Dog breed
Akita Inu
The Akita Inu is a large Japanese spitz with a bear-like head, triangular ears and a tail curled over its back. Males stand about 67 cm at the withers and usually weigh 38–45 kg. It is dignified, loyal and calm, but also independent, territorial and intolerant of unfamiliar dogs: a breed best suited to experienced owners.
- FCI Group V · Spitz and primitive · standard no. 255
- Weight
- 34–45.5 kg
- Height
- 58–70 cm
- Lifespan
- 10–12 years
- Origin
- Japan
Temperament
The Akita Inu is calm, dignified and reserved. With its family it can be very affectionate and loyal (it's no accident that Hachikō is the breed's symbol), but it shows its feelings in a restrained way. It is reserved with strangers and can defend its home decisively. Very often it doesn't tolerate other dogs, especially of the same sex, and small animals can trigger its prey drive; it usually does best as the only dog in the home. It is intelligent but independent and stubborn, so blind obedience is not its strong suit. It needs early, careful socialization and a consistent, calm owner. It rarely barks without reason. It can live peacefully with the family's children if they respect its space, but supervision is needed around other people's kids.
- Energy
- calmvery energetic
- Affection
- independentvelcro pet
- With children
- not idealgreat
- With other pets
- difficultgreat
- Trainability
- stubborneager to learn
- For first-time owners
- for experienced ownersyes
- With strangers
- waryoutgoing
- Playfulness
- dignifiedeternal puppy
- Shedding
- minimalheavy
- Grooming
- easydemanding
- Being left alone
- strugglescopes well
- Apartment living
- needs a house and yardgreat in a flat
- Barking
- quietvocal
- With other dogs
- difficultgreat
- Protectiveness
- lowhigh
- Drooling
- hardly anya lot
- Cold tolerance
- feels the coldexcellent
- Heat tolerance
- strugglescopes well
Scores of 1–5 compare the breed with other breeds of the same species, based on the sources at the bottom of the page. Every animal is different. How we score traits
Who is the Akita Inu for?
The Akita Inu suits an experienced, calm owner with a house and yard who wants a loyal guard dog and understands the need for consistent socialization. It does well as the only dog in the home. Don't choose it as your first dog or for a home with cats and other dogs, and skip it if you dream of a dog that plays with every dog at the dog park.
Pros
- loyal and calm at home
- alert watchdog
- clean, with no doggy odor
- rarely barks
- handles cold extremely well
Challenges
- often intolerant of other dogs
- strong prey drive
- stubborn and independent
- heavy seasonal shedding
- not suitable for beginners
Size and looks
| Height at the withers | males 64–70 cm, females 58–64 cm |
|---|---|
| Weight | males 38–45.5 kg, females 34–38.5 kg |
| Lifespan | 10–12 years |
| Coat | short |
| Colors | red fawn, sesame, brindle, white |
| Country of origin | Japan |
| Classification | Group V: Spitz and primitive types |
| Also known as | Akita, Japanese Akita, Japanese Akita Inu, Hachiko dog |
Care and exercise
An Akita needs plenty of exercise, the Royal Kennel Club suggests more than two hours a day, but more in the form of walks, hikes and scent work than wild play with other dogs at the dog park. Given its attitude toward unfamiliar dogs, city walks call for good leash control. The thick double coat needs brushing once or twice a week, and during shedding, usually twice a year, the undercoat needs combing out daily. Akitas are clean and have almost no doggy odor. They handle cold well and heat less so. Feed two smaller meals a day to reduce the risk of bloat. Start training from day one: recall, calmly passing other dogs, and accepting grooming and vet exams.
How much should the Akita Inu eat?The calculator starts from this breed’s typical weight: calories and grams a day.Health and breed-related conditions
The Akita Inu usually lives 10–12 years. The Royal Kennel Club recommends that breeders screen hips and elbows and use a DNA test for amelogenesis imperfecta (AI/FEH), and the breed is in Category 1 of Breed Watch, meaning no particular conformation concerns. Diseases described in Akitas include joint dysplasia, hypothyroidism, sebaceous adenitis causing hair loss, eye defects and bloat. Eye defects such as microphthalmia often occur together with cataracts or retinal disease, so eye exams of breeding dogs also make sense. Look for a puppy from a breeder who can show the parents' joint X-rays.
- hip dysplasiaThe Royal Kennel Club recommends hip and elbow screening for breeding dogs.
- hypothyroidismCauses weight gain, lethargy and a dry, brittle coat; it needs lifelong treatment.
- sebaceous adenitisA skin disease with hair loss and scaling.
- gastric dilatation-volvulus (bloat, GDV)An emergency in deep-chested dogs.
- eye defects (microphthalmia, cataracts, retinal disease)These can lead to impaired vision or blindness.
- amelogenesis imperfecta (AI/FEH)An inherited tooth enamel defect; a DNA test exists.
Health tests to ask the breeder about
- hip and elbow X-rays (HD/ED)
- AI/FEH DNA test
- eye exam (ECVO)
- thyroid testing
This is general breed information, not a diagnosis. If something worries you, talk to your veterinarian.
Breed history
According to the FCI standard, from 1603 medium-sized dogs called Akita Matagi were used in the Akita region to hunt bears, and also for dogfighting. From 1868 they were crossed with Tosas and Mastiffs, which increased their size. Dogfighting was banned in 1908, and in 1931 nine outstanding dogs of the breed were designated a natural monument. During World War II the population dropped dramatically, and some breeders crossed Akitas with German Shepherds to save them from confiscation. After the war, enthusiasts rebuilt the pure Japanese type by crossing dogs with Akita Matagi. Lines brought to the US gave rise to the American Akita, which the FCI now recognizes as a separate breed.
Fun facts
- In 1931 nine outstanding Akitas were designated a natural monument in Japan.
- The FCI standard requires all colors except white to have urajiro: pale areas of coat on the muzzle, cheeks, neck, chest and belly.
- A statue of the faithful dog Hachikō stands by Shibuya Station in Tokyo.
- The FCI treats the Japanese Akita and the American Akita as two separate breeds.
Frequently asked questions
What's the difference between an Akita Inu and an American Akita?
The American Akita descends from dogs taken to the US after World War II and is bigger and more massive, with a bear-like head and a black mask. The Akita Inu (Japanese Akita) is lighter, more foxlike in expression and comes only in red fawn, sesame, brindle or white. The FCI recognizes them as separate breeds.
Is an Akita Inu good with kids?
It can be, if the family has experience with dogs and the children are older and respect the dog's space. Akitas are loyal to their own family but may see other children and their games as a threat, so supervision is essential.
Do Akitas shed?
Yes. Usually twice a year they blow their undercoat very heavily, and then they need daily brushing. Between shedding periods, brushing once or twice a week is enough.
How much does an Akita Inu weigh?
The FCI standard gives no weight, only height: about 67 cm for males and 61 cm for females, with a 3 cm tolerance. According to breeder data, males usually weigh 38–45 kg and females 34–38 kg.
How long does a Akita Inu live?
The typical lifespan of the Akita Inu is 10–12 years. Genetics, weight, exercise and regular preventive vet care all make a difference.
This breed also appears in
Sources
- 1FCI standard nr 255 – Akitafci.be
- 2Royal Kennel Club – Japanese Akita Inuroyalkennelclub.com
- 3Eukanuba – Akita Inu breed finderdog.eukanuba.eu
- 4PetMD – Akitapetmd.com
Last reviewed: November 12, 2026. Spotted a mistake? Tell us.
