why do akitas have such a bad reputation?

Question

I used to have akitas and they were the sweetest most loyal, beautiful dogs i have ever been around. Quiet too. Yet on several other yahoo answers questions, people mentioned they would never own one because they've been known to bite, well i've never seen an akita attack or even become threatening without provacation (ie threats against self or master) and even so they are very good about warning before striking. They are aggresive against small animals, but that goes back to their wolf-like nature and lineage and can even be modified when young. Another poster said they lived in aparment building and the akita barked at everything, again I've never seen an akita bark unless there was something to bark about.

so what is with all the misinformation and bad reputation that are spread aboujt akitas?

Answer 1

I think a lot of the bad rap many breeds suffer is due to the year end statistics on the breeds that caused the most serious maulings/fatalities in the US.

So if any breed makes that list, whether it's #1 or #20 there will be a backlash against it as people will perceive it to be a more "dangerous" breed then others simply because it was on the list.

Say the #1 breed caused 15 human fatalities in a given year, and the Akita was at the bottom of the list causing 1 fatality. It still made the list so people will draw their own conclusions.

Answer 2

Honestly it depends on the dog, the owner, and the person dealing with the dog. I personally love Akitas but know that they can be very dominate and aggressive if not handled and trained properly. I have been grooming for 9 years now and know that a lot of groomers won't touch an Akita because of that and I have seen first hand how unpredictable some can be. That being said myself I would trust an Akita, a pitbull or any other of the so called aggressive breeds before I would trust a cocker spaniel or lhasa apso. The problem is that when a large dog does bite it usually does a lot more damage than a small dog so you hear about it a lot more.

Answer 3

In NY most homeowner insurance will not insure your home if you have an Akita. When I had one as well as in laws we have to lie an not tell the insurance companies. Akitas are great dogs if you are an experienced dog owner only because Akitas are strong willed and will easily take over the alpha role. I rescued one from owners who did not raise the dog properly and he was extremely aggressive and several vets wanted him destroyed, After a year of trying to turn him around it went really bad. He attacked a family member viciously and unprovoked. I got along great with the dog he just hated everyone else in the world. The county gov. ordered him to be destroyed because it was a vicious unprovoked attack. I like the breed and harbor no ill will for them and the only reason I would not get one is because of insurance reasons. Insurance companies have stats on Akitas being one of the highest numbers of unprovoked attacks.

Answer 4

Media has easily had an element in pit bulls getting such undesirable reputations. each and each time a pit bull assaults somebody the media is there with cameras getting everybody crying. I even have standard of a few assaults on babies via different dogs, yet for some reason, no cameras have been present day there... easily pit bulls have a foul rep because of the fact ignorant people purchase them and advance them to be holding and merciless. If this is no longer the ignorant, this is the small minded.. people here some undesirable thoughts on the information and anticipate each pit bull is risky. Am I to anticipate all Mexicans are risky because of the fact we've had present day shootings the place I stay? No, i'm no longer stupid. Pit bulls are like babies, they could desire to learn ideal from incorrect and be attentive to who their proprietor is. With the ideal love and discipline any pit bull can advance up somewhat infant.

Answer 5

Well, like all dogs- their behavior starts with the owner. If your Akita is fine, then don't worry about what you hear about their reputation. I used to have an Akita as well. They are known to be very agressive towards other animals, but when it comes to people they are very friendly.

My husband has a Pit Bull, and they also seem to have a bad rep. But he is very well trained and has not harmed anyone or any animal. He is already 6 years old.

So it all depends on you as the owner to raise a friendly and behaved dog. Who cares about what other people assume. Nobody complains when a Chihuahua attacks, right?

Answer 6

I understand where you're coming from. I own two pit bulls - sweetest things. Many people don't take the time to learn more about Bully breeds such as APBT's or Akita's simply because they were originally bred to fight. Dogs such as those are still categorized as "fighting dogs". You know, it all depends on the owner of the dog, how the dog was treated, and what type of environment it came from. There is no such thing as a bad dog - just a bad owner.

Answer 7

i had an Akita growing up and she was amazing..

she was an amazing puppy, never chewed anything didn't bite and we had 3 kids in the house! she only lived about 8 years but that was probably due to poor breeding but none the less a wonderful dog. she wasn't socialized with other dogs when she was young so her encounters with the neighbors pets were not all that friendly but obviously that could have been prevented. she was never aggressive but they are a bigger, stronger breed and non dog people will see that as being scary (i can understand why) it's a shame they have a bad rep she was an awesome dog

Answer 8

i had an akita that lived for 15 years-stonr willed yes very very strong willed. Listen rearely and prety much did what she pleased but she did understand i was the alpha not her and she never once questioned that but did test her boundries countless times. As forpeopel agressive-well lets put it this way there wasnt a kid in the enttire neighborhood that didnt ask me if he/she coudl walk her and many did it withotu me even knowing she loved kids very strongly so but she also loved to chase people and loved being chased as well-to her it was just a game but to alot of people it wasnt a game!! So understand this if u plan on gettign an akita socialize it very well-gernally they will bevery good with people , and only ok with dogs of the opposite sex mien didnt particulairly like other dogs but didnt kil or bite it or anythign liek that but if u must own a secodn dog and u have an older akita bring the new one in as a puppy generally they wil just pla with it and the puppy will understand the akita is the alpha-the way akitas think of themselves. Ilove the breed and they really are very cute and vary easy going but they do have that willful side too-they simple wont do what you want them too ir wil take ther seeet time in doing it-they have to be treated gently to be gentle.

Answer 9

Akitas are a large powerful breed and thus need a confident, calm and assertive owner. Many owners just can't control strong powerful breeds, and an uncontrolled Akita can be dangerous as you know. It only takes a handful of bad owners to give an animal a bad reputation.

Answer 10

I feel the same way. It's done about pits, as well. People who have this prejudice have probably never owned one themselves. Akitas, pits, and other strong-willed, intelligent dogs need good, firm owners that are capable of being an alpha leader to their dog. If they aren't up to the challenge, they should have stuck with a golden retriever or something to that effect. Bad ownership can lead to aggression issues, which can in turn lead to bad reputations. I'm sad that it is this way, because it is leading to BSL and other horrible things like that.