I was wondering the range of weight for a PB Akita. I have a female Shep/Akita mix weighing in at 115 lbs! Also, there is a female Great Dane down the street who makes her look like a peanut! Very pretty Dane, but I hear they don't do well with kids. Is this true/false? My kids are 11 & 15.
Skye.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Akita_Inu#Health

Akita Inu Quick Facts
Weight: 35-50 kg 75-120 lbs
Height: 61-71 cm 24-28 inches
Coat: Coarse, straight
Coat (cont): soft undercoat
Activity level: Low
Learning rate: High
Temperament: Active, independent
Temperament (cont) Males more dignified and bold than females
Guard dog ability: High
Watch-dog ability: Very high
Litter size: 5-7
Life span: 9-11 years


Also:

As far as the family children are concerned, there are few worries. Akitas are devoted, patient friends and protectors of children. Akitas are typically very gentle with children, and it is said that Japanese mothers often left their children with only the Akitas to watch over and protect them. Remember, however, that young children should never be left unattended with a pet. And while an Akita may love "his" children, he will not necessarily love their friends, especially when they run around the yard and scream. When raised indoors with children, they can be excellent companions.

Left unattended in the backyard or in a kennel, they tend to develop "personality" problems and become very destructive to the yard, which is due to boredom. They are highly pack oriented, thus, isolating them from the pack (i.e., the owner) causes them great stress.

Sounds JUST like mine!!!! She is HUGE, but would NEVER, EVER, hurt my kids!!! She is a gentle giant who does a lot of BS'ing to make others think she is a tough one! LOL Imagine her weight if she were a male!!!
Skye.

http://www.philly.com/philly/health_and_science/2007070...NA_______tested.html

Check this out! Pretty cool!!! I will do this when available!!!

Skye.

Leppi, that really was some great info on the Akita! TY. Independent on the temperament, i don't really agree on, as far as my dog is concerned! She has to be right in there with everything going on, and showing off her tricks she knows to get treats! But, all in all, it describes her to a "T"! She surely doesn't like the kids running and screaming in "HER" yard, after "HER" kids!! She get's VERY annoyed by this, and has, in fact, broken a leather leash, with me behind it! She nipped the nieghbors kid (they were playing football, and running and chasing!) I think she wanted the ball tho, cause once we told him to drop the ball, she ran off down the alley! He got a little nip on the butt was ALL! He was lucky, cause she sure could've done more, had she wanted to!
Skye.

Glad I could help......

If your looking for more information here are some sites that might help you out.

The American Kennel Club page on the builld of Akitas

Dog Owner's Guide

Dog Breed Info

Here is a quote from the above site I think you may like.

quote:

The Akita today is a unique combination of dignity, courage, alertness, and devotion to its family. It is extraordinarily affectionate and loyal with family and friends, territorial about its property, and aloof with strangers. It is feline in its actions; it is not unusual for an Akita to clean its face after eating, to preen its kennel mate, and to be fastidious in the house.

That is a great thought, and very true!!! Who says you can't have the best of both- the Japenese and the German bred!!! Any mixed breed is great tho! I got her from the local pound, and I whole-heartedly encourage it to anyone looking for a great dog to love you!!Thanks again, Leppi!!
Skye.