Are Akitas Aggressive and What You Need to Know

Akitas are often misunderstood as aggressive dogs, but is this reputation really deserved? In reality, Akitas are a loyal and loving breed, but like any dog, they can be protective of their family and territory.

Akitas have a strong prey drive and can be wary of strangers, which may lead some people to believe they're aggressive. However, this is just a natural part of their instincts.

Akitas are a relatively rare breed, and this may contribute to the misconception that they're more aggressive than other dogs. In fact, Akitas are known for their gentle and affectionate nature.

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Their natural aggression can be difficult to overcome, and it's unlikely that an ultra-aggressive dog will ever become friendly with other dogs, no matter how they're raised. Training and socialization can bring down an aggressive Akita's attitude, but it's not a guarantee.

Good breeders are working to preserve the breed standard, which includes a temperament that's intolerant of other dogs, particularly of the same sex. This means that even with proper training and socialization, some Akitas may still exhibit aggressive behavior towards other dogs.

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Akitas are not robots, and just like people, they each have their own unique personality, which can make their behavior unpredictable.

Even if you've owned an Akita before, your experience may deviate from the norm because every dog is different.

The Akita breed is defined by strong independence, high prey drive, and a strong desire to protect what they consider "theirs", which means they often don't get along with other dogs, especially those of the same sex.

This is not just about how the dog is raised, but also thousands of years of evolution and selective breeding that have shaped their behavior.

While training and socialization can make a big difference in a dog's life, it's unlikely to completely change a dog's natural tendencies.

A dog's attitude can be thought of on a scale of 1-10, with 1 being extremely friendly and 10 being extremely aggressive.

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Any dog can be a handful, but the truth is, any dog can be dangerous in the wrong situation. Akitas are often stereotyped as aggressive, but the reality is that their temperament is a result of thousands of years of evolution and selective breeding.

The Akita breed was bred to be independent and protective, which can sometimes manifest as aggression towards strangers and other dogs. However, this doesn't mean that all Akitas are aggressive by nature.

In fact, most "aggressive" dogs never show any signs of aggressiveness in their lives. This is largely due to a series of factors that owners take to ensure that their dogs are always on their best behavior.

Even the smallest and cutest dogs can bite, which is why you should never touch someone's dog without permission and why pediatricians caution against leaving any dog unsupervised with any child. Chihuahuas, Labrador Retrievers, and Jack Russell Terriers are all found on the list of dogs most likely to bite.

Any dog can potentially be aggressive if they're overly protective, prone to stress, poorly socialized, or untrained. This includes everything from a Boston Terrier to a Bull Terrier, and yes, even the Akita.

The key to mitigating the dangers of owning an Akita is to understand their unique personality and needs. With proper training, socialization, and care, even the most independent and protective Akitas can become loving and loyal companions.

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Owning an Akita requires a tremendous amount of responsibility. Most "aggressive" dogs never show any signs of aggressiveness in their lives.

You have to understand that Akitas are a breed that thrives on structure and clear boundaries. They need owners who can provide a stable and predictable environment.

To ensure your Akita is always on its best behavior, you need to establish a series of factors that promote good behavior. Most "aggressive" dogs never show any signs of aggressiveness in their lives.

By being aware of your Akita's needs and providing the right environment, you can significantly reduce the risk of aggression. This is largely due to a series of factors that owners take to ensure that their dogs are always on their best behavior.

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Training and control are crucial for any dog, but especially for Akitas. Training should start early, ideally as soon as you bring your Akita home.

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You should focus on teaching basic commands like "stop" and "recall", which will help your Akita respond to you in stressful or new situations. The earlier you start training, the better the results will be.

Even well-behaved dogs can have a moment where they slip up, so control is essential. Akitas can stand 26 inches tall and weigh 130 lbs, making it critical to be able to restrain them if necessary.

Control can be achieved through stern voice commands or physical restraint, depending on the situation. It's essential to be prepared for unexpected situations and have a plan in place to manage your Akita's behavior.

Being prepared is crucial when it comes to owning an Akita. You can do everything right and still end up with an Akita that's intolerant of other dogs.

Akitas have a unique jaw structure that makes it difficult to pry their mouths open, which means they can inflict serious injuries if they bite. In fact, a study found that Akitas are responsible for 70 bites that result in bodily harm, 52 maimings, and 8 deaths.

If you're considering getting an Akita, you need to be aware of these risks and take steps to mitigate them. This might mean setting up your home and lifestyle in a way that keeps your Akita separate from other dogs.

Akitas are more likely to bite children, with a 2:1 ratio of child bites to adult bites. This is especially concerning, given that children ages 5 to 9 are the largest age group that suffers from dog bites.

Ultimately, being prepared means putting your dogs first and being willing to make sacrifices if necessary. If you can't make it work, it's better to rehome your Akita or other dog rather than forcing them to live in a situation that's stressful or potentially harmful.

Control is key when it comes to owning a large breed dog like an Akita. You need to be able to control your dog at a moment's notice, especially when they're around other dogs or people.

Even the best-behaved dogs can have a moment where they slip up, and that's why control is critically important. A full-grown Akita can stand 26 inches tall and weigh 130 lbs, so being able to restrain them quickly can be the difference between an accident and a near miss.

You need to be prepared for situations where your dog might get out of control. This means having a plan in place to safely restrain your dog if necessary, and knowing how to use stern voice commands to calm them down.

Don't underestimate the importance of being able to control your dog - it's a crucial part of responsible dog ownership. If you can't control your dog, it's not fair to the dog or to others around them.

Owning an Akita comes with its own set of challenges, and one of the most significant concerns is insurance and laws.

Many places consider Akitas as a dangerous breed, which affects their owners' ability to find rentals.

Some apartments refuse to rent to people who own Akitas, making it a major obstacle for potential owners.

In many municipalities, rules governing the ownership of aggressive dogs are in place.

Some insurance will not cover dog bites caused by a so-called aggressive breed like an Akita.

Even if you have never had any problems with your Akita, the law and regulators might still see your dog as aggressive.

Female Akitas can be just as aggressive as their male counterparts. I've seen this firsthand with my own Akita, Aimi, who showed similar aggression as a puppy to a German Shepherd.

Aimi's behavior was a wake-up call, and I used that experience to help resolve a similar incident with another Akita, Bakudai, and a Rottie. Aimi's aggression was a sign that she needed proper socialization and training.

In fact, Aimi's aggression led to a more serious incident where she bit a friend of mine while walking her and Bakudai. The four of us met a dog on a leash that started snapping at us, and Aimi went berserk, biting my friend on the leg, which took a month to heal.

With proper training and socialization, however, Akitas can be put at ease and become a neighborhood mascot. They can be as cuddly and playful as a cat when behaving well.

In contrast, when behaving poorly, Akitas might treat their human family like they treat their toys, herding and hurting adults and kids alike.

Good breeders are actually more focused on producing dogs that fit the breed standard, which emphasizes aesthetics and health over temperament. They're working to preserve the breed standard, as defined by the American Kennel Club.

The breed standard is defined by the AKC, and it doesn't put a lot of emphasis on temperament. In fact, it states that Akitas may be intolerant of other dogs, particularly those of the same sex.

Good breeders are choosing Akitas to breed together based on qualities that fit the breed standard, not necessarily on temperament. This means that even a reputable breeder may not guarantee a friendly Akita.

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You may be more likely to get a friendlier Akita from a backyard breeder, but this is not a guarantee either. Backyard breeders are often breeding dogs simply to be good pets, which can result in a mellower temperament.

If you're looking to get a puppy, it's essential to work with a reputable breeder and ask about the temperament of the sire and dam of the litter. Even then, it's not a guarantee that the puppy will be friendly with other dogs.

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