Akita breed guide: Care, training, and fun facts
Breed guide overview
About Akitas
Temperament
Exercise
Grooming
Training
Diet
Health
About the Akita breed
Akitas originate from Japan and Odate, Japan even has an Akita museum! They are now popular throughout the world. Akitas were originally a symbol of wealth and prestige (only nobility were allowed to own one) and later as a symbol of good luck (small Akita statues were given at the birth of a baby or when someone was sick).
With impressive strength, Akitas were originally used for hunting and to herd fish into nets for fishermen, and now, their dignified disposition makes them exceptionally loyal to their owners.
Weight, height & life expectancy
Large in size, with a curled tail, Akitas can be up to 64cm for females and 70cm for males in height to their shoulder. The females can weigh up to 29kg, and the males quite a bit bigger, at up to 39kg.
The average lifespan of an Akita is up to 11 years.
What is the temperament of an Akita like?
Akitas are friendly and intelligent dogs, who can be quite obedient if trained well. Sometimes their independence can make them want to do their own thing. They can be good watchdogs and they can bark a bit, but are not known as loud dogs.
A lot of Akitas don’t like other dogs, and can only tolerate cats if they’ve known them since they were puppies. Early socialisation with dogs can sometimes help them to get on better with dogs. They generally like children, as long as the children give them their own space. This can be difficult to explain to smaller children, so they are better with older kids. Their physical size can also be a challenge for smaller kids, who can be easily knocked over by an excited Akita. When it comes to strangers they tend to take a little while to be comfortable with them.
Our Akita Community
“Levi is an American Akita who loves both people and dogs. He is very food motivated especially towards chicken and sausages. He has a high prey drive and will often try to sneak up towards birds and cats. He loves napping especially in cold areas around the house.”
Levi’s owner, Carla from London
“Hiro loves chasing rabbits on walks and cuddles with treats. When excited he does still like to jump up and lick faces, especially beards. When he loves you he will lean against your legs so you can give him super cuddles. During the day he will nap in his favourite spots around the house and garden.”
Hiro’s owner, Ian from Sussex
How much exercise does an Akita need?
Akitas have high stamina and enjoy long and engaging walks or runs, and should be given at least two hours of exercise a day. A large, secure garden is ideal for an Akita to play around in, and some of them love to swim. Akitas have strong hunting instincts, so be very sure when you let them off lead they are in an enclosed space, or they may go on their own adventure without you!
When it is warm be very cautious with exercise as they have a very thick, warm coat. Although they can get used to warm climates, a short, sudden increase in temperature (as often happens in the British summer!) can make them uncomfortable.
As they are smart they can enjoy activities that can engage their brain too - including new walks and fun activities at home.
Need an extra hand exercising your Akita? Find a local borrower today.
Do Akitas need a lot of grooming?
Their fur can have four colours: red, sesame, brindle or white. Akitas shed a lot, so ideally should be brushed a couple of times a week at least, but more often in hotter times of year when they shed more. Visiting a professional groomer 3-4 times a year can help you manage your Akita’s coat.
During nesting time, as long as it’s not too windy, putting your Akita’s spare fluff in the garden can be really appreciated by local birds making their nests.
Like any dog, regular tooth brushing with a dog-specific toothpaste twice daily is ideal. If you can’t manage that often, just do it as often as you can.
Are Akitas easy to train?
Akitas are not the easiest dogs to train, so are best suited to an experienced dog owner who understands the breed. They respond well to positive praise and need to be trained by a confident owner, who is consistent with commands. They can get bored though, so be sure to mix it up and not to just keep repeating the same exercise.
Want to experience spending time with an Akita to decide if this breed is right for you? Borrow an Akita near you.
What do Akitas eat?
Akitas should be fed a good quality dog food twice a day. Akitas are prone to weight gain, so do be careful with what they eat. Often people can think it’s just their coat that makes them look big, but get your hands on them to make sure you can still feel their ribs without counting them, and that they have a nice neat waist. If you are worried about your dog’s weight, contact your vet.
As with any dog, make sure treats only make up 10% of their diet. A nice low fat treat like carrots is a great crunchy munch for an Akita.
As a puppy they should be on a high quality, large breed, puppy food. Avoid adding supplements, as most complete foods are full of everything your dog needs, and adding extras can make your dog grow too fast and lead to health problems.
Are Akitas healthy?
Akitas are usually quite healthy dogs, but like any breed, they are more likely to pick up some conditions more than other breeds. Here are some examples:
Bones and joints
Hip Dysplasia - a condition where the thigh bone and pelvis do not sit together properly at the hip joint
Elbow Dysplasia - this condition is where there is an issue with how the bones fit together at the elbow joint
Eyes
Entropion - this is where the eyelids roll in, causing eyelashes to rub onto the surface of the eye
Ectropion - with this condition the eyelid rolls out, which can expose the eye to dryness
Glaucoma - the pressure of the eye becomes too high which can damage the eye
Progressive Retinal Atrophy - over time the back of the eye becomes damaged which can reduce your dog’s vision, eventually leading to blindness
Gastrointestinal
Gastric Dilation Volvulus (GDV) - this occurs when the stomach twists and gas and contents get trapped inside. It is a very serious condition and a vet should be contacted immediately
Hormonal
Hypothyroidism - a condition where your dog does not produce enough thyroid hormone
Skin
Sebaceous Adenitis - an uncommon auto-immune condition, where the skin glands become inflamed and irritated.
This list is by no means comprehensive, so if you have any concerns about the health of your Akita or if you want to discuss further if an Akita is right for you, consult with your vet.
Vet top tip
Akitas can be very loving dogs, but they are big, strong and can be quite independent. So it’s important to be strongly committed to them and any training regime, and have experience with them before getting your own.
BorrowMyDoggy loves Akitas
BorrowMyDoggy has over 1,000 Akita members
Information on this page should never replace advice given by your veterinarian. Potential health issues presented are given as a guide only and are not meant to be comprehensive. If you ever have any concerns about your dog’s health contact your local vet.
