How well do Akitas get along with other dogs and cats?
Akitas were bred to be guard dogs and hunting dogs in Japan and were used to hunt down bear, boar and deer. Although very few Akitas are used for this purpose anymore, being used primarily as companion dogs, they do still have an aggressive trait in their genes. This does not mean they will turn into Cujo, but it does mean that strict training is necessary to prevent unwanted—and possibly dangerous—habits.Akitas are also very intelligent and very loyal to their family. They do not often get along with other dogs or other animals, and even some people. They seem to do best in a one-dog household.As a veterinary technician, I can attest to the fact that Akitas are not easy dogs to work with because they are big, strong and stubborn and can be dangerous if you’re not careful. Once again, this does not include the entire breed, but I have met more difficult and unruly Akitas than I have laid-back and friendly ones.A very disturbing story—told to me by another veterinary technician who had adopted an Akita because it was going to be euthanized—described how the dog systematically killed all of her cats, one after the other, including one who was in a dog crate healing from a broken leg. The Akita broke into the cage and killed the cat. Somehow she continued to make excuses for the dog’s murderous behavior—even after all of her cats were viciously slaughtered—and kept the Akita (fortunately not getting any more animals).So, in answer to your question, from years of experience in the vet hospital (which, of course, is never the best place to assess a dog’s true behavior) and hearing stories similar to the one I wrote above, I have to say that I would think long and hard before getting an Akita/ Yes, I’m sure there are wonderful ones out there, and if you get them as a puppy and train them properly, things may turn out well, but on the other hand, if things go wrong… they go *really* wrong.
Why are Akita's "cat-like"?
The cat-like quality is very normal for Akitas. Partially because of the look of their paws but mostly because it is so normal for most (not all-there's always an exception) to be so clean. I've had 2 Akitas so far and both tried to keep themselves very clean. In my opinion neither did a great job but compared to most dogs they were way ahead of the rest. My last guy licked his paws a lot then would wipe his face off with it. I got him to put up with regular baths but he still wanted things his way so he'd be re-grooming his entire coat until it was just the way he wanted it. It's just the way Akitas are.
Akita Inu and Cats in Household?
My dad has had 3 Akitas over the years from puppies and has never had a problem with any of them going after our cats. They would go after squirrels, opossums, and other small critters, but never the cat. Honestly, the cat taught the puppy himself that he was not something to be messed with. When the puppy persisted in annoying the cat, the cat bopped him one good on the nose and the puppy figured out pretty quick what would happen. EDIT: UHave2Be makes a good point. A breeder should never assure you that a dog will not have ahigh prey drive. My father's dogs didn't have a problem, but that doesn't mean ANY Akita raised with cats wouldn't. I should throw out there, that the dog and cats were never unsupervised together.
Why does my Akita acts like a cat?
I have this male Akita that is suppose to "look" intimidating but behave properly. With other male dogs he is on his guard. However, when people come to my house he is very social. I really like this about him, even though it was not planned. He would go into a room full of people go near a person's leg and turn on his back belly up! Everybody loves my dog, and are very amuse by his behavior. I mean, he totally gives himself to strangers for exchange of belly tickles! an HE is not a submissive dog!
Is it normal for an Akita to use their paws like a cat?
you REALLY need to NOT let him jump on people!!! I own a akita, hes still only 8 months old, and has never EVER jumped on people. From the day we got him, we have treated him as if he was a full grown adult. stop this now before it gets worse. iut doesn't matter if hes an alpha, whatever... stop it NOW before he does it to a child and seriously injures said child. Also, he will be around 125 lbs... too big to be jumping on people. but yes, when he does play, he uses his paw to smush things. He also knows how to throw his own tennis balls, which is quite funny!
Are Akitas easy to train?
Akitas are a Spitz breed and as such are highly intelligent but can be stubborn and very independent. They need firm handling from day one. I would never recommend one for a novice owner. They tend to be same sex aggressive and can never be trusted off lead where they are likely to come across other dogs or livestock. They are also extremely strong! They were originally bred for hunting, aren't particularly fast but have tremendous stamina. Training is most definitely a "breed" thing. Training a Chihuahua is not the same as training a Siberian Husky. Training a GSD is not the same as training a Spaniel. Neither are the expected outcomes the same. That's why people choose different breeds. Some breeds are much easier to train than others. Some breeds retrieve naturally, some don't ever do a reliable recall. One size doesn't fit all!
Japanese Akita and a cat ???? Good or bad ?
It really depends on the individual Akita. All Akitas are not aggressive, vicious and nasty, but they are a dominate breed. They are really not for first time dog owners. In all honesty if, you feel they are aggressive, vicious and nasty, then this is not the breed for you. To further answer your question, I have friends who have Akitas that get along with cats. I personally have never owned cats so my Akitas have not been raised with cats and when mine see a cat, they don't like them. Since you have a cat that does not like other animals, I think you are asking for trouble to bring an Akita into your household if you value your cat. If your cat provokes or attacks your Akita, the dog will likely respond and it would not be good for your cat. You should try talking to your boyfriend again about this and remind him that the 8 week old female Akita puppy is going to grow into a 85 pound or more adult. If he insists on buying the Akita, make sure that you get the dog enrolled in puppy classes after it has all it's vaccinations and work diligently to socialize your puppy with your cat and other dogs. You and your boyfriend will need to provide firm, BUT NOT HARSH, training to let the dog know it's place in the pack of your house.
If an akita is raised from 6 weeks to live with cats and sml dogs will he be aggressive?
I know I will get panned by the Akita is not an aggressive animal crowd but I must disagree. We have had two Akitas, one male and one female and tried to resuce an additional female. This experience spans a period of eleven years. We are lifelong dog lovers and not inexperienced with this breed and dogs in general. Akitas were raised and bred for dog fighting and hunting, in particular bears. They are intelligent, loyal, athletic and animal aggressive. All Akitas are 25% babies 25% hunters and 50% depends on the animal. Breeding counts and the more your Akita retains the bloodline of the Kongo-go the more aggressive the breed will tend to be. White, Pinto and brindle dogs tend to have more of the Ichinoseki bloodlines and are not as much a fighter as the Kongo line. It is silly to say that treating an Akita well will overcome the animal aggressive tendecy of the breed. This is an oversimplification of the issue. You can treat a Kongo line dog like a doggy god and it will still hunt down and lkill rabbits, coyotes, ground hogs, squirrels and yes, the neighbors cat and dog. If your young animal is behaving that is a good sign. But it will grow up and hormones will kick in. The dog may turn out to be animal aggressive even with animals who share the space. Just understand that this is a fact. You can not keep an eye out for the bahavior to catch and correct this. If an Akita wants to make a point it will bite another animal. If the prey instinct clicks in it will kill the other animal. I respect that others have had non-aggressive Akitas, and this happens. But some Akitas will be animal aggressive no matter what steps one takes to socialize the animal as this behavior in in the blood. These are not people in the ned, and the breeding for emperment has and will have an effect. You can not see this or sense this, but if your dog is bred from ofter/kinder Akita sotck then you may have a chance, but no guarantee.
Introducing an adult Akita to two cats, help?
Okay, well long story short. A close friend of my mum's had a stoke and is in the hospital and he is no longer going to be able to take care of his dog. His son is going in the military in may, so no one else can look after it. His dog is a adult, male Akita. My family has known this dog for 5 years at least, so the dog knows us all pretty well. But I am worried, because I know Akita's aren't good with cats, at least most of them. I have two cats. The dog IS living with one cat right now, and my mum's friend said that they have gotten along. My cats on the other hand have never been around a dog. They are strictly indoor. I don't think they've ever seen a dog before. So I'm scared that the cats are going to completely flip out, or stress out. My mum is set on taking the dog for her friend. Before anyone says anything negative, Our family has experience with dogs. Not Akita's, but in the past we did own a German Shepard and a Siberian Husky. But we didn't have cats when we had the dogs. What should I do? Do you think the dog will attack the cats? How should I make it less stressful for everyone?