) ...with a nasty slavering mix of rotty / mastif dog was out there terrorising anyone with a 'normal' dog that they would let it off the leash... And I mean this thing was seriously nasty... So a mate of mine is out walking with the two Akitas says 'go on then'... ! They left the park damn quick... These are lovely dogs but two of them together... As a post note he actually saw one of these two tw@ts out on the road later that week... and smacked him right in the mouth! At which stage said 'pride of our sceptred isle' started blubbering and blaming it on his mate! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
shaf Posted September 25, 2008 Author Share Posted September 25, 2008 pmsl classic ^^^^^^ Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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