Are Bones Ok for My Akita? There is some debate over this subject. Some people think that all bones are ok. Some people think that cooked bones are bad but raw bones are ok. Others think that the reverse is true. One thing that many of them have in common is that they believe that bones provide necessary vitamins and nutrients to a akita, as well as helping to clean the akita's teeth. Actually though, most veterinarians and other akita experts do not recommend giving akitas bones for several reasons. West highland white terriers began their history as the undesirable white offspring of the dark-colored cairn terrier. With the dog's popularity today, it is hard to believe that the early westies were usually drowned or shot. The first issue is that there are better and easier ways to keep a akita's teeth clean. Most bones are so hard that, when chewing them, akita's can actually crack and break their teeth. Brushing your akita's teeth with toothpaste that is specially designed for akitas or giving your akita treats that are specially designed to help with tooth cleaning is a much safer method of cleaning your akita's teeth. Some great ones can be bought at http://www.scrooby.com The largest and the smallest dogs to live in the White House were both there during the tenure of president James Buchanan. The president had a Newfoundland named Lara. His niece, Harriet Lane, had a tiny toy terrier named Punch. Another issue is the dispute over the nutritional value of bones. The nutritional value is not in the bone itself, but in the meat and cartilage that is still attached to it. If you are looking for a vitamin supplement, I would try the Pawstive Health Brand at http://www.scrooby.com as it is breed specific. Anything that can be gained by eating meat off of a bone can be found in the proper akita vitamin. German shepherd dogs are great working dogs. They are often used as police dogs, rescue dogs and guides for the blind. In fact, one of them, a guide dog named Orient, once led a blind hiker the entire 2100 mile length of the Appalachian Trail. By far, the biggest problem with feeding your akitas bones is that most types of bones are impossible to chew or digest properly. If the bone is small enough or the akita is large enough this can create several issues. The most immediate danger would be a choking hazard. While many people think of Boxers as aggressive, they are actually great with children. They were bred to be hunters, yes, but they were bred to corner prey, not kill it. As a result, they are protective, yet patient. If the akita manages to swallow a large chunk of bone then another problem can arise. Since most bones cannot be digested properly, they can get stuck in the akita's stomach or intestines. This blockage can cause toxic build up, bloat, infection and other life-threatening issues. In such cases, your akita's life is on the line. If you're lucky enough to catch the problem in time then your only option is expensive emergency surgery. The American Kennel Club recognizes more than 150 breeds? Segmented into seven different breed types, all breed possess unique temperaments, physical characteristics as well as a rich background in history. So, if you want to give your akita something to chew on, give him a toy. If you want him to have the best nutrition, find an appropriate brand of akita vitamin. Avoid the temptation to give him a bone. After all, there's no reason to take any risks with your akita's health when you don't need to. The greater swiss mountain dog, or swissy, is believed to be a direct descendant of the ancient tibetan mastiff. A versatile dog, the swissy traditionally drove cattle, guarded property, protected human companions and fought in wars.