Dog breed

American Akita

The American Akita is a large, massive spitz-type dog developed in the US from Japanese Akitas brought over after World War II. It is dignified, calm and very loyal to its family, but independent, wary of strangers and often intolerant of other dogs. This is a breed for experienced owners.

FCI Group V · Spitz and primitive · standard no. 344

Weight: 32–59 kg
Height: 61–71 cm
Lifespan: 10–13 years
Origin: United States (the breed descends from Japanese dogs)

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Photo: Caro108, CC BY-SA 3.0, Wikimedia Commons

Temperament

The American Akita is not a dog that loves the whole world. At home it is calm, clean and fairly quiet, and it is deeply devoted to its people, often choosing one person to follow from room to room. It watches strangers with reserve and does not seek their attention. It has a strong guarding instinct, so it accepts guests only once its owner has clearly introduced them. The biggest challenge is its attitude toward other animals: the AKC rates the Akita's tolerance of other dogs at the bottom of the scale, and males can be especially quarrelsome with dogs of the same sex. Its prey drive can put cats and small animals at risk. The Akita is intelligent but independent, and endlessly repeated drills irritate it. It needs a calm, confident handler and socialization from the first weeks of life.

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 American Akita for?

The American Akita is a dog for an experienced, calm and consistent person, ideally living in a house with a securely fenced yard. It does well as the only dog in the home and a loyal family guardian. Do not choose it if you have cats, plan to get a second dog of the same sex, often visit dog parks, or want a dog that is friendly to everyone.

Pros

very loyal to its family
calm and clean indoors
excellent guardian
rarely barks without a reason

Challenges

often intolerant of other dogs
strong prey drive
independent and hard to train
massive seasonal shedding

Size and looks

Size and looks: American Akita
Height at the withers	males 66–71 cm, females 61–66 cm
Weight	males 45–59 kg, females 32–45 kg
Lifespan	10–13 years
Coat	medium
Colors	any color, including red, fawn and white, pinto, brindle, with or without a black mask
Country of origin	United States (the breed descends from Japanese dogs)
Classification	Group V: Spitz and primitive types
Also known as	Akita, Great Japanese Dog

Care and exercise

60–120minof exercise a day

3/5grooming needs

3/5shedding

An American Akita needs at least one to two hours of exercise a day: long walks, hikes and play in a securely fenced area. Letting it off leash where other dogs may show up can be risky. Training should be short, varied and based on mutual respect; Akitas respond badly to force and shouting. Socialization with people, sounds and places is essential, but it does not mean forcing the dog to play with every dog at the park. The dense double coat usually takes little work: brushing once a week is enough for most of the year. Twice a year, though, an Akita sheds enormous amounts of undercoat, and then it needs daily combing. Feed two smaller meals a day and do not allow hard exercise right after eating, because the breed is prone to bloat. It handles heat poorly.

How much should the American Akita eat?The calculator starts from this breed’s typical weight: calories and grams a day.

Health and breed-related conditions

The American Akita usually lives 10–13 years; the AKC gives 10–14 years, and in a British study the median for Akitas was 11.4 years. The US breed club gives a special warning about bloat, an emergency in which a distended stomach twists on its axis and the dog dies without prompt surgery. Among inherited diseases it lists progressive retinal atrophy, which leads to blindness in adult dogs, and hip dysplasia. Recommended tests for breeding dogs include hip X-rays, an eye exam and thyroid testing. When buying a puppy, ask the breeder about autoimmune disease in the parents' lines, because Akitas can be prone to it.

bloat (GDV)The breed club stresses that Akitas are especially prone to it; it is an emergency that needs immediate surgery.
hip dysplasiaA developmental joint defect that leads to arthritis; both parents should have X-ray results.
progressive retinal atrophy (PRA)Degeneration of the retina in adult dogs that leads to blindness.
thyroid diseaseThe breed club recommends thyroid testing for breeding dogs.

Health tests to ask the breeder about

hip X-rays (HD)
eye exam (ECVO)
thyroid testing

This is general breed information, not a diagnosis. If something worries you, talk to your veterinarian.

Breed history

The American Akita's story begins in Japan. In the Akita region, matagi-type hunting dogs were used from the 17th century; later they were also used for fighting and crossed with Tosas and mastiffs. After World War II the population was decimated and mixed, and American soldiers brought mostly massive dogs from the Dewa line back to the US. The Akita Club of America was founded in 1956, and the AKC admitted the breed to its stud book in 1972. Because there was no exchange of pedigrees with Japan, Akitas in the US developed into a separate, heavier type. In 1999 the FCI definitively recognized the American Akita as a separate breed, splitting it from the Japanese Akita Inu.

Fun facts

According to the AKC, the first Akita in the US was brought by Helen Keller, who received it as a gift during a visit to Japan.
In 1931, nine outstanding Akitas were declared "natural monuments" in Japan.
The FCI standard allows any color in the American Akita, including pinto, brindle and white.
The AKC calls Hachiko, the famously faithful Akita of the 1920s, one of Japan's most treasured symbols.

Frequently asked questions

What is the difference between an American Akita and a Japanese Akita?

The American Akita is heavier and more massive, with a broader, bear-like head, and it can come in any color, including with a black mask. The Japanese Akita is lighter and more fox-like and comes in only a few colors. The FCI recognizes them as two separate breeds.

How much does an American Akita weigh?

According to the AKC, an adult male weighs 100–130 pounds (about 45–59 kg) and a female 70–100 pounds (about 32–45 kg). The FCI standard specifies height at the shoulder: 66–71 cm for males and 61–66 cm for females.

Are American Akitas good with other dogs?

Often not. The AKC rates the Akita's tolerance of other dogs at the bottom of the scale, and relationships with dogs of the same sex are especially tricky. Early socialization helps but does not change the breed's nature; it is safest when the Akita is the only dog or lives with a dog of the opposite sex.

Do American Akitas shed?

Yes. For most of the year they shed moderately, but twice a year they blow their undercoat very heavily. Then daily combing with a rake and a brush is a must, and hair around the house is hard to keep under control.

How long does a American Akita live?

The typical lifespan of the American Akita is 10–13 years. Genetics, weight, exercise and regular preventive vet care all make a difference.