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Despite their reputation as fierce hunters, Akitas are very gentle and loving. These dogs are sweet-natured, intelligent and adapt well to new environments.
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Despite their reputation as fierce hunters, Akitas are very gentle and loving. These dogs are sweet-natured, intelligent and adapt well to new environments.
Questions To Ask A Breeder
- Are you are registered breeder?
- Can we meet in person?
- Have they been socialised?
Breed Characteristics
Grooming
Exercise
Size Range
The Ultimate Akita Guide
About Akita
Despite their reputation as fierce hunters, Akitas are very gentle and loving. These dogs are sweet-natured, intelligent and adapt well to new environments.
Lifespan
10 to 12 years
Weight
Male: 34 - 54 kg Female: 34 - 50 kg
Height
Male: 66 - 71 cm Female: 61 - 66 cm
Grooming
You should brush your dog’s fur twice a week. It’s better to groom them outside, preferably on a concrete surface. This way, it’s easy to collect all the piles of loose hair.
Also, consider using a shedding tool like a curry comb. This is good for removing all the loose hairs in their undercoat.
Origins
“Is your pup a Husky mix? Is it a Chow?” If you own an Akita, it’s likely that you’re asked such questions all the time. Most people are familiar with Akita’s cousins – the Huskies, Malamutes and Chow Chows, but very few know about Akitas.
Akitas are part of the Spitz group, which incorporates many snow dog breeds. They are actually named after their place of origin, the Akita Prefecture in Japan.
In the 1800’s, trading activities were booming and European traders brought several of their breeds to Japan. The Japanese cross-bred them with their own breeds, specifically, the Matagi-Inu. This outcross is what resulted in the Akita breed, which is well-known today.
These dogs have come close to extinction several times in history. Rabies outbreaks in the years 1899 and 1924 caused Akitas to reduce in large numbers.
They also came to a near extinction during World War II. This happened because they were used as a major source of food following a food shortage caused by the war.
Fortunately, a few fanciers managed to save the breed. In the 1950’s, the demand for Akitas rose. This encouraged more breeders to develop Akitas.
Currently, Akitas are used as companion dogs.
Key Characteristics Of Akitas
Are Akitas Family-Friendly?
They are very aloof to strangers but loyal and passionate around their family.
Common Health Issues & Considerations
Akitas may suffer from:
Eye problems
Gastric Torsion
A life-threatening condition where the stomach twists and fills with gas, cutting off blood flow.
Acquired myasthenia gravis
An autoimmune disorder where antibodies disrupt the communication between nerves and muscles, causing weakness and fatigue.
Autoimmune Hypothyroidism
Nature / Temperament
They are a docile, smart, and brave dog breed.
Suitable Environment
They thrive best in homes with large yards.
Other Considerations
● Akitas have a cultural significance among the Japanese. They symbolise good health, bliss and longevity.
● These dogs shed a lot in Autumn and Spring. But, they shed very little other times of the year.
● Akitas have different coats of colours.
● These dogs are known to have a strong ‘prey’ drive.
● They’re likely to start chasing animals that come into their territory.
● They can be aggressive towards other dogs. Akitas are particularly prone to same-sex aggression. This means they need adequate socialisation and training to prevent such behaviour.
● These dogs are fiercely loyal and protective. They are very wary of strangers.
How can I take good care of my Akita?
Nutrition
Adult Akitas need approximately 5 – 6 cups of high quality dog food every day. This should be split between two meals.
You can adjust this amount depending on your dog’s individual needs. Start by giving them 1.5 cups of food in one meal. You can then increase or reduce that amount based on whether they eat all their food.
Grooming
Brush their fur at least twice a week.
Recommended Grooming Tips
Avoid bathing your Akita too often. It can dry out their skin and cause depletion of healthy oils.
Bathe can be done approximately 2 – 4 times per year.
Wait until your pup is at least 5 weeks old to give them their first bath.
Trim their nails at least once a month.
Check their ears for dirt or redness.
Exercise
The easiest way to exercise your dog is to take them for walks. But, the frequency and duration of these walks will depend on whether they’re puppies or adults.
For a younger fully vaccinated Akita puppy, short walks of between 10 – 15 minutes, three times a day is enough. For an adult Akita, you can increase the duration of each walk to 30 – 40 minutes. Maintain the frequency of three walks per day.
It’s also advisable to combine the walks with physical forms of exercise. Akitas have a lot of energy, which they direct to dominance and territoriality. To balance such behaviour, engage them in sports and play with them.
Training
If you’ve adopted an Akita puppy, it’s vital that you train them early. Training can start as early as when they’re nine weeks old. This way, they won’t end up with bad habits like chewing or chasing other pets.
Since they’re smart, they will need a great deal of interaction, discipline and love. Use positive training methods.
You should also be a firm leader when training your Akita. At no point should you allow your dog to walk over you. Summarise the rules that apply to your pup and make them known to your family members too.
Most Asked Akita Questions
There’s no straightforward answer to this question. The truth is, it can be easy and difficult to train Akitas.
Easy in the sense that they’re naturally clean. They don’t like soiling their sleeping areas, and this makes them easy to house train. But, they’re also very independent and smart. Thus, they might not like being told what to do, which is why they need a firm trainer.
They enjoy playing with children, but must always be supervised. They’re particularly ideal for families with small kids. The reason is that large dogs like Akitas react slowly. Plus, they’re less likely to get injured if a child is playing with them.
Akita puppies for sale cost between $1000 to $3000 approximately.
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