how would you describe your nihon ken in one sentence?
So I was recently transferred to a new store. (i work at sprint. come get your sprint phone needs fullfilled by jellyfart. 2 accessories for 20% off!!!)
I'm in that stage where I am meeting new people and getting to know everyone. A big part of who I am is definitely Toki; he is everything to me! But HOW to describe an Akita to your normal, average dog loving person who has only ever loved your average, ball retrieving, attention loving, golden retriever.
Working at Sprint has taught me that NO ONE has ever owned an Akita. I've been told by customers to do the "alpha roll" and I just look at them and say "you've obviously never owned an akita" with a blank face. They take me seriously.
Today I described Toki in one sentence. I told my co-worker, "My dog doesn't like you. And no, he doesn't want to get to know you."
Of course I can't leave it at that, and of course I say it jokingly. I went on to discuss how Akita's are very aloof and they are a one-person dog, very loyal, and they love love love their select favorite few. But I definitely don't want to give the impression that an Akita is a dog for everyone, and I want to distinguish them as something completely different than your labradoodle. Hopefully they don't misconstrue it as my dog is a "mean dog", but honestly, sometimes I would rather people stay away from my dog because often times, people are rude, getting at his eye level, hovering over him, flailing their arms at Toki...And this does not please the Toklaton. Sometimes, I don't blame him. (and then sometimes I am reminded we need to work on socialization, which, yes, we work on often
So for your kai, hokkaido, shiba, kishu, shikoku, or Akita, how would you describe your dog in one sentence to a stranger who knows absolutly nothing about any ninon ken?
I'm in that stage where I am meeting new people and getting to know everyone. A big part of who I am is definitely Toki; he is everything to me! But HOW to describe an Akita to your normal, average dog loving person who has only ever loved your average, ball retrieving, attention loving, golden retriever.
Working at Sprint has taught me that NO ONE has ever owned an Akita. I've been told by customers to do the "alpha roll" and I just look at them and say "you've obviously never owned an akita" with a blank face. They take me seriously.
Today I described Toki in one sentence. I told my co-worker, "My dog doesn't like you. And no, he doesn't want to get to know you."
Of course I can't leave it at that, and of course I say it jokingly. I went on to discuss how Akita's are very aloof and they are a one-person dog, very loyal, and they love love love their select favorite few. But I definitely don't want to give the impression that an Akita is a dog for everyone, and I want to distinguish them as something completely different than your labradoodle. Hopefully they don't misconstrue it as my dog is a "mean dog", but honestly, sometimes I would rather people stay away from my dog because often times, people are rude, getting at his eye level, hovering over him, flailing their arms at Toki...And this does not please the Toklaton. Sometimes, I don't blame him. (and then sometimes I am reminded we need to work on socialization, which, yes, we work on often
So for your kai, hokkaido, shiba, kishu, shikoku, or Akita, how would you describe your dog in one sentence to a stranger who knows absolutly nothing about any ninon ken?
Comments
But I usually say, "Japanese Hunting dog like. "
100% user-friendly with human kind, needs personal space with canine kind, would like to make friends with feline kind
My long coat midget JA puppy "looks like a live teddy bear... "
Too young to generalize her other than her extreme form of Akita loyalty has manifested into a mild case of separation anxiety
ps, people in general are rude to dogs, regardless if it's a Japanese dog/Nihon Ken or some designer mutt. I had considered buying postcards of these to hand out when people do/say stupid things, but then I'd be wasting my own money...
http://doggiedrawings.net/post/842176625
I often say of the Shibas "they are kind of like feral dogs" but that might even be more true of my Kai.
Right now I describe Leo this way: "whirlwind of naughty." that pretty much sums it up!
And Oskar is "the big ass fluffy dog that is not as friendly as he looks."
(in real life I usually say Japanese hunting dogs too!)
Kai Ken
We often get a really good chuckle at how much Kitora and Kunai will be wagging their tails in unison... LOVE IT!!!
The girl shiba - "oh she's the antagonist from a chick lit novel with an evil deity attached to her brain."
Asked about shibas in general - "primitive japanese hunting breed."
Asked about what they're really like - "all the worst aspects of a cat but with all the disadvantages of having a dog."
I normally go with Japanese hunting dog. and the follow up to that would be that they were used to hunt boar. Most people look at me in disbelief after that, lol.
My girl, who is a bit more typical temperament-wise is fickle, cunning, aloof, monumentally self absorbed, independent, selfish etc. Traits that are often considered part of the charm of a cat. But the amount of training, exercise, socialization required is still that of a dog (higher than many in fact).
I love both my dogs and shibas are a perfect fit for me (that initial 15 seconds of excitement when I get home is about my limit for affection) but most people want and expect a personality that shows a little more loyalty and affection. The description is a fast way to separate those who like them aesthetically from those who are truly interested in investigating further.
I have been impressed at how many people ask me the function of the breed, but tired of the skeptical eyebrow re: boar (ie "right. THAT little dog?") I now say with some justification that Juno is a grouse dog. Everyone is satisfied with that answer.
now that I have two, discussion goes from "He's so round and not narrow like her" (yes) "He's friendlier than her!" (toward YOU, yes) to "Oh, so youre going to breed them?" (no)
I am also puzzled that people seem to react negatively to the fact that they arrived here by plane. Not sure why that is? Till I say Matsu got to ride with his sister on the plane, and then it's "Awww!"
I've overheard and had a few people tell me directly that they don't want one of these brown puppies with a black mask, they want an orange-and-white Akita. I've tried to explain to them that reds start out this way and change colors when they're older, but sometimes I wonder if the puppy in the movie gave them the wrong impression.
I don't really mind that they used a tweenie for the film, as it is technically accurate being well before either breed was developed/refined. That said, I wish they'd used a white not a red.
Me: No you haven't... Kai Ken and Shiba Inu
Person: :O what is that?
Me: a small Japanese hunting dog
Person: A what? What's the name?
Me: -_-
"what kind of dog is that?" (Kuma=AA)
My husband says "Akita"
The man says: "Really? Hmmm, I have never heard of that brand."
Brand? Really?!? Haha
Describe my dog in 1 sentence? That is tough!
For Kuma: The attitude of a grizzly and a cat combined.
I will have to think on 1 sentence descriptive for the other dogs lol
sort of on topic, but i'm allowed to hijack my own thread
*Guy sticking his head out a car window in an intersection: "Is that a fox?!" -Me: "No!"
*In a gas station in Moab, UT: "Hey guys look it's a coyote on a leash!" -"It's a dog" -"No that's a coyote!" -"... No, trust me, it's a dog."
At least we are in the realm of possible versus a black fox.
Git ur hands off my pup!!! lolol
another couple said "Oh! That's the dog in the movie!" I thought they meant Hachiko, but NO! "Red Dog- you have to see it!" (its a Kelpie, though, not a kai, but I still give them partial credit for the obscurity of the reference)