The Akita is a symbol of health and prosperity in their home country of Japan. Around the rest of the world, they enjoy acclaim as a gorgeous family companion. If you need a carer for your dear Akita, Mad Paws has Pet Sitters from Gold Coast to Perth!
Quick Facts ✔
Height – 61 – 71cm
Weight – 30 – 50kg
Lifespan – 10 – 15 years
Country of origin – Japan
Breed type – Working Dog
- Experienced Dog Owners
- Families without small children
- Patient and creative trainers
Akita Breed History ♜
While the origins of the Akita are not completely clear, one thing is certain: this dog has a special place in Japanese history, legend, and culture. With a lineage that dates back at least 1,000 years, the Akita has had ample time to make their mark!
As you might have guessed from the fox-like ears and curly tail, the Akita is closely related to Alaskan Malamutes, Chow Chows, and other members of the Spitz family. It’s likely that the northern-dwelling doggos of Siberia made their way to Japan alongside the Jomon people, the first inhabitants to arrive on the islands some twelve thousand years ago. And, these pre-Akita dogs were essential for the hunting-gathering community who domesticated them.
Many hundreds of years later, when Japan was divided into prefectures, one such area would lend its name to the dog we know today: Akita. Here, in this mountainous, snowy region, doggos developed a thick, full coat, muscular stature, and fearless personality. They were tasked with protecting their Owners from black bears and wild boar, as well as helping to hunt deer and other game.
Impressive as these dogs were, it’s not surprising that they gained the attention of wealthy families and aristocrats. In fact, for a number of years, Akitas were only allowed to be owned by the ruling class, who saw these dogs as a sign of wealth and prosperity. Thanks to their loyalty, they made excellent guard dogs on the expansive estates of these royal families.
Unfortunately, the strength and bravery of the Akita drew the attention of another potential buyer: dog fighters. Dog fighting as a sport was popular in Japan from the 1600s into the 20th century, and as Japan’s largest dog at the time, Akitas dominated the competition.
The Akita breed stayed mostly in Japan until activist Helen Keller visited the country in the late 1930s and was gifted a puppy from the Emperor. Another wave of Akitas went to the United States after WWII, but it was really Ms. Keller who popularised the breed. Today, there are two families of Akita – the Japanese Akita and the American Akita. While they are very similar, the American Akita tends to be larger and come in a wider variety of coat patterns.
Akita Personality Traits ★
Stoic, regal, and loyal to no end, the Akita is a dog with a presence. These pups are self-confident and bold, and their personality traits haven’t always worked in their favour.
The Akita reputation, for instance, is one of an aggressive, stubborn, and aloof dog. The image isn’t entirely untrue, but it doesn’t paint the entire picture of the Akita personality.
To be sure, Akitas can develop dog-oriented and territorial aggression, which hark back to their days as fighting and guard dogs. And, because they were once hunting dogs, they may also see small animals as potential prey. This doesn’t mean that Akitas are destined for a life devoid of furry friends (and neither are you destined for a life with frightened houseguests!) Rather, it means that special care should be put into early and consistent socialisation. Akitas who have learned from puppyhood to trust and enjoy company will be less likely to uphold the gruff Akita attitude.
When it comes to their own family, Akitas are completely devoted. They’re not the cuddliest dogs around, which leads some to think of them as aloof. But the truth is, they’ve always got an eye or an ear trained on their favourite humans.
As long as they’ve been properly socialised, they can be good dogs for families with children. That said, they’re not wild about little toddlers pulling on their fur and pushing their buttons. It’s best to have them in a household with older children who can learn how to interact with them appropriately.
Akitas are very intelligent animals. They need constant stimulation and entertainment to prevent boredom and destructive behaviours. As playful dogs by nature, you might find yourself being dragged into your Akita’s games whenever they manage to catch your eye!
Trainability & Training Tips
We have to admit, the rumours are true: Akitas are hard to train. They’ve got a mind of their own and the cleverness to know how much they can get away with. So it takes an especially creative or experienced trainer to engage them.
As difficult as training an Akita can be, every Owner should be willing to go the extra distance to properly socialise and train this large dog. Not only will training help with manners and safety, but it’s also a brilliant way to provide mental stimulation and promote bonding between Owner and dog.
Here are a few tips that can help increase your chances of training success:
- Start as soon as possible. Ideally, training should start as soon as you welcome an Akita into your home. As puppies, they’ll be open to socialisation with other dogs, animals, and people, and will be more excited to learn new commands. If you have adopted an older Akita, socialisation and training should still be a top priority. It can be difficult if your adult Akita is set in their ways, so take a look at our article, How to Socialise an Adult Dog.
- Build your relationship with your Akita. As we mentioned, Akitas are devoted doggos. And that fact can help you tremendously as you start the training process. Build trust with your Akita by spending plenty of time with them, taking them for walks, playing with them, and never turning down a request for ear scratches! Once you’ve established a strong bond, your Akita will be much more willing to take directions from you.
- Keep training sessions short. Because Akitas are so smart and alert, they tend to tire of training sessions quickly. In addition to keeping your training sessions focused and fast-moving, prepare to lose their attention faster than you might with another dog breed. It doesn’t have to mean that the overall training process will last longer, necessarily, but you might have to schedule more frequent sessions.
- Stay positive. Akitas are attuned to the emotional state of their beloved Owner, and if you get overwhelmed or upset during a session, it’s likely to throw them off the rails, too. If you notice a training session getting out of hand, it’s better to press pause and come back later than give this strong-willed dog the upper paw. Staying positive also refers to the method of training, itself. Positive rewards are a great way to encourage and engage a food-motivated dog like the Akita. We should note that Akitas have a reputation for being picky-eaters, so you’ll want to find foods that most appeal to them. If your Akita loves their raw dog meals, for instance, you might incorporate a quick training session right before dinnertime.
- Push past training plateaus. With an easily bored dog like the Akita, it’s best not to settle with basic command mastery. Don’t let these doggos fool you; they can easily master any trick, obstacle course, or agility training session you prepare for them. And, the added challenge will help with any behavioural issues you’re working through with your Akita.
- Call in help if you need it. Overall, training an Akita can be tough, and you don’t have to do it alone. A trained professional can help streamline the process and give you the tools to build a strong training relationship with your dog.
Living Conditions & Exercise Needs ⌂
Exercise is a major component in Akita care. These are big dogs that need exercise to stay healthy, and the mental stimulation will help to keep them focused during training sessions.
That said, Akitas aren’t big runners, nor are they social athletes. So, it likely won’t be enough to bring an Akita to a dog park and hope they tire themselves out. You’d probably have better success exercising your Akita yourself, or calling in a local Dog Walker.
Akitas can be taught to play fetch, but don’t expect them to go about it the traditional way. Akitas like the chase, but the retrieval part is mostly lost on them. Instead, you might find them more interested in running around with the ball, trying to convince you to chase after the ball, and any other quirky additions that your Akita finds fun. As long as your pup is getting their heart rate up, it’s perfectly fine to make adjustments to traditional doggy games.
Akitas are hesitant swimmers, preferring to splash around in shallow waters without getting their heavy coat wet. If you can convince them to take a dip, swimming is great exercise, but make sure they have close supervision or a doggy life vest.
Overall, an Akita’s ideal form of exercise is exploration. These dogs love hiking, backpacking, and going for walks, and the more you can expose them to new landscapes, the better!
In terms of living conditions, these dogs are going to be happiest in colder climates where their thick-packed fur won’t lead to overheating.
Akita Grooming ✄
It pays to keep multiple brushes around the house so you can brush your Akita every few days. With their thick double coat, the Akita will shed all the time. This is even more true a couple of times a year when they shed their coat completely.
When it comes to bathing, you don’t need to be so proactive. Once every two months is just fine, unless you have an Akita that really loves rolling around in the dirt.
Akita Health +
Luckily, Akitas are pretty healthy dogs. Still, it’s best to adopt an Akita from reputable sources to lower the risk of the following genetic health concerns:
- Hip dysplasia
- Von Willebrand’s Disease
- Sebaceous adenitis, a dermatological disease
Because Akitas are not as energetic as some other large breed dogs, unhealthy weight gain can also pose a risk. It’s important that they get plenty of exercise and a protein- and mineral-rich diet to maintain a healthy weight.
Fun Fact ♥
We should warn you: you might want to have some tissues nearby when we tell you the story of Hachiko.
Hachiko was born in the prefecture of Akita and lived with his beloved Owner, Hidesaburō Ueno, a scientist at the University of Tokyo. Hachiko and Ueno had a special arrangement. The fluffy pup could walk with his Owner to the train station everyday to see him off to work. Then, he would wait patiently in the same spot at the end of the day to welcome him back home.
When Ueno died unexpectedly at work one day, Hachiko continued to wait quietly at the platform for his devoted Owner. Eventually, Hachiko called it a day and walked home, only to return the next day, and the next, for a span of ten years. After a time, Hachiko was taken in by another family farther from the station. However, the loyal Akita wiggled free of his new Owners and made his way back to the original meeting point.
Hachiko’s story has garnered world-wide attention, with statues, plaques, and even a Hollywood film starring Richard Gere. In Japan, he’s a national legend – a testament to loyalty, dedication, and the special nature of our furry friendships.
Final Thoughts on the Akita
Akitas aren’t your average pup. They play their own games and are affectionate on their terms. And, as strong-willed and clever as they are, Akitas can be a bit of a handful for any Owner.
But, that unique personality and noble self-confidence is all part of what makes this dog loveable. Add that to the fact that they’re endlessly loyal and ready to explore, and it’s easy to see why this doggo has had such a massive cultural impact around the world.
The Akita may not fit the mould of the quintessential dog. However, like many Owners of the breed, you might decide that this is the only dog for you.
