Akita Inu

70-100 lbs
24-26"
Japan
Akita Inu, Japanese Akita, Akita Ken

The Akita is one of those dogs that everyone seems to love — and for good reason. Huge and cuddly, it’s an adorable-looking, loyal breed that you won’t be able to take to the park without allowing an extra half-hour for admiring strokes. And don't get us started on the overwhelming cuteness of an Akita puppy. 

So. Maybe you’re thinking of getting an Akita (or even multiple Akitas) at some point in the future. Maybe you’ve got one now and never read a guide to the Akita dog breed. Well - in this explainer, we’ll help you find out lots more about the Akita, including:

  • That there’s controversy over the difference between a ‘Japanese’ Akita and an ‘American’ Akita
  • Some health complaints the Akita might suffer from are bloat, progressive retinal atrophy, and Von Willebrand’s Disease
  • It can be a bit stubborn, making it a little tricky to train
  • Helen Keller had the first ever Akitas in the US

Akita breed overview

The kind of dog that is often described as ‘dignified’, the Akita - otherwise known as the Akita Inu - is a fiercely intelligent and loyal dog. With a big body, distinctive curled tail and a gorgeous thick coat, it’s a real staple of the dog world, with admirers far and wide, not just in its native Japan.

While it has its idiosyncrasies and isn’t recommended for first-time pet parents, the Akita Inu is a great dog to have as a pet. It loves its family and will be more protective of you than almost any other dog. This can come with potential issues, as we’ll see later, but if you’re looking for a dog that will follow you to the ends of the Earth, look no further. 

On average, although it’s a broad spectrum, an Akita dog is likely to cost you approximately $1,000 to $3,000 in annual vet bills throughout the course of its lifetime (which should be approximately 10 - 12 years). A pet insurance plan may cover some of those costs. 


Here, you can compare the best insurance providers to find the right quote for you and your dog. And, while you’re there, why not consider a wellness plan, which will cover the cost of your pup’s routine vet treatment and checks?



purpose Purpose
Hunting Game
history Date of Origin
1600s
ancestry Ancestry
Northern Spitz

Akita Inu Health

Sketch of Akita Inu
Average Size
Male Akita Inu size stats
Height: 26-28 inches Weight: 100-130 lbs
Female Akita Inu size stats
Height: 24-26 inches Weight: 70-100 lbs

Akita Inu Breed History


We know that the Akita dates back to 17th-century Japan. It was on an island called Honshū, the largest island in Japan, that the breed originated. To be more precise, the Akita comes from a Honshū prefecture called Akita.

It’s a snowy mountain dog, which isn’t a surprise when you see how fluffy and well insulated it is. In the mountains it would be used as a hunting dog, able to pursue and corner animals like deer, boar and even bears.

In the 1930s author Helen Keller officially became the first person in the US to have an Akita — two, in fact — when she was given them as a present. In World War Two, some who had Akitas at home released them when they learned that the Japanese military wanted to use the dogs’ coats as lining for soldiers’ uniforms. 

Formally, Americans and Canadians believe that the American Akita and the Japanese Akita are two sub-categories of the same breed; to the rest of the world, however, these two dogs are two different breeds. The American Kennel Club officially recognized the Akita in 1972.

Akita Inu Breed Appearance


It’s a big old thing, the Akita. This is a dog that can easily weigh up to 100 lbs, maybe more. Powerful, big-boned and muscular, it has plenty of attributes that would clearly have been fantastically helpful to humans hunting centuries ago. 

Their coat color goes through the spectrum from white through fawn and brindle to black. They always have brown eyes and their nose can either be black or brown. Their undercoat, which can be different in color to its shorter outer coat, is soft and thick. This double-layered coat has been designed to keep an Akita nice and cozy even in freezing-cold mountain conditions. 

The Akita has huge paws — almost like a big cat’s — and a distinctive curly tail, which is furry and thick. This breed’s head is large, and has been described as bear-like.

Similar breeds to the Akita

Although every dog is beautifully unique, there are breeds that bear a resemblance in various ways to the Akita. You might be interested to know that these are:

Akita Inu Breed Maintenance

When it comes to physical activity, the large Akita will need quite a lot. The dog makes a fantastic partner for anyone resolving to get fit: take it on any outdoor activity like running or hiking and it will love you for the rest of the day.

Don’t worry about the temperature outside being cold; Akitas are, if anything, happier in cold weather. They’re certainly better at dealing with it than humans. And they can survive in a fairly small home but, because of their size, they will appreciate a sizable back yard in which they can stretch their legs. 

This isn’t a hypoallergenic breed: the Akita sheds a lot of hair, which for some might be frustrating. Try to trim its nails about once a month — only if necessary though, and obviously more if they’re getting very long — and don’t worry about bathing it: Akitas are exceptionally good at keeping themselves clean, and exhibit a technique that is often compared to that of a cat. 

Remember to brush its teeth multiple times a week and clean its ears regularly. With an Akita, paying extra attention to its eyes is a good idea because of its chances of contracting eye problems.

Akita health risks

Like a lot of large and indeed smaller dogs, the Akita is vulnerable to hip dysplasia. As well as this common condition, the breed also has some likelihood of struggling with the following health risks: 


Bloat

Bloating is particularly common in older dogs, so if you have an Akita, keep an eye on it as it ages — bloat can be nasty and even fatal if not caught early. Also known as Gastric Dilatation Volvulus (GDV), it’s a serious condition that can put your dog’s life at risk and involves gas in the stomach causing it to dilate and even rotate. Your dog can go into shock if it suffers from bloat, in which case immediate attention from a vet will be necessary. 

Keep an eye on your Akita and look out for it panting, breathing rapidly, retching but not bringing anything up, and excessively drooling. Each of these could be a sign of bloat and, if a vet agrees that this is the diagnosis, they will treat the condition according to its severity. 

At the first stage, if your pup is very unwell, it will need to be stabilized and given oxygen. After this the stomach will need to be decompressed with the help of a tube down the esophagus and a lavage. Through surgery the stomach will need to be rotated and gastropexy and gastric resectioning may have to take place. After this, the vet may prescribe antibiotics and advise that you don’t feed your dog for 48 hours.

Von Willebrand’s Disease

If you notice that your Akita is bleeding excessively from a cut that’s only minor, is feeling sick, or is collapsing, it might be suffering from Von Willebrand’s Disease, a condition that can be alarming.

Stress might exacerbate the disease and it might be after surgery, when your dog is at risk of bleeding profusely, that you first become aware of the condition. Von Willebrand’s Disease is genetic but symptoms might take a while to appear. Equally, they might be apparent from an early age. 

Clotting agents and blood transfusions will probably be necessary for affected dogs. Minimizing stress is worthwhile, and it’s a good idea to be aware that some medications — some antibiotics, ibuprofen, and antihistamines — may make dangerous bleeds more likely to happen.

Progressive retinal atrophy

An Akita affected by progressive retinal atrophy will gradually go blind because of the death of the rod cells in their retinas. Luckily, because the progression of the condition is so slow, your dog may not even let on that anything is wrong; they may adapt to life with increasingly poor eyesight. 

Your dog’s eyes will eventually begin to succumb to cataracts, for example, and it will behave more tentatively as it begins to lose its day vision (the loss of night vision comes first). Be on the lookout at the early stages for bumping into walls, dilated pupils, and the eyes taking on a gray color.

As with any progressive condition, treatment here is about managing the problem. Your dog may be perfectly comfortable and happy if you make accommodations and slight changes around the house, so there’s no need to be overly concerned about their declining eyesight.

Antioxidants may help slow down the progression of the illness. Generally, although a vet might be able to remove a dog’s cataracts, they may be reluctant to in this scenario because the removal may cause more issues than it solves.

Are you the pet parent of an Akita? Make sure your pup is covered for any health scares by comparing top-rated pet insurance plans in seconds

Feeding an Akita — what’s the best diet?

The Akita, being a big and active dog, eats a lot of food — about three cups a day, we’d advise. It should go without saying, of course, that these cups should contain high-quality, nutrient-rich food full of animal proteins that will keep your dog healthy and full of energy. 

Do your research and avoid harmful ingredients and things like fillers and E numbers. If you can afford it, favor dog food brands that are transparent about how they source their ingredients and what goes into each packet.

Try, if possible, to avoid giving your Akita scraps from your plates — food tailored to dogs will always be preferable. You should be aware, also, that this is a breed that is particularly protective of its food — so give it some alone time after you’ve dished it up.

A starting point for suitable recipes is our guide to the best dog food for large dogs. You should choose food that’s age-specific; if you have an Akita puppy, look up our best puppy food for large dogs.

And, if you want comprehensive information about the best dog foods out there, check out our friends at Dog Food Advisor — they have in-depth brand reviews that include ingredient analysis, so you know exactly what you’re feeding your pet.

Akita Inu Temperament

Akitas are wonderful, friendly dogs but when it comes to other dogs they can be a bit cold and defensive. As with most breeds of dog, the Akita should be socialized early, to help it mix with other dogs and to help with training; start this process with an Akita puppy.

As they’re determined and stubborn, you may find training harder than with other breeds. For this reason and more, experts don’t recommend an Akita for a first-time pet parent. This is a dog for a more experienced owner and handler.

Remember that the Akita dog breed is a hunter so it will perceive animals like birds and perhaps even cats as potential prey. It has a high prey drive. While they shouldn’t think of children in this way — thankfully — if you have a small child it shouldn’t be left alone with an Akita, in case the dog gets a bit too rough or the child teases the dog. Its reaction may be unpredictable, so be cautious.

Akita Inu Activity Requirements

While not an especially high-energy dog, the Akita does require regular exercise for their health and mental wellbeing. They'll love accompanying you for a walk or a jog, and these outings will not only give your dog a physical workout but important mental stimulation too. Fun play sessions will also put a smile on your Akita's face and ensure that they go to bed happy at the end of the day.

Of course, the breed's tendency to be aggressive towards other dogs means it's best to avoid dog parks, while you'll need to manage interactions carefully if you come cross other dogs while out walking. Akitas also have a strong prey drive, so you should only ever let your dog off-leash in a securely fenced area.

Check out our guide to the top activities for Akitas for more tips on keeping your dog active.

Now you know much more about the Akita, make sure you have a solid pet insurance plan in place — it’s a key responsibility of any pet parent. Here, you can compare the best insurance providers to find the right quote for you and your dog. And, while you’re there, why not consider a wellness plan, which will cover the cost of your pup’s routine vet treatment and checks?

Top Akita Inu Breeders

Check out who made our list for the most reputable Akita Inu breeders of 2024.
Top Akita Inu breeder Avalon Akitas
Avalon Akitas
Hudsonville, Michigan
Top Akita Inu breeder Royal Akitas
Royal Akitas
Chillicothe, Missouri
Top Akita Inu breeder Tenshi Akitas
Tenshi Akitas
Bowie, Maryland
Top Akita Inu breeder Ali'i Alaskan Inu Kennels
Ali'i Alaskan Inu Kennels
Wasilla, Alaska
Top Akita Inu breeder Summit Akitas
Summit Akitas
Grant Park, Illinois
Top Akita Inu breeder Sun Devil Akitas
Sun Devil Akitas
Chandler, Arizona
Top Akita Inu breeder Shinto Akitas
Shinto Akitas
Lavaca, Arkansas
Top Akita Inu breeder Mojo Akitas
Mojo Akitas
Gilroy, California
Top Akita Inu breeder Minda Akitas
Minda Akitas
Mount Shasta, California
Top Akita Inu breeder Red Dawn Akitas
Red Dawn Akitas
Cathedral City, California

Akita Inu Owner Experiences

Tomo
12 Years
7 People
House & Yard
Health
Grooming
Friendliness
Energy
Trainability
Pastimes
kid watching
horse trail riding
Hiking
Dog backpacking
Bike ride
snow loving
babysitter
Tomo is the best family dog I have ever had, He loves and takes care of "his" children and makes sure they are safe. He sits and watches them when when they are playing. He plays with them when they want to play with him. He keeps them safe from suspicious individuals. I love his dignified and intensely loyal nature, he ignores other dogs and people, but loves his family tremendously. He's not demanding of attention, but he does seem to love it when we want to pet and cuddle him. The smaller the kids, the more affectionate and doting he is. He's the only male dog I have ever had that is like that with children. The children have never been harmed by him, even if they have attempted to take resources, he just lets go and waits for his food, bone or toy to be given back. The baby will lay her head on him or crawl on him and sit on his back when he's laying down and he has no avoidance behaviors. He displays pleasure behavior at her "torture." He does well off leash when he accompanies us on our trail rides on horseback. His recall is a bit slow, but he does come every time I call him, but he has a "just a minute" type response, lol. His energy level is moderate, he can definitely turn it on when along on bike rides or horseback rides, but he is just a "bear rug" when he's in the house. As long as he gets his exercise he is very low energy at home and knows how to relax. Negatives: He does have a tendency to roam at times, especially if he can get my other female to go with him. I chose "house with yard," but we live on five acres. He's very athletic and can clear the fence. I have to leave him in the house if he is left home, because he will try to go on a walk about if left in the yard if he can get the female dog to accompany him over the fence. He does have a tendency to chase other animals that are not part of the household (it's a hunting breed), but any household animals, cats, chickens, goats, horses etc are left alone as long as they don't try to take his food. He suffered in the heat when we lived in the high desert, I had to provide all sorts of ice treats, kiddie pool to lay in and other tricks to help keep him cool. Now we live in the north and he thrives in the cold winters. He is definitely a strong character and I wouldn't recommend this breed for novice or submissively inclined owners. For an experienced dog person well acquainted with primitive types, this is an awesome family breed. I clicked on his health being frail, so an explanation is needed. He was an extremely healthy dog up to 2 years old. I am a holistic health person and do not believe in excessive vaccination nor a lot of other mainstream medical procedures, drugs and diet recommendations, but when he was two years old I vaccinated him against rabies so I could travel with him across state lines. He developed rabies vaccinosis off that one vaccine. So did his sister, but she recovered after a few years (her symptoms were identical to his). Tomo has had issues his entire life from that one vaccine and every shedding season is misery for him. He goes off his food, loses a ton of weight, gets gooey, infected skin lesions all over his body and smells like a dead animal. I have come to find the breed does have a higher incidence of vaccine sensitivities. They also suffer from issues from early sterilization and do better if you can keep them entire their whole life, especially the males. These are things you will never be told due to the intense drive to constantly vaccinate and have all dogs and cats sterilized. Horse people are usually far more responsible animal caretakers because female horses are almost never spayed (except for rare medical disorders), yet we don't breed them unless they are of exceptional quality and even then we may just never breed them due to the market. We tend to be like that with our dogs too, if we keep them intact for health reasons, we make sure they don't breed unless they were specifically tested and acquired for breeding. So breeders should be a little more lenient about requiring their dogs be sterilized if they have a breed that has health issues associated with the surgery, especially if they have an equestrian applicant for one of their pups. At least until gonad sparing sterilization becomes far more common for such breeds.
4 months, 1 week ago
Bruno
2 Years
6 People
House & Yard
Health
Grooming
Friendliness
Energy
Trainability
Pastimes
Playing in the snow
Walk
Fetch
I have had my Akita for a year now and he is very friendly with us and the cats but not so much with other people. Training is very difficult
1 year, 2 months ago
Bruno
2 Years
6 People
House & Yard
Health
Grooming
Friendliness
Energy
Trainability
Pastimes
Playing in the snow
Walk
Fetch
I have had my Akita for a year now and he is very friendly with us and the cats but not so much with other people. Training is very difficult
1 year, 2 months ago
me mama
10 Years
9+ People
Studio
Health
Grooming
Friendliness
Energy
Trainability
Pastimes
E
Me mam
poop
Tag
Eating Snacks
Explore the city
Off-leash
Tug-of-war
Road trip
Run
Yoga
Walk
pee pee poo poo shshbusiuhbsbsihuboushbjsohoniushnjiisnihudnhuixbiohxniijsmoismiowjmiojwnouishuoyxbuiybxyuibuxyiuybxbuyixbiuyxihuyuxhyiihyuxuhiuxiuuhjojisjojisojiijoiisijoisjioj
2 years, 6 months ago
Morowa
1 Year
5 People
House & Yard
Health
Grooming
Friendliness
Energy
Trainability
Pastimes
Nap
Tug-of-war
Play keep away
Dog Parks
Run
Walk
HMMMM Not much to say but yeah
3 years, 1 month ago
2 Years
People
Health
Grooming
Friendliness
Energy
Trainability
Pastimes
He was such a sweet boy but a great guard dog too. He walked but sometimes stopped- he like to control the pace seeing as that bred is very independent.
6 years, 10 months ago
4 Years
People
Health
Grooming
Friendliness
Energy
Trainability
Pastimes
I walked two Akita’s in the past. One is a very memorable experience. Big strong puppy Striker was. I don’t believe he got the walks and proper stimulation he needed especially a dog of this breed being strong and powerful. He needed a lot of leash training and obedience. He wasn’t really interested in other dogs even given his size. He was about as tall as I am (6’4”) when he stood up.
6 years, 10 months ago
7 Years
People
Health
Grooming
Friendliness
Energy
Trainability
Pastimes
Dolce was absolutely Amazing. She was a little skirmish around other dogs when I first started walking her, but really began to come out of her shell when I began to walk her a little more. She loved playing with her chew toys when I arrived. I think the greatest thing I really enjoyed about her was that she was very protective of me, and made me feel comfortable. I think as a walker all you want to know is that the dog will be just as good as their owner, and she is.
6 years, 10 months ago
3 Years
People
Health
Grooming
Friendliness
Energy
Trainability
Pastimes
Run
Frisbee
The Akita is a very intelligent breed, with sharp sensory and analysis. It is eager to please, and very energetic when outdoors.
6 years, 10 months ago
3 Years
People
Health
Grooming
Friendliness
Energy
Trainability
Pastimes
Lots of energy very focused love the walks Could Walk and Walk and Walk and Walk very well trained and loving and affectionate was like a big baby. Super sweet!
6 years, 10 months ago
3 Years
People
Health
Grooming
Friendliness
Energy
Trainability
Pastimes
Strong willed charismatic and independent breed. Doesn’t like to be confined a
6 years, 10 months ago
3 Years
People
Health
Grooming
Friendliness
Energy
Trainability
Pastimes
They were both calm and friendly. They were great on the leash plus very good at coming back to me when called.
6 years, 10 months ago
6 Months
People
Health
Grooming
Friendliness
Energy
Trainability
Pastimes
Chase
sniff
Swim
Play
Frisbee
Akita Inus are fluffy, friendly, and fast. My experience was regarding a 6 month old, Luna. Luna was very particular about individuals she met. I made an emphasis on developing a trustworthy bond which would be essential during our time together. She needed constant stimulation. If not provided, it would develop from boredom to stubbornness. Sweet tones did wonders in terms of leash training. Luna loved to cool of by stepping in her kiddy pool. I had to be mindful of her coat soaking up water by always having a towel on hand! She was very adventurous and loving.
6 years, 10 months ago
3 Years
People
Health
Grooming
Friendliness
Energy
Trainability
Pastimes
I want the cutest pup named Gia Santana. When we left the apartment and started to walk she immediately went P and that was great. And then she snapped around a little bit and then she kind of stopped and gave me her belly. Of course I obliged and gave her a good belly rub and then I was like OK let’s go on a walk. But she really wasn’t into Dad and her mom told me that she probably wouldn’t want to walk that she’s probably just gonna want to stop and have you ever belly. So we did would walk a little way I tried to get her to show me like we’re all the good spots where are all the good smells were but she was just more interested in like going back to her home and getting a belly rub. Her mom even mentioned if she’s not really wanting to walk you can go back in the work early and just sit on the floor with there and rub her belly and just hang out and for the last 10 minutes of the work we did that and it was great. I even tried to like squeaker toys and like get her to like play a little bit but she was not really into it was never that she was like here’s my belly where is your hand let’s make the connection. I was more than happy to oblige
6 years, 10 months ago
8 Years
People
Health
Grooming
Friendliness
Energy
Trainability
Pastimes
Explore the city
Walk
The akita that I walk was not particularly interested in me the first time we strolled together, but he seems to be growing more attached each time I visit. He is, however, more than happy to be going on a stroll. His focus lies in the environment around us and has a clear desire to get as much distance into our walk as possible. He walks with great posture: his head up and face forward and rarely stops to sniff the ground. Though he isn't too personable with strangers, he is more than happy to let them interact with him., albeit, he prefers the interactions to be brief. Although I've attempted with many different toys, they hold little to no interest to him—perhaps I haven't found the right one? Perhaps he's just too cool for school. I do like this preferential and focused nature that he has and am happy to comply with his preferences, particularly since he's such a good walker. We tend to put in more distance together than I do with any other dog clocking in well over 1.25 miles per hour.
6 years, 10 months ago
1 Year
People
Health
Grooming
Friendliness
Energy
Trainability
Pastimes
He actively enjoyed physical play, walking/runnin
His name was Kaiko..and the name is fitting first off because he is of Japanese origin. He was beautiful to look at immediately with unique facial features. I boarded him for eleven days and got to know him well. He was very active and very aware of his environment but was surpassingly quiet when people passed by my home. He has a "prey like" instinct about him but was very sweet and he loved to stay around me all the time and would follow me. He often self-groomed and was very alert, all the time. But he didn't seem anxious. He had a big personality for a little guy who was still growing and continued to take in his surroundings throughout the visit. On walks and feeding, he always seemed to be on a mission but was a great walker. Barely any pulling and would walk right along side me. What I found funny was his resistance to come back up a flight of stairs but no issues going down them.He also liked taking photos that I frequently sent to the owners and he seemed to be aware that photos were being taken. He was very attentive to the environment (our home) when anything was going on. For example, when my husband would leave, he would whimper a little bit and come by me to remain comforted. He is very sensitive, again, to surroundings. It seems that this breed also has high-energy, active and playful but also likes to relax and rest..but is waiting again, for when it was time to play!! Again, very playful, attentive, aware, alert (and I loved the fact that he wouldn't bark when people were walking by our home) yet, quiet and waiting. He was a delight to board and has huge personality. Very cute!
6 years, 10 months ago
gvrcefd
21 Months
3 People
House
Health
Grooming
Friendliness
Energy
Trainability
Pastimes
reg rtyhrt hyt rhnh
5 years, 12 months ago
Snoopy
2 Years
4 People
House
Health
Grooming
Friendliness
Energy
Trainability
Pastimes
Fetch
Walking
Tug-of-war
Running
Playing in the snow
I miss him, he's a good dog and I loved him.
5 years, 10 months ago
Yoshi
19 Months
7 People
House
Health
Grooming
Friendliness
Energy
Trainability
Pastimes
Walk
Extremely loyal dog, he will not leave my side
4 years, 9 months ago
Hachi
2 Months
4 People
House & Yard
Health
Grooming
Friendliness
Energy
Trainability
Pastimes
Walking
training
Listen to me
He is just pupies that's it
4 years, 2 months ago
Cado
7 Years
4 People
House & Yard
Health
Grooming
Friendliness
Energy
Trainability
Pastimes
Playing with toys
Belly rubs
Running
Playing in the snow
Cado is a very independent dog. He obeys his owner, but there are many times Cado wants to do things HIS way. Cado definitely tests you and tries to lead MOST of the time. He prefers to be the alpha. But most importantly he protects me and my sister.
3 years, 9 months ago
Book me a walkiee?
Pweeeze!
Sketch of smiling australian shepherd