Akita Inu Dog Breed Information - All You Need To Know

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Are you looking for a strong breed that looks just as noble as intimidating? Your search can take a little halt. Akita Inu is one such breed that was known for protecting the royal during feudal-aged Japan. As it turns out, this trait still seems to persist in the breed.

It would be very unlikely for you to see an Akita Inu backing down from hurdles. They will guard you with their life as frightening them away is almost impossible. Fearless as they are, Akita Inu are just as affectionate and amusing, even as social creatures. Hold on, as we walk you through the noble reputation which precedes the breed!

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Akita Inu History

You have already read about the role of Akita Inu in feudal Japan, which makes its place of origin quite obvious. So, the first of the kind hailed from the northern mountains of Japan. In fact, the Japanese government of 1931 even recognized them as natural monuments for their nature and contribution.

Did you know that the first Akita Inu of America was the one brought by Helen Keller back in 1937? The puppy was like a souvenir for her tour of Japan. Since then, a lot of people have come to adopt the breed. And that too, mostly for the same qualities that it was known for back in Japan.

Akita Inu Characteristics

As mentioned before, the Akita Inu breed is poised and fearless in nature. While they have quite a large head, their eyes are smaller and triangular in shape. You will find their stance to be confident and rigid. However, there is more to its characteristics than just its looks or typical nature. Listed below are the Akita-Inu-essentials that people often like to know.

How Big do Akita Inu Get

As you might have figured out by now, Akita Inus are quite the strapping and heavy-boned type of dogs. A full-grown Akita Inu can stand from about 24 to 28 inches if you measure at the shoulder. The dense coat of fur further adds to the weight of their bulky body. Like you read before, their head is just as huge, which balances for the big body and curled-up tail. Naturally, the weight of this breed often ranges from 70 to 130 pounds.

How Long Does Akita Inu Live

Oftentimes, you will find that the aging profile of dogs is dependent on how big or small they are. So, the average lifespan of the Akita Inu breed is similar to other large-sized breeds. Just like German Shepherds or Golden Retrievers, your four-legged companion can age up to ten to 13 years. Larger breeds tend to catch more genetic disorders as compared to the smaller ones and age earlier.

How Much Does an Akita Inu Cost

Since the breed is Japanese and exotic in other parts of the world, they tend to be pricy. It is like for an Akita Inu puppy to cost you from $600 to $4,000. While the average price has been said to be $1,000, it changes from region to region. Oftentimes, your first-year expenses exceed the years after that, but the starting point is around $4,400. Then on, you could sort about $1,955/year, tentatively speaking.

Akita Inu Temperament/Personality

You will find that Akitas are extremely intelligent and willful dogs. Independence and dominance ooze out in their mannerisms and behavior. The traits are interlinked with the fact that they were bred to beat separation anxiety. So, they are reserved around strangers.

Secondly, they might get somewhat aggressive towards other animals and pets. The likeliness of them being intolerant of similar sex is also just as high. That is another peculiarity of their complex and lone-ranger-like personality.

On the contrary, they make compatible pets when trained for it. Loyalty pretty much runs in their blood, and protecting their family is one of the things they stand for. Although they can be affectionate, leaving children around them without supervision can be extremely risky.

Lastly, a lot of insurance companies categorize Akita Inus with the dogs that are considered most dangerous. In fact, they are amongst the top three breeds which tend to bite someone without external instigation or to provoke.

Caring for Akita Inu

As affectionate and loyal as they are, Akita Inu prefers being taken care of as the only pet. Their large size and dominant trait make it not uniformly suitable for everyone. However, if you understand their personality and behavior, training them will not be that hard a task.

Akita Inu Nutrition

Akitas have special dietary requirements, and it might cause serious health concerns if not followed. Natural diet is their best shot here, which includes rice, fish, and sea plants. They should be fed at least twice a day, which is further dependent on their size. If you try and divide up to 5-6 cups of ideal Akita Inu food into two meals, that would be sufficient.

How to Groom an Akita Inu

Akitas are quite a low-maintenance breed, especially when you are looking into their grooming needs. They tend to shed their fur about twice a year, at which times it might get messy. However, they do not create grooming trouble during the off-seasons. In fact, they have an uncanny cat-like quality to clean themselves after they get dirty.

Akita Inu Activity Levels

Although they are one of the most poised and fearless breeds, Akitas are rarely hyper-freaks. That being said, they are dogs, after all, and need daily exercise. So, if you dedicate about thirty to sixty minutes a day for the same, you are good to go. Your pup will enjoy everything from brisk walks and jogging to simply romping in the park.

Caring for Akita Inu

You will need to keep a close look at your buddy’s diet and exercise routines. Brushing its teeth regularly, same as the coat, will maintain the hygiene levels. Adhering to a strict schedule is a must when it comes to examinations and vaccinations. If you get pet insurance, it will cover all the regular medical check-ups and tests.

Akita Inu Health

Unfortunately, Akitas tend to suffer from quite a number of diseases. They may be genetic or caught from external factors. Right from their teeth to their furry coats, you need to ensure hygiene along with a healthy diet. If groomed regularly, it will keep the skin allergies, diseases, obesity, epilepsy, and such away.