Akita Dog Breed Information (2024)

FAQs

Why are Akitas so special? ›

The Akita is a muscular, double-coated dog of ancient Japanese lineage famous for their dignity, courage, and loyalty. In their native land, they're venerated as family protectors and symbols of good health, happiness, and long life. Akitas are burly, heavy-boned spitz-type dogs of imposing stature.

A native Japanese breed known as Matagi (hunting dog) was used along with the Hokkaido Inu breed to mix back into the remaining Akita dogs to restore the breed. There were many lines of Akita, but the most influential were the Dewa and Ichinoseki.

In addition to their extreme loyalty, the Akita likes to keep very clean, and is easily housebroken. These two characteristics make them desirable to have in the home. Some have described the Akita as being almost cat-like, as they are so clean and odorless.

Due to their hunting instincts, Akitas can be dangerous to smaller animals, including cats. They are frequently aggressive towards other dogs, especially those of the same sex. Akitas typically do best as solo pets.

Akita Attacks

Akitas, to their owners, are often loving and playful pets. However, Akitas have gotten a bad reputation because of their ability to cause harm. One source reports that Akitas have a bite force of 300 to 400 PSI, which can cause significant damage to humans or other animals.

Akitas frequently direct aggression toward strangers in the home, particularly children. They also display dominance aggression in and outside the home.

As Akitas get so attached to their families, we wouldn't recommend leaving them alone as many don't cope well with this. If you do need to leave your Akita alone, this should never be for more than four hours and you'll need to make sure you leave them with something to keep them occupied.

Akitas are very smart dogs who are also known to be willful and stubborn. 1 They'll be challenging, but you'll need to start their training and socialization as soon as you can. You don't want them to be overly weary of the outside world.

Akitas are most closely genetically related to ancient wolves. They are a Japanese dog breed that is great hunters, and are often police dogs, but are also excellent family dogs.

Remember, a Japanese Akita famously returned to the train station his owner used to commute home to long after his owner passed away - that's a pretty intense level of love, isn't it? Although Akitas can be aloof, they reserve their affection for close family members and will be very cuddly and sweet with them.

Are male or female Akitas better? ›

Female Akitas tend to be less stubborn than their male counterparts, but they can have their fair share of downfalls. For example, if you have another female in the home or plan to get another female dog, you might want to get a male instead. Female Akitas are notoriously same-sex aggressive.

One person dog

It's important that you don't leave this breed alone for long periods of time. Encourage your Akita to get along well with the whole family and anyone else who may frequently be visiting. This is because Akita usually bond with only one person and can become anxious and stressed when that person is away.

That being said, we wouldn't recommend an Akita if you have young children as they could accidentally knock them over due to their large size and strength. Akitas can also be protective and possessive with toys and food, which younger children may not understand.

The Akita has some health problems that can be a concern, especially if you aren't careful whom you buy from. They include hip and elbow dysplasia, progressive retinal atrophy and autoimmune hypothyroidism.

However.... the Akita Inu has a complex personality that makes him very challenging to raise. Physically powerful, reserved with strangers, and protective, the Akita Inu must be accustomed to people at an early age so that his guarding instincts remain controlled rather than indiscriminate.

The Akita must be socialised and trained from birth to interact with humans and other animals, especially household pets. They are known to be cautious around new people and to dislike other animals and pets and are not recommended with small families.