Akita Dog Breed Information
If you’re looking for Akita dog breed information, this overview will give you the full rundown. Akitas are large, powerful guard dogs hailing from the Akita region of northern Japan. These dignified snow dogs were bred for hunting large game such as bears, as well as protecting estates, and they are fearless, courageous, and renowned for their loyalty.
Akita Dog Breed Rundown
Height: 26 to 28 inches (males), 24 to 26 inches (females) (61 cm to 71 cm)
Weight: 100 to 130 lbs. (males), 70 to 100 lbs. (females) (32 kilos to 59 kilos)
Lifespan: 10 to 14 years
Origin: Japan
Personality: The Akita is a dignified, loyal, courageous dog that is fiercely protective of their human family. Akitas can be strong-willed and independent-minded and enjoy having tasks to do. They are highly intelligent and get easily bored so they need plenty of activities. Akitas are snow dogs and are energized in cold weather. The Akita dog breed is reserved with strangers but social and often silly with their families. They enjoy being close to their owners and are best as indoor dogs with regular exercise outside. These large, furry dogs love long walks, hiking, and playing in the snow.
The American Akita comes in many color variations.
Akita Appearance
The Akita is a dignified, imposing dog that is a member of the northern spitz group of breeds. Akitas have a solid, muscular appearance, with pointed ears, a thick, double coat, and curled tail. These large dogs stand 24 to 28 inches at the shoulder and have large, broad heads. Their thick double coats keep them warm in the coldest of temperatures, and they have webbed feet to help them easily walk on snow. Akitas have bright, triangular eyes, pointed ears, and an alert expression. Their signature fluffy, curly tail is unique on each dog, with slight curl variations among Akitas.
The Japanese Akita has a more pointed, fox-like appearance. Photo by Mikhail Vadsilyev.
American Akita Vs. Japanese Akita
There are two main varieties of Akitas, the American Akita and the Japanese Akita or Akita Inu. The American Akita dog breed comes in a variety of colors, including black, brown, brindle, fawn, red, white, and combinations of these colors, with bi-color and tri-color varieties. The large, boxy build of the American Akita gives her a bear-like appearance.
In Japan, Akitas who are bred for show are allowed in fewer colors - a golden red and white color (most favored), white, or brindle. The Japanese Akita has a fox-like appearance, with dark almond eyes, and most have a reddish coat with white markings.
Japanese Akitas are 23 to 25 inches at the shoulder and range between 70 and 120 pounds, slightly smaller than their American counterparts. Japanese Akitas have more pointed facial features, with a slightly smaller head than the American Akita dog breed. American Akitas have boxier heads and smaller eyes. Both types of Akita dogs have recessive genes for long fur, so some Akitas have long fur. All Akita varieties have a thick, double coat, and curly tail.
The Akita has a bold, adventurous, dominant personality.
Akita History
The Akita dog breed is an ancient one that goes back at least 1,000 years. Akitas originated in the mountainous region of Odate, Akita Prefecture, in northern Japan. They were bred to hunt large game such as elk, wild boar, and brown bears. Throughout their history in Japan, they have also been used for hunting and tracking, guarding nobility, as samurai warriors, as dog fighting dogs, and for military and police work.
The dignified Akita dog breed is highly regarded in their native country of Japan, where they are a symbol of health, happiness, and longevity. Akitas were bred to have a strong prey drive, a fearless nature, and a fierce loyalty to their owners. What some people call stubbornness in today’s Akitas was valued as persistence and independence that helped Akitas to track and hunt large prey like bears with great courage. In 1931, the Akita was officially declared a Japanese natural monument.
In the 1600s, Akitas were used in dog fighting in Japan. This was a popular sport at the time and unfortunately went on for hundreds of years. Akitas have also been used to guard the estates and families of nobility in Japan, and they were esteemed companions for samurai warriors.
Hachiko was an Akita who became world-renowned for showing the deep loyalty of the Akita dog breed. Hachiko lived from 1923 to 1935 and was the dedicated companion of a professor in Tokyo. Hachiko would meet his owner every day at the train station to welcome him home. One day his owner died from a cerebral hemorrhage while at work. Hachiko returned to the train station every day for the next 9 years, waiting for his owner, until his own death in 1935. His loyalty and dedication have become inspirations in Japanese culture and around the world.
Helen Keller brought the first Akita to the United States in 1937, after receiving an Akita puppy as a gift during her trip to Japan. After World War II, soldiers brought the breed home to the U.S. and people began forming Akita clubs. The American Kennel Club began recognizing the Akita as a breed in 1973.
Akita Personality
The Akita is a bold, dignified, confident breed with an unwavering loyalty to their family. They are courageous, fearless guard dogs and rarely bark. Akitas are wary of strangers but very loyal and sometimes downright silly with their family.
Akitas are confident, adventurous dogs.
Akitas are independent-minded and can be cat-like. They often clean themselves and although they are extremely dedicated and playful with family, they usually do not enjoy cuddling and prefer to stay close to their owners but not on top of them. Akitas are strong-willed and extremely intelligent, making them prone to boredom if they are not challenged enough.
The Akita dog breed generally has a medium activity level and Akitas enjoy long walks, hiking, and doing almost anything with their family. They thrive as indoor dogs with plenty of exercise outside, and they enjoy being close to family.
Akitas generally are not affectionate with other dogs, and require a lot of socialization to be able to interact well with other dogs. Akitas have a strong prey drive and may take off despite commands, and it’s important to have a secure fence if your Akita is off-leash. Generally, it is not recommended to bring Akitas to dog parks, as they have a strong prey drive that can trigger them to “hunt” other dogs, and their independence often makes them see obedience commands as optional.
Training an Akita
Akitas are dignified, courageous, and dedicated to their families and make great companions and guard dogs. As with all dogs, obedience training and socialization are important to make sure your Akita is well-adjusted and happy. Because of their size, strength, and history, Akitas must have a firm, consistent handler and plenty of socialization and interactions with their family.
Akitas can be strong-willed and bossy, and they need a dominant human leader of their pack. They are highly intelligent and can be easily bored, sometimes making obedience a challenge as they may regard commands as optional. However, there are many Akitas who do well in agility, tracking, and therapy work, and it is best to give your Akita a job. They are working dogs who love to be close with their humans and need regular interaction with family. If they’re left alone in a yard all the time or do not get enough stimulation and exercise, they can develop behavioral problems like digging, chewing, and aggression.
Akitas are a large, strong, dignified breed with a medium energy level and they thrive on interactions with their humans. With training and socialization, as well as regular activities with their family, they will thrive.
Famous Akitas
Hachiko is the most famous Akita, whose legendary loyalty has inspired movies and books. Hachiko was an Akita who met his owner at a Tokyo train station every day as he returned from work. One day his owner died at work, and the loyal Hachiko returned to the train station every day for 9 years, until he died, still waiting for his owner.
Kamikaze-Go - Helen Keller’s first Akita puppy, given to her by the people of Japan. She brought him to the U.S. and he became the first Akita in America.
Celebrities with Akitas
Actress Sarah Michelle Gellar is a lifelong Akita lover and has two American Akitas.
Rapper star Drake has an American Akita named Diamond.
British actor Henry Cavill has an American Akita named Kal.
Comedic actor Dan Aykroyd has two Akitas.
Akita Health
The akita dog breed is a large, working breed that is generally healthy but sometimes may have the following health issues:
Hip and elbow dysplasia
Bloat
Thyroid disorders, especially hypothyroidism
Progressive retinal atrophy
Von Willebrand disease (a bleeding disorder)
Immune system disorders that may affect the skin and coat
Where to Get an Akita
If you want to adopt an Akita, there are many great Akita dogs and puppies in rescues. Many people do not know you can get a purebred dog from rescues and spend thousands of dollars to get an Akita from a breeder. The truth is there are a lot of Akitas available for adoption at rescues. Here are some of the main Akita rescue organizations and the Akita Club of America for a directory of Akita breeders:
Akita Rescue Mid-Atlantic is an Akita rescue located in Washington, DC, that serves the mid-Atlantic region and has Akitas available for adoption and fostering.
Akita Rescue Society of Florida is an Akita rescue serving Florida and the southeastern U.S. The rescue has adoptable Akita dogs and puppies.
Big East Akita Rescue is an Akita rescue serving the northeast U.S. The rescue has lots of adoptable Akita dogs and puppies as well as resources to help Akita owners.
Georgia Akita Rescue Division is an Akita rescue located in Georgia that has rescue Akitas for adoption.
Midwest Akita Rescue is an Akita rescue organization serving the Midwest region of the U.S. The rescue has Akita dog breed information and resources as well as adoptable Akitas.
Rakki-Inu Akita Rescue is an Akita rescue located in Virginia that primarily serves eastern VA, NC, and SC, U.S.
Namaste Akita Rescue Alliance is an Akita rescue located in California. The rescue has Akitas for adoption in the San Francisco Bay area and northern California.
Akita Club of America is the national Akita club in the U.S. and is recognized by the American Kennel Club. The Akita Club of America has a directory of breeders and lots of resources on the Akita breed and Akita care.
We hope this article has given you a better understanding of what to expect when adopting an Akita. These are intelligent, powerful, loyal dogs and make wonderful companions, but they do have some unique needs that should be taken into consideration when deciding whether or not to include them in your family. If you're looking for more information on adopting, check out our 10 Tips to Prepare Before Adopting a Dog.
