Akita Shepherd

Breed Information


Type

Is Akita Shepherd a purebred?

Cross Breed

Purpose

What were Akita Shepherds originally used for?

Companionship, Hunting, Herding, Guarding

Lifespan

How Long Do Akita Shepherds Live? What is average life expectancy for an Akita Shepherd? How long can Akita Shepherds live?

10-13 years

The average Akita Shepherd lifespan is somewhere between 10-13 years, provided they aren't beset by any exceptional health issues or injuries.

Akita Shepherd Height & Weight


How big is a full grown Akita Shepherd?

What is the average height of an Akita Shepherd? How big is an Cross Breed Akita Shepherd height? Akita Shepherd dog height:
Height
Average 6 months 12 months 18 months
Male 23-25 inches (58.4 - 63.5 cm) 14.5 inches (36.8 cm) 19.5 inches (49.5 cm) 24.0 inches (61 cm)
Female 22-24 inches (55.9 - 61 cm) 11.0 inches (27.9 cm) 17.5 inches (44.5 cm) 23.0 inches (58.4 cm)
What is the average weight of an Akita Shepherd? How much should Akita Shepherds weigh?
Weight
Average 6 months 12 months 18 months
Male 65-85 pounds (29 - 39 kg) 30.0 pounds (14 kg) 60.0 pounds (27 kg) 75.0 pounds (34 kg)
Female 60-80 pounds (27 - 36 kg) 30.0 pounds (14 kg) 50.0 pounds (23 kg) 70.0 pounds (32 kg)
Hypoallergenic

Are Akita Shepherds Hypoallergenic?

No

Unfortunately, the Akita Shepherd is not hypoallergenic, making it not a good choice for a dog lover who suffers from pet allergies.

Temperament

What is an Akita Shepherd personality? What are Akita Shepherd dogs best known for?

Curious
Dignified
Independent
Protective
Alert
Courageous
Intelligent
Confident
Friendly
Responsive
Docile
Obedient
Loyal
Watchful
Faithful
Vigilant
Willing

Shedding Level

Are Akita Shepherds heavy shedders? How Much Does an Akita Shepherd Shed?

Akita Shepherd dogs are extremely heavy shedders, they will lose a large amount of hair each year. To decrease the amount of shedding, you can regularly brush your Akita Shepherd.

Watchdog Ability

What is the watchdog ability of an Akita Shepherd dog?

The Akita Shepherd dogs are average watchdogs. If they sense something different, this breed will alert their owner.

Breed History


Ancestry

What are Akita Shepherds descended from?

German Shepherd and Akita

Breed recognition

What organizations or kennel clubs recognize/register the Akita Shepherd breed?

DRA = Dog Registry of America, Inc.
IDCR = International Designer Canine Registry®

Date of Birth

When were Akita Shepherds first bred? How old is the Akita Shepherd breed?

Mid 1900s

Akita Shepherd Appearance


Eye Color Possibilites

What color are Akita Shepherd eyes?

Brown

Nose Color Possibilites

What color can Akita Shepherd nose be naturally?

Black
Brown

Coat Color Possibilites

What color can Akita Shepherd coat be naturally?

Brindle
White
Silver
Fawn
Black
Red
Brown
Sable
Gray

Coat Length

How long is an Akita Shepherds coat?

The coat of an Akita Shepherd falls in the medium length category.

Coat Density

How Dense Is The Akita Shepherd Coat?

Coat Texture

What is the texture of the hair of an Akita Shepherd?

Straight

Litter Size

How many puppies can an Akita Shepherd have in a litter? How many puppies can an Akita Shepherd have in her first litter?

3-12 puppies per pregnancy

An Akita Shepherd can have a litter of 3-12 puppies on average. However, it's worth noting that the size of the litters can vary greatly. Factors that can influence litter size include the health of the mother, breeding history, and genetics.

Adaptability

Akita Shepherds are known for their adaptability and versatility, they are capable of adapting well to a wide range of lifestyle changes and living environments. They are a highly adaptable breed, and make great companions for families and individuals of all lifestyles.

Akita Shepherd Health Issues


Health Issues

Do Akita Shepherds have a lot of health problems?

The Akita Shepherd breed is commonly healthy with low vet costs, regular check-ups may not be as necessary but it's important to keep an eye on their health and have them checked by a veterinarian when needed.

Major Concerns

What are the major health concerns to be aware of when owning an Akita Shepherd?

Canine Hip Dysplasia
Bloat
Von Willebrand's Disease
Degenerative Myelopathy
Congenital Heart Defect
Autoimmune Thyroiditis
Progressive Retinal Atrophy (PRA)

Minor Concerns

What are the less significant issues to keep in mind when it comes to Akita Shepherds?

Elbow Dysplasia
Panosteitis
Pemphigus
Sebaceous Adenitis
Pannus
Perianal Fistulas
Hemophilia
Exocrine Pancreatic Insufficiency

Occasional Diagnoses

None Known

Occasional Tests

What are the occasional tests recommended for Akita Shepherd breed?

Cardiac
Eye
Hip
Blood
Dna For Vwd
Internal Imaging (x-ray, CT scan, MRI, etc.)
Full Body Physical Examination

Akita Shepherd Needs and Activities


Energy

Do Akita Shepherds have a lot of energy?

For those who lead a balanced lifestyle, Akita Shepherds may be a good choice as they have an average energy level.

Social Needs

Do Akita Shepherds need socialization? How social are Akita Shepherds?

Akita Shepherds have average social needs compared to other breeds. They are known to be less active and independent than other breeds, and they are content with spending time alone and with their human family.

Exercise Needed

How much exercise should Akita Shepherds get?

The Akita Shepherds a breed that requires only a small amount of physical activity to maintain a healthy lifestyle. These breeds are ideal for people with busy lifestyles, elderly people or those who have limited mobility. They also make great pets for those who live in small apartments or have limited outdoor space.

Sleeping Need

How much sleep should an Akita Shepherd have? Do Akita Shepherds sleep a lot?

Akita Shepherds dogs are tend to sleep less than other breeds, but they still require adequate sleep to maintain good health.

Tendency to Bark

How much does it bark?

Akita Shepherds are known to bark very little or not at all. They tend to be very quiet and do not bark excessively. They may only bark in specific situations, such as when they need to alert their owner to something important or when they are in distress.

Mouthiness

Are Akita Shepherds mouthy?

Roaming urge

What is the likelihood of an Akita Shepherd running away? Do they have a tendency to explore or wander frequently?

Prey Drive

Do Akita Shepherd dogs have a high prey drive?

Past times

What do Akita Shepherds enjoy doing? How do I keep my Akita Shepherd busy?

Hike, Run, Fetch, Hikes, Walk, K9 scent work, Smart, Playful, Endless energy, Sweet, Swim, Running, Swimming, Walking, Skateboarding, Hiking, Play, Play keep away, Tug-of-war, Nap, Cuddling, Bird watching, Tag

Activity Level

What is the energy level of an Akita Shepherd? How much energy does an Akita Shepherd have?

High

Akita Shepherds are high-energy dogs. They need mental as well as physical exercise. These dogs require a lot of your involvement and without it they can, and will, become problematic dogs.

Tolerance of being left alone

Walks per Week

How far should an Akita Shepherd walk each week? How many miles should an Akita Shepherd walk every week?

14 miles / week

There's really no limit to how far you walk your dog as long as they're comfortable. For Akita Shepherd, it's at least 14 miles / week. Just remember to build distance and stamina gradually over time.

Activity per Day

How much an Akita Shepherd should exercise a day? How much activity does an Akita Shepherd need?

60 minutes

In general most Akita Shepherds usually need at least 60 minutes of exercise daily. This can be spread across the day and include all sorts of high-energy activities, like walking, running and playing.

Grooming

What level of grooming should be provided for an Akita Shepherd?

The Akita Shepherd is a breed of dog that requires an average amount of grooming effort.

Brushing Frequency

How often should you brush an Akita Shepherd?

Weekly

Akita Shepherd should be brushed at least once a week. Of course you can give them more frequent brushes if you find that they are still shedding a lot

Brushing Tools

What are the most commonly used brushing tools for Akita Shepherds?

Pin Brush
Slicker Brush
Deshedder
Nail Clipper

Costs


Cups

How many cups of food does an Akita Shepherd eat?

2.5 cups

For an average 65-85 pound (29 - 39 kg) Akita Shepherd feed 2.5 cups daily. But, keep in mind, the amount you feed is going to be dependent on the quality of the food you are feeding.

Daily Cost

How Much Does an Akita Shepherd Cost Daily?

$2.10 - $2.70 / day

The average cost of an Akita Shepherd is somewhere $2.10 - $2.70 per day.

Monthly Cost

How Much Does an Akita Shepherd Cost Per Month?

$55 - $73 / month

The average per month expenses of an Akita Shepherd is between $55 - $73. This makes an average of $660 - $876 per year. It will be on the higher side when the dog is still small because it will need more frequent visits to the vet, shots.

Akita Shepherd Characteristic


Intelligence

How intelligent is an Akita Shepherd?

Akita Shepherds has average obedience intelligence. But, they're also independent thinkers. The Akita Shepherd is a breed with an exceptionally high IQ and may get into mischief if left to their own devices.

Sensitivity Level

How sensitive is an Akita Shepherd dog?

This dog breed is particularly attuned to its environment and the emotions of those around it. It can be easily overwhelmed by loud noises, new environments, and unfamiliar people or animals. This dog is best suited for individuals or families who are patient, gentle, and understanding of its sensitive nature. It may also benefit from a calm and stable home environment, with a consistent routine and plenty of positive reinforcement training.

Affection Dependance

Are Akita Shepherd dogs affectionate?

Apartment Friendly

Do Akita Shepherd do well in apartments? Are Akita Shepherds good indoor dogs?

The Akita Shepherd is an apartment-friendly dog breed. They can do perfectly well in apartments providing they are sufficiently exercised and taken out and about as part of their owner's daily lifestyle.

Child Friendly

Are Akita Shepherds good with kids? Are Akita Shepherds good around children?

A Akita Shepherds typical characteristics indicate that this breed of dog is an ideal companion for kids and makes them family pets. Their gentle and protective nature and calm mentality make them gel along quickly with the younger humans

Senior-friendly

Are Akita Shepherds good for elderly?

Cat Friendly

Are Akita Shepherds good with cats? How friendly Akita Shepherds are toward cats?

Akita Shepherds are an average cat friendly dog. They do well with cats, even more if raised together from puppyhood,

Dog Friendly

Do Akita Shepherd dogs get along with other dogs? Are Akita Shepherds OK with other dogs?

Akita Shepherds are average friendly towards other dogs. If they are raised with other dogs, they are likely to get along with them. And, if they are socialized properly from a young age, they will usually be great with other dogs.

Pet friendly

How do Akita Shepherd dogs interact with other pets? Are they considered pet-friendly?

Stranger Friendly

Are Akita Shepherds friendly with strangers?

Akita Shepherds are average friendly around strangers. They can be wary around strangers and a little standoffish. Early socialisation is key.

Playfulness

Do Akita Shepherds like to play? Are Akita Shepherds playful?

Akita Shepherds have an average level of playfulness. The Akita Shepherds, like other dogs, like to play. But they are not the most playful dog breed.

Trainability

Are Akita Shepherd easily trained?

Akita Shepherd dogs are known for their ease of training and ability to learn quickly, making them a popular choice for pet owners and trainers alike.