Have you wondered what results from breeding a Labrador and an Akita? What about how they look and their personality? This breed is called the Akita Lab Mix.
The Akita Lab Mix or Labrakita is created by breeding two working dogs – the Akita and the Labrador. These parent breeds are known for their devotion and protective instincts towards their family. Despite these positive traits, the Labrakita has a naturally aggressive nature whose popularity is called into question.
Have plans to buy an Akita Lab Mix or search for reliable information about this dog breed? You are in the right place. Here, you’ll learn everything you should know about the Akita Lab Mix. These include health issues, care, temperament, and grooming tips. But before that, let’s know what an Akita Lab Mix looks like.
How Big Will An Akita Lab Mix Get?
The Akita Lab Mix is formidable, regardless of which of the parent’s size it inherits. The height and weight of a male Akita Lab Mix fall between 24 to 27 inches and 80 to 110 lbs, respectively. That of females falls between 22 to 25 inches and 70 to 100 lbs, respectively.
Physical Appearance
Labrakitas are beautiful doggies and have a good appearance. There are several reasons for this. First, they have amber, hazel, or brown eyes. Also, their nose is either brown or black, and their muzzles are long. This doggie has an intelligent expression, which often gives them a smiling face.
Labrakitas have a light chest and mast with a large, square-shaped head. Its thighs are stocky and muscular, and its long tail is slightly curved. They have triangular ears, so depending on your furry friend’s parents, these ears may be floppy.
With its square and upright appearance, long legs, well-shaped paws, and great bone structure, the Akita Lab Mix surely has a great physical appearance.
Coat Color And Patterns
The Akita Lab Mix coat comes in many colors and patterns. If the Lab genes of the mix are strong, then the possible coat colors are black, yellow, or chocolate.
However, if the mix possesses more of Akita genes, then you will get the following colors: Fawn, brown brindle, black, red, white, silver with black overlay, red with black overlay, fawn with black overlay, and brown with black overlay.
Labrakitas have dense coats which are either short or medium. This also depends on the parent’s features.
How Long Do Akita Lab Mixes Live?
The lifespan of an Akita Lab Mix is between 10 to 13 years.
As dogs age, they may develop some health problems. Mixed breeds like the Akita Labs are not left out. They will inherit those health problems their parents are susceptible to. Below are some of the common health issues of the Labrakita.
Elbow And Hip Dysplasia
This is a condition where the elbow and hip joints grow abnormally. It restricts the Akita Lab’s ball-and-socket joint from working properly, causing friction and grinding rather than gliding smoothly.
For hip dysplasia, it leads to unsteady joints, while for elbow dysplasia, the cartilage and bone loosen, irritating the joint tissues.
Epilepsy
This happens when your four-legged furry friend is shaking uncontrollably and incessantly. It occurs within a fraction of a minute or can continue for several minutes.
These seizures in the Akita Lab Mix are caused by kidney or liver disease, Encephalitis, high or low blood sugar, eating poison, head injury, anemia, strokes, or brain cancer.
Gastric Torsion
This is also known as bloat. Bloat is the painful twisting and swelling of the canine’s abdomen. This happens when your doggie’s stomach is filled with fluid, food, and gas. This causes the dog’s stomach to expand and pressurize the other organs. Surgery is the best treatment for this.
Autoimmune Disorders
Your Akita Lab Mix can experience autoimmune disorders. One is autoimmune hemolytic anemia or AIHA, where the immune system destroys the dog’s red blood cells.
Another disorder is pemphigus, which causes antibodies to attack the skin and result in painful boils, blisters, and ulcers. There is also another disorder worth mentioning, namely sebaceous adenitis, which is a skin condition leading to hair loss and dried-out skin patches.
How To Take Care Of Your Akita Lab Mix?
Taking care of your Akita Lab Mix requires a lot of effort. This includes using dental water additives and giving your canine buddy a good exercise routine and a high-quality diet.
Exercise Routine
Both parents of the Akita Lab Mix are hunters. This is why this breed naturally possesses great stamina and energy. Your Akita Lab Mix needs about 60 to 90 minutes of exercise daily. Make sure you take your pooch for hikes and long walks.
You could also play fetch, go swimming and running. This doggie can become destructive, depressed, and overweight if you don’t give enough stimulation and activity.
Invest In High-Quality Diet
It is recommended for the Akita Lab Mix to have 4 to 5 cups of food every day, split into two feeding sessions. As a very active dog breed, an adult Akita Lab Mix requires a large amount of food to maintain its activity level.
The Akita Lab Mix is prone to elbow and hip dysplasia. This is why you must feed your doggie with foods supplemented with chondroitin, glucosamine, and fish oil. However, you shouldn’t overfeed your dog. Doing this will only worsen health issues like hip and elbow dysplasia.
Supplement Your Pooch’s Diet With Multivitamins
Labrakitas benefit much from multivitamin supplements. This helps in digestion, increased immunity, better joint functioning, and healing. Make sure multivitamins are always in the meal plans of your canine friend.
Feed Pet Plate Recipes
Feed your Akita Lab Mix with Pet Plate recipes. These recipes are designed by vets and are manufactured using human-grade ingredients. Also, these foods are made in the USDA kitchen with safety standards used in human food production.
Use Dental Water Additives
Ensuring your Labrakita’s mouth stays clean and fresh is very important. This is why the use of dental water additives is necessary. All you need to do is add a few drops to your dog’s water bowl daily.
Are Akita Lab Mixes Aggressive? Temperaments Of Akita Lab Mixes
Akita Lab Mixes can be aggressive towards strangers. They are often found to be territorial around other dogs.
This mix can have any of the parent’s personality types. This ranges from playful and super-exuberant to reserved and headstrong. It can also possess traits from both parents. This is why their temperament is difficult to predict.
Therefore, if your Akita Lab Mix possesses the trait of the Akita parent, then you shouldn’t entertain too many guests in your home. Also, avoid housing another dog.
Also, if you have toddlers, you must be careful. Even when your dog is well-socialized, annoying kids can trigger a negative reaction.
Intelligent
Training an intelligent dog like the Akita Lab Mixes is easy. However, the process could be daunting because Labrakitas are stubborn.
Fortunately, this dog breed responds well to positive reinforcement. They love to please and love physical challenges. Just ensure that you are consistent with your training. Also, offer them special gifts and treats during training to encourage them.
Protective
Labrakitas are known to be territorial and very protective of their homes. They are excellent guard dogs and can be hostile, especially against strangers. You will need to train them well to avoid attacks on guests.
Instinctive Prey Drive
Akita Lab Mixes have an instinctive prey drive. This is why the Labrakita is not a great option for families having other pets, most especially cats.
With a proper introduction, your furry friend will enjoy the company of other dogs. Unfortunately, the case may be different if your Akita Lab Mix takes after its Akita parent. They will be fiercer.
Do Labrakitas Shed? Grooming Tips For Akita Lab Mixes
Labrakitas are not hypoallergenic. Both the Labrador Retriever and Akita are shedders. Therefore, expect your Labrakita to be a heavy shedder.
However, grooming these canines is easy. All you need is a special routine to follow.
Coat Care
Labrakitas have double coats. This coat sheds heavily several times yearly, most especially during the spring months and in the summer. To make things easy for you, you must engage in weekly brushing.
With the FURminator Undercoat Tool, the whole process will come easier. It comes with a handle for comfortable use. Also, its fur release mechanism ensures a better experience compared to comb use.
Akita Lab Mixes don’t have a strong doggy odor. Also, just like cats, they can cleanse themselves. Therefore, you don’t have to bathe regularly until it gets dirty. Frequent shampooing could cause dry skin problems.
You will be fine with the Pro Pet Works All Natural 5 in 1 Oatmeal Shampoo. It eliminates the wet dog smell, and it is great for dogs with itchy, sensitive, dry skin.
Ear Care
Care for your doggie’s ears every week. Check for wax buildup, possible irritations, and ear mites in your Labrakita, and take proper care when necessary.
Teeth Care
Your Labrakitas teeth shouldn’t be left without care. This can affect their health negatively. Brush their teeth 2 to 3 times weekly. This will prevent cavities and possible dental problems.
Trimming Toenails
Your Labrakita’s toenails must be trimmed once every month or once you hear them click on the floor. This prevents unintentional scratches to your skin when they jump at you.
Related Questions
How Much Does An Akita Lab Mix Cost? The Akita Lab Mix cost falls within the range of $500 and $1,500. This is because Akita Labs are rare. Therefore their price is higher compared to other dogs. The price of a puppy Labrakita may be influenced by both their parents’ values. At times, due to their high demand, they may even be more expensive.
Do Akitas Get Along With Labradors? Akitas may not get along with Labradors even though they are friendly and devoted to the family. They could be domineering. Therefore, you must discover the characteristics and personality of the Labrakita when bringing in one to live with your Labrador. You should also introduce the Labrador properly to avoid any negative occurrence.
Do Labrakitas Swim? Labrakitas can swim. Their swimming ability also depends on if they have more traits belonging to the Labrador parent. This is because Labradors love to swim, even when there’s no retrieving game involved. If a Labrakita prefers to be on land or snow, then they possess more traits of the Akita parent.
