Max Derby Shelby

Akita Cautionaries: Max's Tale by Barbara Cicognani As our 14-year old shepherd aged, we began to consider what our next dog might be. We had obtained Sheba as a very young adult, and I wanted to raise our next dog from a puppy. Beyond agreeing to get another large dog, we had no idea what we wanted. We talked about buying a purebred dog, mainly because the idea of getting a somewhat predictable package of traits appealed to both of us. So, I began to do some research. In the local library I found a book designed to help novices like me discover which breed was best for them. I got very scientific at this point. To prevent my emotions from ruling, I reviewed the questions addressed in the book and rated them in order of importance to us. To make a long story short, the Akita fit the description of the breed that best suited us. An inter-library loan yielded up an Akita book with lots of pictures to study and information to absorb. The next step was to find Akitas in the fur, so to speak. I don't remember how, but I discovered that there was an annual dog show in a nearby town. I found out when and where the Akitas were being shown, and we went and hung around the ring. We asked a few questions of a couple of breeders and decided to pursue one in particular. They were hoping to have a litter soon from the male we liked, but, as it turned out, the breeding didn't take. By then, the summer had passed and another club was holding its fall show, so again we attended and hung around ringside. A dog outside the ring caught my eye, and I was pleased when it took Best of Breed. We talked briefly with the owner/breeder and followed up with a phone call a week or so later. A sister of the male I'd liked so well had been bred to him and had just had her pups. Little did I know what were to be the consequences of buying a pup from this inbred litter. And so, we got Max, a black and white pinto that everyone said looked like a holstein cow! And what a delight he was. Sheba didn't seem to mind the new addition, but I do think she had some trouble maintaining her dignity in the face of some of his determined puppy assaults. We went the usual vaccine route, and fed him the high protein food the ved recommended. After all, Max was going to be a show dog, and we only wanted the best for him. At four months, Max began to get little sores all over his belly. Puppy pimples, everyone said. Nothing we did eradicated them, and Max itched and scratched like crazy. As time passed, Max's coat began to look dry and lifeless, and I began to get desperate. So I bolstered up my courage and called a well-known long-time Akita breeder. When I described Max's symptoms, she suggested that we have his thyroid levels checked. In addition, she asked about Max's pedigree. I got it out and started reciting the names listed. At one point, I could tell by the change in her voice that something wasn't right. When I pursued my intuition, she mentioned that a particular Akita in the pedigree had produced auto-immune problems in two different litters. Since Max was inbred, that dog appeared twice as a grandparent. My heart sank. Sure enough, Max's thyroid levels were below normal. We decided to neuter him, as I couldn't bear the thought of breeding him. (The breeder resisted my suggestion for a partial refund, claiming Max was still show quality. He's not, but his breeder is no longer in Akitas.) By then, we were hooked on the breed. We had moved; we decided that Sheba's worsening arthritis would not tolerate the harsher winters we anticipated, so with much sadness we had her put down. Later, we decided to get another Akita and ended up getting two from different litters that were distantly related. Max was doing much better on his thyroid pills, and life was running smoothly. Speed bumps lay ahead, but we did not suspect. A year passed. We were getting a little bit more knowledgeable about the breed, but learning lots we'd rather not have known. The second male X-rayed badly dysplastic at a year (to this day, at age 6.5 years, you cannot tell he has a problem). The female had good hips, but a horrible rear structure: close in the rear and cow-hocked. NOT a pretty picture! That meant three show prospects down the drain. Another female, purchased from totally different lines, had a bad front, but that would not become apparent to us for some time. Max's eyes seemed to be bothering him. By now he was three. The vet diagnosed "dry eye", a failure of the tear glands to produce the tears necessary to lubricate the eye. Over time, the vet's cyclosporin oil suspension cured this problem, but other eye problems developed. Cataracts appeared, as did glaucoma in one eye. The vet also suspected PRA, though the cataracts made this diagnosis uncertain. In the end, it didn't matter, for Max was blind. He copes well, however, remaining in good spirits and getting around his familiar territory quite well. Then one day he began to limp a bit. Within a couple of days, he carried one rear leg up entirely, preferring not to put any of his considerable weight on it. You guessed it: hip dysplasia. It's been over a year since this diagnosis. With a change in diet to an natural raw food regimen, Max's limp is barely discernable; he jumps around like a pup whenever it's mealtime. However, I've noticed the last few months that the skin on his forehead seems tight, his ears stiff and leathery, the fur flat and lifeless looking. I suspect there may be yet another speed bump in the road ahead. In the meantime, we enjoy him while we have him... The moral of this Cautionary Tale? Do your homework! Check out the breeder as well as the dog. Don't be in a hurry to get an Akita. Be prepared for the possibility of health problems. Research health issues, such as vaccination, and consider optimum nutrition to be of prime importance to your Akita's well-being. Above all, be committed to the Akita you do buy.