Is the Akita Husky Good With Kids?

Akita husky is a large breed dog weighing more than 100 lbs. It is an intelligent and loyal breed, and is considered to be extremely loving and protective towards its family. This Japanese breed was first brought to the United States in 1937. According to the Dog Breed Info Center, in Japan some mothers would leave their children in the care of the family's Akita. The website also states that the breed is quite tolerant toward children, but requires a firm hand of control.

  1. Akita and Children

    • If you have children and want to bring home an Akita pup, it is best to get a pup that is docile. Akitas that are treated well, taught to socialize with children and trained to be a part of the family not only accept children of different ages, but are safe with kids, as long as both the dog and children are supervised. Also, such a massive dog can injure or hurt a child without even realizing it. Furthermore, the dog̵7;s behavior toward children is based on how the parents train children to behave with it. Acts of teasing or pulling ears may cause the dog to respond aggressively. The Akita Rescue recommends not leaving children younger than 12 with this breed.

      Generally, Akitas are fine with the family's children, but may respond aggressively to outside children. Hence, when other kids come home, it is prudent to keep them away from the dog or you should be around to supervise the dog and the children at all times.

      On the other hand, if an Akita is not brought up with children, it will not be tolerant toward them.

    Temperament

    • Akitas are quiet, brave and extremely affectionate dogs. They love their families and need to be with family members. Also, this breed needs an assertive and confident pack leader, otherwise it may become dominant and aggressive. The breed usually expresses itself by making different and interesting sounds. They do not bark too much, but when they do it is prudent to check out the reason they are barking.

    Training

    • An Akita can be very good pet if given a reasonable amount of mental and physical exercise daily. The aim behind training an Akita is usually to get it to recognize you as the leader of its pack. When living with humans, dogs begin to treat humans as a part of their pack and they try to establish a hierarchy. If the dog does not think of a person as a pack leader, it can turn aggressive and dominant, believing that it is the alpha dog of the pack. The earlier you start training an Akita pup and letting it know that you and all other humans are higher up in the hierarchy, the more successful your relationship will be. This will also teach the dog to be gentle with the family's children and a companion to the family. However, you need to display immense patience while obedience training the dog, as this breed gets bored quickly.

    Eating Habits

    • Akitas are very possessive about their food. Make sure that you give it food in its own feeding bowl and keep other pets away when it is eating. Akitas raised with children may allow their family children around it when eating. However, it is advisable not to let visiting children near the dog during meal hours.