The Akita is considered a national monument in it's native homeland of Japan where it is revered as a symbol of health, happiness and longevity. At one time the exclusive property of Japanese nobility, this breed was used to hunt large game including Wild Boar and Deer. Akitas have since found their way into the hearts and homes of people world-wide, and have proven to excel as police dogs, guard dogs, guide dogs, and - most importantly - family pets.
Breed Brief -
History - Appearance -
Temperament - Exercise -
Grooming
Training - Health
- Is Breed Right For Me? -
Breeders/Puppies For Sale
Dog Names -
Pictures - Further Info -
Clubs/Rescues
Akita Size
Variations: Standard only
Akita
Colors:
All colors are accepted, including white, brindle and pinto.
Akita Height: Up to 26 inches at the shoulder
Akita Weight:
70-130 pounds
Akita
Exercise Needs: Demanding
Akita
Grooming Needs: Moderate
Akita Life Expectancy (Lifespan):
10-14 years
Are Akitas Child-Friendly? Yes, with supervision.
Akita Training:
Medium Difficult
Breed Group:
Working
Breed Brief -
History - Appearance -
Temperament - Exercise -
Grooming
Training - Health
- Is Breed Right For Me? -
Breeders/Puppies For Sale
Dog Names -
Pictures - Further Info -
Clubs/Rescues
The Akita dog breed originated in United States of
America. Largest of the Japanese Spitz breeds, the Akita was originally bred to hunt large game such as bear, deer and wild boar. The Akita breed dates back approximately 300 years and takes its name from the Prefecture of Akita in northern Japan. In 1931, the Japanese Ministry of Education proclaimed the Akita dog to be a natural monument and all necessary steps were taken to preserve the Akita breed. Helen Keller brought the first Akita to North America in the 1930s after she was given the dog on a visit to Japan. However, it was returning servicemen who had been stationed in Japan who brought the Akita breed back in numbers at the close of World War II.
The Akita always makes a lasting first impression. Akitas are large, powerful dogs with substantial bone and musculature. The broad chest and neck of the Akita serve as a solid base for the Akita's large head, the Akita's most distinguishing feature. The broad skull and the short muzzle form a blunt triangle when viewed from above. The massive head in combination with the small triangular shaped eyes and small erect ears give the Akita dog an intimidating, yet dignified, expression.
The Akita is a very balanced looking dog, being only slightly longer than it is tall. The tail is curled and carried over the back, which serves to balance with the dog's head. Typically the male Akita is substantially larger than the female. The males range in weight from about 100 to 130 pounds, while the females range from 70 to 100 pounds.
The double coat of the Akita has the appearance of the typical northern breeds. It is short to moderate in length, but very dense and consists of two layers. The Akita's undercoat is very soft and is the primary insulator, while the outer coat, or the guard hair, is slightly longer and coarser. The Akita is very well suited to the coldest of climates, and while it might not enjoy hot weather, its coat does lighten considerably in the warmer months to compensate for the heat.
Akitas are extremely intelligent, large, energetic, very territorial and highly devoted to their owners. Akitas are loyal family dogs and fearless guardians of the home that excel in obedience work. These highly intelligent, affectionate dogs make excellent companions.
Active and agile, this rugged and athletic dog requires lots of outdoor exercise. Akitas are not a good choice for couch potatoes - but will certainly help their owners embark on a new exercise program!
Breed Brief -
History - Appearance -
Temperament - Exercise -
Grooming
Training - Health
- Is Breed Right For Me? -
Breeders/Puppies For Sale
Dog Names -
Pictures - Further Info -
Clubs/Rescues
Their dense, double coat requires regular, thorough brushing at least once a week.
While the Akita is a very loving and loyal companion, he is still a large breed of dog and requires responsible training so that he knows how to behave on a leash and when in public. Additionally, the Akita tends to be aggressive towards other dogs, particularly males. For this reason, early socialization and obedience courses are essential. Owning an Akita can be a very rewarding experience, but you must be prepared to make a commitment to these large and loving dogs.
Breed Brief -
History - Appearance -
Temperament - Exercise -
Grooming
Training - Health
- Is Breed Right For Me? -
Breeders/Puppies For Sale
Dog Names -
Pictures - Further Info -
Clubs/Rescues
Like any breed of dog, the Akita is subject to a variety of health concerns. Your best bet is, when deciding to choose a new Akita puppy, check around with several breeders and ask about the various health issues that can affect these beautiful little dogs. A reputable breeder should be well-versed in the health concerns and should be able to give you more details, as well as showing you the sire and dam of your potential puppy. Some of the health problems that can affect Akitas include:
Aquired Myathenia Gravis
Bloat
Hip Dysplasia
Hyperkalaemia
Uveo-Dermatological Syndrome (VKH)
von Willebrand's Disease (vWD)
Susceptible to anesthesia, due to small heart size
The Akita is an amazing dog for the right family; known for their cleanliness and quiet personality, they are a popular house dog in their native Japan, as well as throughout the world. Akitas do require special consideration, prior to bringing one home however. For starters, the Akita can be a very reserved and aloof dog, particularly around strangers, and tend to dislike excessive noise and excitement. High-traffic homes or families with very young children may find a more social pet better suited to their needs. Additionally, Akitas are not recommended in homes with other animals, particularly other dogs - Aggression is common towards canines and they may cause injury to cats or other pets.
Now that you have decided that the Akita is the right breed
for you, it's time to start the process of finding a responsible
Akita breeder from which to buy a healthy, well-socialized
puppy. Not all breeders are alike; there are good breeders - and bad
breeders. Don't be in a hurry to buy the first Akita puppy
you find at the cheapest price available! To buy a puppy from a
responsible Akita breeder, you may need to pay more and wait
longer. The additional money and waiting time will be well worth it.
Buy a puppy in haste from a newspaper ad, pet store or "backyard
breeder", and you'll likely also purchase a great deal of additional
expense and heartache, since you will likely end up falling in love
with a puppy with health and behavioral problems that will likely
need special care, plenty of veterinary visits, regular medication -
or even euthanasia. But do your homework and find a responsible,
caring Akita breeder who home-raises their puppies with
love, screens their breeding dogs for health problems, offers a
health guarantee and post sale support, and who genuinely loves the
Akita breed and is in it for the love of the breed, rather
than profit, and you can be fairly well assured of getting a
healthy, happy, long lived and affectionate family companion that
will provide you and your family with many years of joy, laughter
and companionship.
Further information about choosing a responsible breeder...
Here are a few breeder directory sites that we recommend. These
sites attempt to screen advertisers to ensure that the breeders
listed are responsible and sell healthy, home-raised Akita puppies to carefully screened buyers. There are many, many
sites now online that advertise dog breeders - many are a Mecca for
puppy mills and backyard breeders. We recommend that you steer clear
of these resources in favor of sites that are more selective in the
breeders whom they allow to advertise.
We Highly Recommend:
Breed Brief -
History - Appearance -
Temperament - Exercise -
Grooming
Training - Health
- Is Breed Right For Me? -
Breeders/Puppies For Sale
Dog Names -
Pictures - Further Info -
Clubs/Rescues
Choosing a name for your Akita puppy can be a daunting
task! There are so many names to choose from that it can take a lot
of thought and research to find just the right name for your
Akita. Usually, it's best to get to know your puppy for a
few days or weeks. Often your puppy's personality will help you
decide on just the right name to choose. Does he have a sense of
humor? A serious side? A goofy way of cocking his head to one side?
A strange love of cantaloupe? By observing your new Akita
puppy over the first days or weeks, you should at least have a clue
about what type of name you want to give. There are a ton of dog
names and pet names web sites on the internet. Some are wonderful
information resources, while others, unfortunately, are just
"garbage" sites set up with the sole purpose of cashing in on
visitor hits for this popular subject.
We recommend the following sites to assist you in choosing a name
for your new Akita puppy. These sites offer inventive,
unique, original and creative pet names suggestions that have helped
thousands of new puppy owners in selecting just the right name for
their new baby!
Akita Dog Names
Breed Brief -
History - Appearance -
Temperament - Exercise -
Grooming
Training - Health
- Is Breed Right For Me? -
Breeders/Puppies For Sale
Dog Names -
Pictures - Further Info -
Clubs/Rescues
Akitas are a very photogenic dog breed. By looking at
Akita pictures, you can usually gain more insight into
what these dogs and puppies are like as a breed, and this can help
you decide if you really want to become an Akita owner.
The following sites below offer pictures of Akita dogs,
Akita puppy photos, funny Akita photos and
more. Enjoy!
Breed Brief -
History - Appearance -
Temperament - Exercise -
Grooming
Training - Health
- Is Breed Right For Me? -
Breeders/Puppies For Sale
Dog Names -
Pictures - Further Info -
Clubs/Rescues
There are a wealth of resources online that can help you learn
more about the Akita dog breed. We've compiled a list of
Akita information sites to assist you in quickly locating
quality information about the Akita dog breed, while
avoiding the "garbage" sites that are nothing more than poor
attempts to capitalize on the popularity of dog breeds in general.
If you know of an Akita information site that offers
unique, quality information and photos of the Akita
breed, please contact us with the URL and a brief description so
that our editors can consider it for inclusion in our list below.
Breed Brief -
History - Appearance -
Temperament - Exercise -
Grooming
Training - Health
- Is Breed Right For Me? -
Breeders/Puppies For Sale
Dog Names -
Pictures - Further Info -
Clubs/Rescues
Akita clubs and rescues web sites can help you learn
even more about the Akita dog breed, help you locate a
responsible Akita breeder, or help you find an Akita dog or puppy in need of a second chance for a loving,
forever home. We've compiled the following list of Akita
clubs and Akita rescues web sites for your convenience:
Akita Clubs -
Akita Rescues
