The Akita is a large Japanese dog breed that was bred as a hunting dog with a thick, double coat of fur. They're deliberate, strong-willed dogs who make loyal companions—for the experienced dog owner.

Akitas' insulating coat is only one of their distinct features, along with their thick necks, erect triangular ears, and upright curled tails, all of which make them look like big, cuddly stuffed animals. But make no mistake: For all their loyalty, Akitas are confident, headstrong, and not friendly with all animals. This not an ideal breed for first-time dog owners or families with small kids.

Learn more about the Akita:

Characteristics of the Akita

While the Akita can be sweet and affectionate with family members, this breed best suits an experienced owner and a home without young children or other dogs (especially dogs of the same sex). They can be stubborn, and in general they aren't "overly tolerant" of people outside their sphere. If you have a small household and decide the Akita is the right breed for you, you will have a loyal and steadfast companion for life.

History of the Akita

The Akita is named for the northern Japanese prefecture (region) where they were developed in the 17th century. They were bred as hunting dogs, big and courageous enough to take on boars, deer, and even bears.

Akitas carry an immense cultural importance in Japan, where they're thought of as loyal protectors and symbols of good health. Families receive Akita statues when a baby is born, and ailing people gather the same, spurring them to get better.

The loyalty of the Akita is epitomized by the dog Hachiko, born in 1923 and owned by a Tokyo professor. Hachiko accompanied the professor to the train each day and returned to escort him home each afternoon. When the professor died at work, he continued to walk to and from the station each day for nine years.

Hellen Keller brought the first known Akita to the United States in 1937. More followed after World War II, when returning servicemen brought the dogs home with them. (Many Akitas didn't live through the war.) The American Kennel Club recognized the Akita in 1972.

Akita Care

Akitas are powerful, strong, and athletic, which means they require plenty of exercise and serious training. They are also known to shed considerably more than most dogs, so you'll need to be a vigilant groomer. This dog is also known for a catlike behavior: cleaning themselves after eating.

This breed does not like hot weather, mostly because of its thick coat, so an Akita needs to be aware of when the dog may be overheated.

Exercise

This breed has a relatively high energy level and should get 60 minutes of exercise daily, consisting of at least a brisk daily walk or two. But you should avoid walking an Akita at a dog park where they may get aggressive. They love their people or person more than anything, so be ready to participate in that exercise, too.

Grooming

Yeah, you'll need to be ready for some shedding. Double-coated Akitas shed all year, but they'll blow their coats twice a year, resulting in massive fur loss. Better make sure you have a vacuum handy.

Basic routine grooming is all that this breed tends to need for maintenance. Daily brushing will keep the coat healthy and decrease shedding. Brushing should be done more frequently during peak shedding seasons.

Training

Akitas are very smart dogs who are also known to be willful and stubborn. 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. The protective Akita has a strong prey drive, is often hesitant around strangers, and probably won't get along with other dogs.

Keep training—obedience or otherwise—to short, fun sessions to keep your smart Akita from getting bored. It will also strengthen the owner-dog bond.

Speaking of boredom, an Akita may develop some destructive habits when bored or left alone too much. That's why it's important to make sure they have enough exercise and playtime.

Common Health Problems

Responsible breeders strive to maintain the highest breed standards as established by kennel clubs like the AKC. Dogs bred by these standards are less likely to inherit health conditions. However, some hereditary health problems can occur in the breed. The following are some conditions to be aware of:

• Hip Dysplasia: This is an inherited condition—improper development of the hip joint—that can lead to arthritis and lameness. Dogs with hip dysplasia should not be bred.
• Gastric Dilatation-Volvulus: Also known as bloat, this happens when large-chested dogs eat and drink too fast, leading to gas production. If the stomach twists, it cuts off the blood supply and becomes a medical emergency.
• Hypothyroidism: This is an underactive thyroid gland and can be corrected with diet and medication.
• Sebaceous Adenitis (SA): This inherited autoimmune skin condition in Akitas leads to the inflammation and destruction of the sebaceous glands in the skin. It is mostly a cosmetic problem with loss of hair on the head and back.

Diet and Nutrition

Akita puppies will grow rapidly and need a high-quality, low-calorie diet so they don't grow too fast. Adult Akitas should be fed twice a day with a total of three to five cups of dry food. Be sure to monitor your Akita for weight gain and discuss any special needs with your veterinarian.

Where to Adopt or Buy an Akita

Before searching for an Akita, know that breeders and rescue groups will typically not release this breed into a home with young children. The Akita Club of America is a great place to start your search for a puppy. Its list of member breeders covers the U.S., Canada, and Spain. The best way to find an Akita rescue is to research local rescue groups; you may also get leads from the Akita Club of America Rescue and the Namaste Akita Rescue Alliance.

Akitas are generally going to cost at least $1,000 for a puppy, but it can cost as much as $4,000 for a purebred offspring of competition-winning parents. If you are lucky enough to find an Akita who needs to be rehomed, you will pay considerably less.

Akita Pros and Cons

If you're still deciding whether an Akita is right for you family, here's a handy pros and cons list to help you decide:

Akita Pros

• Protective
• Forms strong, loyal bond with owner
• Brave

Akita Cons

• Sheds profusely
• Stubborn, difficult to train
• Can be aggressive toward other dogs
• High prey drive
• Doesn't tolerate hot weather
  

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More Dog Breeds and Further Research

Before you decide whether an Akita is the right dog for you, do plenty of research and talk to other Akita owners, reputable breeders, and rescue groups to learn more.

If you are interested in similar breeds, compare these:

• Siberian Husky
• German Shepherd
• Basenji
• Shar-Pei

There is a wide variety of dog breeds out there. With a little research, you can find the right one to bring home.