AKITAS

[Will]

In Defense of Dogs

 

There are no "hostile" breeds, period. The oldest interdependent mammalian evolution is that of humans and dogs. They have been cohabiting in domestic environments for more than ten thousand years, which among other things means that dogs are hard-wired to be attracted to human beings.

 

Of course, there are hostile individuals of all breeds. This can be caused by careless breeding of individuals that are overly protective; it can be caused by careless rearing of individuals from breeds that were developed to be protective; it can be caused by mistreatment; it can be caused by disease, such as what is known as "rage syndrome." But all breeds of dog, without exception, are people-friendly. Otherwise they wouldn't exist, as the domestic dog has no function other than its symbiotic relationship with human beings. Like people themselves, domestic dogs will go crazy and get violent if they do not have the constant support and discipline of human company. Loneliness, in fact, is probably the Number One cause of aggressiveness in domestic dogs in the United States. They get left alone all day, as though their owners think that a dog just sleeps when the owner is not around. That's why wild dogs are dangerous but wild wolves are not. (I am talking here about domestic dogs, not dog-like species such as the jackal.)

 

Many, many breeds of dog were bred to hunt. Now, we put them in categories called "hound" and "sporting" dog. Because they are bred to surrender their kill to human beings, they are also extremely submissive to human beings.

 

Other breeds were developed to herd and guard domestic animals like sheep, still others to do heavy work, and still others to protect farmers and their families.

 

The breeds developed to work and protect make excellent guard dogs. But an excellent guard dog is, by nature, wary of strangers; otherwise he wouldn't be able to earn his living. That does not make him aggressive.

 

In the eighteenth and nineteenth centuries, certain terriers were bred, in England, to fight. To fight each other, to fight other animals. They are courageous, ferocious, unbelievably loyal to their owners and families, and they will not give up except in death. Unfortunately for them, it is not difficult to exaggerate these qualities in selecting individuals to breed. And many a monster has been bred for the streets. Usually called "pit bulls" (there is no such breed recognized by the American Kennel Club), these dogs are most commonly derived from Staffordshire Terriers, Bull Terriers, Bull Mastiffs, and American Staffordshire Terriers. If you have ever met a well-bred, well-mannered dog of one of these breeds, you will know right away that they are the opposite of aggressive, unless you call being kissed to death an act of aggression.

 

What a tragedy it is that human beings, whom dogs seem to regard as divine, transfer their own aggression, hatred, and possessiveness onto one of the few creatures on earth who have the capacity to love men, women and children without condition.

[+ Charlie]

Although a Greyhound is in many way an ideal dog for a Southern California butch escort, I suspect that Hagen wants a breed that is more demonstrative in its affection. Greyhounds can be so laid back they are almost not there. Trust me: I've had wild sex in the same bed with a Greyhound, who just lay there, thinking, "Whatever."

[Bilbo]

RE: In Defense of Dogs

 

I once lived in a place where you had to go through the back yard and past the owners' "pit bulls" to get to my door. They were an excellent argument for nature vs. nurture. Some of the sweetest babies, in a noble way, that I've ever known.

 

I got my current dog because he was a gift and he was so adorable when he was a pup. Looked just like a little teddy bear. He is still a little teddy bear inside (and half cat, having been raised with a cat as a big brother), but he is (though a bit small for his breed) a healthy medium sized dog (mostly hair, and, yes, does shed a lot) now and of a breed (Chow) which automatically scares a lot of people. And bark? He barks even more when he knows and loves you than when he doesn't. But always with that wagging tail. He has intimidated a lot of clients in his day. I always ask on the phone if they have problems with dogs - not specifying breed - or cats. If so, he is locked away for the session. But I much prefer it when a brave person comes in my door, whom my dog trusts so that I can trust, and hands him the dog cookie with which I greet the client at the door. And the cat (Phantom) is more of a voyeur than he is. Here's to you, Bard, old buddy!

[+ deej]

What you say about breeding & upbringing and how it affects personality rings true.

 

I've only known one pit bull over the years and you've never met a sweeter or more gentle animal. My friends' daughter played with that huge dog, unsupervised, from the time she was a toddler.

 

My cousin used to breed Dobermans, another breed "known" for aggression. His big male (a HUGE dog!) was sweet and gentle. I'll admit he could be intimidating just from sheer size. He used to greet me by walking up, putting his head down, and nestling the top of his head into my stomach waiting for me to scratch his ears. Some people became uneasy when a dog that big aggressively pursued affection.

[Rod Hagen]

>This discussion seems rather bizarre to me. When I got a

>dog, I read about the various breeds to find out which were

>the friendliest, not the most agressive and hostile to

>strangers. And I'm not even an escort.

 

 

No Chris, you aren't even an escort.

1. I said I will research the breeding and the scialization of the puppy to ensure there's little aggression.

2. I said I will work hard to expose it to strangers and other dogs at an early age to decrease any later agression

3. I said that I like Akitas because they are independent and loyal and, for my boyfriend, cute. I did not say I liked them because they would attack people like you. In fact I did say I want to do as much as possible to assure that that does not happen.

4. I also said I would tell every new client that there's an Akita at home, and if they were uncomfortable with that he'd be in the yard or kennel depending on the clients pre-arranged comfort level. DIDN"T I? And I will groom him regularly. There are LOTS of Akita Breeders in Southern California, I have GREAT central Air Conditioning and cool floors and I go to the mountains and beach A LOT. So, no, I'm not a prick for thinking about buying a longer haired dog to live in LA.

5.. It's obvious that this thread of mine is part of long and ongoing research to determine if the Akita is the right job for me AND FOR MY JOB.

 

Who put the bug up your ass?

[Rod Hagen]

>5.. It's obvious that this thread of mine is part of long

>and ongoing research to determine if the Akita is the right

>job for me AND FOR MY JOB.

 

Right "DOG" for me and my job.

[scott90746]

I had a friend through High School who had one.. No one (even if the dog was familiar with them) could go anywhere near the yard.. Very unfriendly dog.. but they bought him for protection.. they got what they paid for !

 

Why not get a Labrador Retriever ?? ... With some training, you couldn't get a more loyal, loving, great dog !

 

S

[Rod Hagen]

>Why not get a Labrador Retriever ?? ... With some training,

>you couldn't get a more loyal, loving, great dog !

 

 

I don't find Labs at all interesting. Sorry.

[Bilbo]

If all you want is noisy protection, get guinea hens. They are loud, know enough not to be agressive so that they can be loud again the next time, and will willingly protect you from a neighbor five blocks away walking across his own carpeted livingroom floor in socks. I know, my third husband insisted that we have some in our back yard.

 

However, if you want love and affection and that particular je ne sais quoi, then get whichever dog God tells you to in your heart. (or cat, ferret, etc.)

 

It bothers me a bit that some people on this thread (including perhaps my own last posting) seem to think that Rod's job should dictate his choice of pet. I know that other people often have home office type jobs, but at least they can sleep at night in a different room. It's not quite like they never leave the office behind, not to the extent of most escorts - Just how many keep a seperate bedroom just for a workspace? One should work to live, not live to work. That should be an important thing that escorts can teach a lot of people. But first they have to learn it for themselves. And the right dog, for them not necessarily for the job, can help them learn it by helping to seperate the home and the job and remind which is more important.

[Houston Bonfires]

Dear OneFinger;

 

Is the doggie incident you describe the means by which you got your most distinctive name?

 

H B

[Guest]

RE: In Defense of Dogs

 

>There are no "hostile" breeds, period. The oldest

>interdependent mammalian evolution is that of humans and

>dogs. They have been cohabiting in domestic environments

>for more than ten thousand years, which among other things

>means that dogs are hard-wired to be attracted to human

>beings.

>

Although dogs in general are hard-wired to be gentle and caring with their family unit, or "pack," different breeds have defintely been bred with certain traits in mind. Some breeds were trained to fight, some to be "protective" (i.e. agressive towards those it isn't familiar with), and some to just be kind and gentle companions. Some breeds were even bred to be good at specific tasks, such as herding sheep, drawing sleds, or chasing objects. Breeds which are "protective" can be trained with some effort to be friendlier, but they will still have a certain part of their personality wired-in. Greyhounds will always like to chase things.

I have seen many times parents bring in children who've been bitten by family dogs in breeds which are probably not the best to be with children. The parents will predictably say "Oh, he's really a nice dog. It's just that..." (fill in the blank "he was petted while eating his food," "a cat ran through our back yard and he spooked," and so on). It's never the dog's (or owners') fault.

This is a place for opinions, so I'm giving mine. I think an Akita is a better breed for someone with a large yard, where he can be kept away from guests if he gets too protective. My Harper's Illustrated Handbook of Dogs agrees. I don't think it's a great choice for someone who receives a lot of strangers at his place, or for someone without a large yard to play in. It's generally not considered a city or apartment dog.

[+ glutes]

I agree with Scott, Labradors make the all around best dog. Look at Guide Dogs for the Blind, they only use Labs & Goldens for there clients.

[duke37]

> you'll consider adopting from a shelter rather than going to a breeder.

 

Umm Rick I think they prefer to be called "heterosexuals". :7 Thumbs up on the shelter suggestion though. I think our man Rod here has his mind made up about the breed of dog he wants. But for anyone else a good idea.

 

Jeff

[Bilbo]

Hey, I know that this is really late into this process, and I also know that I am being lazy, but I also know that I have a bad head cold today and although I did a wowzer children's show this morning, I have not had the brain and stamina and had to turn down several better paying propositions for this afternoon and evening. So,

 

would someone please post a picture of an Akita? :-)

[Guest DCeBOY]

http://www.epets.ca/images/dogs/breeds/a/akita.jpg

[Guest DCeBOY]

oh my!

 

why's the dog looking at my ass like that?????

[Rod Hagen]

RE: oh my!

 

http://www.akita-alumni.com/media/gal09.jpg

 

http://dogjunction.com/pics/gallery/2579.jpg

 

http://www.akita-alumni.com/media/gal01.jpg

 

 

http://www.akita-alumni.com/media/gal10.jpg

[Guest DCeBOY]

RE: oh my!

 

i was just trying to be helpful

[+ deej]

RE: oh my!

 

>why's the dog looking at my ass like that?????

 

<humor>

 

Even the dog notices your cute butt and assumes you're a big ole bottom.

 

</humor>

 

:+

[Bilbo]

RE: oh my!

 

Thanks for the pictures. As a Chow's daddy, these Akita are very handsome/cute-when-young (and probably always your baby no matter how big they get). They look like short-haired, more multicolored than my red and white, red tounged Chows.

[Will]

RE: oh my!

 

Rod's pictures, especially of the puppies, reminds me why I never, EVER, visit a breeder's kennel until I've already decided that I'm going to buy one (and not six!). I mean, who could resist? Then, Akitas are so totally handsome when they grow up. Truly a magnificent breed.

[+ deej]

RE: oh my!

 

>Rod's pictures, especially of the puppies, reminds me why I

>never, EVER, visit a breeder's kennel until I've already

>decided that I'm going to buy one (and not six!). I mean,

>who could resist?

 

I refer to the pet store across the street from me as the "danger zone". Both of my cats came from there, and I routinely go in to pick up cat food. It's MIGHTY difficult to leave without a new kitten when they have a new litter. I literally have to tell myself "no new kids, no new kids" on the way over. ;-)

[Guest DCeBOY]

RE: oh my!

 

yeah, i know. because i'm so short & skinny, everyone thinks i'm a BOB.