Akitas are not suitable for bitesport or protection work. This is an independent thinking breed. They are also already aloof and wary with strangers by nature, much like LGD breeds; the Ovcharka, Kangal, etc. A good, solid protection dog is one that is comfortable in all settings and has a foolproof on and off switch. They’re stable. Suspicion shouldn’t be present unless handler directed. When it’s time to work it’s time to work & when it’s off time, it’s off. That’s what I adore about the American Bulldog. (Well bred ones anyhow) Akitas are known to not be the best distinguishers between threat and non threat. They don’t have that stability that better suited breeds have for THIS outlet. So it is a huge liability to teach your Akita that biting is acceptable in any circumstances, because they are independent thinking & when the guy in the big suit on the field turns into the lady in the puffy jacket at the park .. your dog may make that distinction on its own. This breed doesn’t have the genetic temperament for bitesport. Many bitesports and the training for them begin as a game. You utilize prey drive to begin teaching the dog. There is no game for the Akita. They work solely in defense drive & they are quick to be reactive when you start putting on pressure. Akitas are known for having a low threshold. This is where it can turn dangerous for a breed like the Akita. Now if you wanted a dog that was civil and will bite nasty and didn’t need your dog to be stable and collected in settings off the field, you *could* do it. I don’t want a dog I have to keep caged like a tiger until they come out to do bitework. Yes, the Akita will bite and they can be seriously nasty doing it, but once you start teaching that, you no longer have a dog who is versatile off field. Many trainers will argue that this lack of discretion and versatility off field is lack of training, but I'd challenge their experience actually working with primitive, independent breeds day to day. & With the Akita breed, it already takes extensive socialization and training to have them as comfortable in social settings as we want them as is. Bitework is one of those sports that truly takes the right genetics, the right dog, and the right mindset & respect from the handler and trainer going into it. When we are literally training an animal to bite a human, there has to be control and stability 110% of the time. A dog who is clear headed and biddable in every circumstance. Akitas don’t fit that bill.
