When you are looking at a cute bundle of fur the important facts about just who is offering this Akita pup for sale may escape you. Often the buyer takes the darling pup home only to find out later that the person who sold the pup is either unable or unwilling to help the buyer.

Come-ons like "A.K.C. Registered", "CH. Bloodlines", etc., in no way assure that you are getting a quality pup or that you are dealing with a reputable breeder. Big flashy ads in national magazines may be impressive, but what do you really know about the advertiser? 

Unethical breeders thrive because the average buyer is uninformed. Some buyers do less research on the purchase of a pup than they do on a new washing machine! Armed with knowledge, you can avoid being "taken in". Remember that "AKC registered" is not a guarantee of quality; it simply means that the pup is registered, and even the most poorly bred dogs have "CH. bloodlines".

You will need a breeder who is available to you for the many questions you will have on rearing your dog, feeding, basic obedience, housebreaking, etc. You'll need someone who knows what makes the Akita tick. If you are interested in showing/breeding, you need a breeder who will help you get started in training and entering shows.

It does not cost any more to buy from a good breeder, and in fact, the "bargain" Akita may end up costing more in problems than a show pup! Your best possible choice of a breeder is a "hobby breeder". Stress is placed on the word hobby. The dedicated hobby breeder views his dogs as a hobby from which he expects no profit. When an individual breeds dogs for enjoyment, with the AKC Standard as a goal rather than a profit motive, the end result is superior pups. Such a breeder feels responsible for each little pup and stands behind every dog he has bred. 

The ACA has a Breeder Referral List on this website. If you cannot find a breeder there, you might consult your Region Representative. 

You should have certain requirements from anyone you talk to in order to assure that you are making a wise purchase. 

* One requirement should be that the breeder belong to a local Akita Club, if possible, the Akita Club of America (ACA), an obedience club, or an all-breed club. 

Why? Through membership in one or all, the breeder is exposed to others who are also interested in Akitas, and dogs in general, and learns more about his breed, dog care, modern breeding practices, etc. 

* The second requirement is that the breeder be involved in showing his dog(s). At this point you may be asking "But I only want a pet! I'm not interested in showing so what difference could that make to me?" PLENTY! 

For one thing, showing dogs gives the breeder the same opportunity that belonging to a club does. It gives HIM a chance to share information and thoughts with others. Showing provides the competition that makes breeders want to produce better dogs. Breeders who do show are putting everything on the line; they are not depending on impressive pedigrees to carry them. They wish to show how good their dogs are in competition.

"Show people" are not necessarily jet setters or even very wealthy people. On average, they are just ordinary people who want to prove that the dogs they breed are worthy. Every dog that a breeder raises may not be worthy of being shown. In every litter there will be those pups which are strictly pet quality. However, a breeder who does not show his dogs has no idea how his dogs would fare in competition and deprives himself of the learning experience that showing provides. 

OK, so maybe you don't want a "show dog", but don't you want a pet that was the end result of a carefully planned litter, rather than the result of an accident or a litter bred for profit alone? Don't you want a pet that got the same care as the potential champions in the litter? 

The breeder who shows is known by others in the breed, he has a reputation to maintain. He is more likely to be careful and honest.

Before You Buy
Read the checklist of questions to ask the breeder and read the ACA or the Club's CODE OF ETHICS. It would behoove you to use these tools in questioning the breeders you contact. 

Squaw Peak Akita Club Member Breeders