When I was a child, I had two doggies, and one of them was of the Akita breed. Having such a furry friend is not always easy, and you will have to clean up a lot of drool. But, as a matter of fact, I never liked easy things, so what are Akitas known for? It is a question that leads us to the intimidating personality of this canine.
The Akitas are an elite dog breed bred to hunt bears and known to be very loyal and faithful hunting companions. Hence, they are often intimidating and not friendly around kids and strangers, especially if not socialized early or trained at all. Akitas can easily adapt to cold environments, making them ideal for owners living in colder climates.
So, now that we know what Akitas are, let me take you on a journey of understanding your pup better. I am going to tell you everything you need to know about Akita, starting with how heavy they can get because you obviously love having them sitting on your lap.
How Heavy Do Akitas Get?
When fully matured, male Akitas typically weigh between 100 to 130 lbs while female ones normally weigh between 70 to 100 lbs. The weight of your furry companion also depends upon their height, appearance, and age.
So let’s dig in and find out the factors that affect the weight of Akitas.
Height
The height of a mature male Akita is around 26 to 28 inches. In contrast, a mature female Akita is 24 to 26 inches tall. The height directly affects the weight of this canine. The taller Akita is, the more muscular and bulky he will get.
Physical Appearance
There are typically two kinds of Akitas, namely the American Akita and the Japanese Akita, both with slightly different physical characteristics. In addition, don’t mistake them for a Shiba Inu since both Akita and Shiba dog breeds look relatively similar.
For instance, the American Akita is muscular and has a bear-like head while the Japanese Akita tends to be slimmer and has a head similar to a fox.
One thing these Akitas both have in common is their triangular ears, however, the ears of an American Akita are erect while that of the Japanese one are positioned slightly forward.
In addition, the more muscular your Akita gets, the heavier it will weigh. Japanese Akitas will weigh between 65 to 120 lbs, much lighter than American Akitas weighing between 70 to 130 lbs.
Age
Akita’s age has a direct relation to their weight. As mentioned, a fully matured Akita typically weighs around 100 to 130 lbs, but a 6-month-old Akita puppy can weigh between 55 to 70 lbs. So, obviously, their weight will increase as they grow.
Parents
The weight and size of parents directly influence the weight and size of their offspring it should gain upon maturity. The typical weight of an adult Akita is the average of both their parents’ weights. If both their parents are tall and heavy, then their Akita offspring should follow suit.
What Do Akitas Die From?
Akitas die mainly from cancer which hits them in their old age. We know how concerned you are for your furry companion, and it makes you wonder how long will they live?
The lifespan of Akita is 10 to 12 years, which means your furry friend will be with you for quite a while.
The Akita dog breed is prone to genetically transmitted diseases, and they often die because of them. So let us tell you everything you should know about your pup’s health issues.
What Are Akitas Allergic To?
Allergies in dogs are common, and it affects their skin and causes itching. So, you will find your Akita tumbling around in the house all itchy and irritated. To prevent your pup from allergies, we have enlisted some of the things that Akitas are allergic to.
- Scents and perfumes
- Pollen
- Soy
- Wheat
- Chicken
- Dry grass
- Latex
- Pollen
All of the things mentioned can result in allergic reactions. If you don’t keep an eye on the symptoms, then your pup will have to go through a lot of medical processes and painful treatments. So, make sure to take your pup to the vet as soon as possible.
What Health Problems Do Akitas Have?
Akitas are a pure breed which means they are prone to different inherited diseases. Common health issues of Akitas range from minor allergies to serious cancerous diseases, so let us give you a list of common health problems that Akitas have:
Bloating
This condition is common in large breeds like Akitas. It causes the stomach to twist, and your pup will gag, and feel abdominal pain and discomfort. Bloating can be fatal unless you take your dog to the vet immediately for surgery.
Lymphoma
This is a type of cancer in which abnormal lymphocytes, i.e., white blood cells, are formed throughout the body. Fortunately, it can be treated with chemotherapy.
Hip Dysplasia
This condition disrupts the hip joint development while the puppy is growing, which causes the dispositioning of the joint. As a result, this may severely impact the movement of your Akita, causing it to feel pain while moving and to limp at times.
To save your dog from hip dysplasia, you must avoid vigorous physical activities, like long walks, until he is beyond one year old.
Hypothyroidism
It is a genetic disease that slows down metabolism. Due to this, other organs also tend to get affected and end up slowing down. If your pup has hypothyroidism, he will gain weight without even eating much. Other symptoms include:
- Laziness
- Hair loss
- Feeling excessive cold
- Slower heart rate
- High blood cholesterol levels
How To Take Care Of Your Akita?
An Akita requires a proper diet and regular exercise to stay fit and healthy.
So, keep on reading and you will have all the magic spells to keep your canine healthy and happy.
Exercise Routine
Regular exercise is necessary for your dear fido to maintain his physical and mental health. You can take your dog out for regular walks for 20 to 30 minutes. Certain games can also improve the health of your pooch.
So, now the question is what Akitas like to play with? There are a lot of answers but the best outdoor games you can play with your doggie are:
- Frisbee
- Tug of war
- Hide and seek
- Soccer
All of the above games are common dog favorites and your Akitas is also going to love playing these games with you.
High-Quality Diet
It is necessary to give your Akita dry dog food around 3 to 4 cups per day. Taking care of your pup’s nutrition starts with multivitamins like glucosamine or omega fatty acids.
But instead of going through the hassle of feeding your dog multivitamins, you can just subscribe to a monthly meal plan from Pet Plate. It contains all the necessary nutrients your dear fido needs to stay healthy and fit.
Maintaining Oral Health
Oral health plays a key role in keeping your Akita healthy. So, you can go for dental water additives to keep your dog’s oral issues at bay. The use of such additives helps to freshen up your doggie’s breath and to control tartar while reducing plaque.
Are Akitas Good Family Dogs? Temperaments Of Akitas
You will be relieved to know that Akitas are family-oriented dogs and extremely loyal. However, there are certain things to note that will make Akitas dangerous to be around with.
We will be discussing those things as well as other common temperaments of Akitas below.
Intimidating
You must find Akitas to be pretty intimidating and dangerous because of their appearance. But are they really dangerous? Well, American Akitas are dangerous due to their powerful jaws and muscular physique.
The aggressive nature of American Akitas has resulted in breed-specific legislation kicking in and a ban rolling out in certain states of the United States.
- Washington
- Lowa
- Michigan
- Tennessee
- Louisiana
Now, the question is, why is Akita dangerous enough to get banned? Akitas are considered dangerous because they are hunters by nature and always ready to attack unless trained properly.
Strong And Possessive
You must want to know why Akitas are not good with kids. It’s because they are very powerful and strong, which means they prefer to stay dominant while children like to fuss around. So, Akitas and children do not usually get along.
Also, Akitas are over-protective of their toys, and kids do not take such things into consideration. Hence, it is advised to keep your kids away from your furry companion considering his strength can pose a major threat.
Aggressiveness
Male Akitas are hostile against other dogs of the same gender. Whereas, female Akitas are less aggressive than males. When female Akitas are young, they get along with other pups. But once they are grown, they become aggressive with other female dogs.
Loyalty
Being strong and powerful, will Akitas really protect you? Well, yes. They are linked to ancient Japanese times when they were the protectors. So, it is integrated in this doggie’s mind to protect his family.
Are Akitas Heavy Shedders? Grooming Tips For Akitas
Akitas are heavy shedders because of their thick coat and they shed throughout the year.
So, they are not hypoallergenic either, and if you are allergic to furs, then reconsider getting this pup.
But, if you already have an Akita, then to stop him from shedding, you should consider buying deshedding tools and carry out the following grooming tips.
Bathing
The beauty of your furry friend’s magnificent coat depends upon the bathing and brushing so you need to give them a bath every two weeks to ensure proper hygiene.
If you want to stop their shedding, then give them the goodness of Pro Pet Works All Natural 5 In 1 Oatmeal Shampoo which will make their fur smooth and healthy. It will also prevent itching and is made for dogs with heavy coats.
Hair Brushing
The coats of Akitas need attention and care so you need to brush them at least once a week. And when it’s shedding season, do it twice a week to make sure their fur remains in the best condition.
The best deshedding tool you can buy for your pooch is the FURminator Undercoat Deshedding Tool. It will remove all loose hair without injuring your canine’s skin.
Tooth Brushing
Oral hygiene is crucial for Akitas, so brush their teeth twice or thrice a week with toothpaste made specifically for canines. This will get rid of any tartar or plaque buildup in their mouth.
Trimming Of Nails
Dirt can get stuck in your puppy’s nails and cause infections, so make sure to cut your Akita dog’s nails every 4 to 6 weeks.
Related Questions
Can Akita Beat A Pitbull? Yes, an Akita can easily beat a Pitbull because it has immense power in its jaw up to an estimated force of 400 PSI. Once the Akita grabs hold of the Pitbull, it will be impossible to get rid of that hold. It is all a matter of time until the Akita gets a hold of the Pitbull’s neck and then it will be all over.
Can An Akita Kill A Bear? An Akita cannot kill a large bear alone but in numbers, they can easily overpower and kill it. The Akita is a dog breed trained to hunt Ussuri brown bears that are typically thrice its size. It has the level of aggression and tenacity to go up against such big creatures when provoked.
Can You Have 2 Akitas? Yes, you can have 2 Akitas together but it would be better and safer if one is male and the other is female. As having 2 Akitas of the same gender may incite aggressive behaviors between them, resulting in barking and violent biting incidents, and you most certainly don’t want it.
