There are many unfounded beliefs about the Akita Chow Mix dog due to its undetailed history. Despite this, this dog breed has continued to generate interest among canine lovers. What is an Akita Chow Mix breed?
The Akita Chow Mix is a mixed breed dog crossed between the Akita and the Chow Chow. They are equally known as Chakita in some circles. Being a crossbreed, they inherited unique traits from both parents. This dog breed is renowned for being independent, loyal, and friendly.
Apart from the attributes stated above, this dog breed is unique in some other ways. Like all mixed dog breeds, they are prone to some serious health problems. We are going to discuss how best to care for them. Finally, we’ll supply answers to a few frequently asked questions about the Akita Chow Mix. Before that, let’s discuss how big this mixed dog breed can get.
How Big Do Akita Chow Mixes Get?
The average male Akita Chow Mix weighs about 110 lbs. Their shoulder height ranges from 26 to 28 inches. On the other hand, the average female Akita Chow Mix weighs 80 lbs. The shoulder height is between 24 and 26 inches.
The relatively large size of the Akita Chow Mix breed is hardly surprising because the two dogs that crossbred are large. In most cases, the males are bigger than the females.
One of the outstanding things you would notice about the Akita Chow Mix is its sturdy appearance. If you’ve never owned an Akita Chow Mix dog breed, you will definitely know little or nothing about their physical appearance.
Before making up your mind to buy this dog breed, there are some things you should know about its physical makeup.
Coat Color And Pattern
One thing you would immediately notice about the Akita Chow Mix is the density of its coat. It is not too long but quite dense.
The common coat colors of the Akita Chow Mix include brindle, pinto, and white. The undercoat of this dog breed offers protection in cold climates.
The outer coat is slightly longer and denser than the undercoat. In most cases, the pattern of the outer coat can be different from the inner one.
Eye Color
The most common eye color for the Akita Chow Mix is brown or dark brown. In some rare cases, an Akita Chow Mix can come down with blue eyes.
The above happens if an Akita is crossbred with a Siberian Husky. Siberian Huskies are known to have blue eyes.
How Long Do Akita Chow Mixes Live?
The average lifespan of the Akita Chow Mix is between 10 and 13 years. There is no significant difference between the lifespan of the male and female gender.
If you own this dog breed, you can considerably extend the lifespan of the Akita Chow Mix by how well you care for them. The Akita holds the record of the longest-living pooch ever known at 26 years.
There has been some controversy about how long the Akita Chow Mix dog breed can live. Mixed canine breeds are known to suffer from various health issues which significantly reduce their lifespan.
Factors Influencing Life Expectancy Of The Akita Chow Mix
A canine lifespan should be high on your priority list when shopping for a new furry friend.
The following factors can affect the lifespan of your Akita Chow Mix:
- Family history
- Diet
- Genetic pool
- Size
- Exercise
Some factors affect the lifespan of a dog that we can’t influence. Examples include genetic pool and family history.
On the other hand, we have control over other factors like diet and exercise. If things are done right, you can have a say over the lifespan of your pooch.
Common Medical Conditions That Affect The Akita Chow Mix
Like all other mixed breeds, the Akita Chow Mix is prone to some health problems. Some of the common health issues include:
- Hip dysplasia
- Retinal atrophy
- Myasthenia gravis
- Sebaceous adenitis
To better protect your furry friend from some diseases, ensure your Akita Chow Mix is fully vaccinated against some diseases.
How To Take Care Of Your Akita Chow Mix?
Taking care of your Akita Chow Mix is one of the best ways to express the love you have for your canine. Providing the right and proper care is one of the responsibilities a dog owner has.
Now, let’s examine practical ways to take care of your Akita Chow Mix.
Go For A Regular Veterinary Checkup
You need to take your Akita Chow Mix for a veterinary checkup on a regular basis to ensure your doggie remains in optimal condition.
Regular veterinary check-ups can nip any potential health problems in the bud. If your Akita Chow Mix is not feeding well, your vet will prescribe the right multivitamins.
Your vet will also tell you how to properly check for pests and debris in your dog’s ears. Make sure you clean and trim their nails appropriately.
If your pet dog suffers from bad breath due to dental health problems, you can make use of dental water additives to eliminate bad breath.
Regularly Walk Your Dog
Your Akita Chow Mix needs about two hours of exercise daily. For this dog breed to be in peak physical condition, regular walking and running are important.
Keeping to a good exercise routine activates the brain cells of our furry friend. If your pooch doesn’t get the needed level of exercise, it can lead to behavioral changes and obesity.
Maintain Proper Diet
Feeding your Akita Chow Mix with a high-quality diet is key to staying healthy. Do not give your dog any kind of food. Feed your dog with food recommended by your vet.
For an adult Akita Chow Mix, your focus should be on feeding your dog with kibbles high in protein, healthy carbohydrates, vitamins, and minerals.
Alternatively, for better assurance and convenience, you can rely on freshly prepared meals made using vet-recommended recipes from Pet Plate.
Are Akita Chow Mixes Aggressive? Temperaments Of Akita Chow Mixes
If Akita Chow Mixes are not well trained, they can be aggressive toward strangers. The Akita Chow Mixes do not easily make friends with unfamiliar faces. If they are well trained, they can become more friendly.
You can employ the service of an expert dog trainer to train them. Akita Chow Mixes are difficult to train. On the positive side, these dogs are extremely loyal to their owners.
Akita Chow Mixes inherited a lot of attributes from the Japanese Akita and the Chinese Chow Chow. These attributes reflect in their overall behavior.
The idea of leaving Akita Chow Mixes all alone with young kids is not encouraged due to their instinctual prey drive that is likely coming from the Akita parent breed. These mixes are not known to be playful either.
Cuddling
Do Akita Chow Mixes love to cuddle? Akita Chow Mix loves to cuddle. They are very loving and affectionate toward those with whom they have a strong bond. The opposite of this can happen when with strangers.
If you don’t fall within the category of those with whom this dog breed shares a bond, expect to be treated with aloofness, reserve, and distaste.
Basically, Akita Chow Mixes love to cuddle for the following reasons:
- Attention and companionship
- Protection
- When they feel concerned about their owners
Temperaments
On a general note, Akita Chow Mixes have good temperaments toward people. At the same time, they are somewhat aggressive and obstinate.
Akita Chow Mixes are not the type of dog that barks a lot. But they are known to guard their owners with everything they have left in them.
Do Akita Chow Mixes Shed? Grooming Tips For Akita Chow Mixes
Akita Chow Mixes are known to shed heavily. Owning such a dog breed comes with some level of responsibility. To properly groom, you simply have to be committed.
Are Akita Chow Mixes Hypoallergenic?
Akita Chow Mixes are not hypoallergenic dogs. They shed their undercoats approximately two times a year. When compared to some categories of dogs, Akita Chow Mixes are low to moderate.
If you suffer from allergies, Akita Chow Mixes are simply not recommended for you. When the shedding season comes for the Akitas, you have to brush their coats to get rid of dead hair and fluff in their coats.
Since Akita Chow Mixes are not hypoallergenic, you can get the FURminator Undercoat Tool from your local pet store to help you in grooming your pooch.
Grooming And Maintenance
Grooming your Akita Chow Mix comes with a sense of duty. For example, the American Kennel Club recommends brushing this dog breed 2 to 3 times per week outside their shedding season.
When the shedding season comes, brushing and grooming become more regular. Make sure you are up to the task.
Shaving Your Akita Chow Mix
As a rule of thumb, you should never attempt to shave your pup’s undercoat. Shaving everything off leaves your dog exposed. The undercoat serves as a protection for them.
The undercoat helps your Akita Chow Mix to stay warm. The undercoat should be shaved only for medical reasons.
To clean your dog’s fur and skin, we recommend using Pro Pet Works All Natural 5-In-1 Oatmeal Shampoo. This product acts as a natural cleanser.
Related Questions
How Much Are Akita Chow Mixes Worth? The cost of an Akita Chow Mix ranges between $2,000 to $3,000. The Akita Chow Mixes do not fall into the low-budget types of dog breeds. To own an Akita Chow Mix, you must save up thousands of dollars. Having these dog breeds is worth the price. They are strong, powerful, and extremely loyal.
Do Akita Chow Mixes Like To Swim? Whether Akita Chow Mixes like to swim depends on factors such as personality, past experiences with water, and training. We are certainly sure the Akita Chow Mixes possess the physical ability to swim. You can easily train your canine friends to swim by being patient and applying the right swimming tips. But never teach a puppy how to swim.
Are Akita And Chow Chow Related? No, they are not. The Akita was first bred in Japan in the 1900s. Meanwhile, the Chow Chow originated in China long before the Akita. They are not historically related, but they share a lot of things in common. The two dog breeds are known to be large, independent, and loyal.
