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Are Akitas Good Guard Dogs?

Are Akitas Good Guard Dogs?

The Akita is a powerful, muscular dog breed of ancient Japanese lineage. Sometimes, they are referred to as Akita Inu, which is Japanese translating to Akita Dog. The breed has a spiritual significance to the Japanese, symbolizing happiness, health, and long life. It is a large fierce breed, but is it a good guard dog? There are so many things to consider when choosing a watchdog. I will be providing an answer to this and other questions you might have about Akitas in this article. I have had lots of experience with different dog breeds, and after extensive research, I am confident that this information is trusted and useful.

So, are Akitas good guard dogs? Yes, they make excellent guard dogs and watchdogs. They stay alert to inform their owner when a stranger is approaching their territory. An Akita will only bark for a purpose and not excessively or anyhow. If a guest is welcomed, the Akita will remain reserved but will not be aggressive anymore.

Different breeds of dogs hold different characteristics. These traits are convenient for different situations. For what purpose do you intend to get an Akita? If it is for protection, what traits make them fit to be watchdogs? I recommend getting all the information about the breed beforehand. How do they relate with families, strangers, fellow dogs, and other pets? Most importantly, it would help if you learned how to achieve a happy and healthy canine friend. Gathering all this information from all over can be tedious, though. Luckily for you, I have compiled all the information you need to know about the Akita breed with regards to being guard dogs.

Are Akitas Good Guard Dogs?

An Akita is a big, fierce, strong, athletic, brave, and muscular canine with impressive alertness. Trust me; you do not have to install a security system if you own this breed. Whether male or female, Akitas are excellent guard dogs. They have a strong sensitivity to every little sound, which they investigate with utmost curiosity. Unlike some lazy breeds, Akitas stay alert and in control. This way, they can notice any strange sounds and movements even in the dark.

Although the breed is friendly with the family, it is very suspicious when it comes to strangers. They will not let a stranger pass through or even go anywhere near their territory. Their aggressive nature kicks, but they will calm down once introduced to the stranger by the owner. You can run your errands, and no one will intrude on your home when you are not around. Due to their hostile behavior towards strangers, I do not advise letting your Akita roam around the neighborhood unleashed and without supervision. They are not so aggressive to strangers when their owner is around, though.

Even with security covered, nobody wants a continuously barking dog. Akitas are very fierce when they sense danger, but they do not bark aimlessly. This way, when you hear a bark, you should be convinced something is wrong. Also, it keeps your neighbors from reporting you for noise disturbance. If you stay in the urban center with close neighbors, you can still get an Akita for a guard dog and not worry about eviction.

It takes a fearless dog to become a watchdog. This breed is not afraid to encounter dangerous situations as long as its loved ones are safe. In comparison with other dog breeds, Akita is one of the best choices for a guard dog. Some even train them to be police dogs.

Are Akitas Protective of Their Owners?

Talk of selflessness; Akitas will put themselves in danger to protect their owners and families. An Akita will knock down anything that poses a danger before it reaches you. It is in their nature to faithfully protect their human family. In all my encounters with Akita dogs, I have noticed that they protect and guard as though their lives depended on it. In their eyes, you and your family are part of their pack.

One of the reasons Akitas are famous is their absolute loyalty towards their owners. Ever heard the famous story of Hachi-Ko? This was an Akita dog whose owner was a professor. The professor would take Hachi-Ko with him to the train station every morning. Whenever he returned from work, the dog was always at the station waiting for him. When the dog was two, the owner died, but Hachi-Ko continued to wait for him at the station every day until he died at the age of 12 years. What remarkable loyalty?

That being said, you will require a very dominant personality to be able to lead this breed. This is because they are largely independent. They are alphas and will behave like they own the place until they find a master who has a strong voice of command. Whenever they sense a leadership void, they gladly step in and reign. Novice owners tend to have a hard time training these dogs due to their independent personalities. Once the hierarchy is established, these dogs give all their respect and loyalty to their master. With this type of relationship, they will go over and beyond to keep their owner safe. The relationship works better if they are also treated with respect and love.

It is clear that Akitas greatly protect their owners. All the family members are protected, including the kids, adults, property, and pretty much everything within their territory. Get an Akita, and your protection is covered!

At What Age Do Akitas Become Protective?

Different breeds of dogs behave differently as they grow. Some reach maturity faster than others. Experiencing all the growing stages of your dog is an adventure you do not want to miss. Naturally, Akitas are guardians of the home with a protective instinct. By the age of twelve months, they begin to display strong protective and territorial traits. You will notice them starting to bark at strangers and stand between you and what they perceive as a threat to offer protection. Any outsider or even stray animal will be considered a threat.

At this age, your dog is approaching maturity. Therefore, a lot of training needs to be done while they are still puppies. This includes introducing them to other dogs and pets and socializing them with people. This is very vital for Akitas; otherwise, it becomes difficult to train them as adults. As they grow into adulthood, their protective and territorial instincts become stronger. Failure to offer early training will result in disobedience and too much aggressiveness towards people and other dogs. Training helps them learn that not all people and animals are dangerous.

Although Akitas become more protective at the age of one, their ability to protect is inborn. They do not require training to be able to guard, especially with the American Akita variety. The Japanese variety was initially bred as a hunting dog but can also become an excellent guard dog. One fantastic thing about the Akitas is that you can’t erase their guarding instincts and natural intelligence.

With the proper training and guidance, your Akitas will control their protective instincts. Once they approach the age of one, you need to help them become better protectors.

Is Akita a Good Family Guard Dog?

Akitas are not normal house dog pets but mostly guard dogs. Interestingly, these huge, fierce dogs are friendly with families and children too. In ancient Japan, women would leave their children under the care of these dogs. The dogs would watch over and protect the children till their mothers came back. This means they are great with children; even so, you should never leave small children with any type of dog unsupervised. Babies are delicate and small; therefore, they will not match the energy of the dog.

This breed is family-oriented. It may come off as a serious breed, but it is very playful and fun around its family. This is why it makes a great companion to people. An Akita will become bored and anxious when left alone for long, resulting in destructive behavior such as chewing things. The more family members you have, the merrier for Akitas.

A female Akita is most likely to bond only with her master and not the rest of the family. If you live in a small space such as an apartment, a female Akita is the best choice for you. She will also tolerate being left alone for a few hours without acting out. Male Akitas are suitable for large households and space and will protect everything profoundly.

Adding an Akita to your family is a huge step since this is not the normal pet you can casually adopt. It would help if you had a clear understanding of the breed. They are not hyperactive, meaning they fit well into a sedentary lifestyle. However, exercise is vital for their physical and mental well-being. Training is a walk in the park since they are pretty intelligent, although their stubborn nature can sometimes get in the way. If you are worried about hygiene, Akitas are very ‘cat-like,’ meaning they are odorless and clean. If you were wondering, are Akitas good guard dogs? Well, now you know they are excellent family guard dogs.