American Akita

Other names: American Akita, Large Japanese dog, Akita

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Hair type	Short
Origin	Japan
Template	Giant
Head shape	Triangular

Weight and size
Sex	Weight	Cut
Female	From 45 kg to 60 kg	From 61 cm to 66 cm
Male	From 45 kg to 60 kg	From 66 cm to 71 cm

History of the breed

The American Akita has the same origins as the Japanese Akita (Akita Inu). Their common ancestors lived in the Akita region in the north of the island of Honshu in Japan. They were frequently used as fighting dogs and many of them were crossed with Mastiffs and Tosas to obtain larger and more powerful dogs. This trend lasted until dog games were banned in 1908. Akitas nearly died out after World War II, as Japanese authorities requisitioned most dogs of all breeds in order to use their dogs. skin for making military uniforms. The only breed spared by this measure was the German Shepherd, used in the imperial army.

To get around this regulation, some breeders therefore had the idea of crossing their Akitas with German Shepherds. Among these dogs, those of the Dewa line particularly appealed to the Americans, who imported several of them to the United States. It was from there that the separation was made between the Japanese Akita and the American Akita. The latter quickly gained great popularity, so much so that the American Akita Club was created in 1956 and the American Kennel Club (AKC) recognized the breed in 1972. It will then be the turn of the Fédération Cynologique Internationale. (FCI) to recognize it on May 30, 1999.

American Akita Pictures

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Physical features

His hair: straight, hard, slightly parted, runs on the head, the lower legs and the ears. The outer coat is associated with a shorter, thicker, softer and fuller undercoat.
Its color: all shades such as red, fawn or white. Variegated and brindle colors are also allowed. Unicoloured white subjects do not show a mask. The color of the undercoat may be different from that of the outer coat.
Its head: in the shape of a blunt triangle, massive, well proportioned, without wrinkles when the dog is at rest. The skull is flat and broad, the stop is well marked, without being too steep. The nose is broad and black, the muzzle wide and high, the lips black and not hanging down.
His ears: well erect, small in size, triangular in shape and with slightly rounded ends. Wide at their attachment which is not too low.
His eyes: relatively small, dark brown in color, almost triangular in shape.
His body: writable in a rectangle (longer than high). The back is horizontal, the kidney well muscled, the chest wide and well let down, the belly slightly raised.
Its tail: thick, covered with a thick, coarse and well-supplied hair, set high, carried on the back or the side by rolling up three quarters, in a full loop or in a double loop.

Behavior and character

Behavior with others

The American Akita is a rather friendly dog, although it has a strong character . Vigilant and full of courage , he knows how to keep his master’s house perfectly. He is also particularly suspicious of foreigners , even if he will not necessarily bark to show his discontent.

He is also appreciated for his docility, his confidence and the expression of dignity he displays. He is a loving protector . He may tend to seek confrontation with his peers, mainly those of the same sex. Be careful, he can very badly interpret the awkward gestures of a child and have a dangerous reaction with the youngest. It is in any case a very good playmate for older children.

The American Akita
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Education

The American Akita, especially the male, needs to be socialized in a thorough way and sufficiently early to attenuate its vindictiveness towards its congeners. The education of this kind of dog must be respectful , because it reacts badly to harsh methods and even more to violence naturally. Indeed, too brutal an education could make an aggressive dog . Education must therefore go through play and positive reinforcement.

Living conditions

The American Akita adapts to all living conditions. He likes to move around freely outside, in a large fenced garden , as well as the possibility of being inside with his family. Apartment life is less suitable for him and he does not cope well with solitude .

Its morphology allows it to withstand extreme temperatures , especially cold. In an apartment, the American Akita should be able to go out several times a day to exercise and thus limit his weight gain. Cohabitation with young children must be done under the close vigilance of parents.

Health

The American Akita is a robust dog whose double coat offers excellent protection against cold and humidity. The breed nevertheless has a predisposition to certain diseases, mainly of a dermatological nature : pemphigus, pyoderma (bacterial infections) or sometimes bone problems (hip dysplasia).

To protect yourself from these risks and insure your companion in the event of health problems, Woopets recommends an American Akita dog insurance .

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Life expectancy

Maintenance and hygiene

The American Akita is subject to 2 moults per year , giving rise to fairly abundant hair loss which can make maintenance quite complicated. Outside of these moulting periods, its maintenance is minimal and easy.

It is recommended to brush the dog once a week . It should only be washed if it has become too dirty. Brushing becomes more frequent (2 to 3 times a week) during the moulting period.

The nails should be cut about once a month. If you are new to this, it is recommended that you seek advice from a veterinarian. Eyes and ears should be checked weekly to make sure there is no sign of dirt or infection. The ears should be cleaned with a cotton ball soaked in an ear solution with neutral pH.

Price and budget

Name ideas for an American Akita

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Food

The diet of the American Akita should be balanced and healthy . Thus, protein intake should correspond to a quarter of his total diet, especially during growth. We will favor good quality croquettes .

Physical activity

The American Akita is not an overly athletic dog. However, he must satisfy a few daily outings if he lives in an apartment or indoors. This is to limit his weight gain but also to work his rather muscular body. It is not made for running. If he has a garden, he will not hesitate to go back and forth, nothing more. He likes the peace and the fact of remaining inert.

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FCI Information