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Do your research! Please think twice before purchasing an Akita puppy from Royalty Akitas-- he is a glorified backyard breeder, with a "nice" facility, but no concern for the long term health of his dogs and their offspring.
I know there are many positive reviews on here, and statistically, when you breed as many dogs as Don does, odds are, there are going to be many dogs without problems. However, in my opinion, and as the owner of one who has suffered because of Don's breeding ethics (or lack thereof), one dead dog, is one dead dog too many!
Sadly, I know for a fact that the number of sick or dead dogs from Royalty far exceeds just one! I am not on here to bash Royalty for the sake of doing so-- my dog has been gone for two years now-- we've accepted it and moved on. I'm here because Don is ruining the breed, and people who buy from him are unknowingly contributing to this devastating cycle!
Take the time to read the posts from people with sick or dead dogs from Don, and google reviews on other sites. Focus on the main point-- these people have nothing to gain by posting negative comments, and read Don's responses-- his ability to deny or turn it around on the owner is disgusting. It's easy to ignore or write off the bad reviews when you aren't the one paying the thousands of $ in vet bills or crying as you watch your dog suffer. Sadly, it's not until you've experienced this that you can really understand or relate. I don't blame those of you who defend him-- you are lucky that the odds were in your dog's favor (for now!).
Our puppy was a direct descendant of two Royalty dogs. He was bred by Alaska Akitas (whom, from what I've been told, are now suing Royalty- Karma for both of them!). Our puppy was diagnosed with Addison's disease at 3 months old. He died at 9 months old. Since then, there have been 6 more puppies (at least) from the same two dogs, that have become sick and/or died before the age of 1. All of these dogs have also been diagnosed with Addison's. Addison's is genetic-- Don has a dog (or a line) out there that is passing this deadly gene on to other puppies. Since Don is not choosy about who he sells his dogs to, backyard breeders are unknowingly breeding these sick dogs and passing the gene (and many other faulty genes) onto new litters. Addison's was our main problem, but I know it is not the only problem connected to Don's dogs.
Don will deny any knowledge of Addison's (although lexusthegreat.com is proof that Don has knowledge of Addison's in his lines). It is an expensive and lifelong disease to treat. I know for those that were in the same boat as us, we all spent thousands of dollars trying to save our dogs lives. There is only one puppy that is still alive-- but he will be on medication for the rest of his life. Alaska Akitas has settled in small claims court, as well as privately-- and they are currently being sued by many more. They were well aware of the genetic time bombs they were breeding, and they are just as much to blame as Don-- and just as evil, in my opinion!
I am happy to share my story in greater detail with anyone who cares to hear it. But please understand that just because some of you might have had a great experience with Don, it doesn't negate the many out there who have had the opposite experience! Many of us have suffered financially and emotionally, and ultimately, it was our puppy or dog-- who was born solely for the financial benefit of these breeders-- that suffered the most!
I'm sure Don will find a way to turn this post around and make me or Alaska Akitas out to be the bad guys (well, Alaska Akitas are the bad guys, too-- but it is only because of Don that they came to be), but the reality is that many dogs have died because of him, and many more will continue to die or suffer because of Don's lack of integrity and concern for the Akita. It's all about the money, and don't let him tell you otherwise!