is an Akita a good outdoors dog?

[mT0XIK9m]

I have owned a pitbull for the past 6 years, allmost the perfect dog. sat when told to, if she heard a sound she would run to me, then i would say "who is it" even then she would only bark and stay still unless i said "go get em" then she would run to wherever the sound came from. the only problem i had with her was she licked everything that moved and that the general public hates her breed.

about 8 months ago she got a hold of the neighbors cat who came into my fenced in yard where the dog was at and the dog played with it until it died. of course i didnt see this happen, but thats what i had to tell the lady who came knocking on my door saying "i think your dog just mauled my cat!" so i had to give the dog up cuz of homeowners insurance and so now i think i am ready for a new dog.

i want a dog that has the same ability to be the perfect dog, but with a better reputation. something i can take to a dog park and not have people telling me my dog needs a leash or muzzle. obviously a doberman or Pitbull dont fit that criteria, but what about Akita's? not a lot of people recognize them as a man eating beast. but how are they around strangers? and are they better kept on a leash or will they run for freedom the second they are unhooked?

 

[AngieB]

Not a good choice. Akitas are good dogs in the right situation but they are one of the more difficult dogs to manage. People have bred them to be too protective and they are unpredictable around dogs and other animals. Try a lab if you are looking for a good outdoor dog. Nobody's insurance has a labrador clause as far as I know and they are great dogs. My first big dog was a yellow lab and he was loyal and dependable. I lived on a farm where there were barn cats, chickens, cows, horses and other farm animals. He was never kept on a chain and rarely confined to a fenced portion of our yard(when we would leave or whatever). I think you would be very happy with a Labrador Retreiver.

 

[DarylW]

Akitas can be loyal to a fault to their primary owner and/or terrible bullies to others. They were bear hunting dogs originally in the forests of Japan. Cat aggressive dogs can be in any breed. You have to train them to be cat indifferent. I'd suggest Golden retreivers maybe Labradors, heck, I love the Standard Poodle they are super smart, but really YOU need to train him that your neighbors cats are buddies not a prey species. My current GSD has an open season on crows, but will completely ignore ducks, geese and waterfowl. He's been trained.