The Chow Chow is an ancient oriental breed with a very distinctive temperament. There are several characteristics of the Chow that are unique to the breed, and which makes them unsuitable for certain types of owners. Their temperament has often been called cat-like, in that they are aloof and independent. That said, many are incredibly dominant in nature and will take advantage in a poorly managed household. They can be untrusting with strangers unless their owner lets them know it’s ok – even so, strangers need to be polite and gentle. They don’t take well to teasing of any kind.

Above all, socialization is extremely important for this breed. Aggression is not the norm in a well-socialized (and well-bred) Chow, but an undersocialized (or poorly bred) Chow has an easier potential to become aggressive. The breed has gotten a bad rap – and indeed, there are many aggressive individuals out there. This is why it is so important to do a lot of research before buying a puppy to make sure it comes from lines bred for good temperament! But this is not enough! Any Chow that misses out on the critical socialization period runs the high risk of becoming very shy or aggressive. If deciding on a Chow for your next dog… make sure to ask yourself if you are ready to dedicate this necessary time.

This breed can be raised with children but – as mentioned above, does not take well to teasing. As such, they are normally better with older kids that are well-behaved. It is also imperative that the Chows are raised, since puppyhood, around kids. As with all breeds, supervision is required.

Like a cat, this breed is often silent and unassuming in the house. He is not the type of dog that gets all wiggly and jumpy when his owner gets home. Instead, he holds a quiet devotion for his owner – dignified and cat-like. While receiving hugs isn’t his favorite thing, he will put up with it. To further his more feline features, the Chow is very clean and has little odor. He prefers not to get his feet wet or go outside in the rain. Housebreaking is often an easy ordeal. Finally, he is well suited to apartment life and doesn’t require a ton of exercise.

Chows are extremely intelligent but also extremely stubborn. Many are willful and may try to derail their training sessions. This requires an owner that is patient and even more willful than their dog! When owners are able to push past their stubborn streaks, they often find that the Chow Chow indeed can be trained! Putting an obedience title on the dog is a worthwhile endeavor, but even just basic obedience is an absolute must with this breed. Good boundaries, rules and obedience are necessary to curtail this breed from taking over the household. It should also be stated that, unless they are very highly trained in off-leash obedience, a Chow should always stay on-leash.

One of the major historical uses of the Chow was to guard temples in China. As such, they have excellent protective instincts! Although normally quiet, they will bark when necessary – such as when a stranger comes near the house. Their lion-like appearance is often enough of a deterrent to keep away intruders, but their serious demeanour and heavy bark often seals the deal. Another historical use of the breed was hunting, so the breed does have a high prey drive. Cats are often considered fair game, especially if outside. Some Chows (especially when in packs) have been known to kill livestock, which means they might not make the best ranch dogs.

With other dogs, some Chows have issues with same-sex aggression. In opposite-sex pairs (or when one of the dogs is altered) the Chow will typically tend to ignore them. That said – if the other dog starts a fight, the Chow will most certainly fight back tooth-and-nail! Unfortunately, this breed has a long memory and can become dog-aggressive after a fight. Some develop breed-specific stereotypes and will only go after dogs that resemble the instigator, while others will act aggressively toward any dog. This problem can be worked through using behavior modification.

The thick coat of the Chow Chow makes him vulnerable to the heat, so care must be taken when he is outside in hot days. For obvious reasons, black dogs are even more vulnerable. It is important to adjust the timing of walks and outside excursions to mornings or evenings – particularly in the summers here in Austin! These things said, resist the urge to shave down a Chow! This breed uses his double coat as insulation against both cold AND heat. Shaving the coat will lead to all sorts of skin and hair issues, and will do little else than make the dog more prone to getting a sunburn.

Photo CC BY-SA 3.0

The Akita is one of the largest and most powerful spitz breeds in existence today. With a temperament most often leaning towards natural dominance, they are not recommended for first-time dog owners. This breed is brave, independent and can be hard-headed but for experienced owners who know what they are doing, the Akita can be a companion like no other. Owners of these Japanese dogs like to say that under that harsh exterior is a loyal… occasionally silly, dog! Although independent, they do enjoy living inside with their families – this is not an outside-only dog!

Akitas are fairly athletic, making exercise an important task for owners. This said, the breed does not possess the “non-stop activity level” that certain other breeds have. Rather, Akitas have a medium energy level and medium requirement for exercise. In the house, they are generally calm.

They are a fairly quiet breed and do not tend to bark excessively, but they will protect your home – often stealthily. It is important to note that Akitas are very territorial and protective. They are not a watch dog… they are a natural guard dog. Some families acquire an Akita without realizing this fact, and then begin to realize that their dog is showing aggression towards friends and family who visit their house. This oftentimes results in the dog being dumped in the shelter or at a rescue organization.  It is so important to realize that this breed must be socialized very extensively as young puppies, as well as receive structure and obedience training throughout their lives, so that they can differentiate “friend from foe”. As adults, well-socialized Akitas are often reserved around strangers but this is normal. Aggression is not.

As related to above, it should be noted that some home insurance companies will not cover you if own certain breeds. Furthermore, Breed Specific Legislation in certain areas of the country outright ban particular breeds of dogs. Akitas are sometimes on these lists. This does not make it right… but it is the law and worth looking into if you are thinking about adding an Akita to your family.

There are many Akitas competing across the country in all manner of dog performance events, so this breed is certainly trainable! However, training may be easy or hard depending on the dog’s individual personality and the trainer’s knowledge and skill. Some  are easily motivated while others may seem to have no motivation for work. Stubbornness is a common trait. Most do not respond well to harsh training tactics nor – the other end of the spectrum – training that is too “soft”. The trainer must find the correct balance of “firm, yet fair” for each individual dog while also using the right motivation. To further complicate things… many Akitas get bored easily if the training becomes too repetitive! Nonetheless, training is absolutely vital in this breed. Many tend to be naturally dominant – some will go so far as to take direct eye contact as a challenge – so obedience training must be implemented early on and carried out consistently throughout the dog’s life!

When it comes to personality around their owners, some Akitas hate cuddling and are generally aloof. Others are more needy and can’t get enough rubs, scratches and attention. Fanciers of the breed like to say that each Akita comes with its very own unique personality! If you are looking for a specific temperament in your new puppy it is best to meet relatives of various litters in order to narrow your search down and find what you are looking for. With children, this breed absolutely must be raised with them if they are going to live with them. Some will tolerate kids from their own family but not from others. They are also not a breed that takes kindly to teasing of any kind, which children are sometimes apt to do. Kids should never be allowed to tease any dog – but especially not Akitas.

Many Akitas do not prefer the company of other dogs but there is variation in this trait as well. Some do just fine (and can even be playful) with other dogs. Most males will not get along with other males and females do not “play nice” with other females. Opposite sex interactions generally have better outcomes. With smaller pets, the Akita does not have the greatest track history. Because of their high hunting drive, cats and other small animals are often thought of as prey.

Although their coat is fairly short… Akitas have a lot of it! As such, expect a little bit of shedding year round and a LOT of shedding every few months or so (the breed sheds seasonally). Keeping the coat combed out on a regular basis will definitely help (as will regular bathing), but either way expect to be doing a lot of vacuuming!

As with all breeds (and mixes), health problems are always a possibility. Conditions that are known to affect the Akita include allergy and skin issues, auto-immune deficiencies, hip dysplasia, PRA, and bloat. Buying your dog from a responsible breeder who runs health tests on all dogs can help your chances of getting a healthy dog (although there is never a 100% guarantee – as with any dog). Overall, it is important to do your homework before you add an Akita to your family. For those who have the experience and knowledge, however, this breed can bring a lot of joy! If you have an Akita and are looking for a dog trainer in Austin or the surrounding areas, call us today!

Photo By Caro108

The American Eskimo Dog is a spitz breed with quite the following of loyal owners and admirers. They come in three sizes; standard, miniature and toy, although none of the sizes ever get any bigger than 19″ at the withers. They are energetic and intelligent dogs who enjoy being near their families at all times. It is not uncommon for them to follow their owner from room to room. They are very playful dogs that love children, although the standard and miniature sizes are recommended over the toys for being sturdier.

Eskies, as they are affectionately called, are strong-willed and stubborn however they are also quite smart. When it comes to training, it helps to have a knowledge of how to work with these particular personality traits in order to bring out the best in your dog. It helps to teach the dog that learning can be fun! While formal obedience can be “boring” to some American Eskimos, many take very well to trick-training. This might be due to the fact that during the 30’s and 40’s, Eskies were often employed in the circus as performers! Whether you want a dog well-versed in tricks, or you’d rather your Eskie learn to appreciate formal obedience, your success depends on your ability to teach in a fun manner. Once trained, the American Eskimo can compete quite successfully in many dog events including agility, herding, obedience and rally.

Although they are a smaller breed, they do have a fair amount of energy and need to be taken for daily walks. This is not a breed to keep cooped up in the house all day just because he is small and fluffy and may look like a stuffed animal! When compared to other breeds, the Eskie could be considered a moderate-energy dog. He doesn’t need a daily 10 mile hike… but he does need a short outing each day to prevent him from becoming bored and hyperactive. If exercised regularly, many do well in apartments.

The American Eskimo Dog can sometimes become protective of their owners and exhibit several problem behaviors related to this fact. One of the more common behaviors is leash reactivity, also known as on-leash aggression (towards other people or dogs). It is not recommended to let your dog get away with this behavior in any way, as it can progress and become worse. If the perceived threat is from another dog, an Eskie will fight, even if the other dog is much larger.

What are some other traits of this breed? They are not the type of dog to retrieve a ball repeatedly, so owners looking for a ball-crazy dog need not apply. Potential owners should also be aware that Eskies are known for barking excessively. They are naturally wary of strangers that come to the door but will usually warm up once introduced. Another common behavior issue includes separation anxiety. Look for a puppy from a responsible breeder and start training at a young age in order to mitigate these problems.

“American Eskimo Dog 1” by Christmas w/a K

The Alaskan Malamute is a powerful spitz breed, once utilized to pull heavy cargo across snowy terrain. Although many Malamutes would work together as a team, the handlers and owners were always very aware of which dogs to keep together and which dogs to keep apart. Unaltered males, in particular, tend to not get along well with each other. Spitz breeds in particular tend to have an “extra sense” of pack hierarchy. This is because they are older, more primitive breeds. Don’t let the word primitive fool you however, as this does not mean that they are unintelligent in any way. On the contrary, they tend to be self-confident, willful, and very smart…. they tend to “train” their owners instead of the other way around! Because this is such a powerful breed with an independent mind, care must be taken so that they do not try to dominate you or other members of your family. This is NOT the breed for a first-time dog owner!

This is not to say that these dogs are not affectionate and friendly, because they definitely are. They are not guard dogs and they aren’t normally aggressive. There is a big difference between dominance and outright aggression, and someone who is interested in the breed would do well to learn the difference and raise them right so that they know their rightful place in the pack (your family). This does not mean you need to use harsh methods or “tear them down”, but simply to establish firm rules and boundaries. A Malamute, like any dog, who knows their place in the pack is a happy and well adjusted member of the family. Obedience training is recommended at a young age for this breed, before they begin to get too big to handle! Also realize that many adolescents go through a “testing phase”, almost like teenage rebellion. It is important to work through this stage with firmness and fairness. This stage doesn’t last forever, but must be handled in the right way in order to maintain a stable dog.

Malamutes have a few other traits that may be undesirable to some. Many, when bored, will howl like wolves for hours, chew up your furniture, or dig huge craters in your yard. This means that they are not being given either enough exercise or mental stimulation. These dogs definitely need a lot of excursive! A short walk around the block will not suffice, they need long jogs once or twice daily in order to fulfill their needs. Not only that, but they were designed to do jobs and they still need to do jobs today. Some of the jobs in which they excel include backpacking, sledding, carting, and weight pull although obedience is always also recommended. Many owners have fun with their dogs in conformation shows, agility, rally, canine freestyle, therapy work, and flyball! There are so many fun dog sports that you can be successful with your Malamute!

They are also not great dogs to keep off-leash unless very well trained (and even when well trained, you are always still taking a gamble). Many have a high prey drive and tend to take off after cats and wildlife. Once they start running, they will keep on running because they were bred to run in one direction for hundreds of miles! Because they have no car sense, many get hit by cars. Not only are leashes highly recommended, but sturdy fences as well. Unlike many other breeds, many Malamutes can do well as mostly-outdoor dogs although they still require the exercise and mental stimulation as mentioned above. Even if they live mostly outdoors, they still require affection and care. Many do best while living both indoors and outdoors, with a dog door so that they can choose whether to be in or out.

Let me reiterate that they have a high prey drive! While some live harmoniously inside the house with cats, these are usually individuals raised with that cat as a young puppy, and even that does not guarantee the cat’s safety. That same cat… who he has lived with for years… may or may not be considered food if the cat is outside. Many cannot be trusted with small animals at all, and some cannot be trusted with tiny dogs either. Socialization always helps but a Malamute owner must be careful at all times with smaller animals. The reason for this is that the breed had to be very resourceful while living in the Arctic, and the chase-kill instinct had to be strong in order for them to find meals.

Their coats can require a lot of care when they are shedding, which normally happens twice a year. Be prepared to brush and brush and brush… and don’t be surprised if you have tumbleweeds of dog hair floating throughout your house. Those that love the breed think nothing of this, and brushing can be a great bonding experience with your dog!

“Alaskanmalamute0b” by PardoY

The Finnish Spitz has been called the “barking bird dog” because he was bred to alert hunters to their quarry with his unique voice. Because of this, prospective owners should know that barking is a trait in the breed that is not easily trained out. Not only will he bark to tell you the latest happenings in your backyard, but he will also often sound the alarm whenever the doorbell rings. While this makes him a great watchdog, it also makes him a good fit only for those who are not bothered by constant noise (and without close neighbors). The “Finkie”, as he is affectionately called, is a watchdog only and not a guard dog. He has a lot of bark but very little bite.

Finnish Spitz are great with kids and therefore well suited as a family dog as long as the children are well-behaved and not unruly. Unsurprisingly, he also excells as a hunting dog since that is what he was bred to do! He is a faithful companion always eager to go out and have fun with his owner(s). He is quite active and needs tasks and jobs in order to be fulfilled, however he is generally inactive indoors.

The Finkie can be a slow maturing breed, so expect him to act puppy-ish for a while. This can be either a curse or a blessing, depending on how you look at it. Either way he is intelligent, independent, and sensitive.

Unlike many spitz breeds, he has a relatively short coat so he can do well in warmer weather, although it is important to keep his double coat brushed out so the air can circulate through to his skin.

When it comes to training, he responds well to plenty of praise and short sessions which keep his attention. The order of obedience commands should always be mixed up so that he doesn’t get bored and so that he is always guessing what comes next! Patience in training is also recommended as he can, at times, be hard-headed.