Known as a national treasure in Japan , Akitas have romance American dog - buff with their dedication , watchfulness , and graceful specialty . discover more about living with the Akita .
The Akita — alarge , dignified dog breed — has roots in Japan , where he is count a national treasure . primitively trained to hunt wild Sus scrofa and even bears in the mountains , the brawny Akita is brave and determined . While he ’s not especially coarse in the U.S. , the Akita quickly illustrates to those who choose to espouse him that he makes a loyal family companion when well - train .
Beneath the Akita ’s dignified demeanor is a playful and affectionate side reserved for his owners . " When you look at it , it ’s like , ' Oh my gosh , how precious , how fluffy , it ’s so placid , ' " say Baruch Caballero , DVM , an hand brake veterinarian at theVeterinary Specialty Centerin Buffalo Grove , Ill. It ’s authoritative to do your research before bringing home any breed , including the big , furry Akita .
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Appearance
The Akita pup , with his fuzzy pelage , rounded frame , and disproportionately tremendous paws , invites plenty of " awws . " But he grows into a sizeable adult . " They ’re a pretty uncompromising strain , that ’s for sure , " Caballero say .
The height of an American Akita range from 24–28 inches at the shoulder joint , and the strain can weigh between 70–130 pounds . He has a monumental head with a broad muzzle , pointy ears , and small , deep - arrange brown centre . His loggerheaded double coat , whichsheds minimallyandneeds regular brushing , can be any semblance , including white , brindle , or pinto , with well - defined markings across his burly consistence . The Akita ’s distinctive tail lift over his back in a fluffy ringlet .
The Japanese Akita , known as the Akita Inu , appear like to the American Akita but tends to be more petite . Another difference between them is that the American Akita can be any colouring material , while the Japanese is commonly red , brindle , or white . While the Japanese Akita is sometimes confused with theShiba Inuin terms of appearance , it ’s easy to secern them apart in terms of grownup sizing : the Akita is large , while the Shiba Inu isa small strain .
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A number of Akita mix breeds are also available , including a Labrakita ( Labrador retrieverplus Akita ) , shepkita ( German shepherdplus Akita ) , and Akipoo ( Akita pluspoodle ) , to name a few .
Temperament
Large and in care — that ’s the Akita . " It ’s a run strain , but it was bred to actually track down and protect houses back in the twenty-four hours in Japan , " Caballero says .
He adds that the Akita can be anexcellent family dog , especially iftrained too soon and systematically . The Akita canget along well with familiar children , preferring to be around his human as much as potential . However , he tends to be aloof toward stranger . Because Akitas bond so closely to their family , they might be happiest as the house ’s only fur tyke ( they can get jealous if you give too much sexual love to another dog ! ) . But , if introduced in puppyhood , Akitas canlive alongside household catsand dogs well .
Living Needs
With their thick coat and hardy chronicle , Akitas love spending time outside , and afenced yardwhere they can roam and sniff is ideal . " If they ’re outside in the railway yard , what you ’ll see is they ’ll sniff around and then find a spot and lie down and [ survey ] , " Caballero says . " They ’re not tongue - out , waiting for you to throw the ball . "
Akitaslive for moth-eaten weather , and when it comes , they’llzoom around in the snow(they even have slightly webbed toe that help them walk on snowy drifts),eating itand rolling around to their hearts ' contentedness .
Indoors , they ’re felicitous tofollow their owner from room to room , or watch them from the floor . The Akita has astrong prey drive , so he shouldalways be on - leashand under sleepless eye when outside . This breed is relatively muted , and barking ordinarily is n’t an egress unless the andiron is alerting its fellowship to a visitant or something unfamiliar .
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Care
The Akita has a repute for being clean odorless , but if he ’s spending a lot of time outside his coating can get muddy , and it will need to be brushed and groomed ofttimes . " A clean Akita does n’t sense . But an Akita that [ loves the ] alfresco is decease to smell , " Caballero articulate . " That ’s why groom them is important . "
The Akita ’s thick coating cast minimally throughout the year until warm conditions hits , and then — look out ! The once - a - year desquamation , aka pelage bollix , is sure to cover the full house . Regularnail trimmingandteeth brushingare also important to an Akita ’s wellness .
This breedrequires temperate exercise , and if he ’s not getting that from roaming around in the yard , a daily nudge or long walk will answer . " Just like in humans , a walk outside is mentally calming and relaxes them and exercise them , " Caballero say . " This strain cangain weight pretty quicklyif they ’re pretty sedentary . If they ’re at dwelling not doing much , make treats , lay around ? They’regoing to get fleshy . "
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breeding should start earlyand happen oftentimes — equanimity , eubstance , andpositive reinforcementare key — because these fluffy puppies arise into large , potent , sovereign - minded adult . " The primary thing with this breed is you ’re going to have to be super [ consistent ] in train it as a puppy , " Caballero says . The good news : Akitas have a reputation for beingeasy to potty train !
Health
For a large dog , the Akita’slifespan is tenacious , at 10–13 class . However , the stock is prostrate to a numeral of health conditions , includinghip dysplasia , arthritis , hypothyroidism , andeye problems .
consort to theAkita Club of America , the Akita is also prostrate togastric dilatation - volvulus ( GDV ) or bloat , which is a life - threaten emergency that fall out when the dog ’s stomach twirl and slew off blood supplying .
Caballero advocate Akita puppy owners conceive a surgery called gastropexy , where the side of the belly is tacked to the abdomen wall so it ca n’t riff . " If I get one of those breeds , that would be the first matter I would do to forestall them from twist the stomach , " he says . " Because [ if your hotdog experiences GDV ] you go to the ER and you spend $ 8,000–$10,000 in surgery . "
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Akita possessor should talk to their veterinarians about preventative options for health risks their own dogs may face .
History
The Akita is named for the Akita prefecture in Japan , where his lineage can be traced back to the 17th century . According to theAkita Club of America , there ’s evidence of the Akita dating back to the Jōmon Period ( 14,000–300 B.C. ) . Though they were bred as strong , severely - working hunt dog the Akita came to be reckon for his trueness .
As hunting became less common , the strain transitioned into the function of lovable family companion with his dignified demeanor and affection . Now , they are one of seven hotdog breed fate as a natural internal monument in Japan . agree to the stock club , Akita have a spiritual significance , too , and are reckon as a symbol of good health .
The Akita first made his fashion to the U.S. in 1937 , whenHelen Keller brought a whelp named Kamihome after a enlistment through Japan . The Akita remained a rarity in the U.S. until after World War II , when hark back American soldier brought them from overseas . The stock was officially recognized by the American Kennel Club in 1972 .
