We've had two Akitas over the years Loved them both. The only trouble we ever had with them (though there are LOTS of stories) is that Akitas cannot be trained to NOT kill birds. They can be fine with cats, kids, even rodents, but not birds. They are bred as Japanese hunting dogs (for bears) but have some deep seated issue with birds. Ours got into our neighbors turkeys once. Our neighbor was nice about it, but it cost me a couple hundred bucks.
Interesting. Our other three always wanted to chase squirrels and bunnies rather than birds. Hoku is the opposite, he chases birds and mostly ignores the small ground critters. We figure it's because "you are what you eat" and he wants to be able to fly
A friend has a German shorthaired pointer. The bird hunting instinct was so hardwired that my friend couldn't take the dog on walks on the waterfront or she'd spend all day trying to sneak up on the seagulls.Interesting. Our other three always wanted to chase squirrels and bunnies rather than birds. Hoku is the opposite, he chases birds and mostly ignores the small ground critters. We figure it's because "you are what you eat" and he wants to be able to fly
Large game is something else entirely — the bear and elk hunting instinct runs deep. Even our dopiest, clumsiest dog ever* transformed into a Wild Kingdom panther in the presence of deer.
*Dude would literally get distracted and walk straight into a stop sign during walkies. BWONG!
Thanks. I had a book called, " The Complete Labrador Retriever Book" and it had only 4 color pages in the middle. One of the dogs pictured a Lab that was the dual Mexican and North American Champion, that was Hobie's Grandfather.
Lucy
Cute dog.
Now that is a BIG dog!Cane Corso
Exactly how we got our current hooligan. When he's gone
, hopefully we'll have learned our lesson and actually stick to our decision to be dogless for a few years this time.
The most amazing thing about this dog is he only had 3 legs and got around so well on the field.
Just showed this to my 9 YO son. His comment: ” That is a dog you do not tell No!”Cane Corso
I'm sure that, with sufficient resolve and determination, you could do it? But why put yourself through that? And why deny a worthy, homeless, doggo a second chance?Exactly how we got our current hooligan. When he's gone
We love this dog, but he's gotten himself kicked out of two different boarding kennels. He's large (125 lbs), powerful (shattered the buckles on his harness by launching himself on an 18" tether), and an extraordinary escape artist. We want to be able to travel overseas, but we can't count on either a kennel or a dog sitter to keep him safe.
My family had one dog during the time I grew up there (I was the last kid, so a few dogs before that. She was an airdale and a great dog across the board.Puts fear into you just looking at me. I will protect you till the end, do NOT mess with me:
When we moved here in 2005, our neighbors had one that looked just about like that. The told us to come fish in their pond anytime we want, no need to ask. So we went over one afternoon just to walk around and look. Nobody was home.Puts fear into you just looking at me. I will protect you till the end, do NOT mess with me:
