Akita's are getting demonized like pit bulls is this fair?

Question

My akita has never attacked another dog. He has never barked or growled at another dog. He has protected me when he thought I was getting attacked in the woods one time by two blokes. He barked and growled and blocked there way. But He has never shown aggression towards other dogs.
Numerous small terrier breeds have growled, barked and even lunged at him. (Joke) Labradors have tried to attack him (when puppy) and staffordshire dogs have shown aggression. Why do we never hear about these breeds as been dangerous. Akita's are great dogs. Pitbulls, Rottweillers and Akita's are being victimsied - German shepherds attack more than all these three dogs put together. Do you agree?

Answer 1

I agree however in your answer you did the same thing to German Shepherds that other owners, breeders, and people are doing to you and your Akita. The reality is, any breed can be good, or bad, in the right (or wrong) hands. Shepherds are no worse or better than Akitas, Pits, Rotts, etc. The truth of the matter is that some of the "friendliest" breeds are the ones that bite more often. When my family adopted our last "family" dog, we had to sign a bunch of extra paperwork because we were adopting an aggressive breed - a Cocker Spaniel. At that time more bites were registered under Cockers than any other breed. Sadly though, the bites inflicted by the breeds you have mentioned tend to be more destructive and, sometimes, fatal. It's unfortunate that uneducated and fearful people are getting in the way of responsible pet owners. Best of luck with your Akita, they are great dogs and wonderful pets.

As an aside, I looked at the data in the "bite study" in a previous answer. Frankly, I am appalled. I have been bitten twice, and almost bitten, numerous times. I work for a vet and I'm one of the techs who's not scared to work with "aggressive" dogs. I have come accross more Golden Retrievers (one of the dogs who actually bit me), Beagles, Chihuahuas, tiny Terriers and non-descript mutts that have tried to bite than I have Shepherds, Pits, Rotts, Boxers, Malamutes, Huskies, Bulldogs, etc. The data on that is no doubt skewed by what bites are reported. Rarely do people report bites by tiny dogs that don't cause damage, or don't require trips to doctors or hospitals. Also, breeds that are muscular, bully looking or are "unknown" are often listed as pits or pit mixes since they are obviously running amok and causing havoc every where. As learned in school, you can make the data say whatever you want it to say if looked at in the right light.

Answer 2

Cocker spaniels bite more than any breed. The media holds a lot of the blame. You almost never hear about bad attack from other breeds. There as been over 10 bad attacks by labs here, not one word in the paper or on the news about them. A pit bull bark and scared a bunch of kids trying to get into the dogs yard while its owner is gone, Headline reads 'Kids barely escapes from pit bull.' Dog never got close to the kids and if the owner had not threaten to sue we would never had heard the truth. I just look at that "study" someone did and it dose not make since. The CDC as said the avg. Number of deaths by dogs is 53. The study shown here is almost double that. It also dose not breaks down why the deaths happened. CDC found the human factor was the biggest caused and add that a study needs to be done to break down the attack and deaths done in the line of duty by working dogs like police and detection and guard

Answer 3

You've got one of the more aggressive breeds of dog. I shouldn't even say aggressive as they really aren't but they are much closer to their wolf ancestors than most domestic dogs. In my mind there is nothing wrong with it. My family raised wolf cross breeds and I think they are great friends and companions. But many people have mistreated their dogs, making them mean. Akitas can turn nasty if abused. It isn't the dog's fault at all, they are only responding to how they have been treated and their nature. Its unfortunate that some uninformed people generalize about animals and so are afraid of them. That's why they bash them. I agree, it isn't fair or right. Akaitas are very good dogs who are very loyal to their families. Protect your dog from the idiots and he'll always be a good friend to you.

PS: Pit bulls shouldn't be bashed either.

Answer 4

Same thing happened to my Akita too. He got into a fight with another dog (Cocker Spaniel) thinking he was protecting my mom and the owner of the other dog accused our dog bitting her (not her dog? we even had a witness who defended for our dog) which she digged money from our insurance and made us to pay for 2wks of quarantine. Not only that, she and her family has been demonizing our dog and threatens to shoot us 'til we called the police. I wonder who's the victim?

In addition, our dog was an abused case which will normally shrink away from ppl. Same thing with your dog, he never exhibited aggression to other dogs either.

Anyhow, I don't know if I agree with you on the german shepherd part. But I do know most of them are used in military and police dept. if that's what you mean.

I have been an owner of Akitas for over 13yrs and I do have to warn people that they are intelligent dogs with very strong characters. However, they are not vicious dogs and they won't attack unless they think their owner is in danger. In fact, due to recent breeding change in Japan, the current standard Akita have milder temper and easy to train.

I've owned both the American and Japanese standard Akita, and with basic training, they are the most loyal companions one can get.

Btw, Akita were originally bred for dog fights. So, there is the chance that they don't get along with other dogs. However, they did so bad as fight dogs that were later bred to be hounds. Thus, they shouldn't be posing major threats to human since they've belonged to the Working Group over 100yrs.

Answer 5

Akitas are a very aggressive breed, right along side with the rottis and pits...any where you go your going to have people that like to start CRAP. one bad thing happens, and EVERYONE is penalized for it. in this case, the whole breed. as a dog groomer...i can tell you one thing...the akitas, and pits and rots, were the BEST dogs to work with. it was the cocker spaniels, pomerainians, and shih tzus that we usually dreaded! and those are the "sweet, cuddley, never do wrong dogs" that get the best rap. HA, whatever! i was sent to the hospital from a bite from a cocker, and had a chunck of my palm taken out by a pekenese. you know your dog. and don't let anyone tell you differently. like another poster stated, blame the deed, not the breed...

Answer 6

I agree with you 100%. Akita's are just doing what they are supposed to do and that is to protect their master. There is no other dog as loyal as the Akita, yet they can be gentile with children. I grew up with this breed, and only when they felt that I was threatened would they react. Read the book about "Hachiko"

Answer 7

Yes all dogs breeds are dangerous. Labs are actually more dangerous then a pit bull but if we keep complaining about this whole pit bull Rottweilers and such your just giving them a reason to tax all dog breeds and/or ban them now do all of us really want to pay 300 bucks to own a dog. Plus its not the dog on dog its the dog on person ans the PEOPLE who keep training the pit bulls and such to fight that is making people want to ban these breeds. You don't see alot of people breeding labs to fight till another dog death do you?

Answer 8

Of course it isn't fair! But I wouldn't be pointing fingers at German Shepherds. Any dog is capable of biting. It depends on the owner and the way it was raised. No dog is naturally mean and any dog can be aggressive.

Answer 9

you may have an exception to the breed Akita..

but the breds you listed are & tend to be bred for aggression by

idiots out to make a buck..they are & have been so overbred, but you're fortunate to have an exception to the bred...

are you familiar with the origin of the Akita ?

Answer 10

I completely agree. It is not the dogs that are bad, it the people who own them!

I mean I have one of the demonized breeds & he is the sweetest dog in the world, that is because we love him, treat him great & take him to obedience classes.

People beat & abuse their animals then wonder why they bite, It is crazy!