Bullbuyer,
While I'm not discrediting any of the post about Akitas, My wife and I have an Akita now that is about 4. She replaced two other Akitas when they died. We have the Akita, a spazadore (lab),and 6 cats. They get along fine, we do watch her around kids, but all of out akitas, past and present have been good around kids. We did have one in the past that would kill cats and little dogs.
I guess my point is they are like any other dog and it is how they are raised that will determine the type of dog you get. Akitas have been bred for many years to improve their temperment, but they were bred as fighting/guard dogs.
I agree they are not for beginners, my only knock on them is they shed like no other dog I have ever seen, clumps of hair when they"blow" their coat.
I would put some dogs ahead of the akita as far as untrustworthy and mean. Just to be clear, Rots, Pits, Border Collie, Healers, Chows, terriers.
JMO,
Alan