hi ppl, im seeking some info. i own a 14 month old female spayed akita, shes great with other dogs, however for the dogs we encounter on our walks that bark or growl at her she wont back down. i have never owned 2 dogs, my last dog was a dachsund cross that lived to the ripe old age of 15 before we had to put him to sleep. im considering getting another akita pup, a male, have you any tips on owning 2 dogs and the pros and cons associated. any tips, hints would be greatly appreciated

1 dog and 1 bitch shouldnt in theory have any agression issues towards each other as long as bought from a reputable breeder who breeds for temperament and you are sensible in their socialisation and upbringing.

If going to have any agressive tendancies, the males in general will usually only have issues with other similar sized/aged males. There is no guarentees with anything as even within 1 breed temperaments and traits can be very different.

Going from a 1dog house to a 2 dog household can make the whole place feel a lot busier as they are likely to get in the way more chasing each other about and playing with each other.

Although your bitch is spayed you may still find once your new boy is old enough he may still find her more interesting at certain times of the year and follow her round like a lost lamb :)

i intend to get him neuteured, would this stop him from following her lol

I wouldn't say it would stop him from following her, my mom has a black lab who is neutured and he still mounts the females.  Their urges are still there even if you have them castrated, its in their nature.  I have a male and two bitches, and they all live in the house with no problems at all, i think it all boils down to the nature of your dog/s.  Good luck.

I have a 8yr old gsd male (castrated at 12m) then got my now 3yrs old gsd bitch (spayed at 18m) now we have a 9 month old rotty bitch (from 7 weeks) who will be spayed after her second season approx 18/24m.  We have a totally harmonious household, no following or pestering from any of them. When my gsd bitch was in season, she was very flirty with my male, offering herself to him and backing up him but he just walked away, not interested in her atall. Hopefully when my rotty girl has her seasons, things will stay the same.

Just wanted to ask something from which you have written. How do you cope with a dog which doesn't back down when another dog barks or growls at her? In what way does she respond?
Just wondered as by adding another dog of the same breed which i have been told has similar tendencies and therefore that much stronger being male if this would be an issue at all?

They are a stunning breed which i admire..

this all sounds good, what about feeding times, separate water bowls, sleepin quarters, jealousy issues?

i always have her on the lead when im walking her, i was told by top breeders never to allow an akita of lead simply because they will wander off. she is always pleasant to all dogs we encounter unless the dog rears up and goes for her, thats when she wont back down. however she has fantastic temperament. when she growls back i simply walk her on and she quickly loses interest. shes a little fonder of males we encounter on our walks and wants to play with them all. like i say she only responds to dogs which rear up bark and growl at her she simply growls back but i walk her on. im hoping that if i did get a male they would both live harmoniously

> i intend to get him neuteured,

I would advise not doing this too young, and only if you have to.  Many reasons, but mostly health.  While it's beneficial to a bitch (healthwise) to be spayed, it is not always the case for males and neutering.

As to him trying to mate her - I had a visitor at the weekend, she breeds Dachshunds.  And told me that one of her males - long castrated - still mates and ties with one of her girls.  :-)

Just one thing I will say (after owning Akita's) is that your girl is just a baby.  If she is showing signs of not backing down at 14 months this will get stronger as she gets older.  Akita's generally do not back down if they are challenged.  You do the right thing though by walking her away and distracting her so she settles.

I would definitely go for a male with whatever breed you decide to get.  It is quite likely that if you got a bitch all will be well until she matures and then you would most likely have to seperate them.

My Akita is very food possessive (not with people, just other animals) so she eats seperately.  She happily shares water bowls and toys etc.  My girl does like her own bed and space without being bothered - she is now 5 so she has her own area to sleep at night and during the day when i'm out.

You should be fine introducing a male pup to her but I would do this once she has matured a little more - around 2 years old.

good advice staff, i intend waiting til she is 2 years old. she is also food possesive with other animals however when shes eating i could put my hand in the bowl or take it of her no problem. thanks for all the advice