Country of origin: USA, Japan
Size: large
Height: 61-71 cm
Weight: 32-65 kg
Age: up to 15 years
FCI breed group: Spitz and primitive type breeds

Basic information

American Akitas are dogs that have webbing between their toes. This helps them walk on snow, distributing their body weight more evenly.

Such animals often “work” as therapists in nursing homes and hospitals. Some representatives of the breed have been officially registered with the American Kennel Club, receiving the title of therapy dog.

This dog will be a great four-legged friend for a person who prefers an active lifestyle. Homebodies and elderly people should give up the American Akita in favor of another breed that prefers rest to physical activity.

At a young age, such dogs are extremely active and mobile. As they grow older, their behavior becomes calmer.

Description of the American Akita breed

American Akitas are beautiful and distinctive dogs. If you see one of these dogs in a photo or in person, it will be hard to confuse it with other breeds. These dogs are large in size. They have strong bones.

The height of male American Akitas at the withers can reach 71 cm, and their weight is from 45 to 65 kg. Females are much smaller – from 61 to 66 cm. And they weigh from 32 to 45 kg.

Head

Head. Large in size, proportional to the body. When the dog is calm, there are no folds on the skull. When viewed from above, the animal’s head has the shape of a triangle.

Muzzle: Large and wide.

Ears. Small. Triangular in shape. Erect. Situated on cartilage. The ends are round. The ears are slightly tilted forward.

According to the standard, the tips of the ears of this breed should reach the eyelids when pulled.

Nose. The nose is large. Its color is most often black. However, brown dogs may have a lighter nose – a brown shade. The nostrils are wide.

Mouth: The jaw is square in shape and appears strong and powerful.

Teeth. They look large. The bite is “scissors”. Also, the breed standard does not exclude a direct bite. The dental row consists of 42 teeth.

Lips: Not pendulous, usually black in color.

Eyes. If you compare their size with the size of the head, they can be considered small. They are set deep. The shape is triangular. The iris has a rich chocolate shade. The eyelids are well pigmented, not drooping.

Neck. Medium length. Its muscles are well developed. Dewlap is insignificant. The nape is clearly visible.

Frame
Body. The back looks straight. The belly is not sagging. The loin looks slightly convex and powerful. The skin on the animal’s body is smooth, without folds and sagging.

Chest. Strong and broad. Ribs are rounded and easily felt.

Tail. Medium length, when unfurled it reaches the animal’s hocks. It looks straight. It is thicker at the back, tapering noticeably towards the end. It is set quite high. When the dog moves, it is raised above the back. When calm, it is lowered down. A tail curled into several rings is considered acceptable.

Limbs
Forelegs. Their skeleton is strong. They look parallel to each other. The shoulder blades are powerful and strong. The pasterns are sloping. The paws are rounded, reminiscent of a cat’s paws. The pads are large.

Hindquarters. Also with strong bones and well-developed muscles. The thighs look powerful and strong. The metatarsus is low and stands straight.

Wool
This breed has a dense, thick undercoat as well as a topcoat. It is coarse and hard. The undercoat is soft and slightly shorter than the topcoat.

On the paws, head and ears the fur is densely packed, but it is short. The length of the fur on the withers is about 5 cm. On other parts of the body it is a little longer, especially when it comes to the tail.

Colors
The standard of this breed was adopted in 2000. According to it, the American Akita can have a lot of different shades of fur. Any color that is close to red, red or deer is considered acceptable.

The dog may be spotted, brindle-colored, or completely white. In spotted animals, the dominant color must be white. The spots cannot occupy more than a third of the entire body surface and are usually located in the head area.

The American Akita’s undercoat may be the same color as the coat or may be different. Some dogs have a blaze, dark marking, or mask on their face.

American Akita Personality

This dog is obedient and sociable, it is more likely to obey a person than to put itself on the same level with him. However, its respect must be earned, so it is recommended to start training the dog from a very early age. This is an intelligent breed that does not accept monotony and senseless obedience. To train it, you can resort to the help of a specialist .

It is also necessary to take care of the dog’s socialization early, which will eliminate the animal’s natural desire for dominance. The American Akita can be jealous of other dogs, especially if they are of the same sex.

Properly trained pets are non-aggressive, love to be the center of attention, but are not demanding and understand the owner’s desire to rest and be alone. They get along well with children only if the kids respect them. Therefore, it is important to explain to children how to behave correctly with a dog.

The American Akita will never make a fuss over trifles. This is a reserved dog that does not bark when it hears a rustle or footsteps. It senses the line between real danger and other sounds. If you get a dog of this breed in a high-rise building, you can not worry about conflicts with neighbors. The animal will not constantly bark and howl without a good reason. And if someone hears something like this, you can be sure that the dog is giving an “alarm signal”.

These dogs are not prone to fussing, as nobility is in their blood. They do not bother or annoy their owner, especially if he is busy or not inclined to communicate. Dogs are sensitive to a person’s mood and have developed empathy. The American Akita needs personal space. Therefore, it can perfectly spend time alone.

Another distinctive feature of the American Akita is its touchiness. Not over trifles, of course. But if the owner raises his voice at the dog or uses physical force against it, his authority will be instantly undermined. This dog is capable of remembering such an attitude for a long time and may never forgive it.

Education and training

The American Akita should be trained with due consideration for its character traits. It is naturally characterized by such traits as stubbornness, pride, and self-esteem.

These dogs do not tolerate long-term intellectual and physical stress. Therefore, to achieve success in training, you should not only choose the right time for training, but also make them fractional. That is, it is better to train often and little by little than to allocate half a day for this once a month. In addition, the American Akita needs unhurried training, it does not like fuss. It carries out commands thoughtfully, so be patient. Your pet may need time to master and remember certain actions that you require of it.

If you do not want to lose the trust of the American Akita, then you should not use shouting and physical punishment in the process of education. Excessive severity and aggression can make the animal disobedient, cowardly and unpredictable. After such methods of education, the dog’s psyche will be disturbed and, most likely, his behavior will change.

To train an American Akita correctly, you will need patience and persistence. This dog will definitely help you learn endurance. First, you need to establish a trusting relationship with the puppy, establish contact with him.

The American Akita can be trained as a sled dog or a guard dog. But no matter what “specialty” you choose for your dog, the first thing you need to do is learn basic commands.

“Ugh!”;

“Come to me!”

“Near”;

“Sit!”;

“Lie!”;

“Place!” etc.

You can teach such commands to an American Akita as early as two or three months. It is a mistake to think that the puppy is still too small at this age. On the contrary, its inquisitive mind will allow it to “grasp on the fly” all the information. And joint classes with the baby help to establish friendly relations with it.

To increase your American Akita’s interest in training and to increase his motivation, use praise and treats. By showing genuine joy, you will show your puppy that you are pleased with his achievements. This will encourage the little one to work even harder.

Training an American Akita on your own is not so easy, but it is a doable task. If you are an inexperienced owner, and this is your first dog, then professional work of a dog trainer will help you not to fall into despair. A good specialist will point out problems that may arise during training, and will also help you go through this or that course together with your pet. Sometimes it is impossible to do without a dog trainer, especially if the dog already has formed behavioral problems.

Many American Akitas suffer from mood swings. One moment they were having fun and running, and the next they “withdrew into themselves” and became withdrawn. This feature should not be ignored in the process of training the dog. But if you put in maximum effort and patience, you will get not only a loyal friend, but also a well-mannered and smart dog.

Maintenance and care

American Akita dogs are considered to be quite healthy: they have strong immunity and are not subject to the influence of weather. At the same time, like many breeds, they have a number of serious genetic diseases. For this reason, before purchasing a dog, it is necessary to study its pedigree and make sure that its parents are healthy.

This breed can suffer from hypothyroidism, a disease that affects the thyroid gland. Due to a lack of hormones, the pet becomes sleepy and sad, it quickly gains weight, sheds heavily , and often shows causeless aggression.

Another hereditary problem that is common in large dogs is joint dysplasia . When walking, the animal experiences unbearable pain, which can only be relieved by surgery.

Despite its long hair and thick undercoat, the American Akita does not require frequent grooming. In order for its hair to remain healthy and attractive, it must be combed at least 1-2 times a week. For this, you can use a slicker brush and a furminator, alternating these accessories. The dog must be washed once a month using veterinary shampoos.

The American Akita loves to spend time outdoors. Ideally, it would live in a country house with a fenced area for walks. Such a dog can live in an aviary, but it is important to understand that it needs constant communication with a person. “Americans” can be kept in a large apartment, but in this case, you need to walk them for a long time several times a day.

American Akita is not afraid of snow and frost. It has a thick undercoat that protects it from the cold. And also long and hard guard hair, it protects dogs from precipitation. But dogs do not tolerate extreme heat. They can have overheating, sunstroke and heat stroke.

Many owners keep American Akitas in enclosures. These premises should be spacious enough, with a good and strong fence, an insulated booth in which the dog will sleep and hide from bad weather. But the animal cannot spend the whole day in such a limited area. It is necessary to walk it or let it out into a fenced area.

The American Akita loves active games, during which it can release excess energy. Therefore, an adult dog needs to spend at least several hours a day “out in the wild”.

If possible, take your pet to the forest, park, or water. In summer, the American Akita will be especially good at cooling off in a river or lake. A big bonus is that even in severe frosts you will not have to buy clothes for the animal. A “fur coat” will reliably protect the dog, so you should not refuse walks in the winter.

Dog care should include nail trimming and ear cleaning. In warm weather, the dog is treated against ticks. Flea treatment is recommended once every 3 months. Also, once a quarter, they are given products to prevent the appearance of helminths. Teeth can be brushed at home using a special paste every day.

The eyes of the American Akita do not require special care, as they are not prone to excessive discharge. Wipe them as they become dirty. Representatives of the breed that have a snow-white “fur coat” may have yellow marks in the corners of the eyes on the fur. You can get rid of them with the help of special products, for example, bleaching powder, shampoo.

American Akita Nutrition

Most professional breeders and veterinarians recommend feeding American Akitas dry and wet food. Commercial complete diets are balanced and contain all the necessary micro- and macroelements. The food includes easily digestible proteins, as well as carbohydrates and fats in the right proportions. The composition may include seafood, fish, wild game meat, etc.

When choosing a nutrition plan for a specific dog, it is recommended to consult a nutritionist. The specialist will select food taking into account the characteristics of the pet’s body.

The first couple of months, puppies are fed with mother’s milk. Then they can start to be given industrial feed. As a rule, preference is given to canned food. If dry granules are offered, they are pre-soaked in boiled water or low-fat broth.

Up to 5 months, puppies are fed three to five times a day; from 9 to 10 months, they can be fed less often. The amount of food is determined based on the age, health, activity of the animal, etc.

For the American Akita, as for any other breed, a balanced diet is suitable, which includes a maximum of protein. Dogs need less carbohydrates. For older dogs, a less caloric diet should be chosen due to a significant decrease in activity.

A dog bowl should be made of high-quality material. It can be metal, glass, ceramics. It is not advisable to choose dishes made of painted plastic. It often emits an unpleasant odor, which can be disgusting to the dog, and it will refuse food. In addition, microcracks can appear in the plastic, from which food residues are not washed out, and therefore bacteria multiply.

Water should be constantly available to the animal. It should be changed to clean water several times a day. Especially often in hot weather.

Health
Most American Akitas are healthy dogs. They are hardy and strong dogs that are not afraid of cold weather.

But they, like any other breed, have a predisposition to certain diseases:

Gastrointestinal problems. Most often manifested as bloating and volvulus. The latter condition is extremely life-threatening for the dog. Prevention of the disease is fractional feeding and rest after eating.

Retinal atrophy. If you do not go to the clinic in time, the dog may become completely blind.

Inversion of the eyelid. When the eyelid inverts, the eyelashes injure and irritate the eyelid, causing inflammation. The problem can be solved with surgery.

Eversion of the eyelid. In this case, the eyelid turns outward and droops. This can also be corrected with surgery.

Hip dysplasia. To detect the disease, it is necessary to take an X-ray. But for this, the puppy’s joints must be fully formed. Healthy dogs are given a document stating that dysplasia is excluded.

Allergy. It can manifest itself in the American Akita by itching, redness, hair loss. To cure an allergy, it is necessary not only to drink antihistamines, but also to eliminate the allergen.

If you feel that your dog has become lethargic, is feeling unwell, or is refusing food and water, it is best to contact a veterinarian as soon as possible.

Who is this breed suitable for?

The American Akita has a stubborn character, so it is better for a novice dog owner to avoid this breed. However, if you are a beginner but plan to seek help from a professional dog handler, then feel free to buy a puppy. This dog needs to be trained constantly. These dogs can be wayward, so it is important that the owner is the main one in the pair.

But for experienced breeders who want to try their hand at training, the American Akita is a great choice. These are intelligent dogs that need physical and mental stimulation.

This breed is not recommended for older people, as they may not be able to handle the upbringing and training of a large dog. Even holding a massive pet on a leash will be difficult. In addition, the dog needs to move a lot, and for most older people this is quite tiring.

The breed gets along well in families with children, as it knows its place in the “pack” and loves children.

The American Akita may have difficulty socializing with other animals, as this breed tends to be dominant. Therefore, the dog needs to be socialized from an early age. Your pet may show increased interest in cats, birds, and rodents, trying to chase them. It is better to use a muzzle for walks outside.

If you want to keep a dog in an apartment, you must have enough free time to walk it. Otherwise, the pet’s unspent energy will be directed at damaging things in the house.

But a contented and happy dog can become an ideal guard for your property. After guard training, it will not let anyone near the house.

History of the breed

The American Akita was recognized by cynological federations only in 2001. However, it has a rich and long history. According to Japanese anthropologists, the ancestors of modern breeds ( Akita Inu and American Akita) helped the indigenous population of Japan back in the Early Middle Ages. Stocky, fast dogs with thick fur guarded houses. At that time, they were called “matagi ken”.

In the 17th century, the Japanese began to crossbreed Matagi Ken and similar dogs with larger mastiffs. The breed underwent significant changes in appearance, which is noticeable in ancient drawings. The mastiff blood made the ancestor of the American Akita even calmer and more patient, but at the same time, independence and a tendency to dominate were preserved.

Until World War II, breed lovers tried to restore the original appearance of the dog. Unfortunately, their hard work was jeopardized: during the war, such dogs were almost exterminated. In order to preserve the national breed, Japanese dog breeders took a dangerous step by crossing it with German shepherds. Later, they abandoned this practice, continuing for many years the pedigree of only those individuals that were least affected by changes. The result was the graceful Akita Inu .

The American Akita is the polar opposite of its Japanese cousin. It came to the United States with returning soldiers and was so beloved by Americans that they bred it for decades, despite Japanese disapproval.

Other breeds also took part in the selection, so the American Akita received the following qualities from them:

Some of these traits are now considered undesirable for the breed. But at that time, crossbreeding was a necessity.

In the Land of the Rising Sun, this breed is not very popular, as Akita Inu is more in demand there. But such dogs are in great demand in Europe and America. They are very popular at exhibitions and competitions, as they attract a lot of attention.

How to choose a puppy

If you have firmly decided to get an American Akita, having weighed all the pros and cons, you should take a responsible approach to choosing a puppy. Pay attention to the mental and physical health of the animal. If possible, seek help from a professional dog handler. He will tell you from whom you can buy a purebred puppy and what to pay attention to when choosing.

The parents of a purebred pet must have all the relevant documents, including those that confirm the pedigree and suitability for breeding. Find out how the puppies and their mother are fed, in what conditions they are kept. The best option is to see everything with your own eyes.

You must be sure that the puppy has not inherited any genetic diseases and is completely healthy. It should be cheerful, active and playful. A good appetite is also a sign of health.

The dog should not be timid. Babies should not be afraid of new people. If the puppy runs away and does not come to you for a long time, then this is a bad sign. He should be interested in a stranger, sniffing him.

Do not buy a puppy from a private seller at the market. A price that is too low should alert you, as an American Akita cannot be too cheap. In addition, there is a high risk of buying a sick puppy or getting a mongrel instead of a purebred dog.

It would be good if you were allowed to choose an American Akita puppy from the litter yourself. Then it would be better to spend at least half an hour communicating with the babies. You will immediately be able to understand which puppy suits you in character.

A breeder who has nothing to hide openly makes contact, communicates with buyers, answers all questions asked, and asks his own in return. He cares about the fate of his charges.

The best age to wean a dog from its mother is 2-2.5 months. At this time, puppies are already becoming quite independent. Choose a baby of medium size, not fat, but not too thin.

A puppy that shows aggression from an early age will most likely remain so when it grows up. And a timid and shy puppy will remain fearful. Some character traits are difficult to correct with the help of education and even with the help of a dog trainer. A good breeder should not insist on choosing one puppy or another and put pressure on you.

American Akita Price

An American Akita puppy from purebred parents with a good pedigree will cost from 50 to 130 thousand rubles. Of course, if you are not going to participate in competitions with the dog or breed it, you can find a baby born from non-titled parents. Then it will cost less – 15-40 thousand.