Shepkita

Quick Take

• Shepkitas inherit a trait from their Akita parents that makes them surprisingly difficult to train, something most first-time owners never see coming. See training challenges →
• Their heavy shedding demands a grooming routine, but the instinct most owners act on first can actually make things worse. Check grooming do's and don'ts →
• This breed carries a health risk that's easy to trigger through everyday feeding habits, something most owners don't realize until it becomes urgent. Avoid bloat with diet tips →
• The Shepkita's loyalty is real, but there's a specific household dynamic where that loyalty breaks down fast. See loyalty limits with kids →

Also known as the Akita Shepherd, Shepkita is a hybrid dog. It is a crossbreed between the Akita and the German Shepherd, giving it a loyal and stoic nature. They are also extremely hardworking. Shepkita puppies often end up inheriting some of the best traits from both their parents.

Shepkitas are muscular like Akitas and are generally similar in size to their parent breeds, often falling between the typical sizes of Akitas and German Shepherds. Their body shape is similar to that of the German Shepherd, but their genetics are often more influenced by the Akita in terms of their face structure and tail. Shepkitas are found in a variety of colors, including black, brown, white, golden, and tan. Typically, they can be purchased from a local pet store, or breeder, or you can adopt one from a rescue shelter.

3 Pros and Cons of Owning a Shepkita

Understanding the positive and negative attributes of the Shepkita can prepare any owner before they adopt. Here are some of the pros and cons of this breed.

Size and Weight

These dogs are muscular in build and have a strong build. They typically fall within the size range of their parent breeds. The females are 24 to 26 inches in height, and they weigh around 65 to 110 pounds. Meanwhile, the males are 26 to 28 inches in height and weigh around 75 to 120 pounds.

Common Health Issues

Like all dogs, Shepkitas suffer from some health issues that require attention. Being aware of these threats helps you to protect your pet and get it the treatment necessary to help.

Dry eyes are common in Shepkitas, leading to redness. It is most often caused by their eyelids not closing entirely. They are also prone to bloating.

The most common health issue that they face is hip dysplasia. This condition occurs when the bones do not properly grow within the hip joint. Some dogs may even deal with allergies, depending on their environment.

Temperament

Shepkitas are not the ideal pets for everyone. It might be difficult to keep these dogs because of their aggression and behavioral issues. However, with the right amount of exercise and training, these dogs can prove to be very loyal pets. They are even-tempered and not nearly as aggressive as Akitas. Shepkitas are not tolerant towards children and should not be left unsupervised around kids and other pets.

These dogs are friendly, adaptable, and protective. The breed is also intelligent and can guard your home. Though they don’t bark often, their vocalizations can be quite deep, which can be intimidating to strangers. These dogs are independent and can be allowed to roam freely outside. They are also always keen to please their owners.

How to Take Care of a Shepkita

Before you buy these dogs from a breeder or adopt them from a rescue shelter, it is important to understand how to take care of them. Here are some tips that will help you to understand how to take care of such dogs.

The Best Dog Food

Ask your veterinarian about what to feed your dog. However, do not overfeed them, as it can cause major health issues and weight gain. Divide their meals into a set schedule and do not leave a full food bowl out during the day. Like other dogs, the dietary habits of these dogs will also change as they grow.

This breed can suffer from allergies, in which case, compare some of the many limited-ingredient and allergy care foods. Closely monitor their meals to help prevent life-threatening bloat.

Maintenance and Grooming

Shepkitas shed heavily, which is why grooming them can be quite a laborious task most of the time. Brush their coat every day to remove loose hair caught in it. However, since this same coat serves as an insulator, it should not be shaved to remove the excess hair.

These dogs do not need frequent baths, but they will need their nails trimmed when they grow long.

Training

It is moderately difficult to train a Shepkita dog. Train them from early puppyhood so that they develop good habits and do not end up having behavioral issues.

These dogs might be a little aggressive, which is mostly inherited from their Akita parents. They work well and can train better using positive encouragement, as these dogs are always looking to please their masters.

However, Shepkitas can sometimes be stubborn, so they will need a firm approach to training. Consistency is the key with these dogs, and you would need to keep calm around them while training. Shepkitas are usually not recommended for first-time owners.

Exercise

Shepkitas need regular exercise. Exercise should be of moderate to high intensity and last at least an hour each day. Alternatively, you could also try 20 minutes of playtime along with two to three long walks every day.

These dogs love to run, jump, and explore their surroundings. They would also usually love playing with other pets at the dog park. While apartment life could be difficult, they could settle into it if they are provided with the right amount of exercise.

Puppies

Shepkita puppies should be cared for in the same way as adult Shepkitas. However, their meals have to be divided into smaller parts as their little stomachs cannot digest all the food at once. Puppies should be exposed to a social setting when they are young to develop better habits and social manners within the family.

Shepkitas and Children

These dogs are naturally not fond of kids, and they won’t be very playful around the kids of the family. Sometimes, they can become aggressive without warning, so they will need to be closely monitored if you have small children.

Dogs Similar to Shepkitas

If the Shepkita is not a good match, that doesn’t mean you should give up hope of finding the right match. Here are a few dogs that are similar to the Shepkita:

• Akita Inu: These dogs are loyal to their owners and are courageous in nature.
• German Shepherd: These dogs are easy to train and are highly intelligent. They are also incredibly beautiful to look at.
• Northern Inuit: These are friendly and healthy dogs and make great pets. They are also good with other pets.