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Akita
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Large Breed |
 
See your Akita's photograph or illustration on
our dog breed pages.
See more Akita images
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Working Dog |
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Country of Origin
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Akita Prefecture on Honshu
Island in Japan in the 1600s |
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Ancestry |
The Akita is a descendant of
the large, tough, cold-weather hunting dogs called Matagi-inu. |
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Original Function |
The Akita was developed to
hunt boar, bear and deer in cold and rugged territory. |
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Height at Shoulder |
Female 23-26" Male:
25-28" |
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Weight |
Female 65-110 lbs Male
85-130
lbs |
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Lifespan |
12 Years |
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Coat |
The Akita has a heavy double
coat that consists of a thick, insulating undercoat and a short,
upstanding outer coat of approximately 2" long guard hairs. Akita
coats come in a variety of colors including white, brindle, pinto, red
fawn and sesame, a black tipped variation of red fawn. |
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Tail |
Strong, bushy, curled tail
held over the back and sometimes dipping below the back line. |
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Head |
Strong, wedge-shaped head
with a flat skull. |
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Ears |
Medium-sized, prick ears. |
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Related Breeds |
Some enthusiasts prefer to
separate the Akita into two breeds: the American Akita and the Japanese
Akita. In the USA, they are generally regarded as a single breed. |
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Alternative Names |
Akita-ken, Akita Inu (dog),
Japanese Akita |
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Nicknames |
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Famous Individuals |
Hachiko of Shibuya
who came to greet her owner at the train station everyday for years
after he had died. Her statue is a favorite meeting place to this
day. |
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Grooming: |
The Akita has a double coat consisting of a warm, dense
undercoat and a stiffer outer coat that stands away from the body. The
undercoat requires frequent brushing particularly during shedding
seasons. Having an Akita in the house requires frequent picking up
of stray hairs.
The Akita may also be a messy drinker. |
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Exercise requirements: |
Moderate. The Akita requires daily exercise but is
not overly energetic. As long as the temperature is cool to cold,
the Akita will enjoy a hike or jog. When the temperature is high,
the Akita will prefer the air conditioned house to running around in the
mid afternoon. |
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Aggression: |
The Akita is a very good watchdog and guardian. In
this capacity, the Akita can be aggressive towards strangers and strange
dogs. Due to its size and willingness to guard territory and
people, the Akita can be an intimidating dog.
The Akita can be dangerous towards small animals and must
be acclimated towards other animals and children. Some Akitas may
never be comfortable around smaller animals or other dogs. Akitas
may also be food aggressive. |
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Temperament: |
The Akita is tough, independent and can be stubborn.
The Akita is a serious working dog that may not be as outgoing and
friendly as some people prefer. Inside the home, Akitas can be
sensitive and do not like being left alone and away from the family. |
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Owner requirement: |
Firm and physically strong. The Akita is a large,
muscular, strong dog that can become domineering without sufficient
exercise and training. Owners must be willing to provide training
and socialization from an early age. The Akita is an intelligent
dog that can become destructive without sufficient mental stimulation.
With good, early and ongoing training and time with the family, the
Akita can be a calm companion. |
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Trainability |
Moderate |
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Health concerns |
Canine hip dysplasia (CHD), elbow dysplasia,
bloat and gastric torsion,
sebaceous adenitis, pemphigus, patellar luxation, entropion, epilepsy,
cataracts, renal cortical hypoplasia, polyneuropathy. |
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Environmental requirements: |
The Akita, with its thick double coat, has a very good
tolerance for cold and a very low tolerance for heat. The Akita
requires strong fencing and should not be allowed to wander at will as
it can be aggressive towards other animals. |
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Feeding requirements: |
The Akita requires more frequent, smaller meals to
prevent bloat. Although all dogs should avoid onions (particularly
raw onions), Akitas may be particularly susceptible to
anemia caused by
onions. Akitas can also suffer from obesity especially as they age
or when they do not receive sufficient exercise. |
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AKC: American Kennel Club USA: Working Group since 1972
UKC: United Kennel Club USA: Northern Breeds
CKC: Canadian
Kennel Club: Group 3 Working
Dogs
FCI: Fédération
Cynologique Internationale: Spitz and Primitive Types
(Group
5/Section 5/Breed 255)
ANKC: Australian National Kennel Council: Group 6 Utility
KCUK: Kennel Club United Kingdom: Utility
NZKC: New Zealand Kennel Club: Utility |
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The forebears of the Akita, the Matagi-inu were dogs
developed for big game hunting in the Akita Prefecture of Honshu Island,
Japan. The Akita breed has a rather murky history between the 1600s
and the late 1800s. Some believe that the Akita was used as a fighting
dog as well as a hunting and watchdog. The Akita-inu
Hozankai Society of Japan was formed in 1927 to preserve the breed and
another club, the Nipponken Hozonkai in 1928, began
registering Akitas to a written standard. In 1931 the Akita was
designated a national treasure of Japan. In 1932 the publication of the story
of the loyal Hachiko further helped popularize Akitas. In 1937, a
present of an Akita was made to Helen Keller. Akitas came close to
dying out as a breed during the World War II.
The Akita has a reputation as an aloof and sometimes
aggressive dog. It is an excellent watchdog although it does not bark
excessively. The Akita is also an excellent guardian dog. Akitas
can chase and harm or kill small animals and can be aggressive around
strange dogs. This is generally not a good choice for a first time dog
person as Akitas are large, strong, sometimes domineering dogs that require
skill and
a firm hand.
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