70-100 lbs
22-25"
United States
Prepare for unexpected vet bills
Labrakita hybrids are bred from a combination of the Akita Inu and Labrador Retriever. This is a large breed that is known for being a great family dog but is not patient enough to tolerate small children. They make excellent guard dogs because they are protective and do not trust strangers but they will need to be trained well so they do not attack guests or other animals. Socialization is important in the Labrakita to get along with other pets. They are a very intelligent breed that learns quickly and should be easy to train but may require a little extra patience at times.
Your Labrakita’s history will have to be determined by looking at the histories of the parent breeds. The Akita Inu originated in Japan in the 1600s from the Northern Spitz and was used mainly for hunting large game like bear, wild boar, deer, and elk. Some also used them in dog fighting until that sport was outlawed. Some say the breed was named for where it was first found in the Akita prefecture on the island of Honshu. Others believe they came from the snowy mountains and were called Snow Country Dogs before they became known as Akita Inus. In Japan, the Akita has been considered to be a national treasure since 1937 due to the loyalty of an Akita named Haichiko. This loyal dog would meet his owner at the train station after work every day and after the owner died, Haichiko continued to go to the train station every day to wait for him. There is now a statue in that train station in honor of Haichiko. Helen Keller was the first American to have an Akita when she got it as a gift from the Japanese government when she visited the country. The American Kennel Club finally noticed them about 40 years later when they were officially recognized in 1972. The Akita Inu is now the 46th most popular breed of dog in America. The Labrador Retriever originated in Canada when it was known as the St. John’s Water Dog for the capital city of Newfoundland where it was found in the 1800s. The breed later received its modern name after the Labrador Sea, where it was developed. They are excellent water retrievers and hunters, made popular by the second Earl of Malmesbury. They almost became extinct in the late 1800s because of strict laws and taxes in Newfoundland and were reinforced in England in 1903. They are the number one most popular breed of dog in the United States and has been registered with the American Kennel Club since 1917.
The Labrakita can have either brown, hazel, or amber eyes and a black or brown nose. They have a long muzzle and intelligent expression and often look like they are smiling. Their ears are triangular and set up high on the head but may be floppy, depending on the parents. Their dense coat is short or medium length, straight, and can be black, gray, brown, red, cream, fawn, white, pied, or brindle. They may have a light or white mask and chest. The Labrakita has a large, square head and stocky body with muscular legs and their long tail may curve slightly over the back or curl all the way like the Akita Inu tail.
Your Labrakita is a clean dog that grooms herself like a cat but they still need to be brushed often. In fact, it is best to brush them with a pin brush or slicker brush several times a week but only bathe them when absolutely necessary since frequent shampooing can cause dry skin. Their toenails will need to be trimmed about once a month or whenever you can hear them clicking on the floor. Also, be sure to brush their teeth a few times a week to prevent dental problems. It is also recommended that you clean her ears every week and check for wax buildup, irritation, and ear mites.
Your Labrakita should be a good family companion in a household with children but they need to be supervised well with small children. They do like other pets but need to be socialized young and may need to be supervised with cats due to their instinctive prey drive. The Labrakita is a fun-loving pet that needs a lot of play time and does best in a home with a family that has a large yard and lots of time. They need to be introduced to your guests so they will know to be friendly and should be fairly easy to train with patience.
The Labrakita needs plenty of exercise to stay healthy and happy. These dogs do have the tendency to become overweight and anxious if they do not get enough exercise, so they need to get at least 60 to 90 minutes of vigorous activity every day. Some of their favorite exercises include playing at the dog park or hiking in the woods, swimming and playing at the beach, brisk walks or a run around the neighborhood a couple of times per day, and they are especially happy just to be outside chasing the local wildlife. If they do not get enough exercise, they may develop bad habits like chewing on things and destroying property.
Written by a Shiba Inu lover Patty Oelze
Published: 10/25/2017, edited: 02/24/2021
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