🐶 Akita
Temperament
Dignified, loyal, courageous, reserved. Akitas are devoted to family but suspicious of strangers and often aggressive towards same-sex dogs. They're notoriously difficult to socialise with other pets.
Exercise
60+ minutes of daily exercise. Recall is unreliable — keep on lead.
Grooming
Heavy double coat. Brush 2–3× weekly, daily during the two huge annual coat blows.
Health
Hip / elbow dysplasia. Hypothyroidism. Autoimmune disorders (sebaceous adenitis, VKH). Bloat / GDV. Eye conditions.
Full Akita profile →
🐕🦺 German Shepherd
Temperament
Intelligent, confident, courageous. GSDs are aloof with strangers (not aggressive, just reserved) and intensely bonded to their family. They need clear leadership and consistent training from puppyhood — without it, their natural watchfulness can tip into reactivity.
Exercise
A solid 90–120 minutes of daily exercise plus mental work. They thrive on jobs: obedience, scent work, agility, schutzhund, herding. A bored Shepherd will redecorate your house. Puppies must avoid forced exercise and stairs to protect developing hips.
Grooming
Double coat sheds constantly (the breed is sometimes called "German Shedder"). Brush 3–4× weekly with a deshedder, daily during seasonal moults. Bathe every 6–8 weeks. Avoid clipping the coat — it functions as climate control year-round.
Health
Hip and elbow dysplasia (the breed is genetically predisposed; always check OFA / BVA scores of parents). Degenerative myelopathy (DNA test available). Bloat / GDV — feed twice daily, slow feeders, limit exercise around meals. Pancreatic insufficiency in some lines.
Full German Shepherd profile →
