The Akita Inu gets it's name from where it hails - an island called Honshu in the Akita region of Japan. This dog breed, also called the Great Japanese Dog has remained unchanged for centuries. This breed is so ingrained in the country that he is designated as the national dog of Japan. The Akita Inu has been raised for many things such as fighting, for hunting deer and bear as well as sled dogs. The first Akita Inu was brought to the USA by Helen Keller in 1937 and became even more popular when American Servicemen returned home with them after World War II.
Pronounced Ahh-Keeta, this breed is the largest of the Japanese spitz breeds The Akita is characterized by a strong, muscular body and a flatish head with short but strong muzzle. This breed is stocky - longer for the height. His face is a variety of triangles with a triangular shape overall, small, dark triangular shaped eyes and small triangular ears that sit erect on the top of his head. Akita's have a dark nose, usually black but sometimes brown. He carries his tail high over the back and has webbed feet that make it an excellent swimmer. The double coat consists of a harsh waterproof outer coat and an thick insulated under coat.
Although the Akita Inu is a docile dog it can at time be quite impulsive as well as be very affectionate and careful with its family. It is important to train your Akita properly so that this fearless, intelligent and courageous dog knows that you are the boss. This breed loves companionship and is very loyal to his human master. It is important that this dog be kept on a lead when close to other dogs or animals as it can be very aggressive towards them.Akitas are quite smart which means that training requires patience as they can easily get bored with the routine.
The Akita Inu is prone to suffer from Hip Displaysia as well as Hypothyroid and Autoimmune Thyroiditis. It may also suffer from immune diseases like VKH and Pemphigus as well as skin problems such as SA or those associated with the eyes patella such as PRA, Micro and Entropion. In some cases Akita Inu’s are prone to problems associated with the knees.
Despite their big size and sturdy build, Akitas son't need a ton of exercise and can actually live well in an apartment provided that they get a walk every day. The Akita Inu has a coarse stiff short haired coat which needs lots of grooming and they shed heavily twice a year. They should be brushed with a firm bristle brush and only bathed when it is absolutely necessary (as bathing will cause the natural waterproofing of their coat to be removed).
Sunday, October 3, 2010
Saturday, October 2, 2010
What is the Best Dog Food?
What is the Best Dog Food?
There is absolutely no doubt in my mind. Without question, the best dog food is one which is based on a wild dog’s diet. Dogs have evolved on this. It’s raw meat. There are no cookers in nature.People are reluctant to believe this for a variety of reasons. So lets look at some of them, and dispel your fears.Firstly, you may be worried about the presence os parasites and worms in raw meat. It’s been drummed into you that meat needs to be
There is absolutely no doubt in my mind. Without question, the best dog food is one which is based on a wild dog’s diet. Dogs have evolved on this. It’s raw meat. There are no cookers in nature.People are reluctant to believe this for a variety of reasons. So lets look at some of them, and dispel your fears.Firstly, you may be worried about the presence os parasites and worms in raw meat. It’s been drummed into you that meat needs to be
Friday, October 1, 2010
Tips On Caring For Small Dogs
You might think that all dog care is the same, however when it comes to taking care of small dogs there are some things you want to consider. Below are some of the daily care needs for dogs and how you should approach providing them for your small pup.
Feeding Your Small Dog
Your small dog doesn't have a large mouth so you need to select dog food that is made for smaller dogs. As with any dog, feeding twice daily is recommended. You can easily find dog food at the store that has the smaller nuggets instead of big chunks. Of course, you could always feed your dog canned food however the dry food is much better for your pets teeth.
Containing Your Small Dog
Small dogs don't have the exercise needs that big dogs do, but they still need an outdoor place for playing and potty. A yard that is fenced in might be good for a large dog, but it could be a dangerous place for a smaller one. Fencing put in for bigger dogs or just to fence of the yard may have gaps or holes your little dog can get through so check carefully if you have your dog out in a fenced area. Also, with small dogs you need to think about owls and hawks which can swoop in from above and a fenced area won't provide cover for that. Think about installing a covered kennel for your small dog so that he is well protected all around.
Training Your Small Dog
Small dogs aren’t any harder to train than large dogs, yet the general opinion of many pet experts is that a lot of them end up spoiled. No matter if he fits in a purse or a pocket, your small dog still sees the world in terms of pack behavior, and if you’re not leading the pack, he is. Housebreaking is challenging with the small ones but you must be firm even though his little messes may not seem like a big deal. Just like big dogs, small dogs should know that they must do something in order to get their treat. That's why you will want to always make sure your dog works for every treat - don't just give him one no matter how adorable he is being.
Grooming Your Small Dog
When it comes to grooming, there are some special requirements that small dogs have. Small dogs will need more frequent nail trimming than larger dogs, because they typically spend less time on rough surfaces wearing them down. Another thing with small dogs is that they do require frequent dental care including in home tooth brushing at least twice weekly.
Small dogs have the same fundamental care needs as larger dogs but with a few different twists. Taking care to pay attention to these small details will help to ensure that your dog lives a long and happy life.
Feeding Your Small Dog
Your small dog doesn't have a large mouth so you need to select dog food that is made for smaller dogs. As with any dog, feeding twice daily is recommended. You can easily find dog food at the store that has the smaller nuggets instead of big chunks. Of course, you could always feed your dog canned food however the dry food is much better for your pets teeth.
Containing Your Small Dog
Small dogs don't have the exercise needs that big dogs do, but they still need an outdoor place for playing and potty. A yard that is fenced in might be good for a large dog, but it could be a dangerous place for a smaller one. Fencing put in for bigger dogs or just to fence of the yard may have gaps or holes your little dog can get through so check carefully if you have your dog out in a fenced area. Also, with small dogs you need to think about owls and hawks which can swoop in from above and a fenced area won't provide cover for that. Think about installing a covered kennel for your small dog so that he is well protected all around.
Training Your Small Dog
Small dogs aren’t any harder to train than large dogs, yet the general opinion of many pet experts is that a lot of them end up spoiled. No matter if he fits in a purse or a pocket, your small dog still sees the world in terms of pack behavior, and if you’re not leading the pack, he is. Housebreaking is challenging with the small ones but you must be firm even though his little messes may not seem like a big deal. Just like big dogs, small dogs should know that they must do something in order to get their treat. That's why you will want to always make sure your dog works for every treat - don't just give him one no matter how adorable he is being.
Grooming Your Small Dog
When it comes to grooming, there are some special requirements that small dogs have. Small dogs will need more frequent nail trimming than larger dogs, because they typically spend less time on rough surfaces wearing them down. Another thing with small dogs is that they do require frequent dental care including in home tooth brushing at least twice weekly.
Small dogs have the same fundamental care needs as larger dogs but with a few different twists. Taking care to pay attention to these small details will help to ensure that your dog lives a long and happy life.
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