American Akita

Akitas are best suited to families with older children who respect their size and boundaries. It also helps if you’re big enough not to be bowled over when you get jumped on!

This breed isn’t overly tolerant of rough handling and they don’t cope with being pulled around, so you’ll need to be gentle with them. Like all dogs, it’s important to actively supervise Akitas around children. This prevents any accidents or inappropriate interactions.

They’re incredibly protective of their loved ones and can be wary of unfamiliar guests. This may be a challenge if you have a busy home with people coming and going. You’ll also need to consider how you might manage them in social settings like holidays, birthdays, or visits to cafes and pub gardens. Akitas may prefer to rest in a quiet spot alone rather than a busy environment with lots of visitors.

Whilst these dogs can form deep bonds with their owners, they may struggle to tolerate other pets like cats and small animals because of their hunting instincts. This breed is also well-known for not being super sociable with other dogs, and especially for not getting along with dogs of the same sex. So make sure to consider this if you already have, or plan to get, another dog in the future.

Akitas are the cats of the dog world. They may not wear their hearts on their sleeves, but you can’t question their devotion. They’ll show you their affection in a subtle and dignified way.

An adult Akita is more likely to quietly follow you around than smother you with kisses. As for the younger ones, expect more antics like jumping on you and/or tugging on your sleeves. This is much more preferable to them than snuggles on the sofa!

Don’t mistake these dogs’ independent nature for a lack of love. Once an Akita trusts you, their loyalty is unshakable.

Surprisingly, yes! Despite their fairly serious demeanour, Akitas have a playful side, especially with their owners. They enjoy games like fetch or tug-of-war and often love to romp in the snow or water (thanks to their thick coat). But their play can be intense, and they may not realise their strength – so supervising play with children is essential.

Not typically. Akitas are generally quiet dogs who save their voices for when they feel it’s truly necessary. They’re more likely to alert you with a low grumble or a bark when they sense something unusual. But they’re not yappy or overly vocal. Yet, their silence can be misleading – they’re always alert and thinking about what’s going on, even when they seem relaxed.

Without proper training, socialisation, exercise, and mental stimulation, all dogs can develop behavioural issues. American Akitas are no exception. They’re happiest when they’re given clear expectations and boundaries. It’s important to give them plenty of mental and physical stimulation to channel their energy constructively.

Akitas are naturally protective of people and things they love. They can be prone to guarding food, toys, or comfy spots, and are naturally wary of strangers. Socialisation at an early age is essential (teaching a puppy to interact in an appropriate way with people and other dogs). This helps them feel more relaxed with visitors and makes sure they don’t scare off friends and family.

This breed can be aggressive with other dogs, especially those of the same sex, as they haven’t been bred to be very social. They also have a strong prey drive (hunting instinct), so small pets like cats, rabbits, or guinea pigs might trigger them. They thrive in homes with no other pets, or with one dog of the opposite sex.

Because of their strength, size, and independent spirit, teaching these dogs skills like recall and loose-lead walking is a must. It’s also crucial to start this from an early age. Otherwise you may find your walks feel more like drags!

Akitas thrive in larger homes with cool tiles or hardwood floors for them to stretch out on. A spacious, secure garden is also essential so they can stretch their legs, sniff, and play. Make sure your fencing is at least six feet tall. These dogs are notorious for finding ways to climb up, dig under, or squeeze through fencing!

They’re less well-suited to living in flats due to their size, energy levels, and watchdog tendencies. Whilst you may recognise the sound of a neighbour arriving home, your Akita might think they’ve heard a potential threat!

Although Akitas can live with other pets (if introduced carefully), it’s best to closely monitor their interactions. It’s also important to make sure they stay calm around your pets because of their hunting instincts.

This breed lives their best life with experienced dog owners who understand their unique temperament. You’ll also need to be committed to their lifelong training and socialisation.

American Akitas need around one to two hours of daily exercise to stay physically fit and mentally happy.

Bred as working dogs, they historically protected homes and land. They also went out with their humans to hunt prey like monkeys, rabbits, and even bears! Due to this rich heritage, Akitas love purposeful activities like hiking, obedience training, scent work, and carrying a backpack on walks.

Whilst they’re not as high-energy as some breeds, they still need consistent activity to prevent boredom. Mental stimulation is just as important – puzzle toys, scent games, and training sessions can help keep their intelligent minds occupied. You should be prepared to dedicate time each day to physical and mental activities with them. A bored Akita may develop unwanted behaviours like chewing or digging!

Akitas are moderately hard to train, as their working heritage gives them a strong-willed streak. They prefer to think for themselves and will always ask “why should I?” when learning new things. So they really benefit from consistent, reward-based training to keep them motivated.

All dogs require reward-based training and socialisation to learn basic behaviours such as interacting with other dogs, animals, and people. Without this, they can develop anxiety or rude behaviour in certain situations. This can make them hard to manage and require extra time and training to change when they’re older. As dogs mature, they go through several life stages that can evolve their behaviour. So you will need to focus on certain aspects of training at each stage. We can help you with this through our free behaviour advice.

Common behavioural issues to watch for in Akitas include:

• Aggression towards other dogs (especially of the same sex)

• Resource guarding (protecting things they value like food and toys, by growling, snapping, or biting when other people or dogs come close)

• Poor recall due to their independent streak

• Prey drive (hunting instinct) leading to chasing small animals

• Aloofness (withdrawn/not social), or aggression with strangers

Akitas have a thick double coat that sheds heavily twice a year during seasonal moulting – you’ll be wading through fur! Brushing several times a week with a slicker brush and undercoat rake helps reduce shedding and keeps their coat in good condition. During heavier shedding periods in the spring and autumn, daily brushing with an undercoat rake is essential.

This breed can have standard or long coats, with the latter being extra fluffy (and even more sheddy!). Whatever their coat type, it’s vital not to shave their fur. You may think that cutting their thick coat will keep them cool, but it will actually put them at risk of overheating in warmer months. It can also damage the coat and cause it to never grow back healthily again.

Bathing should only be done occasionally, as their coat repels dirt naturally. Regular nail trimming, ear cleaning, and dental care are also important for your dog’s overall wellbeing. This can be carried out at home if you train your dog to enjoy grooming from the start.

There are several common health conditions the Japanese Akita can develop, which include:

Common health conditions in American Akitas include:

·       Hip dysplasia: a genetic condition affecting the hip joint, leading to pain and mobility issues.

·       Autoimmune diseases: various conditions such as hypothyroidism and skin issues.

·       Progressive Retinal Atrophy (PRA): a degenerative eye condition that can cause blindness.

·       Bloat (Gastric Dilatation-Volvulus): a life-threatening condition requiring immediate veterinary attention.

·       Cruciate ligament injury: knee injuries are common in large breeds like the Akita.

You can help keep your dog in tip-top shape with regular health checks, a good diet and exercise.