Akita

Akitas have a fascinating history, with early records showing that these proud dogs were once highly valued not only as hunting and fighting dogs, but also as 'good food' in their native Japan. Their fur was used to make warm clothing and Akitas were also used by Japanese fishermen to herd fish into their nets.

That said, the actual history of the breed has been lost over time and has become a bit blurred over the centuries thanks to various translations from Japanese into other languages.

There is evidence that similar dogs with erect ears and tightly curled tails existed in 1150 AD and that dogs called Matagiinu were highly prized by the Japanese royal family for their hunting skills. At one point in history, only Japanese rulers could own an Akita and gave their dogs unique collars that showed the owner's rank.

In subsequent centuries, the Akita's popularity went through various stages of highs and lows, but it was during the reign of Emperor Taisho in the early 20th century that their popularity rose again after the breed became appreciated in other countries of the world, including Britain Spain and France, where Akitas had become status symbols with both royalty and other people.

Today's Akita owes much of its ancestry and lineage to dogs that were bred in a mountainous area of Japan known as the Akita Prefecture, although these dogs were also bred and raised in many other parts of the country.

The Akita Inu Hozankai Society began recording a pedigree book in 1927, keeping track of all parents and litters produced in Japan. The studbook still exists today with the ultimate goal of keeping the breed as pure as possible in modern times.

More about Odate Dogs

The Akita was originally known as the Odate dog and they were first recognised as a national treasure in Japan in 1931, after being established as a "pure" breed by the mayor of a region called Odate, the capital of Akita Prefecture.

This is the northernmost province on the island of Honshu in Japan. It was the custom in Japan to name dogs after the region where they were bred and as such, the Odate became known as the Akita Inu, which translated means Akita dog.

They were the largest of the seven other Akita-type dogs in existence in Japan in 1931. From then on, records of the Akita were carefully maintained with the ultimate goal of the breed's continued success.

At the beginning of World War II and after the end of the war, the Akita's numbers and popularity declined thanks to the fact that their fur and meat were in high demand, leading to the breed disappearing from the face of the earth almost forever. Fortunately, a few Akitas survived and in the late 1940s and early 1950s, breed numbers began to flourish again.

It was during this time that two bloodlines were established and from these bloodlines most Akitas in other countries of the world are descended. It is thought that returning soldiers brought Akitas with them to their home countries, including the United Kingdom, Canada and the United States.

The breed diversified in the early 20th century with the introduction of the 'American Akita'. In 1937, Helen Keller, the famous deaf-blind linguist and activist, developed a fondness for the breed and got a dog named 'Kamikaze' who unfortunately died of distemper at a young age, but one of his littermates named 'Kenzan-go' was sent. to her to replace the dog she lost.

From this point on, the Japanese and American breeds were bred differently from each other, with Americans breeding dogs with heavier, larger physical features, while breeders in Japan concentrated on producing smaller dogs. Today, the Akita is a widely recognised breed around the world and here in the UK too, they have won a place in the hearts and homes of many people.

Interesting facts about the breed

• Is the Akita a fragile breed? No, they are among the most popular in Britain and elsewhere in the world
• There is a museum in Odate Japan dedicated to Akitas
• Akitas were first known as "snowland dogs" in their native Japan, where they were highly prized for their hunting skills
• The Akita is considered a "national treasure" in Japan.
• They have toes with flippers that allow Akitas to distribute their weight more evenly while walking in the snow
• Akitas can cope extremely well with cold weather thanks to their fur and physique
• When children are born in Japan, they are given the small size of an Akita, which is believed to bring them long life and happiness
• It is thought that Helen Keller was the first person to introduce the Akita to the United States in 1937, describing the breed as gentle and reliable.
• In 1924, a famous Akita named Hachi-Ko was given to a Tokyo professor and when the professor died, his faithful dog continued to go to the station every morning and evening, as he had done every day his owner was alive, and did so for the rest of the time. of his life. As a tribute to the dog's loyalty, a statue was erected at the station
• Helen Keller was given an Akita puppy named Kamikaze-Go in 1937, which she took home to New York, but unfortunately the dog died just a year later. She was then offered another Akita called Kanzan-Go, a dog that stayed with her until 1945
• Akitas were highly prized hunters in their native Japan
• Japanese fishermen used Akitas to drive fish into their nets and were highly prized for their water retrieval skills
• Akitas were used as herding dogs in the mountainous regions of Japan in the 17th century
• Akitas have a proven track record as excellent sled dogs
• Akitas naturally have a strong desire to protect and guard, which often means they rarely flinch when confronted

Height at withers: Japanese - Males 64 - 70 cm Females 58 - 64 cm
Height at withers: American - Males 66 - 71 cm Females 61 - 66 cm

Weight: Japanese - Males 32 - 39 kg Females 50 - 65 kg
Weight: American - Males 45 - 56 kg Females 45 - 66 kg

Akitas are large and impressive dogs and perfectly reflect the work for which they were originally bred. They have large heads that are well proportioned to the rest of their bodies. Their muzzles are strongly broad with well-developed cheeks. They have black noses and tight black lips, although in lighter coloured dogs some pigmentation is perfectly acceptable as a breed standard.

The eyes of an Akita are quite small but nicely almond-shaped, set neatly apart and brown in colour, although the edges are dark. Their ears are also quite small and triangular in shape with rounded tips and they are thickly set while the dog carries them in a forward position. Their jaws are strong with a perfect scissor bite. Their neck is powerfully muscular and quite short compared to the rest of their body. They have a pronounced crest on their neck and it blends nicely with the rest of their fur on the back of a dog's head.

Their forequarters are powerful and their front legs are well boned and straight. One thing about Akitas is that their bodies are longer than tall, with males being slightly larger than their female counterparts. An Akita's chest is deep and wide and their backs are flat and well-muscled. The hindquarters are powerful, well-muscled with strong thighs and hind legs. Their feet are tight and well-knuckled with hard nails and soles. An Akita's tail is full and large with a full or even a double curl that dogs wear over their backs. Tails have no feathering.

When it comes to their coat, an Akita has a coarse, straight outer coat that stands well away from the body with a much softer and denser undercoat that gives these dogs a huge amount of protection from the elements. Their coats are longer around the withers and torso, which can be about 5cm long, but without collars or feathers.

Akitas can be any colour, including pinto and brindle, with the only constant being that their colour must be brilliant. All markings on their body or face are well-defined, including a mask or blaze. The Kennel Club's accepted breed colours for registration are as follows:

• Black
• Black and white
• Brindle
• Brindle & White
• Brown white
• Fawn & White
• Fawn & white black overlay
• Fawn with black mask
• Pinto
• Red
• Red Black
• Red White
• Red and white with black overlay
• Red Black & White
• Red and black mask
• Silver black
• Silver-white
• Silver and white black overlay
• Silver Fawn & White
• Silver White & Black
• Silver with black mask
• White
• White fawn and black
• White with coloured mask
• White with markings

Gait/movement

When an Akita moves, they show a tremendous amount of strength and power. Their steps are fluid and fairly long, with the dogs carrying their backs flat and firm. Their hind legs move in step with their front legs and Akitas often move with a single-track gait.

Faults

The Kennel Club frowns on all exaggerations and deviations from the breed standard and judges faults based on how seriously they affect a dog's overall health and welfare, as well as its performance.

In male Akitas, both testicles must be fully descended into their scrotums and it is worth noting that an Akita may be slightly smaller or larger and they may be slightly taller or shorter than stated in the Kennel Club's breed standard, which is given as a guideline only.

Akitas are highly intelligent dogs. They are independent thinkers with strong characters, which means these dogs are not the best choice for novice dog owners. They need to be handled and trained with a gentle but firm hand and they need to know their place in the pack to be a truly versatile dog. It is in the genes of Akitas to protect, and that is what they have always been bred for. This is a trait that should never be forgotten in this breed.

It would be fair to say that an Akita has an innate quality to defend and protect, which means that owners should always be very careful when introducing a dog to people and anyone visiting the house will be a welcome guest. Akitas are incredibly perceptive and easily recognise people whose intentions are unwelcome without having to be trained.

Their independent thinking is often mistaken for stubbornness in dogs, which is not always the case. The Akita learns new things quickly and this means they pick up bad habits super quickly if they are allowed or if they are not handled properly, which should be avoided at all costs.

Although robust and strong dogs, they are naturally quite sensitive, which means they benefit from positive reinforcement training and do not respond well to heavy-handed actions. An Akita will form a very strong bond with an owner and they show their devotion in a calm and quiet manner, always wanting to know where an owner is but not bothering him in any way.

They are known to be very good around the elderly, and many of them are used in retirement homes and hospices as therapy dogs. However, they are by nature "bossy" dogs and if left to their own devices, they will quickly show a dominant side to their character. Therefore, they are not the best choice for novice dog owners.

The Akita is a good choice as a pet, but having said this, and as mentioned earlier, it really depends on how an Akita is socialised young and how it reacts to children. Obviously, children need to be taught to 'carry themselves' when they are around a dog, and this includes how they behave when they meet an Akita and how the dog would react to them.

It also goes without saying that any interaction between children and dogs should be supervised by an adult to ensure that no one gets too noisy and that everything stays nice and quiet.

Are they a good choice for starters?

Akitas are not the best choice for novice dog owners, as they need to be socialised and trained by people familiar with the breed's very specific needs. With this said, an Akita in the right hands quickly becomes a valued and devoted member of the family.

What about prey drive?

Akitas, as mentioned earlier, have an extremely strong prey drive and therefore care should always be taken as to when and where a dog can roam freely and why the fence in a backyard should be ultra-secure to keep an Akita safe, bearing in mind that they are known to be extremely good escape artists. Fences should also be high because Akitas have no problem jumping or climbing over a fence whenever they want to.

What about playfulness?

Akitas are naturally playful and cheerful and enjoy being involved in everything around them. This includes family fun and games. They remain very playful well into their senior years, which is another reason why sharing a home with an Akita is always lively and entertaining.

What about adaptability?

Akitas need plenty of space to express themselves as they should and are therefore not suitable for flat living. They thrive in homes with large, secure backyards where they can romp to their hearts' content as often as possible in a safe environment, which means they can let off a lot of steam and pent-up energy.

What about separation anxiety?

Akitas form strong bonds with their owners and families, which in short means that they are never very happy if left alone for long periods of time. They are not known to be particularly destructive throughout the house unless left to their own devices and not given enough daily exercise and mental stimulation, leading to boredom. The result is often unwanted behavioural problems, including house tearing.

What about excessive barking?

An Akita barks only when necessary to let the owner know that there are strangers around or that something is going on around them. With this said, if an Akita is bored, they may very well howl if the mood strikes them as a way of telling the world how unhappy they are.

Do Akitas like water?

Most Akitas are very fond of swimming and love to jump in the water. They have great coats that give them a lot of protection. This is why they were used by fishermen in their native Japan to drive fish into their nets, a job Akitas were particularly good at. Therefore, great caution should be taken when letting an Akita run loose from the lead near more dangerous watercourses, in case they suddenly decide to jump in.

Are Akitas good guard dogs?

Akitas are great natural guard dogs, which means they do not need to be trained to protect and guard anything. In fact, it would be a big mistake to try to train an Akita to guard anything, while some breeders refuse to sell puppies to someone they suspect might want to use them as a guard dog.

Akitas are known to be intelligent, but they are naturally "dominant" dogs and as such they really need to be handled and trained by someone familiar with this type of bossy dog. Their training should start as early as possible, as Akitas need to know who is the alpha dog in a household. If they are allowed to show the more dominant side of their character, these dogs quickly become unruly, which can make life difficult for everyone in a household.

It is worth noting that it is all too easy to 'overtrain' an Akita because they take their training very seriously and the end result of overtraining a dog would be an Akita that is not suitable as a pet or companion. It would be fair to say that an Akita trained as a guard dog would rarely fit well in a domestic environment and why many reputable breeders would refuse to sell an Akita puppy to someone they suspect would do so.

Akitas do not respond well to any kind of harsh training or correction, but they do respond well to positive reinforcement. However, they need to be treated very firmly and fairly so that they can become obedient, well-rounded characters. It is essential that their training is consistent and continues throughout their lives, something that should also never be overlooked when living with an Akita.

The one thing that should never be overlooked with an Akita is their strong prey drive and while they could very well accept being around a domestic cat, it would never be wise to trust a cat or any other pet they don't know what might happen. be disastrous.

Akita puppies should be taught basic rules and boundaries from the very beginning so that they understand not only their place in the pack, but also what an owner expects of them. Their socialisation should have already started when they were with the breeders and any responsible breeder would ensure that their puppies are introduced to a home environment, lots of people and other animals, before they even consider selling them.

Raising an Akita puppy should involve teaching it the basic commands as soon as it arrives in a new home, paying special attention to the commands "recall" and "let down". The other commands puppies should learn include:

• Sit
• Stay
• Down
• Heel
• Quiet

Akitas are known to be tolerant of children in their household and prefer to stay away if things get too loud or boisterous. But because they form a strong bond with their family and naturally feel the need to protect the children, care should always be taken if the children have friends to play with, because of an Akita's need to protect their family.

With this said, Akitas are the best playmates because they have so much stamina and are naturally happy dogs, which means they become great buddies with children of all ages they are raised with. It is worth noting that an Akita never interacts with too many children at once. It is then better and safer to keep a dog far away.

A few breeders advise that an Akita's temperament depends on how well they are socialised as puppies, but this is only part of the equation, as a dog's character and temperament also depends on how they are handled in the first few months of their lives and how they are handled. handled and trained, with socialisation and genetics also playing a crucial role in an Akita's makeup.

More on aggressive behaviour towards other dogs

It would be fair to say that Akitas are known to be "dog-aggressive" and therefore should not be trusted around other dogs, even if they were raised together. Therefore, an Akita should not be allowed to run loose when other dogs are around.

Adult dogs should be walked with well-fitting collars of good quality and strong short leads, as keeping an Akita under control when they are around other dogs is of paramount importance, bearing in mind that Akitas are not only powerful but also have a strong will and if they feel challenged in any way, they will not flinch.

More on aggressive behaviour towards people

If Akitas are not properly socialised, many reputable breeders advise that Akitas can be "people-aggressive". In short, puppies and young Akitas should be introduced to as many new situations and people as often as possible to curb this natural instinct.

Once a puppy is fully vaccinated, it is essential that he meets as many people as possible and keep him on a constant leash. This should be done when an Akita puppy is still young, as he is much more receptive to a gentle nature. cast.

It is worth noting that a few Akitas do not become aggressive towards people they do not know until they are about a year old, which is usually when they start to show a more dominant side of their nature. This attitude towards people applies only to strangers and not to an Akita family.

In the home environment, they are loving and devoted, although they are stubborn when the mood takes them to do so. Once an Akita matures, they tend to be more aggressive towards people they do not know and other animals, including dogs.

The average life expectancy of an Akita is between 10 and 11 years if properly cared for and given an appropriate diet of good quality appropriate to its age.

Akitas are generally healthy dogs, but they are known to suffer from certain inherited and acquired disorders and are very sensitive to drugs commonly used in veterinary medicine and especially anaesthetics. The health disorders to which the breed is more susceptible include:

• Mycrocytosis - a blood disease
• Autoimmune hypothyroiditis - studies have shown that a high percentage of Akitas suffer from this condition, which adversely affects a dog's immune system. Stud dogs should be tested before being used for breeding purposes
• Akita thyroid gland - causing skin disorders
• Swelling
• Hip dysplasia - KC/BVA tests available
• Luxating patella - dogs with the condition should not be used for breeding purposes as it is believed to be a hereditary condition
• Von Willebrand's disease - studies have shown that up to 20% of Akitas suffer from the condition
• Summer stress - Akitas have difficulty coping with extremely hot weather
• Vestibular syndrome

Some Akitas are ultra-sensitive to certain drugs and medications, including sedatives and anaesthetics, which owners should remind a vet of if a dog needs treatment for an illness or condition. They can also react negatively to some travel sickness pills and many reputable breeders recommend owners to have their Akitas' blood tested to check the state of a dog's immunity before administering a vaccination or booster.

What about vaccinations?

An Akita puppy would have been vaccinated before it was sold, but it is up to the new owner to ensure that a dog receives any follow-up vaccinations, but as mentioned earlier, it is worth having a vet do a blood test on a dog before it is given. they are boosters. The vaccination schedule for dogs is as follows:

• 10 -12 weeks old, keeping in mind that a puppy does not have full protection immediately, but would be fully protected two weeks after he has had his second vaccination

There has been much debate about the need for dogs to have boosters. Therefore, it is best to talk to a vet before making a final decision on whether a dog should continue to receive annual vaccinations, also known as boosters.

What about spaying and neutering?

Over the years, much research has been done on when a dog should be spayed or neutered. At one time, the consensus was that females should be spayed when they are six months old and males should also be neutered when they are six months old. However, new studies suggest that it is much better to wait until a female is about 1 year old, and the same applies to males, as it means they have developed and matured much further before undergoing the procedures.

What about obesity problems?

Some Akitas may gain weight after being spayed or neutered. So it is important to keep an eye on a dog's waistline and adjust their calorie intake and daily exercise accordingly. Older dogs are also more likely to gain weight and again, it is essential that when an Akita reaches their golden years, they are given an appropriate diet that is appropriate for their age. When dogs carry too much weight, it can shorten their lives by several years, as it puts much more strain on their heart, other internal organs and their joints.

What about allergies?

Most Akitas are not known to suffer from food allergies, but many reputable breeders recommend feeding dogs a gluten-free diet. Many owners choose to feed their Akitas a Bones as Raw Food (BARF) diet, which seems to be a well-balanced nutritional routine for the breed. However, it is best to discuss matters with a vet before giving this kind of diet to an Akita.

With this said, the breed is known to suffer from a condition known as the Akita thyroid gland, which can cause skin conditions and any dog that develops the problem should be seen by a vet and treated as early as possible to ensure they feel more comfortable while a correct diagnosis can be made.

What looks like a skin problem may very well turn out to be something more serious, adversely affecting a dog's vital internal organs.

Participate in health issues

It is mandatory for all Kennel Club Assured Breeders to have their stud dogs tested according to the following KC/BVA schedule and the Kennel Club strongly recommends all other breeders to follow suit:

• BVA/KC hip dysplasia schedule

The Kennel Club also strongly recommends all breeders to have their stud dogs tested according to the following BVA/KC schedule:

• Eye tests

It is also essential that potential owners discuss other health issues and tests available for Akitas before buying a puppy from them.

What about breed-specific breeding restrictions?

Apart from the Kennel Club's standard breeding guidelines for Akitas, there are currently no other breed-specific breeding restrictions in place.

What about the requirements for insured breeders?

It is mandatory for all Kennel Club Assured Breeders to have their stud dogs tested according to the following KC/BVA schedule and the Kennel Club strongly recommends all other breeders to follow suit:

• BVA/KC hip dysplasia schedule

The Kennel Club also strongly recommends all breeders to have their stud dogs tested according to the following BVA/KC schedule:

• Eye tests

It is also essential that potential owners discuss other health issues and tests available for Akitas before buying a puppy from them.

As with any other breed, an Akita needs regular grooming to ensure their coat and skin remain in top condition. They also need regular daily exercise to ensure they stay fit and healthy. In addition, an Akita should be fed good quality food that meets all their nutritional needs throughout their life.

Caring for an Akita puppy

Akita puppies are boisterously playful and they are exceptionally good escape artists. It is therefore essential that homes and gardens are extremely puppy-proof. Electrical cables and wires should be placed out of a puppy's reach, in case he decides to chew on them. Valuable items should be kept out of danger, in case they fall over and break.

Garden fences should be checked and poisonous plants should be removed from flower beds. Tools and other implements should be put away to prevent a noisy puppy from injuring himself on anything.

The timing of a new puppy's arrival in the house takes some planning and it is best to organise this so that someone is around during the first week after the puppy's arrival, which helps him immensely to settle down. Akita puppies are usually extroverted, but they would still feel a bit stressed because they have just left their mother and littermates. Therefore, a puppy needs a lot of reassurance and companionship during the first few days after arriving in a new home with all the new sounds and smells.

It is a good idea to limit where a young Akita puppy can roam around the house. A good way to do this is to place strong good-quality child gates on certain doors, keeping in mind that an Akita puppy is smart and often figures out how to cope. climb over them.

Puppies also need to nap a lot during the day, so it is important to put a crate or dog basket in a quieter place where there is not too much traffic. However, a puppy needs to know that someone is around and that he or she is not alone. It is also important to be able to hear a puppy in case he gets into trouble.

The documentation provided by a breeder for a puppy should include full details on the date of deworming and the product used, as well as information regarding their microchip. It is essential that puppies are dewormed again, adhering to the following schedule:

• Pups should be wormed at 6 months of age
• When they are 8 months old, they should be wormed again
• Pups should be dewormed when they are 10 months old
• They should be wormed when they are 12 months old

Things you need for your puppy

Needless to say, there are certain items new owners should already have in the house before bringing home a new puppy. It is often a good idea to limit the space a puppy takes up, especially if you can't keep an eye on what he is doing.

Keep in mind that puppies are often quite noisy, which means you need to invest in puppy gates or a playpen that is large enough. that gives an Akita puppy the space to express himself and stay safe at the same time. The gear needed is therefore as follows:

• Good-quality puppy or baby gates that fit on doors
• A good, well-made box big enough for an Akita puppy to play in, so they can really express themselves as puppies like to do
• Lots of well-made toys, including good-quality chewy snacks, suitable for puppies to gnaw on, bearing in mind that a puppy starts to get all sorts of things from 3 to 8 months of age
• Good-quality food and water bowls, which should ideally be made of ceramic rather than plastic or metal
• A grooming glove
• A smoother brush or one with soft bristles
• Dog-specific toothpaste and a toothbrush
• Scissors with rounded ends
• Nail clippers
• Puppy shampoo and conditioner to be specially developed for use on dogs
• A well-made collar or harness
• A pair of strong dog leashes
• A well-made dog bed that is neither too small nor too big
• A well-made dog crate for use in the car and at home, large enough for an Akita puppy to move around in
• Baby blankets for your Akita's crate and bed, for when they want a nap or go to sleep at night

Keeping the noise down

All puppies are sensitive to noise, including Akita puppies. It is important to keep noise levels low when a new puppy enters the house. Televisions and music should not be played too loudly, which can stress a small puppy.

Keeping vet appointments

As mentioned earlier, an Akita puppy would have received its first vaccination, after which it is up to the new owner to discuss things with a vet before giving a puppy the follow-up injection. The usual vaccination schedule is as follows:

• 10 -12 weeks old, keeping in mind that a puppy does not have full protection right away, but is not fully protected until two weeks after he has had his second vaccination

When it comes to boosters, it is best to discuss them with a vet, as there is much debate about whether a dog really needs them after a certain time. However, if a dog ever has to go to a kennel, the vaccinations must be fully up-to-date to be accepted.

What about older Akitas when they reach their advanced age?

Older Akitas need a lot of special care because as they reach their golden years, they are at greater risk of developing certain health problems. Physically, an Akita will start to develop a greying muzzle, but there will also be other noticeable changes, including the following:

• Coat becomes coarser
• A loss of muscle tone
• Akitas can be overweight or underweight
• They have reduced strength and stamina
• Older Akitas have difficulty regulating their body temperature
• They often develop arthritis
• The immune system does not work as efficiently as it used to, meaning older Akitas are more susceptible to infections

Older Akitas also change mentally, which means their reaction time is slower and therefore they develop the following:

• They are less responsive to external stimuli due to impaired vision or hearing
• They tend to be a bit pickier when it comes to their food
• They have a lower pain threshold
• Become intolerant of any change
• Often an older Akita may feel disoriented

Living with an Akita in their golden years means taking on a few more responsibilities, but these are easy to manage and should include watching their diet, the amount of exercise they get, how often their dog beds should be changed and keeping an eye on the state of their teeth.

Older Akitas at this stage of their lives should be fed a good-quality diet that meets their needs, while closely monitoring their weight. A rough feeding guide for older Akitas is as follows, keeping in mind that they should be fed easily digestible food that does not contain additives:

• Protein content should be between 14 and 21%
• Fat content should be less than 10%
• The fibre content should be less than 4%
• The calcium content should be 0.5 - 0.8%
• Phosphorus content should be 0.4 - 0.7%
• The sodium content should be 0.2 - 0.4%

Older Akitas do not need the same amount of daily exercise as a younger dog, but they still need the right amount of physical activity to maintain muscle tone and prevent a dog from becoming overweight. All dogs need access to fresh, clean water and this is especially true for older dogs when they reach their golden years, as they are at greater risk of developing kidney disease.

Akitas have a thick coat and tend to shed quite a bit, which means they need a lot of grooming to keep loose hair under control. These dogs like a routine, which means it is always a good idea to set up a daily or weekly grooming session that a dog then looks forward to.

Puppies should learn early on that grooming and touching ears, paws and nails is a fun experience and that they find it extremely pleasant to enjoy the one-on-one attention they receive.

As with other breeds, the Akita sheds most during spring and then again in autumn, when more frequent brushing would be necessary. It is worth noting that when an Akita sheds, its hair can come off in bunches, which can be worrying for anyone unfamiliar with the breed. These dogs also benefit greatly from professional grooming at least three times a year.

When it comes to bathing, this should be a few times a year or whenever necessary. However, getting an Akita's coat wet is not as easy as it sounds. Therefore, it is often easier to leave the task to a professional groomer, who will also make sure that a dog's coat is dried completely after it has also been washed.

Akitas are large and highly intelligent dogs, which means they need a lot of daily exercise and mental stimulation to be really happy, well-rounded dogs. Ideally, an Akita should get a good hour's walk twice a day and, if possible, let him loose so he can really let off steam.

However, this should only be done in a safe environment where there are no other animals or livestock around because of Akitas' high prey drive. It is important to never forget that these dogs were bred for hunting a trait they still retain.

Akitas should be walked in a backyard as often as possible, but the yard should be made extremely secure, otherwise you will find that a dog will find its way out if the mood takes it to do so, and they are known to be great escape artists.

If you are looking for an Akita, you should be prepared to pay something from €300 to well over €600 for a purebred puppy with a pedigree. The cost of insuring a male 3-year-old Akita in the Netherlands would be €48.62 per month for basic cover, but for a lifetime policy it would be €74.20 per month (August 2017 quote).

When insurance companies calculate pet insurance, they take a number of things into account, including where you live in the UK and the dog's age and breed.

When it comes to food costs, you need to buy the best quality food, both wet and dry, so you can feed your dog throughout his life and make sure it suits the different stages of his life. This will cost you between €40 and €60 a month.

In addition, you need to factor in vet costs if you want to share your home with an Akita, including initial vaccinations, boosters, the cost of spaying or neutering your dog when the time is right, and then visiting their annual health check-up all of which can quickly add up to well over €1,200 a year.

As a rough guide, the average cost of keeping and caring for an Akita is between €110 and €140 per month, depending on the level of insurance cover you choose for your dog, but this does not include the initial cost of buying a well. bred Akita puppy with a pedigree.