Akita/Bernese mountain dog?

[SportingSun]

A friend of mine has a dog who had an accidental litter of puppies. I really don’t know the details of how it happened but the friend has assured me that mom is getting spayed after puppies find homes.
The mix is Bernese mountain dog and Akita. I’m considering adopting a puppy because I like both breeds separately and she has an adorable mostly black male who is super laid back and friendly.
I’m trying to think of the potential problems with this breed mix though, and I’m unsure if I should adopt one. The hair could be an issue for me. As far as I know I’m not allergic to dogs, but I’ve always been around poodles or short haired dogs, so I don’t know what would happen with a longer haired shedding dog. I would be willing to do allergy shots though if I did find out I was allergic.

My other main concern is potential health problems. I know mountain dogs in particular have shorter life spans, are prone to cancers, arthritis, etc. Akitas in comparison are far healthier. Obviously any breed, including mutts, are going to inherit the usual potential problems of their breed, but I would like to pick a breed or breed cross that is as healthy as possible. The life expectancy of both dogs is only around 10 years, which seems awfully short to me, even for a large breed.
I know my care level could help prevent problems and extend the dogs life expectancy, but this is my first time getting a puppy (always adopted adult dogs) so I dont want to get a dog I’m not going to have a long time with.

Any opinions?

[dressagetraks]

I had a BMD, purebred. Neat dog, but she died of cancer far too young. I have sworn off the breed when I get down to looking for another dog. I realize that liking giant dogs, I will take some lesser length of life than compared to a little dog, but 7 years is just too young, and very many Bernese die that young, per the vet.

Of course, issues might be different with the mix. Can’t speak to the Akita side. My Bernese also, of course, lived in front of her fan in the summer. She reveled in snow. I sometimes felt sorry that she didn’t live about 400 more miles north.

[sid]

I have a BMD/1/4 Great Pyrenees. The breeder purposely outcrossed because of the genetic cancer issues for purebreds. He looks (same color and markings) and acts like an oversized BMD. Weighs about 130 lbs.

The BEST.MOST WONDERFUL. LOVING. DOG I HAVE EVER OWNED.

He turned 4 last month.

I’d snap the pup in an instant. :yes:

[Marshfield]

I don’t meet old BMD. Sweet, but the cancer risk is brutal. I’d steer clear because of the Akita side. It’s super rare that I meet a pleasant one as a veterinarian.

[2tempe]

Regarding the Akita, read this: http://dogtime.com/dog-breeds/akita
Hard to know as puppy which 1/2 of it will be the most dominant, but you have to presume that some Akita traits will be there. Are you prepared to socialize and do all the work to make it a good dog? This dog will be BIG and strong, so it needs to be able to be controlled.
Re the hair, yes it will be a challenge. I have a chow/shepherd mix, a lovely old girl (14 or so) and that coat has been challenge since I adopted her 13 years ago. Combing regularly, vacuuming, seasonal blowout of coat and some basic shedding all the time.
Also, as I think about my old girl, its interesting that though both her parts are easily visible, her disposition is not typical of either. Sweet, friendly, I don’t think she’s ever bared her teeth, gentle. But could scare a burglar, lol! So its a tough call. Starting w/ a puppy could work out very well IF you put in the time to shape the dog correctly.

[SportingSun]

I personally love Akitas, I’ve never met a bad one.

My concern is definitely the bmd side, with the health risks. It’s sad that the breed is so unhealthy as they are such sweet dogs.

[beowulf]

I love Akitas… if you are familiar with the breed, or at the very least educated, I would snap one up… BMD are great… but IMHO, Akitas are more my type.

Both do not live exceptionally long, in my experience.

[Guilherme]

We got our first BMD in the early '70s. Great dogs, outstanding temperaments, intelligent, easy to train. All of ours died of cancer; all were between 9-11 years of age. The last died in the early '90s. The fact that now you’ve got dogs dying short of five years of age shows that BMDCA has not protected the genetic heritage of the dog.

As for a BMD-Akita cross? I don’t think I would. This a badly out of type crossing.

I’m not a fan of “designer crosses.” If you stay on type you might do OK; but every litter is an “experiment.” If the breeder is willing to put down an entire failed experiment then I’d mute my criticism. But in today’s world the litter would end up being “rescued” off Craig’s List. And likely end up in a shelter someplace.

G.

[pheobs]

Snap one up!! :eek: you just came across a mix of my two favorite (and the best) breeds!!!

I have an Akita right now, he is the sweetest and most trainable dog I’ve ever worked with. Beautiful, cuddly, willing, and actually a great barn dog. He kind of just hangs out in the shade all day. He is actually in training to be a therapy dog and just passed the GCG test. I found him in the shelter and couldn’t believe it because Akitas are fairly rare.

The hair problem will be awful. Akitas blow their coat on earth year and shed constantly, so you’ll have hair all over the place 24-7 and then in April-May there will be huge chunks of undercoat everywhere.

[Countrywood]

If you are drawn to the pup, get it. But of course socialize and train it. I just adopted a wonderful shelter dog, 7-8 years old, so I know going in it’s not going to be as long a together time then if I had gotten a year old dog. And I am okay with that. Some bigger dogs do die sooner but each dog is different. Mixed breeds tend to be healthy…I’d be more interested in the training and socialization, it’s going to be a big powerful dog.

Your friend is going to have a hard time finding homes for them. Good luck to her and hope she is prepared to keep all those who can’t find homes. No excuse for not spaying a dog what an irresponsible act

[Ambitious_Kate]

A mixed breed dog is usually much healthier than the pure bred with its problems. Health issues in breeds usually come from close breeding with genetics contributing to the health problems from both sides. A mixed breed dog gives you much much more probability of avoiding the health problems of either side.

[french_fry]

Love berners, absolutely unequivocally not a fan of Akitas. But if you’re familiar/comfortable with the breed, go for it!

[sockmonkey]

I agree with the other veterinarian, never met an Akita that I liked. Very sketchy breed.

[EKLay]

[QUOTE=sockmonkey;8198155]
I agree with the other veterinarian, never met an Akita that I liked. Very sketchy breed.[/QUOTE]

Interesting, could you elaborate on what sorts of things you saw that turned you off? All the Akitas I’ve ever met were great dogs, so I’m curious about what you experienced.

[beowulf]

[QUOTE=EKLay;8198335]
Interesting, could you elaborate on what sorts of things you saw that turned you off? All the Akitas I’ve ever met were great dogs, so I’m curious about what you experienced.[/QUOTE]

Same… I am curious… I have had nothing but great luck with akitas - worked at a kennel that had several, then later on volunteered at a shelter where they passed thru – and then later on would go on walks w/ a friend who dogwalked a few… They were great dogs.

I never found them to be sketchy or untrustworthy… If anything they were all very consistent, quiet but intelligent, and very clear on body language.

[Marshfield]

[QUOTE=Ambitious Kate;8197771]
A mixed breed dog is usually much healthier than the pure bred with its problems. Health issues in breeds usually come from close breeding with genetics contributing to the health problems from both sides. A mixed breed dog gives you much much more probability of avoiding the health problems of either side.[/QUOTE]

So, utterly not true. Mixed breeds with no testing on the parents still have hip dysplasia risks and all sort of issues. If you have a mixed breed with both halves having lab in the background, then you can see of the diseases that responsible lab breeders test to avoid. Hybrid vigor doesn’t apply to the crossing of two different dog breeds. Mixed breeds of two very different breed types can be more susceptible to growth plate issues. Through testing and careful breeding, I know that none of my dogs are At Risk for DM beyond my matriarch who was born before testing.

[Marshfield]

[QUOTE=EKLay;8198335]
Interesting, could you elaborate on what sorts of things you saw that turned you off? All the Akitas I’ve ever met were great dogs, so I’m curious about what you experienced.[/QUOTE]

Every single one I meet has to be muzzled. Every single one has been a bite risk. When we’re at breed shows, it’s high on the list of breeds you don’t stand near. As a friend of mine put it, the pro handlers who work with Akitas all have scars from being bitten. I’ve also yet to encounter a nice Schipperke past 12 weeks of age.

[tallyho392]

maybe the trouble others have experienced consistently with Akitas is more of a locational/situational issue than a true example of their temperment/personality?

I am not familiar with Akitas except for one…she was the family pet of clients of mine who had a rather severely disabled child.he was extrekely mobile, but no talk, no sense of self preservation,etc.
The dog was totally devoted to this child, and on several occasions, alerted the mom when child had injured himself. As stranger coming into the home, she was VEEEEERY clear with her body language with regard to what she felt her job to be…never aggressive, no snarling,or barking, just holding her ground and giving me “the stare”. Since I became a regular and frequent visitor in the home,and often had to take “her child” away in the car for doctor visits,etc, I was curious how she would react to this sort of thing. She clearly gave the “oh, it’s just You again” attitude once she got the message from mom and child that I was on the OK list. I never saw her be a cuddler, but she was touchingly devoted to this child and secondarily,his family. And this was NOT a family that was big on training,socialization, or routine,even with their own children, so I doubt that the dog’s behavior stemmed from anything the owners had done.
And I know there are exceptions to every rule, with every breed, but I still go back to the question of whether ,because of their extreme intelligence and intuitive abilities, could the aforementioned problem Akitas be reacting to the situation more than being a true representation of the breed?

[sockmonkey]

As a veterinarian, obviously I have to handle the dog in a more invasive way than your average person. I have to open the mouth, look in the ears, palpate the abdomen, etc. I admit that while in the environment of a veterinary office with strange smells, other dogs/cats, it can be extremely stressful for any dog, the Akitas I have dealt with don’t handle it well. They often have had to be coaxed strongly by their owners out of the corners (I don’t do this myself as I don’t want them to dislike me even more). I move slowly, watching their ears and eyes very closely. They don’t like to be touched. They can be very stubborn. They are quick. Luckily, I have been quicker. I have been air-bitten more than once. Like most vets, I have a list of breeds I don’t trust - Chows, Shar Peis, some others, but definitely Akitas. Luckily I don’t see many since I’ve moved to the south.

[EKLay]

[QUOTE=sockmonkey;8201464]
As a veterinarian, obviously I have to handle the dog in a more invasive way than your average person. I have to open the mouth, look in the ears, palpate the abdomen, etc. I admit that while in the environment of a veterinary office with strange smells, other dogs/cats, it can be extremely stressful for any dog, the Akitas I have dealt with don’t handle it well. They often have had to be coaxed strongly by their owners out of the corners (I don’t do this myself as I don’t want them to dislike me even more). I move slowly, watching their ears and eyes very closely. They don’t like to be touched. They can be very stubborn. They are quick. Luckily, I have been quicker. I have been air-bitten more than once. Like most vets, I have a list of breeds I don’t trust - Chows, Shar Peis, some others, but definitely Akitas. Luckily I don’t see many since I’ve moved to the south.[/QUOTE]

Interesting! Makes me wonder if what I like in a dog is a nightmare for my vet… lol Though I do train my dogs to stand politely for handling by strangers, and have good manners in general, so hopefully they won’t hate me when I eventually bring an Akita in.