Akita

Appearance

The breed stands anywhere from 60–66 cm (24–26 in) at the withers. Females weigh anywhere from 30–45 kg (70–100 lb) and males are 35–54 kg (75–119). The Akita Inu comes in only five colors: Red, Fawn, Sesame, Brindle, and Pure White. All except white must have whitish hair on the sides of the muzzle, on the cheeks, the neck, chest, body and tail.

Temperament

Akitas are renowned as loyal dogs and also intelligent and because of their intelligence are easily bored. As a result, they often become destructive if not given anything to do. Akitas can live happily in apartments as long as they are given plenty of exercise. They need to be socialized as puppies so they are friendly dogs. Although they love human companionship, they are quite happy to be outside dogs as well, but should still be taken out for walks to prevent destruction of the yard. Akitas often become excitable when seeing their owners, often wiggling around and making happy grunts.

Akitas are very good with children, and are often quite playful, although they should be watched around small children as they could knock them over during play and can get a bit snappy when excited.

The Akita Inu have a reputation for sometimes being aggressive towards strangers, smaller animals or other dogs, particularly those of the same sex, they are certainly a highly dominant breed, and should not be kept as a pet if you are not able to control a dominant dog. Akitas would rather live in a home with no other pets present, unless they have been raised with them during puppyhood.

For more information please click on: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Akita_Inu

Other interesting sites include: http://www.akitarescue.org.uk/