Akita Dog Breed At a Glance
Overview
The Akita dog breed which goes by different names, such as Japanese Akita, Great Japanese Dog, and also, the American Akita, is a truly loyal, large dog. It is one of the smartest of all the breeds, and as such, can become bored, leading to destructive behavior. The key to having an Akita is to provide it with lots of exercise, which will keep it out of trouble. It’s a great watchdog and will protect its family if an intruder is present, and is a good breed for a family with children.
Group: Working
HISTORY of the Akita Dog
Origin: Japan
PERSONALITY
Expect loyalty, playfulness, and affection when you bring an Akita dog into your home. However, this is not the best breed for dog owners who don’t have previous experience. This type of dog is also in need of plenty of exercise, so if you’re not up to frequent trips to the park, it may not be the ideal dog to adopt. The Akita is considered moderately easy to train. This is a friendly, yet alert and courageous breed. It is very sensitive, meaning it may have difficulty when being reprimanded. It rarely barks, is cat-friendly, and has a low hunting drive, however, owners need to be aware that it has a high tendency to wander.
Note: the Akita was associated with 75 human attacks. This statistic ranks the Akita in the top 10% of dog attacks on humans. It resulted in 57 maimings and eight deaths from 1982. It is equally important to note that, when calculating these attacks over the course of decades, it’s unlikely that an Akita would cause deaths.
Physical Characteristics of the Akita Dog Breed
The common colors of the Akita include black, white, brown, and red. Its coat is thick, short, rough and harsh. It is not a hypoallergenic breed.
The weight of the Akita is between 65 and 130 pounds. As such, it is considered to be one of the heaviest of all dog breeds. It stands between 23 and 20 inches tall.
Shedding is constant with the Akita, so expect to brush regularly to reduce the amount, but frequent vacuuming will be required. Drooling is another factor to consider with the Akita.
HEALTH and CARE of the Akita Dog
Life Expectancy
The life expectancy of the Akita dog is between 10 and 12 years, which is shorter in comparison to other giant breeds.
Common Health Concerns
Some common health concerns high on the list with Akita dogs include:
- Cruciate Ligament Injury
- Entropion
- Sebaceous Adenitis
- Uveodermatologic Syndrome
- Pemphigus
It is at a medium risk of:
- Hip Dysplasia.
CARE
The Akita is also has a great potential for weight gain. Proper nutrition and exercise is necessary to keep this breed of dog healthy and fit.
Nutrition
Nutrition is always important for longevity and overall good health, regardless of dog breeds. The Akita, being a giant breed, requires between 4 and 5 cups of dry dog food each day.
Grooming
Grooming needs are quite low on the scale with the Akita dog breed. While he will require frequent brushing, trimming and the like is not necessary on a regular basis.
The Akita was recognized by the AKC in 1972.
