Before you look for your Akita pup/Adult PLEASE research the breed properly. Find out how to train them, how to feed them, how to look after them when they get sick, what ailments do they suffer from, is there an Akita rescue, what sort of Akita do you like the look off?
When and ONLY when, you have done those things ring the Akita Association and ask for a list of breeders or some names and telephone numbers.
NEVER buy an Akita from a free ad or news paper without fully investigating where the dog has come from and what its background and family tree is like.
If a Breeder has NEVER produced a problem they are either lying, don't care or they are just breeding for pet quality pups. You will on the odd occasion get some one who is breeding for the 1st time and has done everything properly but ask LOTS of questions.
That's fine if they only make pets but what about all the Akitas in rescue ? They are perfectly good pets too!
There are LOTS of fancy web sites out there with pretty pictures and Champion this and Champion that in the pedigree.......... Has that breeder ever bred a Champion? shown a dog to it's Champion Title? won CC's or Res CC's? have a stud book number on their dog or Bitch? , Do they Judge?
If the answer is no.......... then the likely hood is they are breeding only for PROFIT!
Don't be fooled by those that tell you , "he/she is qualified for Crufts. BIG DEAL!
Is that dog Consistently winning their class at Championship shows?
To qualify for Crufts you only need 1st, 2nd or 3rd place and if there is only 3 in the class and the Judge decides not to withhold the 3rd place, a 3 legged Donkey could qualify !!
BUYER BEWARE!!
Questions to ask:
- Do you own the mum and or dad?
- Have they been hip scored and eye checked?
- Are they shown CONSISTENTLY at General Championship dog shows?
- Can I meet Mum ? and possibly Dad?
- Can I choose my own pup? (within reason)
- Does the puppy come with a contract?
- Have you ever bred a fault?
- Are you intending to keep a puppy from this litter?
- Are the dogs registration papers endorsed?
If they answer No to any of these....... move on to another breeder!
- Has Mum or Dad ever had corrective surgery?
- Have you bred more than 2 litters this year? (from different females)
- If I buy a pet quality puppy from you can I breed it later?
- Can I use your stud dog on my unregistered bitch?
If they answer YES to these question, LOOK ELSE WHERE!
Always make sure your breeder can take the puppy / dog back at any stage if you cannot keep your Akita.
Always make sure the puppy is CLEAN,
clean ears, eyes, bottom and coat are VERY important.
Mum should be clean too. Puppies should be wormed every 2 week from the age of 2 weeks old up until 12 weeks of age.
All breeders should ask you to sign a contract. (not just , I agree to pay the sum of..............)
If you don't think that breeder will be on the end of the phone day or night to answer your questions or help you with your Akita,
LOOK ELSEWHERE!
If you have any questions, please call or email me. I'm always happy to help you look for the right dog.
Andi