Due to the Akitas silent and careful temperament, it does not show signs of aggression and its attacks are sudden, unexpected, and quite ferocious. Wed also encourage you to keep an open mind when it comes to adopting an Akita mix. Several months before Hachiko passed away, there was already a bronze statue erected at Shibuya Station in his honor. Despite the repeated claims of the Akita breed to be aggressive and domineering, they also have a reputation for being incredibly sweet and loving. Sadly, he waited for his owner every day for nine years at the train station after his death. The breed can live with older children and sometimes other dogs (but not always). Our content is for educational purposes only. Initially, only the imperial family and courts could own him. The average price of a purebred pup is around $1,500. As a general rule, dog names should only make use of one word and kept at 2-3 syllables. In addition, given the stubborn nature of the Akita, giving it 2 names may render the second name useless. Its wise to learn about dominant dogs and pack mentality. I need help. During World War II, the breed almost disappeared because there was not enough food for them, they were being eaten by starving people, or they were killed after a government order that aimed at preventing the spread of disease by culling all non-military dogs. And he needs to know how to walk on a leash nicely if you want to enjoy your walks with him. A pooch over the weight of 100 pounds is considered to be a giant-sized dog. Two Akitas were presented to her (as the first one died of distemper soon after she went back to the United States). The Akita is prone to a life-threatening condition known as bloat. There are a variety of coat colors to choose from. The breed can be headstrong and stubborn, so if you are a first-time dog owner, we suggest looking at another breed. Its important with dominant dogs that the whole family gets on board with the training. Exact causes are unknown, though this condition usually happens in deep-chested dogs when they exercise after eating large amounts of food. Thank you for the well informed article. The Akita is a big and bold dog breed. Hip and elbow dysplasia are among the most common orthopaedic conditions in Akitas. The breed is, without a doubt, incredibly loyal to its master but there are a few other things to consider before making a purchase from a breeder or adopting one from a kennel. The most famous Akita Inu of all time was Hachiko an Akita in the 1920s that made all other Akitas known. The Akita has a thick double coat that requires a fair bit of grooming. He is affectionate with his family and will squash you on the sofa. In line with the innate aggressive trait of the breed, stooping to the dogs eye level and making eye contact for longer than a few seconds may register as a threat. Also, Japanese Akitas have lighter features and fox-like heads, while the American Akitas are heavier and have bear-like heads instead. This will usually be once a month as they will naturally wear down during exercise. A male Akita (American) is usually around 66 to 71 cm tall (26-28 inches) and weighs 45 to 59 kg (100-130 lb). The hair on his tail is between two and three inches long, and it is profuse. They will also be unlikely to screen them for health concerns, leading to expensive medical bills after purchase. Although Akitas are known to be loving and friendly dogs, they are incredibly possessive when it comes to their food. He is described as profoundly loyal by the AKC. By nature, Akitas have an aggressive personality. Unfortunately, Professor Ueno passed away in 1925 while he was at work due to a brain hemorrhage. Please do your bit to keep them out of business. Akitas are more prone to the following health issues: Second only to the Great Dane, Akitas are more susceptible to bloat, which is the expansion of the stomach with air, followed by its dilation. These pups arent like other giant breeds that sleep all day. They are definitely not suited for first time dog owners, as they need someone who can be firm around it and will train it to be below in the dog pack hierarchy. I've had Akitas for 29 years and your article is very informative and mostly accurate. Take a look at the below, and learn about the symptoms to look out for. Black, Brown, Brindle, Fawn, Red, Silver, White, Wolf Like Dog Breeds: 18 Different Breeds That Look Like Wolves, Shiba Inu vs. Akita: Breed Differences & Similarities, Fluffy Dog Breeds: 34 Small, Large and Giant Pups With Long Hair, American Pitbull Terrier vs. Akita: Breed Differences and Similarities. It is unlikely that an Akita will turn against its master or human family but the breeds innate aggressiveness should be taken note of for those with playful children. They love to be the center of attention and hates to be left alone. Both of these are usually linked to old age deterioration. Copyright YABAI.com All Rights Reseved. Here he can play with other dogs and top up on his socialization skills too. Many large dogs have a shorter lifespan than most other dogs, but they enjoy 10 to 13 years. The Japanese Akita is a little smaller and also lighter than its American counterpart. But it is something that you need to take into account if you welcome him into your life. Legend has it that an emperor banned a wayward nobleman to Japans northern islands to live out his days as a provincial ruler. Akitas are large, spitz-like dogs that were initially raised for hunting bears, but are now kept as pets, therapy dogs or police/military dogs. They tend to be aggressive towards other pets and are particularly intolerant of animals of the same sex. It is a dog on which an owner can depend and trust, as they will do everything to protect their family. I even had a half wolf/Akita! A great trait of the breeds personality is that he is very lively and loves to be the center of attention all the time. After the war, the recognized Japanese Akita breed ultimately vanished, leaving only the Akita Matagis (the original hunting Akita), Fighting Akitas (a cross between the Akita Matagi and Mastiff), and Akita Shepherds (a cross between the Akita Matagi and German Shepherd). Furthermore, the coat of an Akita Inu must feature urajiro, a term used to describe the presence of white-colored fur on the jaws underside, the muzzles sides, the cheeks, the legs inner portions, the tail, the neck, the chest, and the body. Bored Akitas become destructive very quickly, and youll soon know if you arent entertaining him enough. Especially not a first-time dog owner or those who are meek and mild. And many films have been made about his loyal story. If you are, we know youll have a happy and fun life together. The story of the loyal dog touched the hearts of many locals so much so that a Japanese film entitled Hachiko Monogatari, which literally means the tale of Hachiko in English, was produced in 1987. It would be better to take an Akita to training classes or have play dates with known dogs. Male Akita Inus measure 25-27 inches in height, while females typically fall in the range of 22-25 inches. Its important that you take the time to learn about these and feed your Akita the right dog food according to his needs. According to the American Kennel Club (AKC), he is routinely found in the top 50 breeds in America. Akitas have triangular ears which are slightly angled. This loyal and sensitive soul is why so many people fall in love with Akitas. However, more often than not, their days are spent cuddling with their owners in a calm and gentle way. Always dry him thoroughly after a bath because a damp undercoat is uncomfortable, leads to infections, and can cause mold. They see themselves as lap dogs, so get ready for dead legs and squashed movie nights! They are considered dangerous dogs in some countries legislation and anyone thinking about getting an Akita should bear in mind the legal liabilities, such as insurance policies. They are regal proud and anticipate what youre going to do. The breed became widely known after the story of Hachiko, an Akita Inu that came to peoples attention worldwide, leading to the official declaration of the breed as a Japanese National Monument in 1931. I have owned Akitas or Wolfdogs since I was 18! The breed has various life stages, which all have different nutritional requirements. He will only need bathing once every 8 to 12 weeks or so. The results will be a poor dog with some Akita traits and the owner becoming frustrated will put them in a shelter. Considering that occasionally Akitas do show up in rescue shelters across America, you should also think about adopting a a rescue. The Akita Inu is naturally stubborn and likes being in control of certain situations. His sheer power, intense loyalty, and innate protectiveness need to be shaped into a well-balanced pooch. The information provided through this website should not be used to They are calm and quiet most of the times and tend to think first and react after, as they size things up before responding to situations. Never work with a puppy mill or those offering a puppy for much less than the average price. Thankfully, because it is straight, it is relatively simple, it just takes time. He was owned by Hidesaburo Ueno, a local professor that lived near the Shibuya Station in Tokyo, Japan. Akitas reached Australia from the US and New Zealand from the UK in 1982 and 1986, respectively. This affects the hip joint of many large dog breeds. Every single day, Hachiko would accompany his master to and from the train station. Akitas were either crossed with German Shepherds or let loose in remote mountains where the native Matagi dogs lived as an attempt to save them. They are fearless and brave, yet they behave in a calm, quiet, and dignified manner. Unlike many giant dog breeds, his dewlaps are minimal. Hachikos remains are immortalized forever in a museum in his hometown in Japan. The Akita is an energetic dog breed that requires at least 60 minutes of intense exercise every day. These kibbles have the optimum ratios of nutrients to control rapid bone growth, which can decrease the chances of him developing hip dysplasia. In this comprehensive breed analysis, we go into everything you can expect when welcoming one of these Japanese pups into your home. They are also dominant, spontaneous, and independent in their way of behaving. Even after not seeing his master disembark the train, Hachiko continuously returned to the station day after day. If you find an Akita or Akita mix in a shelter call Akita rescues or google one they will rescue the dog and put it in a healthy environment for dog and owner. Be it squirrels, cats, or smaller dogs, the Akita will most likely chase after them, given the opportunity. Some examples that would make an Akita bark include an approaching stranger or the presence of an animal. In America, they are both called the Akita.