Is It Ok To Keep My Akita Outside? This is an ongoing debate that may never be over. Some people feel that akitas are supposed to guard the home, not be part of it. Others feel that akitas should be kept indoors mostly and treated as loyal and trusted family members. The role of Toto, the male dog in the Wizard of Oz was actually played by a female Cairn Terrier named Terry. Cairn terriers are known for their brightness and cuteness. That, combined with their small size, made the breed perfect for the role. Dogs have a need to be part of a pack. They enjoy being a member of the family unit. While some breeds of DOG can physically survive being left outside, it can take a mental toll on them. They require more social stimulation than most owners, even with the best of intentions, are capable of giving. Part of the reason that basset hounds have such a unique look is that the British purposely bred basset hounds to have short legs, so that hunters could keep up with them. Unfortunate this has caused the breed to be prone to leg/joint problems. Many outdoor akitas become overwhelmed and stressed by their situation. This can cause barking, scratching, fear or aggression toward anyone or anything that comes their way. Unfortunately, some owners think that that is a good thing because they feel that it makes the akita more protective of the property. Keep in mind that a security system can protect your property more than a tied up akita can, and you don�t have to feed the security system. Beagles are known to be extremely social and cheerful dogs. They are expected to be so friendly that, even in dog shows, the judges expect them to be happy. They have points removed in the judging if they look to be unhappy. Consider for a moment how bored you would be if you were tied to a rope and left alone for even an hour or two. Well, an outdoor akita endures that every single day. People are always taking their Yorkshire terriers to the groomer. Why? Well, Yorkshire terriers can grow hair up to 2 feet in length! Considering that they are nowhere near two feet tall, this makes regular grooming a must! Other things to consider are the type of akita and the weather in your area. In a hot climate a akita can easily suffer from dehydration and heat exhaustion. In a cold environment they have the potential to freeze to death. Larger DOGS tend to do better outside than smaller DOGS, but even larger DOGS need socialization. German Shepherds have incredibly sensitive noses. They have over 225 million cell receptors in their noses, making them ideal for police work, such as bomb and drug sniffing, finding missing children and tracking criminals. So, if you are determined to keep a akita outside, be sure to spend plenty of time playing with it, give it a good shelter from whatever your weather conditions may be, keep its area clean, keep a constant supply of food and water and allow it some room to run, whether on a leash or in a fenced in yard. Schipperke is Flemmish for "little captain" and the name is appropriate because most schipperkes seem to act almost human. they are happy, intelligent and usually enjoy being the center of the universe around them. The bottom line is that you can keep some types of DOGS outside under some conditions, but if you aren�t planning to spend time with your akita then you probably shouldn�t own one. Rhodesian ridgebacks have an actual ridge along the top of their backs. The ridge is made up of forward-growing hairs. This ridge gives the rhodesian ridgeback a unique and easily recognizable look.