He gets a kick out of it too, the hardest part is having him stand still. He's not into that! The trophies are really cute, at first I thought it was a pig, lol!
Jen - The size comparison between Kuma and the Pom is pretty cool. I also like to compare the different height/length ratios of the breeds, like the difference between Kuma and the Husky.
Kristin - Thanks! He's a very good Akita (in what has to do with conformation, and keeping it as honest as possible), maybe even an excellent one, as the judges keep grading him. But he does have his limitations, and I'm aware of them. Luckily, they can be worked out, for the most part. But he'll always be a companion that does shows, never a show dog.
Barbara - Thanks! Kuma's weight has been fluctuating a bit, but he's around 30Kg right now.
I honestly can't believe the weight difference between a Japanese and American Akita. That's why I asked. Keigo is nearly double his weight and Keigo isn't chunky. At any rate. Kuma looks beautiful He's really muscular too. AND, I love his facial expression! When he has his mouth open, he just looks like he's smiling.
Yeah, there are huge differences between them. (this would take us to the two separate breeds discussion) The American Akitas I've met on shows aren't that clearly bigger than Kuma. Some of them have even been smaller, I don't know their age. I also don't think Kuma will ever hit the upper end of the standard, but I think he'll gain a few Kg still. I suppose he'll get to 35/38Kg, but not over that. He still has a few months of growth, then it will mainly be filling out.
Even being relatively small right now, Kuma is surprisingly strong for his apparent size. At the company I used to work there was this huge GSD. He should be about 50Kg+ although a bit of that was fat (he was a bit overweight). Kuma is much stronger than Rudy, the GSD.
Thanks! Yeah, he's much more comfortable with the show environment now. Only the first one got to him, really. After that it was a matter of getting both of us to do it right, actually it is still about that. There's loads to improve.
I forgot to post this video. It's from our trip to my Dad's home town two weeks ago. We came across a pony and a horse,and here is Kuma's reaction. It looks kind of tame, because we noticed the horses in advance and were prepared, so Nat got a good hold of him.
That's nothing! When Rakka met Melvin, she was like that, only jumping up and down on her back legs and barking in this high-pitched bark like crazy. She's coming along surprisingly well, though.
For some reason I'm always surprised when our Akita's prey drive kick in... I just never expect it because they spend so little time showing any signs of having a prey drive.
Kuma really wanted to have a horse steak in that vid!
Comments
Here goes some spam.
Saturday
Breed judging
Junior male final
Group final
Today
Breed judging
Junior Male final
Group final
The podium of the group. The Shiba won :-) It's one of Silvia's
The trophies Kuma got for being best of breed
Nix kitty is beautiful too!
Snf
Congrats to all of you!
The size comparison with Kuma and that pom is really funny... he's looking at it like "lunch?"
Great job guys!
He gets a kick out of it too, the hardest part is having him stand still. He's not into that!
The trophies are really cute, at first I thought it was a pig, lol!
Jen - The size comparison between Kuma and the Pom is pretty cool. I also like to compare the different height/length ratios of the breeds, like the difference between Kuma and the Husky.
Of course we helpful tips from Nat's cousin Alison and from Silvia.
Im sure as you all learn more and more about the show ring and everyone gets more comfortable Kuma will really SHINE! He is such an awesome Akita!
Barbara - Thanks! Kuma's weight has been fluctuating a bit, but he's around 30Kg right now.
The American Akitas I've met on shows aren't that clearly bigger than Kuma. Some of them have even been smaller, I don't know their age.
I also don't think Kuma will ever hit the upper end of the standard, but I think he'll gain a few Kg still. I suppose he'll get to 35/38Kg, but not over that. He still has a few months of growth, then it will mainly be filling out.
Even being relatively small right now, Kuma is surprisingly strong for his apparent size. At the company I used to work there was this huge GSD. He should be about 50Kg+ although a bit of that was fat (he was a bit overweight). Kuma is much stronger than Rudy, the GSD.
The pics are good - looks like you have the hang of it too!
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Yeah, he's much more comfortable with the show environment now. Only the first one got to him, really.
After that it was a matter of getting both of us to do it right, actually it is still about that. There's loads to improve.
It's from our trip to my Dad's home town two weeks ago.
We came across a pony and a horse,and here is Kuma's reaction. It looks kind of tame, because we noticed the horses in advance and were prepared, so Nat got a good hold of him.
Kuma really wanted to have a horse steak in that vid!
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