If you have read thoroughly through this website and dozens/hundreds/millions of others and have decided to add a Japanese Akita to your home then you would understand what an amazing step and commitment you are about to make.

 

The last thing any one who loves this breed wants is to support an unethical and careless breeder and so here are some of my tips of questions to ask of your breeder and others while you are in the search for your beloved new companion.

 

What are the parents temperaments like?

This is one of the first and foremost questions that you need to ask, sayings like "like Father like Daughter" exist for a reason: puppies are likely to take after one parent or another in terms of their temparaments and you need to know whether one or either of the parent dogs would fit into your lifestyle.

Our Akita's are the same in some ways and very different in others so its important to have this chat with the breeders you talk to so that you both understand exactly what you need from your new family member.

 

Some breeders may not be totally upfront about things like aggression - they should be, but they may not be.

you will need to use your judgement to try and ascertain if they are trying to dodge a question or whether they are being totally upfront and honest - good luck!

 

Can I meet the Parents?

This is a tricky one as the sire may not always be available to meet, especially when there are currently very few stud dogs in Australia. At the very least you should be able to meet the bitch and (when the time comes) see where the puppies have been whelped and raised.

Also remember that Akita's are aloof - if you meet one in person and it's not jumping at the chance for a cuddle: Thats how they are supposed to be and its a good thing!!

 

What Health tests have been conducted on the parents?

The bare minimum for health testing in Akita's is a Hip score done when the dog is 18 Months - 2 Years of Age.

A hip score in Australia comes in the form of a number such as '1:2 total - 3'

This may not mean much to the average person but basically the lower the numbers the better. 

A perfect hip score is 0 and from what we have seen the breed average internationally is somewhere around 10 (eg. 5:5).

That being said, from what we have seen of the records in Australia the Average is a little lower than that which is good!

 

Other than Hip Scoring, some breeders also conduct Thyroid Blood Panels, DNA testing and Annual eye certificates to make sure their lines are clear from any known conditions.

 

Have there been health problems in previous puppies from this Dam/Sire?

This is a loaded question and another one that may not get you a fully honest answer so we suggest talking to a range of people and breeders before comitting. There have already been some problems in the Australian lines in terms of Auto Immune disorders and hip dysplasia so please be careful. You can never guarantee that you are going to avoid these problems when buying a puppy from any breeder, It can happen in any line BUT you can screen your breeder to make sure they are doing everything they can to avoid these problems.

 

What ongoing support do you offer as a breeder?

Does your breeder want to know if you have problems with training, temperament or health? what is your breeders procedure if something serious medically or otherwise crops up in the dog? Will your breeder rehome a puppy if there is ever a reason why you cant keep him/her? Do they have a contract and what terms are involved?

 

Can you provide me references?

Many breeders ask you for references and its only fair that you do the same. I would be asking for references from canine professionals being vets or other breeders. As with any reference, they are likely to be reasonably friendly with the breeder so take the information you are given with a grain of salt and try and source some other references of your own if possible.

 

What are you trying to Achieve with this litter?

This is a big bug-bear of mine at the moment and something that is often overlooked when defining an "Ethical Breeder"

Every single breed has a 'Breed Standard' which is a BluePrint for the 'Perfect' Dog. This dog doesnt exist!! but it is the Benchmark that all good breeders spend their lives trying to achieve.

If you are buying a pet you may not really care about this, but it is a sure way to weed out someone who genuinely cares for their breed against someone who just cares about the money they can make from breeding.

I can tell you the Faults and Strengths of all of my dogs, each and every breeding that takes place is taking these into consideration so that dogs with the same faults are never bred together, with the goal to produce puppies that are of superior quality to the generation before.

 

Finally, be prepared to wait...

Most breeders dont have more than 1 or 2 litters a year, and sometimes even less. You have to understand that the research and cost involved in bringing in quality lines for a breeding program is extensive and we are always taking new enquiries for puppies, which means waiting lists can be hefty.

 

All we ask is PLEASE be patient and support those who are doing the right things to preserve and promote a healthy Japanese Akita population in Australia.

 

I hope this information is of some help for you going forward, either with us or any other breeder in Australia