While I really like Akita's and think they are beautiful dogs, (my mom had one when I was growing up, she was an awesome pooch), my vote for the next dog goes to the English Mastiff.
I need to find who to attribute this quote to, it was a higher level Roman that I do remember but the name escapes me at the time, but anyway the saying goes something like this,
As the Lion is to the house cat, the Mastiff is to all other dogs.
"No other success can compensate for failure in the home." D.O. McKay
"Never raise your hand to your kids. It leaves your groin unprotected."
~ Red Buttons
Too literal? I'm sorry you feel I have a Literal Agenda!