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Akita Breed Summary

Fearless, Dominant, Affectionate and Loyal Companions

These dogs are known for their intelligent yet reserved nature and they can often be possessive. They are very dignified and will always defend and protect their families. They have become an extremely popular breed in the UK as well as other parts of the world. It's worth noting that there are two types of Akita; the Japanese and the American, but both are similar in nature and part of the Spitz group.

They are an extremely impressive breed but, because of their fierce personalities, need to be socialised from a very young age to mature into well-rounded adults.

Fun Fact: In Japan, there is a whole museum entirely dedicated to Akitas!

Kennel Club Group Utility
Lifespan 10 – 15 Years
Height (at the withers) Males 64cm – 70 cm, Females 58cm – 64cm
Weight Males 34kg – 54kg, Female 34kg – 50kg
Coat Two coat types; Long and Short Coat. The long coat or 'Moku' is the result of an Autosomal Recessive Gene and may only occur phenotypically if both sire and dam are carriers.
Colour White, Brindle, Fawn, Red Fawn, Tan, Pinto, Sesame
Eye colour Dark
Common health issues Mycrocytosis, Autoimmune Hypothyroiditis, Akita thyroid, Bloat, Hip Dysplasia, Luxating Patella, Von Willebrand's Disease, Vestibular Syndrome
Other Names Akita Inu, American Akita, Japanese Akita, Great Japanese Dog

What we really love about this breed here at Yappy is their comical ability to mutter under their breath, as if voicing their own opinions on domestic matters in the house! It is very unusual to hear one of these dogs bark unless it is for very good reason, meaning you're left headache-free! They are not exactly what we would call a 'party animal', they are very wary of strangers and have an extremely 'sober' presence but they do have a very affectionate side. Many of these dogs will attempt to carry your wrist around in their mouth as a sign of love, often in the direction of their lead or the door. What is most strange about this breed is their unique way of licking themselves as a form of grooming – almost like a cat! If you're thinking of getting an Akita for the first time, we recommend that you do plenty of research as these dogs can become very aggressive and destructive if not looked after properly.

These beautiful creatures have gotten pretty close with the likes of Japanese royalty due to their gallant and powerful presence. They have also been known to hunt down bears and are extremely fearless when it comes to guarding their families, but even these hard-shelled beasts can't hide their soft centres. If trained properly, they can become extremely affectionate and humorous family pets. They are extremely loyal but at full size can weigh more than 100 pounds, so 'hoomans' need to assert their dominance as the owner to avoid any unwanted behaviour. It's also important to note that there are two variations of Akita; the American and the Japanese, with the latter being a lot smaller and weighing in at 30 pounds less than its American cousins.