Cross Breeds

Akita Dog can they be left outside in the snow at -2 degrees?

Hello I have a friend of a friend who owns a dog. I have been telling the owner to let the dog inside the house as it is -2 and freezing outside. The owner tells me that Akita can stand harsh weathers and it is an outdoor dog it is best to leave him out door. I have looked at other forum and websites and they say the same thing but no one states at what temperature these dogs which was orginate in cold climate can torlorate. The dogs make shift kennel does not have flooring. The owner tells me that Akita Inu are close relative of huskey and that Huskeys leave outside and these dogs do too. He dog is sleeping oin a make shift kennel on slabs. Maybe its the female side of me being really soft. I then put a question on another forum which I have taken off now because some people are like me and feel really sorry for the dog and ask me questions like "how would I feel if I was left outdoors". Then I have other people who confirm these dogs are designed for the cold. Can someone please tell me the truth about this dog. The problem is that I have been told by different people that dogs which has been living outside needs to stay outside otherwise the dog body will start to shed their hair making them feel colder when they go outside. Would bringing him in do more harm than good? I will call RSPCA tomorrow to confirm. Do anyone know if there is an Akita association in the UK?

Public Comments

1. they can handle -25 below, no problem
2. Call the SPCA or a humane society in your area. I don't care if your friend THINKS the dog can withstand it, it sounds like it's a back yard dog that probably never gets any attention and is always left by itself which in itself is cruelty. I don't understand why people get dogs if they're just going to leave them outside by themselves all the time. That is so mean.
3. Call the RSPCA (or US equivalent) anonymously and ask them. If it is animal cruelty they will tell you.
4. probably but I would just keep it inside the house unless you need to let it out :) just in case.
5. These dogs naturally live in temperatures less than -2 degrees, the only problem here is our affinity with dogs in this country is to treat them as humans,which they're not! It's good to be concerned but lets not forget the difference.
6. The dog can handle the cold with no issues. The fur is so dense that even fleas have a hard time getting through to the skin. This type of dog is bred for the cold and is happy in the frigid weather. Warm climates make the dog suffer.
7. The dog is a pet,and not a sled dog living in Alaska....he doesn't sound like he has the proper housing to survive the cold adequately,therefore,I would report to the Animal Control people from the area...have to check into the situation and teach the owners exactly what it is they need to do to be raising their dog safely.
8. I have a high % Wolf Dog... and I bring him in when its 18 or below... why, because he is more comfortable in the house.
9. me personally wouldn't leave any dog out side its cruel they should be in the house on the sofa or in front on the fire, with a blanket and some toys and Teddy's lol and mibi non sugared cup of tea like mine do but unfortunately i dont own all dogs and it is sad to see then out side in the snow i have a friend who has 3 huskeys and they live in doors all the time and i also have a friend who has an akita and a gsd who lives out side all day and night i think its sad and a shame the poor dogs must be freezing that's all i can say
10. Dogs like this can live outside, but they need proper housing. And that means the ability to get up off the floor, and NO DRAFTS. They need deep litter to get into too and to be honest, if this were mine (which it wouldn't be because I don't keep dogs to have them live outside, even when we had numbers) I'd have some form of heating on when the temperatures are as cold as they are overnight in the UK at the moment. It was -5 outside overnight last night here, and I'm on the N.Cornish coast where it's significantly milder usually, than other parts of the country. And they need a good quality DIET to help them survive in cold weather. There's a world of different between dogs like the working Husky and a pet Akita and in my book, what's apparently going on here is not right. Yes, contact the RSPCA (for what it's worth - might alert this person that maybe she's not right, IF they will come out), and there's bound to be an Akita Breed Club (Google) to 'speak' to as well. Add - is this the same Akita your 'friend' had who was 6 months a week ago, and then hours ago was 11 months?? Hum.
11. That's what their used to. They're probably more comfortable outside then in a centrally heated house. Have you felt it's coat? It's like a big feather quilt, it'll be fine. Too many pets get to mollycoddled and end up over weight etc.