Recommended for: Small families, singles (wary of strangers)
Maintenance Level: High
Lifespan: 11-15 years
Temperament:
Active, loyal
Health Risk:
High probability of health issues during its lifetime, hence it is one of the more expensive breeds to insure.
Breed Overview
The Akita is distinctive large and powerful dog with an aloof attitude. The Akita can be territorial and the dog is not usually welcoming of strangers.
They are double coated dogs and their undercoat is thick and warm, coupled with short top coat.
These dogs are considered to be heavy shedders which mean they not only shed twice a year but they also drop hair regularly right throughout the year.
There are two breeds of Akita; the Japanese Akita which is white, red or brindle and the American Akita which comes in a wide variety of colours including black, black brindle, blue brindle, brown, brown brindle, brindle, fawn and fawn brindle.
The Japanese Akita is known as the ‘Akita Inu’ or ‘Japanese Akita’ and the American bloodline is known as the ‘Akita’ or ‘American Akita.
Male Akitas weigh from 38 to 54 kg and females weigh 34 to 50 kilos. Male Akitas stand about 61 to 71 cm and females stand from 61 to 66 cm.
The average lifespan of an Akita is 11 to 15 years.