70-100 lbs
24-26"
Japan
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:
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?
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.
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.
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:
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.
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:
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.
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.
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.
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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.
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.
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?
Written by Ralph Jones
Published: 08/30/2006, edited: 02/26/2024
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