Dog Breed

Akita

Confidence King
Primary image of Akita dog breed
Full Name
Akita
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Life Span
10 - 13 years
Weight
70 - 130 pounds
Description

Docile, Alert, Responsive, Dignified, Composed, Friendly, Receptive, Faithful, Courageous

Origin
Japan
Bred For
Hunting bears
Attachments
    Family Considerations
    Child Friendly

    Is the Akita good with children?

    Yes, the Akita is very friendly with children. We still recommend introductions to children while they are young so they get used to them, but the Akita naturally loves children.
    Stranger Friendly

    Is the Akita friendly with strangers?

    Yes, the Akita is very friendly with strangers. We still recommend early socialization while the Akita is a puppy to introduce them to various new people, but in general they are friendly with everyone.
    Dog Friendly

    Is the Akita friendly with other dogs?

    Yes, the Akita is very friendly with other dogs. We still recommend early socialization while the Akita is a puppy to introduce them to various new dogs, but in general they are friendly with dogs as soon as they meet them.
    Likes to Cuddle

    Does the Akita like to cuddle?

    The Akita likes to cuddle up every once in a while. They appreciate physical affection, but probably won't stay in your lap for extended amounts of time.
    Playfulness

    Does the Akita like to play?

    The Akita is always ready for play! It's important to keep in mind, as they need to be stimulated with games and affection throughout the day.
    Service Dog Ability

    Does the Akita make a good service dog?

    The Akita is not typically used as a service dog. There are always exceptions to the rule, but a service dog has to have many natural traits in addition to the proper training- smart, patient, and obsessed with pleasing their owner.
    Overall Ease of Breed
    Ease for Novice

    Is the Akita good for first-time owners?

    The Akita is not the easiest breed for first-time owners, but can certainly still work out if the owner is willing to put the time into training and exercise.
    Training Potential

    How well can the Akita be trained?

    The Akita can be trained very well. With discipline and a routine training program the Akita can be incredibly well-trained.
    Amount of Shedding

    Does the Akita shed a lot?

    The Akita sheds a lot! They may still shed less than a few other breeds, but be prepared for dog hair throughout the home and on your clothes.
    Ease of Grooming

    Is the Akita easy to groom?

    The Akita requires some grooming, but less than the average dog breed. Typically you will not need to take the Akita to the pet salon, and occasional combing at home should be enough.
    Exercise Need

    Does the Akita need a lot of exercise?

    The Akita needs a daily exercise partner! The Akita is best suited for a family where it will get plenty of daily exercise; it has so much energy that exercise is mandatory to avoid destructive behaviors.
    Personality
    Intelligence

    How smart is the Akita?

    The Akita is very smart. Above-average intelligence means they can pick up on cues and signals quickly when it comes to training. But it also means that they need to be challenged mentally, in addition to their standard exercise needs.
    Amount of Barking

    How much does the Akita bark? Does the Akita bark too much?

    The Akita barks a lot. This is important to consider with your living situation- will it be ok when you leave them at home alone or will they disrupt the neighbors? The Akita will oftentimes bark just to express their thoughts... even just to be heard!
    Guard Dog Ability

    Is the Akita a good guard dog?

    The Akita would not make a good guard dog. They can be alert, but typically do not have the desire or instinct to take on "guarding" as their job.
    Tolerates Being Alone

    Is the Akita good at staying alone? Is the Akita independent?

    The Akita considers their owner part of the "pack" and hates being left behind. This can be a good thing for someone looking for an emotional support dog who is loyal and always by their side, but bad if the dog will need to be left at home alone for extended periods.
    Home and Environment Considerations
    Good for Apartment Living

    Is the Akita a good apartment dog?

    The Akita is not a good dog for apartment living for several reasons. It is still possible to make it work if the owner is dedicated to plenty of training and daily exercise, but it may be challenging.
    Size

    How big is the Akita?

    The Akita is a medium sized dog breed. They can range in size depending on genetics, and males are larger on average than females.
    Tolerates Heat

    How much does the Akita tolerate hot weather? When is it too hot for a Akita?

    The Akita does not tolerate hot weather very well, and we would not recommend having a Akita if you live in a very hot weather climate. At the minimum, they would need a home with air conditioning.
    Tolerates Cold

    How much does the Akita tolerate cold weather? When is it too cold for a Akita?

    The Akita does very well in cold weather, and loves the snow. They were built for it!
    Potential to Run Away

    Does the Akita try to run away?

    The Akita has huge wanderlust, meaning that it's natural for them to want to run away. They are known as escape artists. It's important to test your yard and have a tall fence that cannot be jumped or climbed over. Sometimes the Akita is not well suited for being off-leash, even if they are well trained.
    Physical Characteristics
    General Health

    Is the Akita a healthy dog? The health of a Akita should be measured not just by how many years they live, but also by how many health issues they've had. It is important to know which health conditions your breed is prone to- hip problems, eye problems, bloating, and arthritis are all common dog health problems.

    The Akita is very healthy, but it is still important to feed the Akita high-quality food and to live a healthy lifestyle.
    Energy Level

    How energetic is the Akita?

    It seems like the Akita never runs out of energy. If you are looking for a 5 AM run partner, the Akita is your dog! A dog's energy level is one of the most important considerations when getting a new dog, and we would only recommend the Akita for a family where it will get plenty of exercise.
    Amount of Drooling

    How much does the Akita drool?

    The Akita drools very little, typically to where it's never a concern.
    Prey Drive

    Does the Akita have a large prey drive? Does the Akita like to chase birds, cats, and other small animals?

    The Akita has a high prey drive and has a natural tendency to chase after any small animal. Every case is unique, but the Akita may not be the best dog for living with other cats or small animals.
    Athleticism

    Is the Akita atheltic?

    The Akita is very athletic and would be well suited for a family that frequently works out or goes on adventures.
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  • Secondary image of Akita dog breed
  • Secondary image of Akita dog breed
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Breed Variations

  • Image for the Black and White variation for dog breed

    Black and White

  • Image for the Fawn variation for dog breed

    Fawn

  • Image for the Brindle variation for dog breed

    Brindle

  • Image for the White variation for dog breed

    White

  1. Working
  2. Spitz
  3. Akita
The Akita is a purebred dog that belongs to the Spitz sub group, which falls under the larger Working dog breed group.
Working group: Working dogs encompass a wide range of different breeds- but they all were bred to assist people, so they are used to working hard. It is important for them to feel they have a "job" as their roles traditionally have varied from rescuing people to pulling sleds. Because of their large size and intensity, they may be a handful for first time dog owners. On the other side, they can be trained well, so any owner who can exercise and dedicate to training their working dog, will be well rewarded. A common misconception may be that the working dog's jobs are only in physically challenging jobs; actually working dogs can also make excellent service dogs, since they are also kind and attentive to their owners.
Spitz sub-group: Spitz breeds are some of the dog world's most ancient dogs. They have a distinct wolf-like appearance with pointy ears, and a heavy double coat, and a big bushy tail that curls over the back. The majority of them are perfect for cold climates, as they originate from the Nordics, Russia, and Canada. There are many spitz type of breeds, and sometimes it is debated which dogs are "true spitz" breeds. Spitz dogs love the outdoors and love adventure.

Akitas for adoption

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