An Akitas Petulantia? | 4EverPets.org (2023)

FAQs

Why are Akitas so special? ›

The Akita is a muscular, double-coated dog of ancient Japanese lineage famous for their dignity, courage, and loyalty. In their native land, they're venerated as family protectors and symbols of good health, happiness, and long life. Akitas are burly, heavy-boned spitz-type dogs of imposing stature.

The Akita is loyal and affectionate toward his family and friends, but quite territorial about his home and aloof with strangers. They are excellent watchdogs and will only bark when there is truly something amiss.

The American Akita is a very confident dog that instinctively protects its territory, food, and human family. In addition, this dog is very friendly with people as long as he does not feel threatened, and is playful, affectionate and loyal to his owners.

A native Japanese breed known as Matagi (hunting dog) was used along with the Hokkaido Inu breed to mix back into the remaining Akita dogs to restore the breed. There were many lines of Akita, but the most influential were the Dewa and Ichinoseki.

Although this Akita breed can be loving, caring, and protective over their family, Akitas also have the ability, like every dog breed, to become or turn out aggressive and hostile.

Highly intelligent, strong-willed, and proud, the Akita responds best to respectful commands and positive-training techniques that rely on motivation rather than force. Not everyone has what it takes to live with one of these majestic dogs.

While generally reserved with people they don't know, Akitas are affectionate but not "clingy" with their family. They tend to be independent, and while they will always know where you are in your home, they are not constantly underfoot, or in your face, needing attention as do some of the more dependent breeds.

Akitas will keep watch over you and your family at all times. This breed takes this task seriously and will typically perform its guarding duty with little to no training. This dog will require obedience training, or you can consider guard dog training to sharpen its skills.

Because Akitas bond so closely to their families, they might be happiest as the house's only fur child (they can get jealous if you give too much love to another dog!).

Like many breeds, the Akita is also susceptible to cancer, skin conditions, ear infections, autoimmune disorders, kidney disease, and drug sensitivities. A good breeder and/or vet can screen for some of these problems early on.

What is the lifespan of an Akita? ›

Akitas are generally healthy, but can be prone to some diseases, like hypothyroidism and hip dysplasia. Akitas are a generally healthy breed with an average lifespan of 12-15 years.

Yes, Akitas are more aggressive than Pitbulls. They tend to be aggressive toward other dogs, especially those of the same sex.

Akita. Akitas are most closely genetically related to ancient wolves. They are a Japanese dog breed that is great hunters, and are often police dogs, but are also excellent family dogs.

Akita's are known for their “stubborn ” nature and even though a very loving dog, things were quite often on her terms and that included our walks. She could be a challenge and has backed out of her collar when she wanted to go in a different direction than I.

The Akita is naturally dominant in temperament. In fact, one expert told me that every Akita born thinks it is the alpha dog. These aren't dogs for first-time owners. Akitas need owners who can establish pack leadership early.

Although Akitas can be aloof, they reserve their affection for close family members and will be very cuddly and sweet with them.

As Akitas get so attached to their families, we wouldn't recommend leaving them alone as many don't cope well with this. If you do need to leave your Akita alone, this should never be for more than four hours and you'll need to make sure you leave them with something to keep them occupied.

The Akita Inu has a powerful dog bite force that has been measured at 350-400 PSI. It is significantly higher than the average dog bite force of 235 PSI (pounds per square inch). The Akita Inu is also known for its aggressive temperament and tendency to attack other breeds and people.

Typically Akitas are not good with other dogs. While you will find many people with households that have Akitas as well as other dogs, these are the exception to the rule. Typically Akitas are best in one pet households.

The Akita dog protects its family. Because of its fighting dog background, it can be aggressive toward other dogs. The Shiba Inu, on the other hand, is often more tolerant of other dogs. And if you live in a smaller space or a shared environment — like in an apartment building — the Shiba Inu is better suited to adapt.

How loyal are Akitas? ›

A Brief History of the Japanese Akita Inu

To describe a dog as "man's best friend" is cliché, but it's still well deserved. Among dogs that are known for their fierce and steadfast loyalty, Hachiko, a Japanese Akita Inu, is the most famous and known to almost everyone in Japan.

There are many forms of anxiety that your Akita may be suffering from. Typical causes of anxiety in Akitas might be: Separation anxiety – Fear of being separated from their owner. This often manifests itself with pacing, drooling, biting, or being destructive while you're away.

If your dog follows you everywhere then it's a sign that they trust and love you and that you make them feel safe. Following you very closely can be a sign that they're bored, they want something, they're feeling scared or are just being nosy.

Akitas who have been surrendered to a shelter and then rescued by a new family are more likely to have separation anxiety than an Akita puppy, however this again highlights the importance of crate training, even if you work from home, as it can be risky to let your dog get used to your constant presence, as it may not ...

Around 12 to 18 months of age, Akitas begin to become protective. Your dog may bark at strangers and be more possessive.

In young pups, it is usually because they are teething or playing. In the wild, they cut their teeth biting and chewing on anything they can find and will learn to control play biting with the help of their litter mates. But in your home, this is just not acceptable behavior.

They're forever loyal to their family.

An Akita is nothing like a Retriever breed, those that befriend everyone they meet. They're typically aloof towards strangers, and can take weeks to warm up to new friends. But once they do bond with you, they're incredibly loyal.

Akitas can be great companions

As if being a fuzzy, friendly, royal breed doesn't make the Akita appealing enough, consider the fact that these dogs often love to talk.

Akita Attacks

They are popular dogs throughout the United States despite the fact that they are the third most likely breed of dog to bite someone unprovoked.

In fact, Akitas bark so infrequently, they are known as “The Silent Hunter.” This is probably due to the fact that for many years they were bred for hunting bear. Good hunting dogs don't bark unnecessarily as they don't want to alert their prey that they are approaching.

Which is better American Akita or Japanese Akita? ›

Some Akita dog breeders state that the Japanese Akita has a bit more of “serious” and aloof personality while the American Akita can is a little more gregarious. Like Shiba Inus, both Japanese and American Akitas are not particularly friendly dogs.

Loyal and attached to their families, Akitas are happiest when living inside with them. They shed a lot, but daily brushing can help minimize fur around the house. Not prone to nuisance barking, they are good dogs for apartment dwellers so long as there are opportunities for exercise.

Originally used for guarding royalty and nobility in ancient Japan, according to Dog Time, the Akita is now known as a fearless, faithful, and fluffy companion. But because this breed was originally developed to guard and protect, Akitas will quickly become aggressive if they aren't trained properly.

There are four types of Akita Inu colors identified by the Japan Kennel Club: red fawn, brindle, white, and sesame. Red fawn is the most popular color and sesame is the rarest.

They are bigger,stronger and adapt at Hunting bigger game (boars, BEARS, Ect) as well as record of use in Japanese dog fights to this day. The Akita Would destroy a Pit.

With proper training and socialization, an Akita is loving, playful, and affectionate with its immediate family. Akitas can do well with children if they receive proper socialization from a young age.

Akitas are banned or placed under heavy restrictions in many U.S. states because of their reputation for being aggressive. Some cities don't outright ban this breed, but they require that you handle your pup like a dangerous dog. You may have to muzzle your Akita when they're in public.

Shih Tzus share more DNA with wolves than most other breeds. The only breed group with more shared wolf DNA is the Nordic spitz group (Huskies, Samoyeds, and Malamutes). The breed almost went extinct in the early 1900s after the death of Empress Tzu Hsi.

This breed has a relatively high energy level and should get between 30 and 60 minutes of exercise daily consisting of at least a brisk daily walk or two. But you may need to avoid walking an Akita at a dog park where his aggressive tendencies towards other dogs may be seen.

Hachiko was a real dog who lived in Tokyo in the early 1900s. After his owner passed away, he continued to wait for his owner at a train station everyday. Hachiko became famous for his loyalty and devotion.

Do Akitas like being outside? ›

Long walks should be provided daily for an Akita. They are active indoors and can do well in an apartment with sufficient outings. A home with a large yard is ideal. Akitas need to be with their families and will not do well as outside-only pets.

Guests welcome in your home when you are present may not be welcomed by the Akita when you are not home. Akitas in some cases can be aggressive towards other animals, they also have selective hearing which means they are not good at re-call and for this reason, they should not be allowed off lead in a public place.

The Akita does not back down from challenges and does not frighten easily. Consequently, they are fearless and loyal guardians of their families. Yet they are also affectionate, respectful, and amusing dogs when properly trained and socialized.

Akitas are known for their attentiveness and clever personalities. Their build and size also makes them powerful guard dogs. Like Chow Chows, they can become suspicious of strangers, guests, and even other pets. Their love for their families is what fuels their protectiveness.

Bite Force: 350 to 400 PSI. The Japanese Akita doesn't have the bad reputation that the tosa does, but it does share a powerful bite. Despite being much smaller and having a muzzle that covers less surface area, the Akita has developed a jaw that works like scissors.

The Japanese view the Akita as a symbol of health, happiness, and longevity. It's customary to present a loved one with a small Akita statue to mark the birth of a child, and these statues are also given to those who have been ill or otherwise need good wishes.

Akita. Akitas are one of the most loyal dog breeds. Bred for guarding royalty and nobility in feudal Japan, this courageous and alert breed is naturally suspicious of strangers. Akitas will keep watch over you and your family at all times.

Akita. Akitas are most closely genetically related to ancient wolves. They are a Japanese dog breed that is great hunters, and are often police dogs, but are also excellent family dogs.

Can an Akita kill a pitbull? Yes, in some cases. The Akita gets a lot bigger than a Pit Bull and size matters in a fight. Plus Akita's are fighting dogs too.

Can Akita beat a bear? ›

Akitas are mighty warriors and loyal to the core

An Akita isn't able to actually take down a bear, but the male would distract the bear while the female ran around and bit at its hocks until the hunter arrived to kill it.

In fact, the Akita is closely linked to the wolf and is actually part of the Spitz family. In Japan, they were used for fighting, pulling sleds, and for hunting large prey, like bears and wild boars.

The Akita Inu has a powerful dog bite force that has been measured at 350-400 PSI. It is significantly higher than the average dog bite force of 235 PSI (pounds per square inch). The Akita Inu is also known for its aggressive temperament and tendency to attack other breeds and people.