Many people depend on their Akitas for personal protection.
Until very recently, I had both German Shepherds and Akitas,
and I have found many differences in how they respond to
strangers in the house and outside the yard. First, the
Shepherds (and the other guard-type dogs, such as Rottweilers
and Dobermans) are much better area guards, especially
if the owner is in a situation where he needs or wants
outsiders to be aware that dogs are on the premises. Why?
The other breeds bark more. Like the old joke, that's the
good and the bad news.
I love being able to have dogs without offending my neighbors. All twelve of
my dogs bark less than the one dog that lives next door. For eleven years, two
joggers came past our house every morning, and for eleven years, my German Shepherd
barked at them while the Akitas just watched, a much more sensible response.
However, now that I have only Akitas, our yardmen have
no trouble coming in the backyard so long as my children
are not outside. The Shepherds wouldn't let anyone inside
the fence, no matter how many times a week they showed
up. We have back-door garbage pickup, which means the garbage
men have to come inside the gates. Some of my Akitas will
allow them in and station themselves in front of the door,
watching. Of course, the Shepherds wouldn't let them in
at all.
Do I think anyone could harm my daughters with an Akita
present? Definitely not! They are less concerned with me
and even less with my husband, probably because we are
the dominant people. Maybe they figure we can look out
for ourselves most of the time. I'm fairly confident that
their attitude would change if they sensed we were frightened
or suspicious ourselves.
Guarding is a primary duty of the European guard dogs
commonly seen in Schutzhund work--Rottweilers, Shepherds,
and Bouviers. The Akita's basic temperament, shaped for
different purposes, gives it a different approach to life.
Protectiveness is definitely there but takes a backseat
to other facets of the dog's personality.
If our Akita's bark in the night, we know they have a
good reason. They know people don't skulk around after
dark. On the other hand, if Akitas were great protection
dogs, they'd be working in police departments everywhere,
and some of us would be in Schutzhund trials. I remember
an interview with a policeman who trained his Akita for
K-9 work. He said the dog was a good worker but not a breed
he would select again for that particular job.
