If your choice is to be a pedigree dog, it would be a good starting place to contact a Club run for that breed, (your country's Kennel Club should furnish you with a contact number) ask the Club officer as many questions as you can (it is worthwhile having a list of questions at the ready). This paragraph has advice which is viable for any country, if you are in Wales, you have taken the first step by visiting this site!

Whatever you choose to do, visit as many places as possible, leave your wallet and purse at home. This gives you the time and space needed to truly assess your priorities. Every puppy you see will be beautiful, regardless of it's resemblance to your ideal adult. Puppies are puppies, I have never seen one yet that didn't melt my heart on the spot. Beware the Breeder wearing “Rose tinted Spectacles” -they usually have a kennel full of self described “Stunners” and use hard sell tactics, they almost hold you hostage until you pay a deposit.
When you have decided on the type of dog, your next question is, should I have a male or female. Ask about the differences in character or size of the males and females, some breeds have a vast difference in the two sexes whereas others are almost unnoticeable, knowing about your intended breed's sexual differences (other than the obvious ones of course) will benefit you so that you can be even closer to your choice of ideal companion.


If you never want to breed from your companion it would be wise to have your dog altered. Hormones responsible for possible mood swings in males and females are complications you need not endure. They are no less masculine or feminine in appearance after spaying/neutering. There are no queues of admirers at the gate waiting to accompany you and your female for your exercise when she is in season. Your dog is not so eager to climb the fence when the Jones' female in the next street is in season.
A common misunderstanding is that a female should have a litter before she is spayed, this is absolute rubbish, there is no gain whatsoever for the female in having a litter at all.
Another commonly heard excuse for not having a male neutered is that he would be less a male, and that he would miss his 'bits'. Again, this is rubbish, a dog who has never mated has no idea what he is missing at all, the only time he will think about his amorous needs with any concentration is when a female in season is nearby, if he is neutered the scent may still mean something, but he will not be spending his life thinking about how to get to that female at all costs, this is a very poor excuse for not neutering. If you select a naturally dominant breed of dog, neutering will not entirely change his character, but it should certainly assist him to maintain a steady character at all times, an in season female will arouse parts of his character you have not seen previously and you may not want this displayed up close and personal. Whatever you decide, make it an informed decision. Do the best for you and your dog's well being, a happy partnership will last far longer than an unhappy one.

If you have definitely decided on a pure breed, go to a search engine, type the name of the breed and your foot is on the first rung of the ladder, (the learning step).
Whatever you decide, we hope it is a choice which you will have made after exploring all there is to know. Dog ownership is very rewarding, people who love animal companionship are the nicest people in the world. Their love should be as unconditional as their companions and their loyalty to each other knows no boundaries.
Good luck on your quest, we hope we have helped in some small way. If you have decided that you cannot accept the huge responsibility of dog ownership, you may still have close touch with an extended family member's dog or a neighbour's dog. At least you have not jumped into ownership without thinking, thereby preventing a failed placement, you may not be a future dog owner but you are without doubt a responsible dog lover and we have the utmost respect for you.

  If you still feel an Akita is the dog for you read on---!

THINK ABOUT IT!!
  The purpose of this information is to educate the public in the responsibility of owning an Akita BEFORE they purchase. We would like to know that when someone decides to own an Akita, that this dog, whether it be a puppy or an older dog, will have a permanent, loving home. We would like to prevent unwanted or abandoned Akitas from turning up in dogs homes, or worse yet, wandering the streets. All too often the fate of most of the unwanted animals is euthanasia coming about through no fault of the dog.

A reputable breeder will take the responsibility to see that when they send a puppy home with a new owner, it will be a good experience, both for the puppy and the new owner. However, the new owner must take this responsibility seriously. All prospective new owners, should take time to learn about the Akita through books, magazines and Clubs. These clubs are made up of members familiar with the breed who are excellent sources of information.

Beware the Breeder who advises against you having contact with your local Breed Club or National Clubs. Take time to think logically! If the Breeder has nothing to hide what harm would your contact cause? No RESPONSIBLE Breeder would like you to remain a veritable stranger to your breed. They should encourage your participation in Club education days and events, they should not be fearful of you meeting other Akita enthusiasts and making friends with people who have a passion for the breed you now adore too? Where better to learn about your dog’s history or it’s ability to perform in the conformation, agility or obedience ring. Where better to get totally unbiased information from? The people who serve as Committee are obviously respected enough to attract enough votes to serve as Officers of Clubs.

Enter the Akita scene with an Open Mind, you will make many friends and find answers to all your questions. If the Breeder you contact is “Anti-Club” ask yourself WHY? Take the time to check all Breeder’s credentials, some are excellent sales reps, who become almost unobtainable soon after your money falls into their hands others don’t seem to be in such a hurry to sell their puppies and will be there to offer you moral support throughout the dog's lifetime.

Visit as many breeders as you possibly can. Prepare a checklist of questions. Observe the body language between the breeder and their dogs and judge how approachable and helpful they would be in the future. Make a number of calls before deciding on their suitability, are they always happy to give you their time?

Don’t be afraid to ask to see their elderly dogs, they would be pleased at the opportunity to show them off once again I assure you. A kennel with no oldies is probably a new set up, if they claim to have 10 years experience, they should have a 10 year old etc etc etc? If not then ask WHY! They should have nothing to hide.

Always take the time to ask why a particular breeding was done. An honest breeder will take the time to critique their dogs and explain what is expected from mating dog A to bitch B. A kennel full of “stunning” perfects does not exist. If the show breeder is happy to sell you their “pick of litter” ask yourself why they even bothered to breed at all if they have no intention of keeping anything themselves? Was the whole litter such a failure that nothing in there is good enough for them to retain for the show ring?

It appears the “modern” way of selling puppies has become through the internet. Flashy sites with smart pictures of puppies in glorious surroundings, stacked up in show pose have become the shop window of today. Pages of text filled with descriptives like “stunning”, “fantastic”, are all geared at selling you a vision. Often the authors are writing cheques their dogs cannot cash. YES! We all adore our own dogs. YES! We all take the best dog home from a show at the end of the day. But is there really any need for padding out pages with words geared at selling? These are not cars, Hi-fi’s or TV Sets, they are beautiful, majestic animals. Look at the pictures and judge the dogs without the pre suggested descriptions.

A given factor when breeding is homes that fail, whether through the breakdown of a family, a death or any other unfortunate event, a small percentage of the puppies produced will possibly need to be re-homed. A responsible breeder will take back a dog they bred or at very least they will insist on being involved in placing him or her with a new family. Be sure to clarify this point before or at time of sale. Your breeder will furnish you with a receipt at time of payment and will discuss the terms of your purchase (whether you buy for companion only or as a show/breeding prospect). These terms are often written into a contract, study it well. Beware the breeder who places breeding restrictions on the registration of a “stunning” “show quality” puppy who’s price reflects it’s supposed “higher” quality and informs you that it would cost extra to get it lifted, the KC charge a breeder NOTHING to lift endorsements from a dog they bred. A dog sold as companion only should be reflected in the price and all terms should be thouroughly agreed by both parties. They will need to have YOUR SIGNATURE on a contract, stating you were aware of the restriction on the registration. The breeder has to produce the contract YOU signed if the KC ask for it.

There are many ploys by unscrupulous breeders to get more money out of a puppy buyer, even going as far as insisting that your puppy has to come back to them if it is bred, whereupon you will have to pay a stud fee etc. So please be very careful in selecting your breeder initially.

Are you really sure the Akita is the right breed for you?

Right now, a good place to start is to ask a few basic questions of yourself and when you have the answers, you will know if an Akita is for you.
 
 Are you familiar with the breed, the temperament and the conformation? Do you accept the negative aspects of Akita ownership along with the positive ones?
 
 Why do you want an Akita? Have you ever known one personally? They are far more than a pretty face in a smart suit!
 
 Do you realize that this adorable puppy will grow to about 100 times its birth weight in one year's time? Males may attain a height at the shoulder of 28”, and females can reach up to 26". This is a whole lot of dog with a huge responsibility attached to it’s ownership.
 
 Do you realise this is not a breed you can allow to run free in the park to play with other dogs, they must be under control at all times?  The Akita’s “off lead deafness” can and does strike, even when you think you have it all under control, do not take the chance. Even if that little terrier caused the commotion, it is your dog and our breed who will suffer the blame.
 
 Do you have the proper quarters for such a large dog and an area, preferably highly fenced, where he may exercise?
 
 Will your neighbours accept such a large dog, or do you have friends or family who are afraid of large dogs, how will you cope if a problem arises from this?
 
 How does the rest of your family feel about owning an Akita? Sometimes, if the husband or wife wants the dog and the other does not, this may not have a good chance of working. Remember also that it is usually the wife who is the primary care-giver and if there is a new baby, one expected or planned soon, will she be able and willing to give the extra time and care necessary for this canine member of the family?
 
 Are there other members of the family, perhaps seniors or fragile through illness, that may have a problem dealing with a large dog about the house?
 
 Will an Akita fit into your lifestyle? Do you have other animals, such as a cat, that will adapt to a large dog, especially if one of them is an older animal, Do you understand that Akitas generally do not thrive alongside same sex canines, their natural dominance is most likely to cause problems later on? If you already have a dog, selection of the opposite sex would be the natural step. If your present dog is particularly domineering, or badly schooled, it would serve to wait for an Akita.
 
 Will you travel often, and what arrangements will be made for the dog if you do not plan to take him along? Some Akitas do not fare well in a kennel boarding situation as they become very attached to their owners.  They are people dogs, if he is to be your pet, a life spent in solitary, locked in a kennel or chained in the backyard will seriously affect the way he views you and others.
 
 Many Akita puppies are destructive if left for long periods of time to get bored, how will you cope if you have a destructive Akita?
 
 Financially, can you afford the feeding, de-worming and any other veterinarian expenses if it becomes necessary? Can you give the dog the time required for his care? Remember he will be completely dependent on you. Will you be willing to get up at unscheduled times when necessary to accomplish housebreaking? Akitas are relatively easy to train, but you will have to do it and be consistent.
 
 Will you be able to maintain a feeding schedule and do the grooming required to keep him clean?
 
 Will you be able to maintain a schedule of the required health checks and de-wormings?
 
 Will your schedule allow you to take time to train the pup, teach him to walk on a lead properly, discipline him and instruct proper manners? It is important for such a large dominant dog to be well trained and socialized properly, so if it is necessary, can you give the time to an obedience training class or socialisation class to accomplish this goal?
 
 IF YOU CAN ANSWER THESE QUESTIONS IN A POSITIVE WAY, THEN YOU ARE READY TO TAKE THE NEXT STEPS TO FIND A REPUTABLE BREEDER OF AKITAS.

Finding a Reputable and Responsible Breeder !

Contact The Kennel Club, they should point you toward a Breed Club Officer or people who own the breed to find a reputable breeder. We do not recommend going to your local pet store, impulse buying from your local newspaper or being drawn in and given the hard sales pitch of an internet advert. If a breeder has to advertise their puppies to lure buyers and is keeping nothing for themselves from the litter, their motives are questionable for breeding at all. 

Talk to as many breeders as possible, look at their kennels, learn their reasons for breeding and what their qualifications are to be a breeder. How many litters a year do they have? Are these folks commercial breeders that are doing this for profit, or do they truly love the breed and are trying to better it? Are they sincerely interested in the breed? A good way to meet these people is at Championship shows, you will have the names, address and telephone numbers of all exhibitors in the catalogue and you will see your potential breeder amongst his or her peers. Don’t be afraid to ask questions about their ethics, and use their peers as references. After all if their intentions have always been honourable, they should have no fear from their opposition. Bear in mind that it is their Ethics you want an opinion of and not their stock. Your own judgement will attract you to the correct breed type and what is preferred for your taste may not be preferred by all breeders you speak to.

If you intend to exhibit your puppy, take a good long while before selecting a breeder. Use common sense when assessing the wins at some shows. An Akita who wins one CC, or one class in a whole season of exhibition and is relegated to the bottom of the class line-up or unplaced at all others may have been alone in his class the day he won or may have had a close link with the Judge on his winning day. (As happens in any competitive sport, there are always cases of discreditable judgement). The key word is consistency! There are far better attributes to be found in a dog who places 2nd at 20 shows than a dog who places 1st at 1 show and fails to get higher than 5th at the other 19.

Will the breeder give you references of those who have purchased their animals so you can ask if this breeder has been helpful to the new Akita owner? If their last litter contained 5 Akitas, contact all 5 buyers. Being selective about which buyers they allow you to know should set alarm bells ringing. The same courtesy should have been extended to all their customers not just 1 or 2 from each litter.
Before choosing a pup, have you looked at the conditions of the breeder's kennel, seen the Dam and possibly the Sire of the litter, studied their current health clearances for compliance and noted the general health of the litter, as well as that of the parents and the other dogs in the kennel? If the kennel conditions are not clean, the animals obviously not healthy and well cared for, the dogs seem to lack interest in the breeder or show fear of them RUN, DO NOT WALK, to the nearest exit.

Have you taken the time to visit as many kennels and litters as you can, so you will be able to select the right puppy for you?

IF YOU HAVE RESPONDED TO THESE QUESTIONS POSITIVELY, YOU ARE NOW READY TO ASK THE BREEDER SOME QUESTIONS THAT SHOULD BE ANSWERED BEFORE YOU DECIDE TO PLACE A DEPOSIT ON THAT SPECIAL PUPPY AND PLAN TO BRING HIM HOME AS A NEW MEMBER OF THE FAMILY

BREEDERS' RIGHTS MUST BE PROTECTED AS WELL AS THOSE OF THE CLIENT, SO BE SURE YOU KNOW IN ADVANCE WHAT THE BREEDER WILL BE RESPONSIBLE FOR

if the veterinarian does find something wrong with the pup, will the breeder take back the pup and give you another, or will he be willing to refund your money?
 
 If you are purchasing a pup that is of insufficient quality for showing and breeding, has the breeder explained to you that you cannot show the dog and must not breed it? Is there a breeding restriction, spay or neuter contract involved and does it explain exactly what that means?
 
 Does the Breeder want a contract with you to purchase the dog on "Breeder Terms"? What exactly does this arrangement mean, and do you really want to enter into such an arrangement? Remember, no responsible breeder will ask you to make a "puppy factory" out of your purchase. If breeding is not for you, avoid getting into a situation where you could be forced into it. In all honesty Breeding Term Contracts should only exist between people who know and trust each other really well. If the breeder offers to sell you a non-show quality puppy at a reduced fee ask the reason for the puppy’s failure to fit the criteria. If the breeder offers to lift the breeding restriction on the puppy at a later date for an additional fee, exercise extreme caution, the lifting of a restricted registration can only be done by the registered breeder of the animal and there is no cost payable to the Kennel Club for this service. If the breeder deemed their puppy as “progeny not eligible for registration”  and claim to have done so to protect the puppy’s future from abuse etc., they will have had 2 years to get to know you well enough to ensure you are responsible and should lift the restriction for no extra cost if all is well.  If you were told the puppy’s registration is restricted because of lack of quality, a responsible breeder will stand by their ethics and refuse to lift the restriction. At the time of sale, clarify these points and get the breeders reason’s in writing and retain that contract safely with your puppy’s documents.
 
 Has the Breeder taken the time to answer all your questions, and will he give you a commitment to do so after you have purchased the dog?
 
 If you are considering breeding your own bitch to obtain a puppy, or wish to have a general idea of the cost of raising a litter, you should know that the most expensive way to obtain a pup is to breed it yourself. You can use this as a pretty good "rule-of-thumb" - the price of one pup in the litter makes up for the stud fee paid by the breeder, another pays for the cost of feeding the litter. There is the advertising to sell the litter and other miscellaneous expenses, such as vaccinations and worming. If the pups aren't sold to good homes before the age of 12 weeks, and most reputable breeders are fortunate to be able to do this, the costs of care and feeding escalates. Further, if the mother has health problems, or has to have a Caesarian Section to deliver the litter, the expense would really "put you in the hole". You must be willing to not only take the time and trouble for a litter, but to also bear the expenses involved in doing it right. Indeed, it is a labour of love. If you think it would be "good" for your bitch to have at least one litter before being spayed, or that it would be a "nice" experience for the children in the family, it usually is a fallacious conclusion. Breeding a healthy litter of puppies should never be entered into lightly.
 
 When inquiring about the price asked for an Akita puppy, you should know that it fluctuates according to the area of the country and from breeder to breeder. This is sometimes due to supply and demand, but will depend on other factors, as well. The availability, the quality of the puppy, and whether or not the parents were Champions are all considerations. Only the individual breeder can quote a price for one of his puppies. Who is the TOP Breeder-(TOP for producing quality and not quantity). Any Breeder who shows the breed will know who is at the Top of their ladder, what prices do the TOP kennels ask? Can you justify the price asked by the Breeder? No Reputable Kennel will sell you a puppy as a “Show Winner” of the future, at best they can say it has potential! Inexperience and eagerness to make a sale can make less Reputable breeders offer these cast iron guarantees. An honest experienced Breeder may correctly determine whether a puppy will not make the grade, these are offered at a reduced price for companionship alone and will have their Registration Papers restricted or withheld. A promising puppy is simply that “PROMISING”, many things could go wrong after the cute puppy phase. It may be handsome yet has terrible unsound movement as an adult therefore is never destined to win, (would your breeder’s guarantee, cover that eventuality, is the breeder ready to back up his guarantee?) Suppose his ears grow out of scale or fail to erect? His front gets too narrow? His hocks subluxate or POP? His Hips be in poor shape? His eye colour be too light? His feet get real flat and loose? He has cow hocks? His tail set is low? His tail carrage too loose? He is so nervous or antisocial Judges cannot touch him? These are just a small selection of the things that can and often do go wrong weeks or months after you left the Breeder with your Guaranteed Show Winner.

Those with experience will never guarantee a puppy as a show winner, experience has taught them not to!

Show potential means—At the time of sale the puppy has no fault serious enough to deem him unworthy of showing. The perfect show dog has yet to be born, beware the breeder who has a kennel full of PERFECT STUNNING dogs! Mine have faults, yours will have too. What you seek in a show potential dog is one that has enough quality to carry it’s minor imperfections. Your priorities should be TEMPERAMENT followed by TYPE followed by SOUND CONSTRUCTION.  To elaborate on this

1. TEMPERAMENT-If the dog is unstable, nervous, bad natured or ill tempered-You will have 12 years of HELL

2. TYPE—If the dog lacks type (what makes an Akita look like an Akita) then it might as well be a mongrel

3. SOUND CONSTRUCTION—Any dog who is built wrongly moves ungainly and will be experiencing a certain amount of pain with every step, this in turn will make him unhappy as well as unhealthy, which in turn will cause both he and you much discomfort and sorrow.

All three attributes are minimum requirements for breeding stock. Watch the parents at play, or ask the breeders to put a collar and lead on them and gait them for you, are they moving with ease for long periods. (not just a quick trot up and back). Are the dogs at ease with the breeder, are they both confident around each other, can you freely interact with them, and if you do is it only under controlled circumstances, ie; whilst on a collar and lead? Do they represent good quality Akitas at a glance?
 
 Now, understanding what it really takes for a conscientious breeder to raise a litter, begin at the beginning. Find yourself that "almost perfect dog", show potential or handsome companion, that will make so many hours happy ones for both you and your new Akita. GOOD LUCK!!!