Akita Shepherd

The Akita Shepherd was created during the 1950s and is a mix of two big, strong dog breeds: the Akita Inu and the German Shepherd. These two breeds synergize well together. The Akita is a loyal and brave working dog that is descended from an ancient Japanese lineage. It belongs to the “spitz” group; this is a type of dog with long, thick fur, pointed ears and muzzle, and a curly tail. The German Shepherd is a courageous, all-purpose working or herding dog that originated in Germany in the late 19th century.

As a mixed-breed “designer dog,” the Akita Shepherd can have many different combinations of physical traits. But most of these dogs will combine the body of the German Shepherd with the face and curling tail of an Akita. The medium-length dense coat will have some combination of black, white, gray, brown, brindle, or red colors. These dogs may also inherit some degree of German Shepherd facial markings.

3 Pros And Cons Of Owning An Akita Shepherd

Size And Weight

The Akita Shepherd is a big dog with a muscular frame. Males tend to be slightly larger and a little more aggressive than females on average.

Common Health Issues

The Akita Shepherd, unfortunately, has quite a long list of potential health problems it may inherit from either parent, including progressive retinal atrophy, congenital heart defects, hemophilia, allergies, cancer, bloat, hip and elbow dysplasia (which causes the joints to temporarily dislocate), degenerative myelopathy (which affects the spinal cord), and Von Willebrand’s disease (a bleeding disorder).

As a result of these conditions, the dog’s average lifespan is about 10 to 13 years. While some of these health conditions may be completely unavoidable, you can always minimize the odds of your dog developing problems by doing your homework beforehand. You should always avoid puppy mills and low-quality breeders that don’t screen for health problems. You should also schedule regular visits to the vet.

Temperament

The Akita Shepherd has a loyal personality, a courageous bearing, keen intelligence, and a strong, muscular build that makes them very well-suited as a guard dog and defender of the home. But this does not necessarily mean they are anti-social and reserved. The Akita Shepherd can be just as loving, affectionate, and playful toward its owner as any other type of dog. They will benefit most of all from a highly active owner who can provide them with plenty of mental and physical stimulation. If they do not receive enough attention, then they may resort to some unwanted and destructive behavior.

How To Take Care Of The Akita Shepherd

The Akita Shepherd can be a somewhat difficult dog to care for. The grooming process isn’t too involved, but they do require a lot of food and exercise. They will also sometimes push boundaries and test your patience a bit. But these active, engaging, and playful companions will reward you with their endlessly fascinating behavior and affectionate nature. If you have any other questions or concerns about pet ownership, then you should talk with your vet.

The Best Dog Food

An adult Akita Shepherd may require several cups of high-quality dry food every single day. Of course, the exact amount will depend on the age, size, and activity level of your dog. If your dog has a history of bloating, then you might want to divide the food up into multiple meals per day. Eating too rapidly could cause the dog’s stomach to expand dangerously. This crossbreed may also have a slight tendency to gain weight, so do not leave out too much food or give it a lot of treats.

Maintenance And Grooming

The Akita Shepherd only needs weekly brushes with a simple slicker brush or (for longer coats) a pin brush to remove loose hair, although grooming may need to take place daily during the heavy shedding season. No other special actions are required to keep the coat in peak condition. Bathing with an appropriate shampoo should only be done when the dog gets particularly dirty.

Owners will need to clip the nails about once every month or two to keep them from becoming uncomfortable for the dog. You should also try to clean out the ears regularly and brush the teeth almost daily with dog-based toothpaste.

Training

The Akita Shepherd is an intelligent hybrid dog that will obey human commands very diligently if trained properly from a young age. That does not mean the training process will be easy, though. The Akita Shepherd may inherit a slight stubborn streak from one of its parents, giving it a mind of its own.

This dog needs the guidance of a firm owner who acts the part of the leader but doesn’t raise their voice or react in an overly negative manner. This dog should respond best to positive reinforcement methods. If you need some help with the training process, then you might want to contact a local trainer.

Exercise

The Akita Shepherd is a very strong, athletic, and hard-working mix. As a result, it should get at least an hour of exercise every single day. This is the equivalent of around 14 miles a week. Owners should try to mix up this activity with long walks/runs, games, sports, playtime, tricks, fetching, and plenty of other tasks and jobs. The Akita Shepherd does best with large yards, parks, or other open lands in which it can run around and play. Fortunately, once its daily exercise needs have been fulfilled, the Akita Shepherd knows how to settle down and relax.

Puppies

In order to become a well-adjusted adult, puppies need to undergo socialization and training as early as possible. Obedience classes and doggie daycare are optional, but they may help your dog adapt well to life among people and other pets. Owners might also want to think about the benefits of crate training. While it isn’t strictly necessary, the crate can offer a calm refuge for your puppies. It’s also a good housetraining tool.

Akita Shepherds And Children

These dogs should be loyal and protective members of the entire family. However, due to its immense size and sometimes high-strung nature, this mix probably does better with older children than younger children.

Dogs Similar To The Akita Shepherd

If you are a fan of the Akita Shepherd, then there are numerous working and spitz-type dogs that it resembles.

• Siberian Husky: Loyal, proud, and outgoing, the big and strong Siberian Husky is another spitz-type dog in the working group. Originally bred by the Siberian Chukchi people as a companion and sled dog, this breed is characterized by thick fur, keen eyes, and somewhat mischievous behavior.
• Samoyed: Originally bred by the semi-nomadic Samoyedic people of Siberia, the Samoyed is another friendly and tireless working dog that hails from the frigid north. It is characterized by the indelible coat of long, all-white fur.
• Shiba Inu: As the source of endless internet jokes, the Shiba Inu is another alert and active Japanese working/hunting spitz like the Akita. Today, it is the most popular companion dog in all of Japan. It might be a good choice for owners who want a smaller version of the Akita Shepherd.