About

This site is dedicated to my akita, Dustytrail:

In June 1995, I purchased an Akita puppy just eight weeks old. I looked for a while until I found this purebred puppy among a litter of brothers and sisters waiting to be taken home by some loving family.

 

It didn't take long for her to adapt to her surroundings, frolicking in the house and trying to hide in the grass outside. Because she seemed like my kid to me, I gave her the name George's Dusty Trail. Akitas live 10-12 years with good care and nutrition. Akitas are talkers; they may grunt and mumble to entertain you and others. This should not be confused with growling.

 

Her favorite spot was and is lying in front of the kitchen bay window, spying out into her domain watching for birds and rabbits (which she later would chase out of the yard!). Akitas may consider small animals as cats, rodents, birds, small wildlife and small dogs as prey and hunt them. One day I came home to find a full-grown groundhog belly-up in my Akita's pen. Poor groundhog wandered into the wrong domain! She is somewhat spoiled . . . surprise, surprise. When temperatures reach near 80 or 90 degrees outside, she will beat you to the door to get inside for the air conditioning.

 

At four months old, she still could not jump up on the deck without a little help! The Akita is known for its bear-like appearance. Originally from Japan, the Akita was used for bear hunting and as a guard dog. They are dignified, docile, affectionate, but courageous and somewhat stubborn. Aktias have been used to drive large game (bears, deer and wild boar), retrieve waterfowl, and drive fish into the nets for fisherman. Helen Keller brought the first Akitas to the United States.

 

When the first winter arrived at six months old, she had her first taste of snow. Akitas have two coats of fur, their undercoat is dense providing a perfectly warm "winter coat" for frolicking in the outdoors. Akitas do not bark without good reason--so when they are barking, pay attention! Akitas can live peacefully with another Akita of the opposite sex, but some prefer being the only dog!

 

A small cable was barely strong enough to hold her as she grows up. Akitas require daily attention and may become aggressive with other pets or dogs because of their instinctive prey drive, so they should not be permitted to run free or roam the neighborhood at will. They are also territorially suspicious. When full grown, Akitas can reach from 75 to 120 pounds in weight and 24 to 28 inches in height. They are highly

intelligent and have a high activity level.

 

Her favorite place is in the house with me. . . . and 85 pounds of pure muscle stands one great companion and protector. An Akita in the home is considered to be a symbol of good health, prosperity, and good fortune. This breed is known for its great companionship and as a protector of its domain and home, but you also must have room in your heart and home because they need a lot of love! She is my KID

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Dusty: laid to rest on January 5, 2008 Born on June 17, 2005 She will live forever in my heart.