Akita breed often placid but can become ‘turbulent’

The recent attack by an Akita dog on a small child in Limerick follows a similar attack in Sligo just over a year ago.

In February last year a boy aged five suffered several injuries to his head after being attacked by an Akita dog. He was treated at Sligo Regional Hospital after being rescued by students.

Sligo County Council dog warden Anthony McDaniel said Akita dogs may look a little like a teddy bear. He said the dogs can seem placid but could suddenly become “turbulent”.

Mr McDaniel said that had the students not intervened, the young boy could have suffered more serious injuries.

Last June an out-of-control Akita savagely attacked a woman in Carlow. She was walking home when the dog attacked her. It took surgeons four hours to repair her injured arm.

The dog was then in the care of the DSPCA when it savaged another dog, a Rottweiler, which was also being exercised at the time. In the course of this attack, the Akita bit the finger off the Rottweiler’s handler.

In all cases the dogs were put down.

Akita dog breeder Maria Weafer said the dogs were usually family-friendly.

She and her husband Ray have seven American Akita at their show and breeding kennel in Kildare. “People come into my house and the dogs’ tails are wagging and they just want to give them a lick,” she said.

“They might jump up to greet you but my dogs do not behave badly.”

Ms Weafer said the Akita could be quite protective.

“The Akita is a good dog to have with the family, but maybe not with a young family, simply because of their size,” she said.

She said the dogs were usually docile, aloof and calm in new situations and, as a breed, should be good with children.

According to Peter Banks of www.irishdogs.ie, Akita dogs might not accept children from outside their family.

The male stands 26” to 28” at the highest point of its shoulders, while the female is slightly smaller. Its weight varies between 75lb and 115lb and males are slightly heavier.

The Akita comes from the mountains of northern Japan and used to be owned by the Shoguns. It was bred to guard, herd, fight and hunt. The Japanese government designated the dog a national treasure in 1933.

The American Kennel Club regards both the Japanese Akita and the American Akita as a single breed. While the Akita is smart and will learn quickly, the dogs need firm training and it is recommended that they be obedience trained.