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MixedBreed · 08-28-2007, 12:05 AM

He's beautiful!
I don't know much about Akitas particularly but I agree that you shouldn't make this decision based on breed bias. If anything you should be focusing on the fact that he is a rescue, and you don't know his background. Unfortunately it's kind of hard to judge a dog's temperament in a shelter situation. Our dog was placid and mellow in the shelter - until I put a leash on her and got her into the car.

I'd question other shelter workers, including the one who was trying to discourage you. Why does she think 'Zeus' is dog-aggressive? What have the others observed in his behaviour? Do they have any cats they can use to test his reaction? (I'm with Katz that taking your own cat down there would be counter-productive).

Kudos to you for wanting to rescue. Just make sure that you are prepared for some 'issues', not the least of which will be obedience. And keep in mind that rescues often take quite a while to settle into their new homes and let their full 'personality' shine. Problems that you have in the first month can literally disappear on their own, and new ones can crop up. As long as you're aware that you're in it for the long haul, and that it's a whole other ballgame from getting a puppy, I think you can ignore all the naysayers and make yourself and your new doggy very happy!

08-28-2007, 12:05 AM	#10
MixedBreed Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2007 Posts: 853 Rep: 37 Unique Rep: 13	He's beautiful! I don't know much about Akitas particularly but I agree that you shouldn't make this decision based on breed bias. If anything you should be focusing on the fact that he is a rescue, and you don't know his background. Unfortunately it's kind of hard to judge a dog's temperament in a shelter situation. Our dog was placid and mellow in the shelter - until I put a leash on her and got her into the car. I'd question other shelter workers, including the one who was trying to discourage you. Why does she think 'Zeus' is dog-aggressive? What have the others observed in his behaviour? Do they have any cats they can use to test his reaction? (I'm with Katz that taking your own cat down there would be counter-productive). Kudos to you for wanting to rescue. Just make sure that you are prepared for some 'issues', not the least of which will be obedience. And keep in mind that rescues often take quite a while to settle into their new homes and let their full 'personality' shine. Problems that you have in the first month can literally disappear on their own, and new ones can crop up. As long as you're aware that you're in it for the long haul, and that it's a whole other ballgame from getting a puppy, I think you can ignore all the naysayers and make yourself and your new doggy very happy! __________________ - I want to be the person my dog already thinks I am.