Akita

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Size: Large to Extra-Large
Other Names: American Akita, Japanese Akita, Akita Inu, Japanese Akita Inu, Great Japanese Dog (obsolete)
Country of Origin: Japan
Accreditation:
American Kennel Club (AKC): Working
Canadian Kennel Club (CKC): Working
United Kennel Club (UKC): Northern Breed
Australian National Kennel Council (ANKC): Utility
The Kennel Club (KC): Utility
Kennel Union of Southern Africa (KUSA): Utility, Working Dogs
National Kennel Club (NKC): Recognized
New Zealand Kennel Club (NZKC): Utility

The Akita is a large dog with heavy bones, and a large, bear–like head, with erect, triangular ears set at a slight angle following the arch of the neck. The eyes of the Akita are small, dark, deeply set and triangular in shape. Akitas have thick double coats, and tight, well knuckled cat feet. Their tails are carried over the top of the back in a graceful sweep down the loin, into a gentle curl, or into a double curl. The American Akita is generally heavier boned and larger, with a more bear–like head, whereas the Japanese Akita tends to be lighter and more finely featured. The Akita's double, thick coat makes him waterproof, and well–equipped for the fierce winters in northern Japan.

A large, reserved house dog with a dense shedding coat; calm indoors if exercised, but a poor first choice for a small apartment or a noisy, chaotic household.

The Akita comes from the mountainous northern regions of Japan. In most countries, with the notable exceptions being the United States and Canada, the American Akita is considered to be a separate breed from the Japanese Akita. In the US and Canada, both the American Akita and the Japanese Akita (Akita Inu) are considered a single breed with differences in type rather than two separate breeds.

Height: Male: 24–28 inches; Female: 24–26 inches
Weight: Male: 75–130 pounds; Female: 70–100 pounds
Color: American Akitas come in all colors, including pinto, and may have black masks. Japanese Akitas come in red, fawn, sesame, white, or brindle.
Coat: Coarse, straight, with soft undercoat
Lifespan: 10–13 years
Litter size: 6–8 puppies

Temperament

The Akita is extraordinarily affectionate and loyal with family and friends, territorial about his property, and can be reserved with strangers. Akitas are affectionate to their owners and are excellent watchdogs, although they do not bark unless something is amiss. The Akita is feline in his actions; it is not unusual for an Akita to clean his face after eating, to preen his kennel mate, and to be fastidious in the house. Akitas are very adaptable and can live happily in apartments provided they are given enough exercise. Akitas have been documented to be gentle with young children and babies. Like other dogs bred for hunting, Akitas can show aggressive tendencies toward small animals, and must be taught to respect other household pets. Akitas can also be dominant or aggressive towards other dogs, especially unfamiliar ones, and particularly those of the same sex. For this reason, Akitas are not generally well–suited for off–lead dog parks.

Training

Because it is a large, powerful dog, the Akita is certainly not a breed for everyone. Their background gives them a strong independent streak that can make Akitas unreliable off–lead and more challenging in obedience activities. The Akita thrives on the love and respect of its master and, with constant reinforcement training and a little creativity, can be a very good worker.

Care and grooming

Due to the thickness of his coat, the Akita requires daily grooming. When an Akita requires general anesthesia, only the bare minimum dose sufficient to produce anesthesia should be used. This is due to the fact that Akitas have an unusually small heart for their size. A number of Akitas have died during surgery, due to the use of a normal dose of general anesthetic for a dog of that size, a dose which ultimately proved excessive and fatal to the Akita.

Shedding

Heavy and seasonal; the undercoat is blown once or twice a year.

Health

Akitas may be affected by hip dysplasia, progressive retinal atrophy, autoimmune skin disease, hypothyroidism, and bloat. They can also be sensitive to standard doses of general anesthesia.

Crosses that include the Akita

These hybrid pages list this breed as a parent. Open a name to see the other contributing breed.

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