The Akita Shepherd, also known as Shepkita, is a designer breed. These dogs were achieved by crossing the Akita Inu breed with the German Shepherd. The Shepkitas have the loyalty of the German Shepherd and the possessiveness and empathy of the Akita.
Their genes have proved them to be one of those multi-purpose dogs. The good news is that, upon adopting an Akita Shepherd, you get a dog that is a great companion on hunting trips and is also one of the best options for guarding and herding.
Overall, an Akita Shepherd has the capability to be your best buddy who will stay by you side no matter where you are.
Akita Shepherd History
The Akita Shepherd joined the breeding stakes during 1950s. It is said that this breed came into being after the time it became more commonly seen in the United States. To understand the reason behind this crossing and to interpret the traits in a much better way, we have a well documented history of the parents of Akita shepherd.
The German Shepherds are an old breed and were discovered during 1800s in Germany. They were known for their ferociously loyal nature since that time. Since the early days of discovery, these dogs have been used for the purpose of guarding and companionship.
The other parent, i.e. the Akita Inu, originated from Japan. Although the Akita Inus were used as hunting dogs, they were also known to symbolize happiness, well being and protection. Both these parents were bred to have a dog that had all the positive traits of these parents.
Akita Shepherd Characteristics
The Akita Shepherds are a typical large sized breed. The male Shepkita can have a height around 23-25 inches and weigh approximately 65-85 pounds while the female is of around 22-24 inches and has a weight around 60-80 pounds.
Since these dogs are hybrid, their appearance is usually unpredictable. However, it is seen that usually these dogs have a strong built which is similar to that of a German Shepherd. Although their face typically look more like Akitas, their head is smaller than them.
These dogs have a narrow tapered muzzle, erect triangular ears that are medium-sized and almond shaped eyes. They have a thick dense medium-length coat which has a wide variety of colors. These include white, fawn, brown, black, brindle, red, silver, sable and grey.
Akita Shepherd Temperament/Personality
As far as the temperament of an Akita Shepherd is concerned, it is generally quite alert and active. This helps them for carrying out their job as a guard dog. These dogs are known for their loyalty and protectiveness. Due to its protective nature these dogs are quite territorial and are not much good with strangers.
The Akita Shepherd is known to have a really quite nature so, naturally, they are not much sociable. Because of this they do not get along well with other pets. However, if you socialize them since puppyhood, they might grow into some friendly dogs.
Caring for Akita Shepherd
There are a lot of things which you have to consider to ensure that you are raising your Shepkita well, this includes their dietary requirements, grooming and others. We have discussed all of them here below.
Akita Shepherd Nutrition
Since Akita Shepherd is a large dog and has comparatively higher activity levels, you should plan its diet accordingly. Nevertheless, we would recommend you to feed them atleast 2.5 cups of kibble per day.
We would also suggest you to visit a veterinarian in this regard because the best diet for your dog is the one that is based upon its age and size. You should feed them with animal based proteins and fats. The latter is known to improve the immune system. You can also feed them fruits and vegetables to ensure that they are having a nutritious meal.
Akita Shepherd Grooming
The Akita Shepherds are known to be heavy shedders. This means that once you have a Shepkita, you will have to invest a lot of time in brushing them. We would advise you to brush them atleast twice a week. You may use a bristle brush in this regard.
Along with the grooming of its coat, it is also necessary that you ensure that their hygiene is above the par. For that purpose it is necessary that you keep a check on the cleanliness of their ear, teeth and nails. You should cut their nails when monthly. You can shower these dogs when you feel they are looking dirty.
Akita Shepherd Activity Levels
The Akita Shepherd is an active dog. He tends to have high activity levels and love to go on long walks. You should take him for atleast a 60 minutes walk on a daily basis. This can be a great opportunity to socialize them.
On average, an Akita Shepherd can walk atleast 12 miles per week. The Akita Shepherds love running and tend to live a more happy life if you have a bigger yard or ground where they can run. Along with this, these dogs also want a lot of challenging activities so, you can arrange a couple of them indoors as well.
Akita Shepherd Maintenance
The Akita Shepherds require a moderate to high level of grooming. There are several things which are to be considered when you are planning about the proper maintenance of your dog. These include his health, grooming, diet and his happiness. The last one totally depends upon the level of attention you are paying to your dog. You should take out some time for your dog on a daily basis to make him happy.
Akita Shepherd Health
Although Akita Shepherd is a hybrid, it faces some serious health conditions quite usually. The most common one is bloat. Apart from that, it can also suffer from hip and elbow dysplasia at times.
These dogs are known to sleep without closing their eyes. So, they have a tendency of suffering from a condition known as dry eyes. You should visit a veterinarian whenever you notice anything unusual about your pet. On average, an Akita Shepherd lives upto 10-13 years.
Breeds Similar to Akita Shepherd
Best Dog Food for Akita Shepherds
The best dog food for your active and agile Akita Shepherd would be Taste of The Wild High Prairie Canine Recipe. This dog food is planned to provide the apt nutrition required for maintaining the active routine that your Akita Shepherd generally practices. The makers have diversified their protein sources by adding several natural types of meat in this meal.
- Features natural buffalo meat as its primary ingredient
- Features abundant carbohydrates which are enough for providing the energy that is demanded functioning daily
- Enriched with natural fruits and vegetables that are mainly responsible for providing the dietary essentials
Best Puppy Food for Akita Shepherds
The best puppy food for Akita Shepherds is Blue Buffalo Wilderness Puppy Food. This puppy food is apt for fun-loving pups like your active Akita Shepherd, as the makers have used a higher proportion of natural chicken as its primary ingredient. This makes the meal rich in protein, which is mainly required for apt growth.
- Since your Akita Shepherd has a sensitive digestive response in his puppyhood, the makers have used naturally sourced ingredients which does not have a complex composition.
- Features a higher proportion of omega fatty acids, which are better for maintaining a healthier coat
- Enriched with naturally sourced DHA that is required for an apt brain development
Best Dog Crate Akita Shepherds
The best dog crate for Akita Shepherds is Frisco Heavy Duty Fold & Carry Dog Crate. This dog crate’s makers have designed it to be durable and sturdy by welding its wires efficiently. The wires of this crate are thicker than any standard dog crate, so it is obvious that it will be more rigid and will be able to serve for an extended duration.
- Comes with a removable divider panel that helps you adjust the space occupied by your Akita Shepherd
- Features a durable plastic base tray which can be easily removed for cleaning
- The wires are electro-coated to ensure better durability.
Best Dog Bed for Akita Shepherds
The best dog bed for Akita Shepherds is PetFusion Ultimate Lounge Bolster Dog Bed. This bed is designed to provide immense orthopedic support to your Akita Shepherd, as it features a high-quality four-inch memory foam base. This bed’s design is pretty simple yet elegant, so it will be a great addition to your place.
- The cover of this bed is chew-resistant
- Can be washed in a machine
- The bed features comfy bolsters to provide a better headrest.
Best Dog Harness for Akita Shepherds
The best dog harness for Akita Shepherds is Frisco Padded Nylon No Pull Dog Harness. This dog harness is designed to provide a better experience for you and your Akita Shepherd. For this purpose, the makers have used a soft mesh padding at the chest that is lighter in weight.
- Features a dual clip design
- The shoulder and belly straps are adjustable for a better fitting.
- Available in various sizes, so you can choose the one which fits your Akita Shepherd perfectly
Best Dog Collar for Akita Shepherds
The best dog collar for Akita Shepherds is Nite Ize NightHowl LED Dog Collar. This dog collar is designed to have a unique outlook, as the makers have used a thermoplastic rubber to design it. The collar features instilled LEDs that are battery-operated, so once you get this collar, you can take your Akita Shepherd for a late-night walk too.
- The batteries are replaceable.
- The material used for construction is resistant to weather changes.
- Available in five exciting colors
Best Dog Muzzle for Akita Shepherds
The best dog muzzle for Akita Shepherds is Baskerville Ultra Dog Muzzle. This dog muzzle features a basket-like design that helps provide a better-ventilated experience. If you use this muzzle for your Akita Shepherd, it will efficiently treat negative behavior like biting, barking, and chewing.
- Plays a vital role in behavioral management programs
- Features neoprene padded straps
- The size is adjustable so that you can customize the fitting.
Best Dog Toys for Akita Shepherds
The best dog toy for Akita Shepherds is the Gnawsome Squeaker Ball Dog Toy. This dog toy would be an apt choice for fetching sessions and would help you improve your relationship with your Akita Shepherd. The texture of this toy is designed spiky, so it helps massage your Akita Shepherd’s gum and teeth as well.
- Designed using a food-grade TPR rubber that is non-toxic
- Available in bright colors
- Available in different sizes as well, so you can choose the one which suits you the best
Best Dog Brush for Akita Shepherds
The best dog brush for Akita Shepherds is Safari Self-Cleaning Slicker Dog Brush. As our dog experts’ team has researched, this dog brush helps remove tangles and matts and is a great choice for picking loose brush from his coat. It features stainless steel pins, so it stays functional for an extended duration.
- Features retractable pins, which makes cleaning the brush easier
- Features rubber-sheathed handles to avoid fatigue.
- The pins are slightly angled to avoid skin injuries.
Best Dog Shampoo for Akita Shepherds
The best dog shampoo for Akita Shepherds is Paws & Pals Shampoo. This dog shampoo is designed to have natural ingredients that are better for maintaining a healthier coat and skin. The addition of oatmeal and shea butter in this shampoo helps it moisturize your Akita Shepherd’s coat well.
- Features a well-regulated pH
- The formulation lacks soap
- Entirely designed using non-toxic ingredients.
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