23/05/2024
Some differences between Kishu Ken and Akitainu, both expected and unexpected.
Expected:
Energy level. Dazai is a very high-energy Akitainu (if you've met him, you know) but he is still low to medium energy compared to this menace. I'm pretty sure Toshi would run non-stop for hours if he had the chance (he will soon, once we get to Nebraska)
Prey drive. Akitainu have prey drive, absolutely, but in my experience it's extremely manageable (tho kazu does regularly try to pick fights with birds that will kick her ass). Toshi wants to eat everything that moves and needs a lot of work for redirecting attention.
Food. Toshi is more like a lab when it comes to food, he would absolutely eat himself fat given the chance. Very different to Kazu and Daz who will only eat what they feel like eating.
Socialization. Loves people and dogs, wants to say hi to everybody. As a puppy, Kazu loved people but not so much other dogs, and Dazai never liked anybody. It's a nice change of pace to have a friendly dog.
Unexpected:
Inability to stay still. I never realized how easy it has always been to get Kazu and Daz to stay still for me until I got this creature who is incapable of staying still for more than 2 seconds at a time.
Play style. Maybe this is because he's a puppy, but so far Toshi is very adept at adjusting his play style depending on what dog he's playing with. Daz and Kaz tend to be very against changing their play styles for other dogs and expect to be matched.
Water. Avoids puddles like the plague, has never played in his water bowl. Both Akita used to splash their waters everywhere and Dazai still (much to my dismay) loves puddles.
Toy drive. Has none? We are working on building it right now, but while he likes playing with toys he has little to no drive to work for them, even a flirt pole which really surprised me with his prey drive.
Size. Logically, I have known that Kishu are smaller than Akitainu, but they have such Big Dog Energy that it still amazes me just how much smaller he is and is going to continue being. He likely won't even get bigger than Kazuha, which is wild to me.
