Why do people always tell you the bad side to a breed of dog?

Question

I have an Akita puppy and people have scared me to death i thought i had a monster pup and that it would rip my head of,
instead i have a big softy who loves me to bits so i worried for nothing.

Answer 1

I have 2 Rottweiler pups of 11mths and COMPLETELY understand your problem!!
I actually own a farm in Cornwall, but have been up in Nottm the past 4 mths on business, bringing my dogs with me of course, and have had to walk them in the local woods. WHAT A NIGHTMARE. I might as well have been walking Osama Bin Laden and Jack The Ripper!
Its like anything, media hype. Bad things always come together, be it plane crashes or dog attacks and people have a very blinded view of things.
Try to ignore these stupid people.
Best of luck.

Answer 2

Well, if you're getting "the bad stuff" as information from a reputable breeder, then they are doing the right thing by informing you or anyone else interested in their breed. Back yard breeders and pet stores and notorious for not giving interested potential first time owners of a breed any bad info, or it could lose them a sale. Reputable breeders actually love their breed and tell the good AND the bad, because they really want the potential future owner to be properly informed about the breed and can then make the decision if that breed is truly a good match for them and their lifestyles. They do this so as to ensure their puppies go to homes who can actually handle the breed. Like with Border Collies, they have a HIGH energy level, can become VERY destructive when bored and do best with really active people.. the last thing a good breeder wants is for a BC to end up is a home of couch potatoes as it's likely the dog will be too much for the owners and end up returned to the breeder, in a shelter, or rescue.

Answer 3

I tell the bad points to a breed so that people are aware of what the dog COULD be like.

As far as Akitas, many are fine. I have also known some that have killed other dogs, one of which scaled an 8 ft fence to do it. No, they are not all going to be like that, but plenty of them are. Alot of it depends on the breeding/raising. Most do need a firm hand.

Yours is still a pup, raise it right and you will probably have no problems. Raise it like a 'furbaby' and you will likely have problems in 2-3 years.

Answer 4

I love Akitas and think they're a wonderful breed in the right hands. I'm sure you will be fine as long as you take the time to train your pup from now and make sure you socialise him/her as much as possible.

It doesn't sound as though you researched the breed enough before getting it though, if you did, you'd know it's good points and the bad. Not trying to be negative but with a breed like an Akita, you can't afford to not know what you're dealing with. I'm sure your pup is adorable but my advice to you would be to socialise it as much as you possibly can.

Answer 5

Probably because people for too long have treated dogs like they were lassie, all great, no downside. Now the pendulem has swung the other way. People are now so focussed on the fact that 'hey, a dog can really do some damage - it's not a teddy bear after all!' The fact is, all dogs have the capacity to be great, all dogs have the capacity to do damage. It's time we stopped treating dogs like they are two dimensional characters (ie, lassie, rin tin tin, benji, etc.) and realize that they are real animals with both potential for good and bad in every dog. It's our job to bring out one side of the dog, and not the other.

Answer 6

Don't worry. Its how you raise them and whether or not you are responsible with the breed you have. Some breeds to take extra responsibility... but that does not make them bad dogs... Ha ha I should know I own a Pit Bull. I have been in your situation before too. Do some research on your breed... learn as much as you can, that way when someone tries to tell you all the negative things about your breed then you can list a couple positive things as well.

Answer 7

I firmly believe that how the dog is raised has the biggest impact on its behavior. However, each breed is bred with different traits for specific purposes. The Akita was used to guard, and is naturally territorial and dominant. Those traits can be bad if not handled appropriately, or can be trained to provide a loving, loyal, protective dog that will keep your family safe. Think of the "bad" traits as warning of what to be aware of, rather than things to be afraid of!

Answer 8

Akitas are protective of children and very intelligent. Gentle with people. Great family dogs.

Akitas are also used in Japan for dogfighting, but it isn't anything like dog fighting in the US. NO BLOOD. Akitas fight while muzzled and they use the exact same rules sumo wrestlers do. They use their body weight to force another dog out of the ring or to pin them. Champion akitas also wear the same kind of champion belts that sumo wrestlers do. They are removed before the fight.

My family had a half Akita while we were in Japan. He ignored little dogs. They were no competition and he acted like they weren't even there unless they made a fuss. I never even saw him pin one of them.

Now there was another half Akita in the same neighborhood and when these two dogs met, it was instant fight. They didn't bite although I did notice some blood on one's neck (probably from a claw scratch). They used their weight against each other and the winner forced the loser to give ground. These dogs were untrained, but they instinctively did what they were bred for.

Oh, our same half Akita was out one day and a little Japanese toddler was trotting down the cul-de-sac for the busy street with the mother yelling at her in Japanese to come back. Blackie summed up the situation and went and retrieved the girl. He grabbed the SLEEVE of her robe, firmly steered her around and led her back. He didn't touch her skin at all. The toddler was yelling in frustration, but was unhurt. The mother rewarded him and told Mom about it.

Blackie was an Akita-Labrador cross. Very intelligent and dignified. Knew commands in both English and Japanese. We got him from a shelter.

Answer 9

Because too many people buy a breed without knowing enough about it, so they can't make an informed decision about whether or not the breed is the right one for them.

Then, if they realize that they got the wrong dog, it's the dog that suffers.

An informed individual knows the good AND the bad about the breed they are getting, so they can decide if they want to put up with the downsides (barking, animal aggressiveness, size, shedding, exercise, etc. etc. etc. etc.).

Answer 10

Beause they feel the urge to warn you in case you wind up with a bad dog, that way they can say I told you so. But I agree that most dogs are great with proper raising. For example, I work at a vet office, and my while life I've been told pitbull horror stories. So when I have to work with a pitbull I was scared out of my mind. He walked over to me, licked my hand, and laid his head in my lap. He was the biggest softie i've ever seen. By biggest I mean HUGE. But he was gentle and sweet. I agree that some breeds may be predisposed to certain attitudes, but with proper upbringing they can turn out to be great dogs as long as you treat them with a little understanding.