When we first introduced Nyx, we knew very little about the young boy who had suddenly found himself in rescue.
At just 16 months old, Nyx came into our care after his owner, who had been banned from keeping animals, booked him in to be euthanised. Thankfully, a member of the veterinary team contacted ARW and gave us the opportunity to step in and help him.
Originally living on a caravan site with two older female dogs, Nyx’s world changed dramatically through no fault of his own. He is now safe, receiving the care and attention he deserves while we take the time to understand him and find the right home.
And what have we discovered? Nyx is one very lovely, lively young Akita! ❤️
Nyx is an extremely energetic boy, particularly when excited. He loves attention and can launch himself into the air with all four paws off the ground to greet you! He is immediately interested in people, although he can initially be a little cautious and reserved. Once he has had the chance to trust you, he quickly becomes friendly and engaged.
Once that initial excitement has passed, Nyx settles surprisingly quickly and can be calm, observant and affectionate. He takes treats gently from the hand and showed no signs of resource guarding. He was also completely happy being handled, including having his paws, ears, mouth, body and tail checked.
Nyx has had very little training so far. He doesn’t know his name or any basic commands other than sit, so his new family will need to be prepared to continue his education from the ground up.
But this is where we see so much potential in this young boy. ❤️
At just 16 months old, Nyx has plenty of time to learn. With a committed owner who is willing to invest the time, patience and consistency he needs, we believe he could make huge progress. His enthusiasm, curiosity and eagerness to engage with people give his new family plenty to work with.
On walks, Nyx is strong. 💪 He loves to sniff, explore and investigate his surroundings, and when something catches his attention, he can pull with considerable strength. He therefore needs an experienced handler who is physically capable of managing a large, powerful Akita and who is prepared to continue working on his lead skills.
His quirks and enthusiasm are very much part of who Nyx is, and we don’t see them as reasons to write him off. They simply mean that he needs someone who understands the breed, recognises his potential and is prepared to put the work in.
Nyx showed no issues with traffic or loud background noises during his assessment. When startled, he can retreat, so his handler will need to remain calm and supportive and allow him the time he needs.
🐾 Nyx and other animals
Nyx has a strong prey drive and shows a clear interest in wildlife and a desire to chase.
Around other dogs, he can become very over excited and showed some reactive behaviour, particularly when approaching dogs in secure kennels. These situations were manageable with an experienced handler, but they are something his future family will need to understand and work with.
For this reason, Nyx’s ideal home is as the only pet. We would not recommend a home with cats, small animals or other pets.
Nyx has previously lived with older female dogs, and the right experienced owner may potentially be able to work towards him accepting another suitable dog in the future with careful training and management. However, this should never be assumed, and his home should be prepared for him to remain an only dog.
🏡 What sort of home is Nyx looking for?
- An experienced Akita or large-breed owner
- Someone confident and physically capable of handling a strong young dog
- A home where Nyx can be the only pet
- Someone committed to ongoing training and general handling work
- Someone who understands that progress takes time, patience and consistency
Plenty of exercise, enrichment and mental stimulation - A calm, patient owner who understands Akita behaviour
- Children aged 12+ only
Despite being a young dog with plenty still to learn he is a good natured boy who we expect will form a strong bond with the right person.
He is only 16 months old. He is still learning about the world, learning how to behave and learning what is expected of him.
We don’t expect his new family to find a perfectly trained dog. We want someone who can see the dog he could become.
With the right person behind him, time, patience, consistency and plenty of positive experiences, we believe Nyx could develop enormously. His energy, enthusiasm and character can be channelled, his training can be built, and his confidence and understanding can grow.
His assessment is, of course, only a snapshot of Nyx while boarding in kennels. As he settles into a home environment and builds a relationship with his new family, we would expect to see more of his personality emerge.
Nyx doesn’t need someone looking for a perfect dog. He needs someone willing to help him become the best version of himself. ❤️
🐾 Could you be the person to help Nyx fulfil his potential?
