American Akita: Your Complete Guide
The American Akita is a powerful, sturdy dog breed with Japanese origins. They are highly respected guard dogs with a strong devotion to their families and impressive physical capabilities. Needless to say, with these alone, American Akitas are for experienced owners who can provide the socialization and training these dogs need, but they are more than just guard dogs. There’s much more about the American Akita than their protective side.
In this breed guide brought to you by Dog Academy, we will cover everything you need to know about the American Akita. Continue reading as we take a look at this breed’s personality traits, size, grooming needs, health, energy levels, training, and more.
One note before we dive deeper into the characteristics of the American Akita is that they shouldn’t be mistaken for Akita inu. While they share a close history and genetics, they are two completely different dog breeds. The American Akita is a much bigger dog than the Akita inu, with a darker coat color and a black mask. If you’re interested in learning more, take a look at our Japanese dog breeds guide.
Quick Look at the American Akita
Below is a quick look at the American Akita before we dive deeper into the breed’s characteristics.
| Weight/Height | 70-130 pounds / 24-28 inches |
| Coat Type | Medium-length double coat |
| Grooming Needs |  |
| Shedding |  |
| Temperament | Loyal, protective, independent, courageous |
| Good With Kids | |
| Good With Other Animals |  |
| Intelligence | |
| Easy to Train | |
| Energy Level | |
| Barking Habits | |
| Lifespan | 10-14 years |
What Is the History of American Akitas?
The American Akita has its roots in Japan. They are closely related to the Akita dogs of Japan, which were originally bred for guarding homes and hunting large game like boars and deer. While their origins are closely related, the Akita dogs in Japan and the American Akita are completely different.
The first Akita dogs arrived in the United States after World War II. The servicemen who brought these dogs with them favored dogs that had a heavier, broader appearance, which, to many people’s surprise, weren’t favored at all in their native lands Japan. The Japanese took a liking to Akita dogs that were leaner and smaller, instead, which is the reason why the American Akita is nearly double the size of the Japanese Akita.
The trend for larger dogs continued as American breeders preferred bigger dogs. By the 1970s, American breeders had clearly defined standards for the Akita dogs, and the American Kennel Club (AKC) formally recognized the American Akita in 1972. However, instead of naming the breed American Akita, the AKC registered the breed simply as Akita.
What Do American Akitas Look Like?
The American Akita varies greatly in terms of coat color, a trait that you don’t often see in dog breeds that originate from Japan. According to the Akita breed standards, this dog can have black, fawn, red, white, or brown brindle solid-colored coats.
However, there are also coat colors that don’t fit into the breed standards but are prevalent in many American Akitas. These include black, silver, red, and fawn brindle, as well as solid brown and silver coats.
What Size Is an American Akita?
The American Akita is a large, powerful dog breed. On average, males stand between 24 and 28 inches at the withers and weigh 100 to 130 pounds. Females, on the other hand, are a little bit smaller, weighing 70 to 100 pounds and standing 24 to 26 inches tall. Compared to the Japanese Akita, which weighs up to 75 pounds at most at a healthy weight, the American Akita is significantly bigger.
What Is an American Akita’s Coat Type and Length?
The American Akita has a double coat that’s medium in length. This coat enables the American Akita to withstand freezing temperatures, but at the same time, it can raise concerns for those who live in hot and humid climates like Florida or Louisiana. They are prone to overheating, which requires making some adjustments to ensure they live comfortably in such places. In case you’re wondering, we cover their grooming needs in the sections below.
What Is an American Akita’s Temperament?
The American Akita is a dog that’s wary around strangers and is extremely cautious of new people. This comes from the long line of protection and hunting dogs in the breed’s lineage. However, they are very soft and gentle with the family and thrive in families where they get all the attention and love they crave. They are the true definition of a dog that’s hard on the outside and soft on the inside.
Below is a deeper dive into the American Akita’s temperament as we take a look at their personality traits around kids and other animals, aggression, barking habits, and more.
Are American Akitas Good With Kids?
American Akitas bond strongly with small members of their family and have a strong devotion towards kids. They tend to act gently around kids and tolerate their behavior, though kids in the family should still be taught to behave well around dogs and not bother them. As tolerant as they are, constant unruly behavior from children can make them act timid around them, which can lead to behavioral issues like reactivity or excessive barking.
Before adding an American Akita to the pack, be sure to thoroughly explain how to act around dogs to the kids in the family. As long as kids know how to behave, and you’re there to supervise interactions, you won’t need to worry about an American Akita getting along well with kids.
Are American Akitas Good With Other Animals?
American Akitas are natural guardians with extreme territorial instincts. Naturally, they don’t view other dogs as potential friends at first. Coupled with the fact that same-sex aggression is very common among American Akitas, they are a better fit for single-dog households rather than one with plenty of dogs. However, proper socialization and training from an experienced owner can help manage their dog aggression.
American Akitas also have high prey drives, so they don’t do well in households that keep small animals like cats, rabbits, guinea pigs, and even small dogs in some cases. It can be unsafe to introduce an American Akita to these animals later in life, though most can coexist peacefully with smaller animals if raised together from a very young age. Keep all these in mind if you have pets at home and are planning to get an American Akita.
Are American Akitas Aggressive?
With their protective (sometimes overly) nature, American Akitas built a strong reputation for being aggressive over the years. However, saying that American Akitas are inherently aggressive would be inaccurate. Sure, they may be prone to aggression more than many other breeds, but they aren’t totally aggressive, either.
American Akitas are naturally protective dogs with some same-sex aggression, which requires an experienced owner to manage their instincts. When an American Akita is paired with an owner who can’t provide this, a dog that engages in aggressive acts is inevitable. That’s why the American Akita is a dog only for owners experienced with similarly dominant dog breeds.
Do American Akitas Bark?
American Akitas are generally quiet dogs that don’t bark much. They are confident dogs that don’t resort to using their voices often. American Akitas tend to take action to investigate threats rather than making noise to draw attention. Therefore, despite their tendency to look out for potential dangers, American Akitas are overall silent dogs.
However, as with any other dog breed, American Akitas can also develop a tendency to bark excessively. This usually happens with these dogs when they don’t receive enough physical and mental enrichment for prolonged periods. If you notice any signs of excessive barking with an American Akita, note that it is usually a symptom of something much larger than simply a barking problem.
Are American Akitas Affectionate?
American Akitas are among the most affectionate guardian dog breeds. They form deep bonds with every member of their immediate family and show their love and appreciation by not only providing protection but also leaning against them, sitting close, and resting their head. This level of affection makes them excellent family dogs for the right people, especially in single-dog households.
Needless to say, only an American Akita’s immediate family sees this side of the breed. It takes multiple positive interactions with their owners for an American Akita to put their guard down before they can consider someone a friend.
Are American Akitas Intelligent?
American Akitas are among the most intelligent dog breeds, just not in the most traditional sense. They aren’t highly obedient dogs that would pick up commands easily and follow them blindly. The type of intelligence this dog breed has is decision-making intelligence, where they can decide for themselves to assess a situation and act accordingly, which served them excellently as guard dogs for a variety of purposes, whether protecting homes or livestock.
However, because they have a tendency to think for themselves, this intelligence can quickly lead to a dog that doesn’t listen. That’s why obedience training is essential with American Akitas, especially early on, while they are still young puppies. Additionally, their intelligence means they have high mental stimulation needs, which can lead to a dog that engages in unruly acts like destructive behavior if they don’t receive it in adequate amounts.
Are American Akitas Energetic?
American Akitas were bred to work tirelessly alongside their humans. Naturally, they are high-energy dogs that require a lot of physical exercise to stay healthy and happy. If an American Akita isn’t given enough opportunity to release excess energy, they can engage in unwanted behaviors, just as they would do if they don’t get adequate mental stimulation.
If you’re planning on getting an American Akita, be prepared to provide at least an hour of daily exercise to your dog. This can be a casual walk around the neighborhood and playing games like fetch or tug in a fenced-in, closed area without other dogs present. Given their high territorial nature, they prefer playing alone with their humans much more than with other dogs.
Are American Akitas Easy to Train?
While they may be intelligent, American Akitas aren’t easy to train at all. This is one of the top reasons why this breed is suitable only for experienced owners. They need an owner who can not only manage their territorial and protective instincts but also one who can work around their stubborn nature to teach them essential skills.
One important note about the American Akita’s trainability is that while these dogs are extremely protective and hardy, they are sensitive to harsh corrections. They must be trained using reward-based methods, whether it is to train them for obedience or address potential behavioral issues.
Dog Academy’s online courses only follow positive reinforcement and help owners take charge of training in the most affordable and convenient manner. Browse our selection of courses to start training your dog right from your home. In case you’re stuck, our professional trainers and support team are also always here to provide assistance to help you meet your dog’s training needs.
Are American Akitas Good Watchdogs?
With everything we’ve covered about the American Akita, it is safe to say that there’s no doubt that these dogs are excellent watchdogs. They are highly protective, brave, and capable dogs that will make an intruder think twice with their presence and loud, deep barks alone. If you’re an experienced owner looking for a guard dog, the American Akita is undoubtedly going to meet your expectations.
Are American Akitas Good Service Dogs?
The same traits that make the American Akita an excellent watchdog and a guard dog make them just as unsuitable for service dog work, regardless of the disability or the tasks. American Akitas are simply too difficult to train and wary of strangers to become service dogs. They are a much better fit for being emotional support dogs for those who seek a fairly affectionate yet protective dog to make them feel safe.
How to Care for an American Akita?
We went over various needs of the American Akita, mainly covering training, socialization, exercise, and mental stimulation. Here’s more about their care needs to help you fully understand whether this dog with Japanese origins is the right breed for you.
Do You Need to Groom an American Akita?
Yes, you do need to groom an American Akita, like you would any other dog breed. In this regard, we can say that the American Akita has average grooming needs. They should be brushed weekly to keep their coat in top condition, in addition to meeting their other basic grooming requirements like nail trimming, ear cleaning, and dental care.
Starting these early as a puppy will ensure your American Akita won’t be troubling when it is grooming time as an adult. Otherwise, an American Akita can be difficult to manage, even for simple grooming tasks like nail trimming.
Do American Akitas Shed?
American Akitas have thick, medium-length double coats that shed heavily. After all, they were bred to endure the harsh winters of the Japanese mountains. They enter a fur storm twice a year during seasonal changes, which makes regular brushing and deshedding treatments essential for managing shedding.
However, note that getting them accustomed to being groomed by a professional groomer early on is essential if you plan on taking them to a groomer to help with shedding. Otherwise, it can be nearly impossible to find a groomer who will accept your American Akita. It is best to take them to the same groomer throughout puppyhood so that they are at least familiar with the groomer and their salon by the time they become adults.
What Health Problems Do American Akitas Have?
American Akitas are generally healthy dogs with a fairly long lifespan. They are prone to develop very few health problems that include hypothyroidism, hip and elbow dysplasia, and eye conditions like progressive retinal atrophy. The same as many other large dogs, they are also at risk of bloat, which can be a life-threatening condition if left untreated immediately.
Those who plan on getting an American Akita should educate themselves on the potential health problems this breed is prone to developing. Taking them for routine vet visits also plays an important role in ensuring their health and well-being.
How Long Do American Akitas Live?
American Akitas have an average life expectancy of 10 to 14 years. Considering their large size, they live fairly long lives, though factors like genetics, environment, diet, and lifestyle all contribute to overall lifespan.
What Should an American Akita Eat?
An American Akita should eat a diet that sustains their activity levels and massive size. They do best on dog food formulated for large, active dog breeds. If planned and formulated carefully, American Akitas can also thrive on a homemade diet that can be gently cooked or even raw. Those who are unsure about what to feed their American Akitas should consult their veterinarian for tailored advice.
Is an American Akita the Right Dog for Me?
The American Akita can be the right dog for you only if you’re experienced with similarly dominant, protective, and intelligent dog breeds. They are certainly not the right choice for first-time owners or those who never had experience with naturally protective and territorial dogs. If you tick this box and are looking for a highly driven dog to guard your family and territory that requires minimal human input, you will find the American Akita to be the right dog.
However, keep in mind that American Akitas are fairly high-maintenance, especially early on, due to their high socialization and training needs. You must be an involved owner to raise a well-rounded American Akita.
If you choose to adopt, which you can start on our adoption page, and the American Akita you adopt ends up being an adult, be prepared to work through behavioral issues. The stress of being rehomed tends to take a bigger toll on an incredibly loyal dog like the American Akita.
You can also use our online courses to tackle behavioral issues like excessive barking and reactivity. All our courses use positive reinforcement training and can be followed at your own pace.