Akira is a stunning 1.5-year-old shepherd-type girl weighing about 60 pounds. Tall, lean, and graceful, she has the look of a German Shepherd with long legs and a gorgeous fluffy shepherd tail. Pictures simply don't do her justice—she is even more beautiful and impressive in person.
This sweet girl is one of the gentlest, most affectionate big dogs you will ever meet. Once Akira knows she can trust you, her cuddly personality shines. She loves being close to her people and has the sweetest, most loving nature. Although she can be a little shy in new situations, she continues to gain confidence every day and is learning that the world is full of kind people and exciting new experiences.
Akira is incredibly smart and eager to learn. She learned her name and daily routines faster than most dogs, and she continues to impress her foster family with how quickly she picks up new things. She is fully house trained and fully crate trained, and she relaxes quietly in her crate when home alone. She rides beautifully in the car, walks nicely on leash without much pulling, takes treats with the gentlest mouth, and rarely jumps up on people. She was an absolute angel at the veterinarian, calmly allowing the staff to handle her without any issues.
One of Akira's favorite ways to relax is with a Benebone or chew toy. She can happily entertain herself for hours, content to lie on her dog bed while her family goes about their day. While she has a calm, easygoing personality indoors, she also has an adorable playful side. Once she comes out of her shell, she transforms into a happy, bouncy girl who loves to get the zoomies around the yard. She especially enjoys a game of chase with her dog friends and is always ready to run if another dog wants to play. She is still working on her confidence on walks, so she currently requires a fully fenced yard in her new home.
Akira gets along beautifully with dogs of all sizes and has wonderful doggy manners. She is respectful of smaller dogs that don't want to wrestle, shares toys nicely, and reads other dogs' cues very well. She is also good with cats and does well with children.
Despite her shepherd appearance, Akira is not a high-energy or high-strung dog. She is perfectly happy spending a quiet day lounging with a bone, following her people around the house, or curling up nearby while they relax. She has a calm, gentle presence that makes her an absolute joy to live with.
She has come so far already and is ready for a patient family that will continue showing her love, kindness, and consistency. In return, they'll gain an incredibly loyal, intelligent, gentle companion who will love them with her whole heart. To apply to adopt Akira, visit bcaaofnj.org.
