I am currently looking into bringing an Akita home.
I live in the boonies pretty much on about 2 acres with 2 other dogs.
They are a Female st bernard and a male Welsh corgi, both about 1.5 years old.
The st bernard is timid and loves people more than dogs in any situation.
My corgi loves to run and bark.
He only nips at other dogs when they get in his way of barking along a fence....

My question is: Is an akita a good dog to bring home?

I know about their needs for exercise and grooming and such, so that information isn't really necessary, I just want advice on bringing an Akita into my pack.

-Adam

I have a 2 year old Akita that was an only 'child' for a year until my roommate's boyfriend decided he was going to buy her a puppy as a present. Needless to say, my Akita, Raiden, has been socialized around dogs her entire life. We've had the puppy for year and my Akita has gotten along decently with the small dog. However, the two do get in fights over anything like food or toys.

Even though the two get along like I said most days, Akitas are naturally less friendly towards other dogs. Even with proper socialization, some Akitas will just never accept living with another animal.

Most importantly, if you do decide to get an Akita make sure it is the opposite sex of your current dogs or pack rivalry and fights are sure to break out.

Many Akitas like mine are just fine with very submissive dogs, however, they will fight with all their strength against a dog that threatens or challenges them.

My parents have a male corgi who was NOT properly socialized and my Akita could have easily killed their dog and almost did when it tried to bite her. Simply put, Akitas will do ok with a pack if they are introduced at a young age and raised with the other animals of the opposite gender. HOWEVER, like I said, even with proper socializations, fights can still occur. The one thing you have to remember is that Akitas were originally bred to be aggressive towards other dogs. Akitas are not labs or golden retrievers! They are a hard animals to introduce to a pack because they will always have a 'top dog' like mentality. All Akitas are different, but if your current dogs are timid and fearful of other dogs, I'm not so sure it would be an easy transition for your corgi and st. bernard.

A male Akita would most likely end up in a BAD fight with that Corgi sooner rather than later, and the little dog could be severely mauled, possibly not surviving -- A female Akita would start tormenting your poor Saint Bernard right from Day One, definitely making her intimidated existence a living HELL <:-(

Oh, first, welcome to the forum!

I normally like to see someone adopt a rescue Akita, but in your situation, if you do decide to get an Akita, bringing home a male pup might be easier.

You mentioned that your St. Bernard loves people more than dogs - does she still get along with other dogs that she meets? It can take quite a bit of time for the dogs to get used to eachother. You'll need to make sure that you don't just throw them in together, and that's that.

If you do purchase from a breeder, PLEASE do a lot of research. There are a lot of "breeders" out there that aren't worth a ____.

Where do you live?

I live in San Diego county, California.
I've contacted a few breeders.
So far I've gotten a response from Jer-Mars akitas out of Lancaster.

They said that since I have the 2 dogs, it might be tough because if I get a female, it will get along with my corgi and not my st. bernard, but the opposite for my st bernard bascially.
But I know this also is how I socialize them and raise the dog from a pup.
I'm new to Akita's, so I need some help in that department.

-Adam

From what I've heard. I'm no expert though...In my opinion, it would be best to add a male. I work in Akita rescue, and if there is a male and a female already in the house, they will only add another male. My boy actually seems to like males better than females, so you really never know!

How did you get interested in Akitas?

Hoping you can "train" an Akita to run with a pesky Corgi & a shy Saint is not realistic -- Any reputable & responsible breeder will tell you the same thing that Jer-Mars did ... Your situation is not a mix into which I would add an Akita of either sex.

This is nothing against you as a dog person, a dog lover, a dog trainer, or even a "dog whisperer" at all <:-) It's just that someone who has never raised an Akita before simply has no idea what they're up against in terms of the great potential for dominance behavior & dog-aggression in living circumstances such as you describe.

I wouldn't get an Akita............I also am all for rescue and having 3 Akitas of my own absolutely love the breed.   I have to agree with CC because your dogs already have issues and although it may work perfectly fine the chances are it won't.  You may have fights over dominance later and that's how Akitas end up in rescue....or you will have to keep the dogs separate which is not good for anyone.

 

 

Julie

Not the best situation to bring an Akita in to.

But, if you do decide to, you've come to the right place for advice, and we'll support you!

I use to have a Corgi and Elkhound when I brought my Akita into our family. All three were males with no problems at first. The corgi is a natural herder and does so by biting at another dog's legs. It was something we had to work VERY hard to break for fear the Akita would have enough and turn on him. The Corgi and the Akita were best buds while Magnum was still a puppy as they would play chase in the yard, play with toys, and have a ball together.

BUT, as the Akita got bigger at 4 1/2 months, the Corgi started to become afraid if he felt threatened. The Akita would swat with those big paws and corner the Corgi and it would lash out and growl. That was when we started separating the dogs and not allowing them to play together. It wasn't that the Akita wanted to hurt him, he just didn't understand his own strength.

I moved out of the house shortly after that so I can't offer you how it went beyond that. I think an Akita would be okay with your St. Bernard but I do have serious concerns about it with the Akita.

Are you set up to have the dogs separated if there is a problem for the rest of their lives? Are you willing to watch them every minute and never leave them alone together?

I wish you all the best in your decision.

You may have your work cut out for you. I have worked my butt off with my male Akita socializing and training almost everyday and I still don't fully trust him "really its the other dogs that I don't trust" around another dog especially another male. Josey is fine unless the other male tries to assert dominance over Josey then Josey will warn. I'm talking growling, hackles raises, back arched, hair standing straight up, chest out, I'm ready to tear your head off warn. I have never let it get past that point before breaking the situation up and pinning both dogs to the ground, and I'm talking forcefully. "should have seen the look on the other dogs owners face".

I think the board has brought up some good points but I have a few others for you to think about.

What do you know about breaking up a dog fight if one was to happen? Are you prepared to do this?

Are you strong enough to do so, a 120lb Akita is a lot stronger than you think when they have there mind set. Forget about your ST. Bernard your Akita, male or female will probably be stronger, even at a much smaller size.

Will you be able to pay for the vet bills if a fight breaks out? O yes if an Akita gets into a fight there will be vet bills.

Are you prepared to be bitten? even if you break the fight up text book perfect, there is still a good chance you are going to get bitten. Having felt a two inch canine sink into my leg personally, I can tell you "ouch"

Are you prepared or able to seperate the dogs if problems do arise? "I'm talking the long haul"

Do you have the proper set up to introduce your new Akita to the rest of the pack? ie cages, kennels ect ect and the proper training?

Are you trained in how to be a pack leader? "this is to me the most important question"

If you answered no to any of these questions or the other board members questions then I would say don't do it. This board is dedicated to keeping Akita's out of shelters and into forever homes

Bottom line you will have a pack and there will only be one alpha. What you must train and reinforce daily is that you are the Alpha and bickering at any level will not be put up with for one second. An Akita will constantly try to take the top spot. Your training must never end.

I am not trying to talk you out of this. I just hope that you take the experiences and knowledge of this board as well as your own knowledge and experiences and make a well educated decision, and not for you but for your dogs.

I see you have already been given great advice. I have to agree with the others an Akita is probably not a good choice at this time, but maybe in the future. If you feel the need to get an Akita anyway, my best advice is to take it slow, do lots of training and socializing with all dogs and be prepared for the day you have a to keep the pack totally separate for life. Good luck!!