About the Akita

The Akita is a powerful, independent, and dominant breed, commonly aloof with strangers but affectionate with family members. As a breed, Akitas are generally hardy.

In all countries except the United States, the Japanese and American strains of Akita are considered two separate breeds. In the United States, however, the two strains are considered a single breed with differences in type. For a while, the American strain of Akita was known in some countries as the Great Japanese Dog. Both forms of Akita are probably best known worldwide from the true story of Hachiko a loyal Akita who lived in Japan before World War II.

1.Lifespan: 10 – 15 years

2.Height: Male: 64 – 70 cm (Adult, At the withers, Japanese Akita), 

3.Mass: Male: 32 – 39 kg (Adult, Japanese Akita), Female: 23 – 29 kg (Adult, Japanese Akita)

Temperament

The Akita is generally seen as territorial about its property and can be reserved with strangers. It is sometimes described as feline in its actions; it is not unusual for an Akita to clean its face after eating, to preen its kennel mate, and to be fastidious in the house. They are known to be intolerant of other dogs of the same sex, as stated in the AKC breed standard.

Since it is a large, powerful dog, the Akita is not considered a breed for a first-time dog owner. The breed has been targeted by some countries' Breed Specific Legislation -specific as a dangerous dog. The Akita is a large, strong, independent, and dominant dog. A well-trained Akita should be accepting of non-threatening strangers, otherwise, they will treat all strangers in an aggressive manner. As a breed they should be good with children; it is said that the breed has an affinity for children. Not all Akitas will necessarily have the same temperament.

Akitas tend to be reactive towards other dogs, and thus caution must be used in situations when Akitas are likely to be around other dogs, especially unfamiliar ones. (Citation Needed ) In particular, Akitas tend to be less tolerant of dogs of the same sex. For this reason, Akitas, unless highly Socialized, are not generally well-suited for off-leash Dog Park Sometimes spontaneous, it needs a confident, consistent handler, without which the dog will be very willful and may become very aggressive to other dogs and animals.