Need to get my Akita a Playmate!!

ITMissy

Hi,

I have a 2 year old female akita.

I would love to get her a playmate as she does spend a lot of time in her pen alone (While i am at work - i know, i know its not good for them, but i think she is happy enough, tend to spoil her more in the evenings/Weekends!!)

Any suggestions as to a good breed that would suit the akita. I know they tend to be female intolerant. Would an akita male be the only option?

Thanks in advance

Dyr

Might help if you mention where you're based?

kerrysgold

Has she been well socialized so far? Even though Akita's are people friendly they can be dog aggressive if not socialized very well. If she isn't a very rough player greyhounds make good companions since they get on well with any dog usually.

Whispered

Bambi wrote: »

Might help if you mention where you're based?

What does where she is based have to do with what breed is a suitable playmate for an akita?

Dyr

good point, I actually misread the post and thought that she was asking for someone with a suitable dog to meet up as a playmate for her akita

OP I reckon its as much your dogs own temperament as the breed that will decide this. Obviously another large dog is less likely to be hurt than a small one if theres any spat with your girl

Having said that, I own a small male shiba inu and when i took in a male akita, i was dreading what might happen to the wee man if there was trouble. The little fella bullied him mercilessy (and still does) but the big guy just takes it in his stride.

if you do get a male akita make sure you can handle them both though :pac:

Whispered

Bambi wrote: »

Having said that, I own a small male shiba inu and when i took in a male akita, i was dreading what might happen to the wee man if there was trouble. The little fella bullied him mercilessy (and still does) but the big guy just takes it in his stride.

Have you got pics? I love shiba inus, well the pics I've seen. Never saw a "real life" one

Dyr

he's a right little divil, but they look as cute as buttons when they want to.

Although he's looking a bit like a corgi these days because he's robbing the big lads food all the time :mad:

kerrysgold

I second the pictures as well! They look lovely.

Dyr

these about the only decent pics i have of him.

as a babby:





bit older:

Discostuy

I currently have two female American Akitas.
They have been well socialised from pups, so they get along with all dogs just great. They are very placid, laid back dogs and even though they are both females they get along great. They are best friends who never really have any problems.
But...
If you do get another dog for company i would just give my opionion on a few things from having had my two for just over a year now (they are 14 months old now)..

They (akitas) do play very rough. They seem to have a very high threshhold to pain, and can really pull out of each other before one will yelp and stop playing. I have seen my two pull eachother along the floor as dead weights by their scruffs without a bother on them. But in saying that, they know the limits and never actually hurt each other.

They are also very very food pocessive, as are most dogs, but i never feed my two unsupervised as they will kill each other over food. So if you did get another dog i would recommend feeding them seperatley for the first while.

Best of luck if you decide to get another dog, i hope it all works out great.

ITMissy

Hi,

Thanks for replys. She has been well socialised for a puppy, we have been bringing her aound to shows since she was 6 months, She did quiet well.

She has a lovely personality. I am guessing another akita is the way to go. But should i breed her and keep one of the male pups, will i find a good home from the other pups (if there are others) would be terrified that she has a litter and we wont find a good home for them.

I would prefer a puppy male akita so we can train him from young i think.

Toulouse

Possibly not, there are alot of Akitas and big Akita crosses showing up in the pounds and it's very very difficult to get rescue spaces for them even though they are fantastic dogs.