Akita's are large and normally patient, however the personality of the dog is hard to just give a yes it should be fine or no it shouldn't be fine answer. If you choose to proceed, I would carefully monitor the situation with your children to ensure both the dog and the children respect each other.

If she hasn't been with kids before I would think twice.

There are plenty of dogs out there that were with kids or that are submissive to anything that need homes. Check with rescues that foster in their homes.

I wouldn't do it.Get a pup instead.

Make sure to get the entire background of the dog. Let the dog make the first move. Don't force it to get to know your daughter. If the dog is shy or anxious -stand with your side presented and hand outstretched (fingers tucked). Standing sideways is a non threatening pose (you look smaller to the dog). DO NOT crouch. That is a submissive sign to the dog and the last thing you want is for you or your daughter to appear to be submitting to the pup.

Good Luck

akitas are very loving, caring animals, but do you know anything about her before??? any abused animal will act different than their breed standard,the shelter,or wherever she is from should have tested her for her temperment! PLEASE be careful-they are great dogs-I have only owned them from puppies.

Absolutely not. The word "rescue" implies exactly what you think. She may have been abused – who knows? She may not have been – but why take that chance?
You don't know the history of this particular dog.
What you DO know is that this breed of dog was developed for CENTURIES to fight. Is that the kind of dog that you want to take your chances with around your little child?
I LOVE dogs but this is a very foolish thing you are considering.
Please either consider a dog who's history you know & perhaps one that is known to be good around children. You are just setting yourself up for disaster here.

My Aunt had an Akita from being a pup when her children were small but one day he lashed out and bit my Uncle so to prevent any future accident they decided to give the dog up immediately. In my experience they are a very powerful breed and very protective of their family. They are beautiful dogs and have a lovely temperament but I personally wouldn't have one around children.

I OWN AN AKITA!

Please do not bring a fully grown Akita into your home. I love this breed and my Akita is awesome with my child but I would never bring an adult Akita into my home. You should only ever get and Akita from puppy hood. Take my word for this (I own one and I know) Leave adult Akita's to homes that don't have children. If these dogs have any dominance issues your child and even you are at risk. They will accept children of there own pack fine but you have to understand that this dog will not see you or your child as it's pack for a long time. PLEASE DO NOT PUT YOUR CHILD AT RISK. Get a puppy. (These are the greatest dogs in the world and I would only ever own and Akita. But it must be from puppy hood so it grows to understand you are the Alpha pack leader.

I have a friend who's daughter is forever scarred because of that particular breed , the vet said that Akita's are not kid friendly and never leave the dog with a child in a room alone .
That being said , I hope you have better luck , and a better dog that what my friend did . ( this was not a new dog , they had the dog for several years before this happened .)

My parents adopted an Akita. We had the dog for a year, and one day he just flipped out. I went to the emergency room and had to have 43 stitches in my arm where he grabbed and shook me. We later found out that this dog had been abused and was trying to attack the previous owner. The Akitas that we have raised ourselves have always been super dogs, but I would be really careful with something full grown that has been rescued. You have no idea how they have been treated and what may set them off. When the attack happened, I was at least able to defend myself. If this had been a small child, they probably would have been killed. I know adopting a dog is a good idea, and they all need good homes, but I would really think about getting a pup, so it can "grow up" knowing your kids, not one that has to be introduced to them.

Ultimately the choice is yours personally I wouldnt do it. I like the breed just remember they are a powerful breed.

You are right to be cautious. Your children are your 1st concern. It does depend alot on its care before you and its temperment. If it were me I would take the precautions as you already are, introduce the child and trust your first impression of them together – not the one you want to happen. I hope it works out for you. Good Luck!

You could ask the personal at the shelter to help you test the dog. Tug on his ears and tail, pet kinda rough like a child would. Put a little weight on the dogs back to see how it would react to a child falling on it or laying. Get a fake hand a put it in the dog bowl while its eating and see if the dog is okay with that.

There are good and bad dogs in every breed, however my years of experience as a Veterinary Technician I have found Akita's to be an aggressive breed. I would advise you to get a puppy and start early obedience training if this is the breed you are interested in. An adult rescue dog probably has an abusive background or at the least hasn't grown up around you family and doesn't know it's place in the "pack" It's not worth the rish to your children!!!