As mentioned, Akitas need lots of training, constantly, for life. A neighbor up the road had a beautiful Akita he got as a puppy. He took her to training classes, read up on the breed constantly, went online to Akita forums, and did lots of work with her. Result? A beautiful well socialized dog who loved humans, and tolerated dogs down to about 60 pounds (she was 120). Smaller dogs, he had to keep hold as she considered them prey.

She passed, and he took in a rescue Akita. This girl is big, even for an Akita, at 150 pounds! She was age 3 when he got her, and she had never had ANY training. He's worked with her for 2 years and the change is impressive. And yet, she is NOT human friendly, and not dog friendly. Calvin used to walk the neighborhood chatting with all of us. Now he walks down the middle of the street with his dog, and we have to "schedule" times to talk - I mean, we have to visit one another to chat.

Aussies are wonderful dogs, high energy, highly intelligent, and need a job to do. Herding trials, Agility, flyball, all are fun activities for both dog and human. My Agility instructor has 2 and they frequently (4 times a week) take long hikes through the woods.

So, even with no infant, do you have the time and commitment to make this work? To help this puppy grow to be the wonderful pet she was meant to be? To develop to her best ability? If you do, and you fit all the things in now, I suspect you will be able to continue with the routine when the baby arrives, and all will be well.