KumaAkita

glad she is home.

While there are variations on the Akita coat that I am not fond of (brindle markings or long haired), but if the dog was fromt he right lines and had the right temperament for me I'd still take it.

Nice pics Newfsie, and love the vid Corvus! Kuma doesn't climb. No sirreee. We have to lift him in the car... he's that lazy!

Oh honey. Sounds like Mindy is in the best place to get the best possible care. I really hope she pulls through. Come on Mindy!! You can do it! Aussielover - take care of yourself.

Poor you! Hope Mindy comes through this ok.

We've recently upgraded our brush and comb from a cheap crappy Big W jobby to a delux greyhound brush and comb set. OMG I'm in love. They are sooo much nicer and much better to hold. Soooo... how do you keep 'em clean and increase longevity?

Don't let the availability be the barrier for your choices. The right dog will come along, and if that means you have to wait... then so be it. This isn't an impulse, it's a life-time committment and you want to make sure you get it right. We had to wait 9 years to get our boy, many reasons really (living in an apartment, renting, moving regularly) but once the timing was right for us, it still took us quite a while to get the right dog. In the end, it's about what you want... a dog, or the Right Dog. Also - many interstate breeders will fly a dog just about anywhere in Australia for the right owner. I'll leave the more experienced to suggest breeds (I'm infatuated with my own and it's way too big for your needs) ETA - just saw your post? Why no flying of dog? It is done regularly and with great care. The airlines are well set up for this type of freight.

Kuma isn't fond of alfoil, especially when pulling it off the roll. Oh, and he is really not a fan of metal man hole covers. He won't walk on them, will always walk around them... We have tried desensitizing him to the alfoil, and he is getting better I.e. He won't run out of the room when we pull the alfoil out of the draw! Man hole covers, well... I think it stems from walking on them in a bitter frost a few mornings in a row so now he decides that his tootsies need not be frozen! I am not making a fuss about it and will only worry if he won't walk around them without difficulty.

Akita: Kyojin, Kuma American Staffordshire Terrier: Tua, Max, Juno Australian Shepherd: Banjo, Archie Australian terrier: Bailey, Brandy, Jasper Australian Kelpie: Revan, Abby, Bluey, Cahill, Franky, Izzy, Spfyre, Milky Bearded Collie: Charlie, Bonnie, Bailie Belgian Shepherd (Groenendael): Fleming, Ivy Border Collie: Roy, Molly Borzoi: Oberon Boxer: Bruno, Nelsson Bull Terrier: Bonnerville Cane Corso: Ali Cavalier King Charles Spaniel: Bree, Ingrid, Jersey, Lacey, Fern, Floyd, Indy, Arnie Chihuahua: Chelsea and Pansy, Heidi, Bertie, Moose, Archi,Pepe, Cocker Spaniel : Maggie Dally: Appollo Dogue De Bordeaux: Moose & Chevy English Setter: Spartan, James Finnish Lapphund: Halo, Vienna, Jaana,Magnus,Aurora-Rose,Niina,Paddington,Maximus, Ahsoka, Fable, Demi French Bulldog: Lola, FeeBee German Coolie: FlashBazil, Latte German Shepherd: Java, Odin, Tlaloc, Rebus German Shorthaired Pointer: Pip, Coco, Polo Golden Retriever: Onslow, Matilda-Rose, Chester, Genie, Ella, Rosie Great Dane: Sparkles, Whitney Greyhound: Harry, Kiff, Sally Griffon Bruxellois: Mocha Hungarian Vizsla: Flynn, Rogan Japanese Spitz: Emmy Keeshond: Jedi Labrador Retriever: Lestat, Bailey, Tia, Mieka, James Miniature Long Haired Dachshund: Mini, Rover Newfoundland dogs: Annabelle, Katy, Lukey Norwegian Elkhound: Odin Papillon: Blaze, Minka, Portia, Tyson, Coco, Tonka Pointer : Kite Audrey Poppin konrad, Badger Poodle (Toy): Chilli Pug: Lotus Rhodesian Ridgeback: Meisha, Bakari, Boss Rottweiler: Roxy, Feonix, Radar, Neo, Abby Samoyed: Mistral, Alchemy, Yngvie, Dante, Bundy, Kamikaze, Fergus, Kato Schnauzer (minature): Coconut,Betty,Jigga Siberian Husky: Akira, Tikaani,Romeo,Baby.Riddick,Indie, Esky Staffordshire Bull Terrier: Kiara, Zola, Diesel SWF: Zoe Rescue Bitsa: Keely, Fred & Ginger, Ozzie, Tess, Maverick, Bosco, Kyah, Charlie, Astrid, Mala, Bella White German Shepherd: Casper White Swiss Shepherd: Rakim, Whippet: Herbie, Buzz Weimaraner: Ariane, Lulu, Louie West Highland White Terrier: Penny, Mac, Daisy

Send an email to Hills and ask?

We have recently switched to Holistic Select. Kuma loves it, is eating soooo well on it and is looking good. We bought it from our local PetStock. Kuma used to be fussy on Advance, and due to some skin issues we have moved to the grain free food. We are happy, he is happy!

SmartyPaws - I'll do the Robert Ullrey podcasts. Great that your Husky can do it! I am certain Kuma will love it... we just need to work up to it slowly, don't want to put stress on his joints.

ah, well everyone told us not to get an Akita. They're child killers, dontcha know?? Sure, Kuma is a stubborn so and so, and training him is a challenge. We are doing just fine, thanks very much. The traits that drew us to the breed are what make him difficult to train. He is independent and aloof - great when he's an only dog and spends much of his time in the yard when we are at work, but also not so great when you want him to work in a structured obedience class. We just have to be more creative to make it work for us. I would have another Akita in a heartbeat.

Or you can borrow Akira - she'll drag you the whole way too though. Yeah, thanks girls! That won't increase Kuma's fitness now, will it?? :D Thanks for the other replies. Looks like I will be downloading the podcasts tonight and we can start in the morning. Wonder if they factor in poo stops?

I used to run every day, but haven't done so since Kuma came along and I had a few niggling injuries. I'm thinking I'd like to start back running and I'd like to take Kuma with me. Not sure if he's still too young... Kuma is nearly 21 months old and has grown to his full height. The only growing he has left to do is to fill out a bit, he's about 47Kg and we anticipate probably another 5Kg or so over the next 6 months. We keep him quite light, and quite fit. We have tried to grow him slowly so as to avoid joint problems. We currently do a fast paced walk every morning, either the short loop at 25 mins or the long loop at 45 mins - which loop we do depends on how cold it is and how much time I have (some mornings, he chooses to do the short loop tho!! ;) ) Every now and then I have been doing about a 500m run with him - mainly to refocus him after an encouter with one of his doggy friends we see most mornings. He loves it. His ears go back, tongue out, trotting along like a streamlined sprinter. I wouldn't just jump in and start doing marathon distances, I think I'd cark it! I would do the Couch to 5Km podcasts, which builds up the runner's distances through interval training. Kuma would mostly run on the grass beside the footpath - he prefers walking on that than the concrete, I would remain on the footpath coz I'd go A over T if I walked on the slippery grass! Feedback? Thoughts?

Oh P-F, I'm so sorry for your loss. She sounds like such a beautiful girl and I'm thankful her final months with you were so happy. Run Free Mushi

Dog Park Adventures: Dog Park Adventures by shibburd, on Flickr

Happy Birthday Hoover!!! (and Mr Koalathebear...)

I've used Yass Pets for Kuma - he was there for 2.5 weeks. They are fantastic, very switched on in regards to different types of dogs and behavioural quirks. Kuma came back well fed and happy, apparently he was a bit whingy for the first day or so, then just had a blast playing in the play paddock and interacting with other dogs. We were really, really impressed. We went there on recommendations from two colleagues of mine who own/ed Wei, Dally, Lab, Bull Arab - they'd all had the same experience. What impressed me most was that they weren't freaked out by the Akita stigma, they asked us all sorts of questions about his personality and play style etc, plus told us that they would only socialise him with certain dogs, etc. Didn't make an assumption at all.

Oh Gayle, that is so sad. I am so sorry for the loss of Benson. Run free, buddy.

Happy Birthday beautiful boy. You sure don't look impressed with that birthday hat you're wearing!

I had to look hard for a minute to find him!

Hi All, Kuma here. Don't youse all just do what I do in winter and grow an extra thick coat? Mum doesn't really like it when it starts to get warm and I let my winter coat fall out, but hey... I'm toasty in winter and that's all that matters, right?? I love the cold and take every opportunity to pee on the frosty grass, trees, light poles, you name it - I'll pee on it! I'm with Akira, Halo and the Skyforger crew, bring it on!

I'm going to go out on a limb and say Akita puppies: