Apparently Akitas are more aggressive than some other breeds, but it is usually towards other dogs of the same sex. If an Akita turns against it's owner, I'd assume something was physically or mentally wrong with the dog or the owner had failed in training the dog. As with all breeds, it depends on how the dog is raised from a very early age. They are likely to try and dominate if the owner is not firm. This is the reason why they are not suitable for everyone.

There are 2 Akitas which get walked round here.The first one is super friendly male called Ty and other than being a bit clumsy-its a lovley dog and loves playing rough & tumble with Vegas.I have only known it since last year and he really is a wonderful boy!

The other though i have known since the bloke got it as a puppy.He never socialised it with other dogs and when i had Abe (Rottie)-he used to walk the other way when we met on pavement so it dont know how to behave with other dogs.It attacked Vegas a little while ago,but bit off more than it could chew cause Vegas was ripping chunks of fur from it! I dont want Vegas to be a fighter,but just to defend himself if needed and he was completely unharmed from that fight.

The point im trying to make is-both are similar ages,both males,same breed,but their personalities are opposite ends of the scale.I never judge a breed because dogs are as unique as us humans.

I agree. I believe that certain breeds have certain characteristics but i don't think it's fair to say that all (whatever breed) are violent and aggressive or all (whatever breed) are placid. Dog owners have a lot to answer for.

I have a very sad tale to tell about Akitas. In our training class we had a young Akita pup from 12 weeks- lovely dog, nice dedicated owners who wanted to socialise and get it right. Well to make a long story short -we hadnt seem them for months- turns out the dog-a male- turned on one of his owners and savaged them- needed stitches. They had the dog pts. 4 months later they got another Akita pup- believe it or not the same thing happened a few months later but the attack was on another dog. They still have the dog but it is aggressive towards all other dogs now My dog trainer said Akitas are unpredictable in their behaviour and she tries to warn people off getting them as family pets-

I agree- Jack Russells have a bad reputation for being yappy and snappy but they aren't all like that....I think the more "difficult " dogs perhaps need a more experienced owner who can deal with their issues if they arise.

I don't think you can blame a breed, just the owners, who either treat it badly or don't socialise it properly and don't research their chosen breed properly in the first place. Breeders also have a role to play...not the good ones, the back street ones.
To write off a whole breed as aggressive or unpredictable is narrow minded, sorry, it's the people not the breed.

I totally agree Ailsa and I thank my lucky stars for where we live as we don't even have to meet anyone else dog or human on our walks if we don't wish too.

I want to live where you live, a country life is becoming more and more appealing to me....was in Cheshire today...me and OH were driving round villages going like this one like that one...son not too impressed and nephew (16) was bemused by why we'd want to live anywhere that smelt of horse dung!!!!

Hey Ailsa give me the horse dung smell anytime

That is very sad. The only thing i'd say to that is that i have been told that they are likely to be aggressive towards other dogs but that with enough socialisation and training, it can be 'trained out'. I'm no dog psychologist, nor am i rubbishing your trainers' opinion but I'm more inclined to go with the opinion of experienced breeders. I too, had heard that Akitas were indeed, unpredictable and prone to turning on their owners so I bought books on the breed, have spent hours scouring the net for Akita websites, contacted some established breeders and have also been spending a lot of time on Dogsey. As a result, I don't think they're a danger but because of their headstrong natures I will take extra precautions to help ensure their safety, my safety and the safety of those around. Before I get my Akita pup I'll also spend time with 'real ones' to make sure that I am making an informed decision. As far as i'm aware there's nothing to suggest that the same wouldn't have happened to any other breed.

Until recently, when Staffs became seen as 'fashionable', I believed that they and other bull breeds were as 'unsafe' as they have been made out to be. Having spent time around them and reading so many positive comments about them, I think they're lovely dogs and are not at all unsafe. Now that Staffs are becoming so much more popular, that belief will slowly die out as people see the breed for what it is. I think the Akita breed has a bad reputation for the same reasons as the Staff.