Thanks Shrimp, I did a lot of homework in before I chose these dogs, wanted to know the good as well as the bad, to realistically asses what I could live with and handle, as well as satisfy what was looking for the dog to be able to do. Your right about the aggression, similar to the American bulldogs, especially the Johnson type, my Akita was dog aggressive more than any I have owned, great w/the family very protective but had to watch him around strangers because of the quietness hehad before he get amped up, always watched the tail and his eyes, to this day feel they are the most beautiful dogs, like you said the hair is a bitch and a half when it blows.Akitas, Corsos, American Bulldogs, Rotties were always protectors but they each served other purposes as well, they were not specifically bred for the ring and each breed might have done well in the ring at one time during their history, but they all did not last in the ring, there toughness is legendary but they were no match in the long run for fight specific breeds, the Presa, Tosa. etc. Akita is legendary in japan, if you had a champion and you were poor you were given food for your dog and not your family!! There are many statues of them in japan, renowned for their loyalty. story of a dog who went to the train station every day and waited for his owner who had passed for years, might not have been the brightest pup in the litter but he was devoted. Shrimp sems like you have a good knowledge of the hounds as well!! GW thanks 
