Well, I can't stand up straight yet. Let's get started.
http://www.zoofur.com/Natural-Akita.htmlAs of writing, the Natural Akita is the largest and arguably most realistic and beautiful of the silicone canine line. Replicating a fully aroused dog, the shaft is very bulbous with the tip beginning to curve back and the knot is fully swollen. In most cases, this would be a canine who had been firmly embedded in a lover for quite a while. So how does it work as a toy?
Appearance 9/10
To put it very bluntly, I've seen prettier (i.e. the Elypse Art Vixen). I opted for the natural coloring, which constituts a black base and a red shaft. It doesn't quite hold the varied selection of an actual canine penis, and even as far as other Zeta toys go (notably the equine line), is rather unvaried in appearance. The silicone also lacks the naturally shiny appearance of the gel, although arguably this appearance in photos is more likely due to lubrication than actual skin qualities. However once you get past the coloring, this is truly a work of art.
Starting with the shape its self, this is every bit as close to a real dog as you can get without shutting your curtains and locking your doors. The base is no longer obtrusive, and in fact is modeled to look like part of the pelvis complete with pulled back sheath. The fur texture is perhaps a bit of a miss but it works well enough. The shaft, tip, and knot are all very perfected, to the point I'm not entirely sure Brownbear didn't have access to a real one himself, to the point of the texture which, near as I can tell, very accurately replicates not only the skin but the veins as well.
Ultimately the coloring still lacks, however overall the visual appeal is incredibly high and I couldn't in good conscience dock it for not being hand painted. 9 out of 10.
Usability 7/10
My version was purchased in 'medium' hardness and I have admittedly had issues with other manufacturers over the elasticity of the toy. To that end the Natural Akita is definitely much better than the last toy I bought (from someone else).
First let me comment that this toy texture (or possibly one like it, I forget where I read it) was advertized partly as saying it helps the toy retain lubricant. I was skeptical of this but it is in fact true. Using J Lube powdered directly on to the toy and rubbing it with water I had no problems using it (I usually don't with this method) but when I went to clean it off I could have used it under water for a time and that is unprecedented in any toy I've ever used. I should also add that I tested by sticking the toy via its suction cup base to the edge of the bathtub. There were insertion issues compared to a medium gel toy (in fact the medium Akita toy), however they made it far from unusable. On that note the suction cup is still somewhat of an issue, yet the smaller profile cup on a good sized base makes it easier to find a surface big enough and easy to remove it as well. It still suffers from the threat of getting lube under and sliding around but this is an issue I have yet to solve with any toy or contraption I've invented.
I was expecting the shape and softness of the knot to be a problem and in a way it was. My expectation was that while compressing the knot it would squish and flare out and actually grow in size, and given the shape which is ultimately meant to lock a dog inside you, slipping past that initial point would lead to a quick and possibly painfully stretching tie. Yes I was right about the knot squishing; I had to ride a lot harder than on the gel toy (and with the base startign to slide around, positioning became an issue). And yes the knot did compress and flare out, however the softness also allowed it to shrink up some to get past the sphincter and then expand again once inside, taking far LESS time to work up to than it's 1/4 inch smaller diameter gel brother.
The tie was rather fast and sudden, though not as much as feared and then not at all painful (perhaps a bit uncomfortible but that was it). And the natural shape actually makes removal easier than on the older toys, without posing a "slipping out" hazzard.
Ultimately I wish I'd have gone with a hard firmness and I recommend that to anyone purchasing this toy, but it is far from unusable. 7 of 10.
Sensory 8/10
One of the biggest joys for me with this toy is simply looking at it and holding it. The texture is incredible and the pictures hardly do it justice. Feeling and rubbing the lube over it is incredibly erotic. Unfortunately I was not able to feel the texture once being used and the relative softness of the shaft compared to the gel one was less exciting (those who get that tapered tip on the prostate will know what I'm talking about) so a few points are lost there, however getting knotted is so much more enjoyable and realistic feeling. With the softness that's been docking points, the knot actually seems to expand within you really adding to the fantasy of being mounted and tied and ultimately for me that's the best part of the experience. 8 of 10.
Over-All 9/10
Well the Natural Akita admittedly lacks features I'm still waiting for. Just a tad more rigidity, maybe even a dual density system with a "hard" silicone center and softer skin, a more detailed paint job, and maybe an expanding knot and the ability to cum would make this the perfect toy. And while all those features I list are available elsewhere, their flaws make them far from worth it. Over all the experience was unbelievably erotic with just a few flaws but nothing that detracted from the experience. I highly recommend this toy to fans of the canine fantasy, and if you can take the gel Akita toy without too many problems, you'll have no issues transitioning to the Natural Akita. 9 of 10 and a sticky, shaky legged, stupid afterglowey grin recommendation.
http://www.zoofur.com/Natural-Akita.html