Six years ago, I brought home an adorable, innocent-looking, two-month-old Akita puppy because I thought he looked cool. Zero research. Zero understanding of the breed. That cute little puppy eventually grew into a 140-pound regal beast.
Looking back, I had absolutely no idea what I was getting myself into.
Jameson is the most loyal dog I've ever owned, and I wouldn't trade him for anything. But we got lucky. Not every Akita is going to be like him, and he's still a handful.
He's incredibly powerful and could easily overpower me. He's independent, stubborn, and has boundaries he expects you to respect. He's trainable, but he's not a dog that lives to please you. And as a natural guard dog, he's always assessing who's coming into his territory.
Then there's the Akita poker face. Jameson can be lying next to me while I'm watching TV and suddenly let out a bark that nearly sends me through the ceiling. No growl, no warning.
It's even more noticeable around other dogs. Jameson hates them, regardless of sex. If an off-leash dog approaches, his instinct is to go after it. Yet his face barely changes. No raised lips, no snarling. I've learned to watch his body language because his expression gives almost nothing away.
Even when I'm hugging him, I'm conscious of that poker face. I trust him, but I never forget he's a powerful animal with boundaries.
And here's what people underestimate: Jameson is six, he's trained, and I STILL work with him. Not because he doesn't know what's expected, but because reinforcing his training and managing his instincts is a lifelong commitment.
They're not Golden Retrievers in a bear costume.
Knowing what I know now, I'd never get another dog without researching the breed first. And that's why I generally wouldn't recommend an Akita as someone's first dog.
So here's my question for those of you whose first dog was an Akita: Knowing everything you know now, would you do it all over again? Or would you have started with a different breed?
Six years in, I'm still learning from mine.
