Akita Grooming FAQ A round-up of the most frequently asked questions on akitas and grooming. 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. I am taking my eight month old akita to the groomer for the first time. Because, Oscar is my first akita, I'm unsure about the grooming process. Should I bath my akita prior to the appointment? Unless you plan to give your akita's coat a comprehensive comb through, the answer is no. When akitas are not completely brushed out after a bath, the undercoat can become quite matted. The end-result requires the groomer to completely clip your akita's hair. 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. Should I pay the groomer more because my akita misbehaves? On the contrary, akitas are more prone to behave better in the presence of a groomer. Since, groomers apply a docile yet firm hand, most akitas will be conditioned to appreciate a regular visit to the groomer. Inbreeding causes about 3 out of every 10 dalmations suffer from some sort of hearing loss. The good news is that, like deaf people, they can easily be taught to recognize words in sign language and still make excellent companions. My akita has behavioral issues, is there anything I can do to prevent an unpleasant situation from transpiring? Although, canines with temperment problems rare, the groomer may request that the akita's owner obtain a mild tranquilizer from his or her veterinarian before the grooming appointment. The medication will enable the groomer to do a thorough job while preventing the akita from injuring itself. Barbara Bush wrote "Millie's Book", a book about her English Springer Spaniel, Millie. The book was an instant success. It was on the bestseller list for 29 weeks. Millie was the most popular "First Dog" in United States history. My akita's groomer administers tranquilizer to keep pets calm. Is it okay for my akita to take the medicine? Absolutely not, American Boarding Kennels Association (ABKA)of groomers never administer tranquilizers. Since each akita is different, only a veterinarian should prescribe medicine. If your akita was prescribed the medicine in the past and your groomer just happens to have extra pills, make sure the drug is the same dose that your veterinarian originally prescribed. There is absolutely no difference between an Australian silky terrier, silky toy terrier and a silky terrier. They are all the same breed, but have different names in different countries, specifically in Australia, Canada and the United States. My akita is only 7 months old. Should I wait another 10 months before getting him groomed? Conversely, puppies generally acclimate to more rapidly that older akitas. When younger akitas experience grooming on a regular basis they are more apt to enjoy the experience opposed to the adult akita that has little exposure to the grooming process. The Podengo, a rare breed of dog, is also known as the Portuguese Warren Hound. It is usually a fawn or yellow color, but can be brown, black or sooty colored without white patches or spots. It resembled a long-bodied chihuahua. According to the Guinness Book of World Records, the longest lived dog was an Australian Cattle Dog named Bluey. The dog lived to be 29. This case was considered unusual since smaller dogs generally live longer. The chihuahua is actually the breed that tends to live the longest. Franklin D. Roosevelt once spent $15,000 to have a destroyer return to the Aleutian Islands and retrieve his Scottish terrier, Fala, who had been accidentally left behind. Fala is now part of the Roosevelt Memorial in Washington, D.C.