Akita

The hair doesn’t usually mat or tangle, and dirt tends to fall right out of the coat. A weekly brushing with a pin brush is all that’s needed. But twice a year, when they shed, be prepared for a snowstorm of fur inside. The undercoat sheds and sheds, and the best you can do is to brush it with a slicker brush at least daily, even more if you can. Washing in warm water will loosen the hairs from their follicles and hasten the shedding. Cut their nails as needed, check their ears for debris weekly, and brush their teeth daily.

They enjoy running loose in large, fenced areas, or on lead around the neighborhood. They may chase other animals and aren’t always great about coming when called. Dog parks are generally a poor idea for Akitas. Akitas are not overly playful, and while they may enjoy a short game of fetch or tag or even Frisbee catching, they will quickly tire of it and prefer to go off sniffing and exploring. They are a great breed for cold weather hiking. They like nothing better than a frigid day with snow on the ground. This is not really an ideal breed for hot climates, as their need for exercise can be difficult to mix with their tendency to get hot due to their thick double coat. Given a snow day, expect your Akita to want to spend the entire day outside in it. Some enjoy swimming, but it’s on a dog by dog basis. Although not bred as a weight puller, many do enjoy pulling heavy weights or even sleds. Mental exercise is needed alongside physical exercise, so be sure to include training and puzzles into your exercise regime. They’re not known as great agility dogs or obedience dogs, although some have excelled at these sports.

Large-breed puppy diets are balanced in fat, calcium, phosphorus and vitamin D. They are critical because they cause the puppies to grow at the correct rate, while still reaching the same ultimate size. Many studies have shown that growing too fast increases the chance of many developmental joint diseases, such as hip dysplasia, to which large dogs are susceptible. Free-feeding is not recommended for large breed puppies, as they tend to overeat, increasing their growth rate and the chance of developmental joint disease. Instead feed several small meals over the course of a day, starting with three to four meals as a little puppy, then two meals at about four months of age, transitioning to an adult diet at around 9 months. Note that dry large breed food has larger kibble size, which gives the dog the chance to crunch and chew more, and is less of a choking hazard from inhalation of kibble. Obesity makes joint disease worse, so always keep your Akita trim. You should be able to feel the ribs with gentle probing, and there should be a definite indication of a waist, with no dimple over the tail or roll of fat over the withers. Remember that neutered and spayed dogs require fewer calories than intact dogs. Factor in all the treats you may be doling out during training. The calories can add up faster than you might think. Always consult with your veterinarian if your dog has a particular health problem. Many specialized diets are available that are scientifically formulated for a variety of conditions.