Akita Temperament: Do They Make Good Family Dogs?

Akitas are included in the Working Group of dogs by the American Kennel Club, but can they make good family dogs, too? They are an ancient Japanese breed known for their loyalty and courage, as well as their gorgeous fluffy coats. Here we’ll take a close look at their temperament and analyse if and how they can fit into family life.

Akita’s Size and Strength

Any family taking on an Akita will need to be aware that they are getting a large and powerful dog. These guys grow to between 24 and 28 inches tall, weigh up to 130 pounds, and are heavy-boned and muscular. This is something to bear in mind if you have young children or any family member who is not steady on their feet. There is a real danger of them getting accidentally knocked over if your Akita gets the zoomies or plays energetically.

Tolerance of Children

Akitas are not classed as one of the most child-friendly breeds and may not be the best choice if you have young children. They can get protective and possessive with toys and that could be a problem with younger kids who will not understand this. They form strong and loyal bonds with owners in small, adult-only households.

Tolerance of Other Animals

This breed has a very strong prey drive and that is likely to cause a problem if you already have small, furry pets. They were bred to hunt and will need very close supervision with other pets. When you are out walking as a family, this can also cause a problem because if your Akita spots something that they would like to chase – they will be gone in an instant! That is an issue if they are off-leash at the time. However, it can be an even bigger issue if they are on a leash held by a small family member who is likely to get pulled over and potentially injured. It is essential to teach your Akita impulse control to prevent accidents.

Behavior With Strangers

Akitas are often wary of strangers. You can mitigate this with correct socialization from a young age. However, some Akitas may never be truly comfortable with people that they do not know. This can be an issue if you need to take them with your family to unfamiliar social situations. The breed can also have problems with other dogs.

How Much Exercise Do They Need?

This is an energetic breed that needs at least two hours of exercise a day. Busy family life often does not allow you that much time to dedicate to the pet dog! They are best suited to families with an active lifestyle and access to large outdoor spaces. A big garden is also a plus for this breed.

Can They Be Left Alone?

Akitas form very strong bonds with their humans and do not like to be left alone. They can also get bored easily. If your family commitments mean that you are all out of the house for long periods of time, this is not the dog for you. If left alone too often, Akitas can develop destructive habits.

Are Akitas Easy to Train?

Pressures of family life may mean that you don’t have as much time as you would like to dedicate to training. Is that a problem with the Akita breed? In truth, yes, it probably is. This breed is not recommended for inexperienced dog owners. They are both intelligent and independent, which can add up to stubbornness in training sessions. They need consistent and positive reward-based training in short sessions to maintain their attention.  Males can be wilful or wary, and females can be a little aloof.

Do Akitas Make Good Family Dogs?  Things to Bear in Mind

Be ready for some shedding! They are a double-coated breed that sheds to a certain extent all year. However, when they ‘blow’ their coat twice a year, it can result in quite spectacular fur loss. Someone in the family is going to have to vacuum that up!

Another fur-related issue is connected with temperature. With such a thick coat, they can get very hot in the summer so this is not a dog that you can take out with you if you are spending all day in the sun on the beach, for example. The dog’s needs can conflict with the rest of the family, and this can cause stress for everyone.

Finally, owning an Akita is not cheap! Before you make the commitment, investigate exactly how much owning one will cost in your area over the dog’s lifespan. Add up purchase costs, vet’s bills, food, accessories, and perhaps dog sitters and boarding.

Summing up: Do Akitas Make Good Family Dogs?

In the right family, Akitas can be loyal and affectionate pets. However, they are best suited to people experienced in training and caring for willful breeds and who have an active lifestyle and access to outdoor spaces. They are not best suited to families with very young children or infirm members or those that are out of the house a lot or have other small pets.

The photo featured at the top of this post is © mirceax/ via Getty Images