Breed library

Akita

Also known as Akita Inu, American Akita, Japanese Akita, Japanese Akitainu.

Japanese Akita-Inu.
File:Akita inu.jpeg by B@rt, CC BY-SA 3.0 (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/3.0/); source: https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Akita_inu.jpeg. License: CC BY-SA 3.0.

Breed overview

The is a Japanese dog breed of large size. Originating from the mountains of northern Japan, the Akita has a short double coat similar to that of many other northern spitz breeds. The breed traces its roots to the Matagi Inu, a chūgata ken (medium-sized dog) historically used by the Matagi, traditional hunters of the Tōhoku region, for tracking and subduing large game such as tsukinowaguma (Japanese black bear), inoshishi (wild boar) and kamoshika (Japanese serow) in snow-covered mountain terrain. As a breed, Akitas are generally hardy. However, it is subject to debate as to whether the Akita strains are distinct, or if they constitute one breed.

  • Breed classification: Japanese dogBreed reference breed group.
  • Breed type: dog breedBreed reference breed kind.
  • Country of origin: JapanBreed reference country of origin.
  • Country of origin: United StatesBreed reference country of origin.

Breed facts

  • Outside of Japan, debate exists among fanciers whether these are two separate breeds of Akitas.
  • As of 2020, the American Kennel Club now considers American and Japanese Akitas to be two separate breeds, no longer allowing free breeding between the two.
  • The United Kennel Club, the Federation Cynologique Internationale (FCI), The Kennel Club, the Australian National Kennel Council, the New Zealand Kennel Club, and the Japan Kennel Club consider Japanese and American Akitas as separate breeds.
  • For the FCI's 84 countries, the breed split formally occurred in June 1999, when the FCI decided that the American type would be called the Great Japanese Dog, later renamed the American Akita in January 2006.
  • The direct ancestor of the Akita Inu was a dog kept as a guard dog and fighting dog by samurai and wealthy farmers in the Ōdate area, and was known as the until 1931 when it was renamed the Akita Inu.

Size and appearance

As a spitz breed, the appearance of the Akita reflects cold-weather adaptations essential to their original function. The Akita is a substantial breed for its height with heavy bones. Characteristic physical traits of the breed include a large, bear-like head with erect, triangular ears set at a slight angle following the arch of the neck. Additionally, the eyes of the Akita are small, dark, deeply set, and triangular in shape. Akitas have thick double coats, and tight, well-knuckled, cat-like feet. Their tails are carried over the tops of their backs in a gentle or double curl down the loin. Mature American-type males measure typically 26-28 in (66-71 cm) at the withers and weigh between 100 and 130 lb (45-59 kg). Mature females typically measure 24-26 in (61-66 cm) and weigh between 70 and 100 lb (32-45 kg). The Japanese type, as stated in the breed standards, is a little smaller and lighter.

  • Body mass reference: 24.948 - 45.359 kgAdult breed reference quantity from the article infobox. Original value 55 - 100 lb. Unit conversion where applicable: 1 inch = 2.54 cm; 1 pound = 0.45359237 kg. Original field and references are retained in the revision-pinned article evidence.
  • Body mass reference: 27.216 - 58.967 kgAdult breed reference quantity from the article infobox. Original value 60 - 130 lb. Unit conversion where applicable: 1 inch = 2.54 cm; 1 pound = 0.45359237 kg. Original field and references are retained in the revision-pinned article evidence.
  • Height reference: 58.42 - 66.04 cmAdult breed reference quantity from the article infobox. Original value 23 - 26 in. Unit conversion where applicable: 1 inch = 2.54 cm; 1 pound = 0.45359237 kg. Original field and references are retained in the revision-pinned article evidence.
  • Height reference: 61 cmBreed reference height. female.
  • Height reference: 63.5 - 71.12 cmAdult breed reference quantity from the article infobox. Original value 25 - 28 in. Unit conversion where applicable: 1 inch = 2.54 cm; 1 pound = 0.45359237 kg. Original field and references are retained in the revision-pinned article evidence.
  • Height reference: 67 cmBreed reference height. male.
  • Coat layers: double
  • Coat length: long
  • Height category: very_tall
  • Height category: tall
  • Weight category: medium
  • Weight category: giant
  • Weight category: large

Personality and behavior

The Akita is generally seen as territorial about its property, and can be reserved with strangers. The breed has been defined in some countries' breed-specific legislation as a dangerous dog. The Akita is a large, strong, independent, and dominant dog. A well-trained Akita should be accepting of nonthreatening strangers, otherwise they treat all strangers in an aggressive manner.

  • Attachment and attention seeking (C-BARQ mean): 1.83 / 4Owner-reported attachment and attention seeking factor mean for US reference population Akita.
  • Chasing (C-BARQ mean): 2.50 / 4Owner-reported chasing factor mean for US reference population Akita.
  • Dog-directed aggression (C-BARQ mean): 1.68 / 4Owner-reported dog-directed aggression factor mean for US reference population Akita.
  • Dog-directed fear (C-BARQ mean): 0.45 / 4Owner-reported dog-directed fear factor mean for US reference population Akita.
  • Energy (C-BARQ mean): 1.60 / 4Owner-reported energy factor mean for US reference population Akita.
  • Excitability (C-BARQ mean): 1.95 / 4Owner-reported excitability factor mean for US reference population Akita.
  • Familiar-dog aggression (C-BARQ mean): 0.66 / 4Owner-reported familiar-dog aggression factor mean for US reference population Akita.
  • Non-social fear (C-BARQ mean): 0.79 / 4Owner-reported non-social fear factor mean for US reference population Akita.
  • Owner-directed aggression (C-BARQ mean): 0.16 / 4Owner-reported owner-directed aggression factor mean for US reference population Akita.
  • Separation-related problems (C-BARQ mean): 0.62 / 4Owner-reported separation-related problems factor mean for US reference population Akita.
  • Stranger-directed aggression (C-BARQ mean): 0.79 / 4Owner-reported stranger-directed aggression factor mean for US reference population Akita.
  • Stranger-directed fear (C-BARQ mean): 0.72 / 4Owner-reported stranger-directed fear factor mean for US reference population Akita.
  • Touch sensitivity (C-BARQ mean): 0.84 / 4Owner-reported touch sensitivity factor mean for US reference population Akita.
  • Trainability (C-BARQ mean): 2.38 / 4Owner-reported trainability factor mean for US reference population Akita.

Exercise and activities

Predecessors of the modern Akita were used for hunting bear, wild boar, and deer in Japan as late as 1957. They would be used to flush out the boar and keep it at bay until the hunter could come and kill it. Today, the breed is used primarily as a companion dog, but is currently also known to be used as therapy dogs, and compete in all dog competitions, including conformation showing, obedience trials, canine good-citizen program, tracking trials, and agility competition, as well as weight pulling, hunting, and Schutzhunde (personal protection dogs).

Training and enrichment

Care planning: choose one everyday skill to practice and keep a record of each session. Note the cue, the reward your dog enjoys and what went well. Rotate familiar games and new activities, and use your notes to choose the next small step.

Coat and grooming

Care planning: use the coat details above to discuss a grooming routine with your groomer. Record brushing sessions, baths and appointments in the app. Add the tools you use and your preferred schedule so the whole household can follow the same routine.

  • Coat layers: double
  • Coat length: long

Health and lifespan

A UK study found a life expectancy of 11.4 years for the breed compared to an average of 12.7 for purebreeds and 12 for crossbreeds.

  • Lifespan reference: 10 years or moreBreed reference lifespan years.
  • Lifespan reference: Up to 12 yearsBreed reference lifespan years.

Living with this breed

Care planning: compare this profile's adult dimensions, coat care and available activity information with your household's routine. Make a shortlist, plan who will handle daily care and save the questions you want to ask a breed club, rescue or breeder.

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Breed history

Outside of Japan, debate exists among fanciers whether these are two separate breeds of Akitas. As of 2020, the American Kennel Club now considers American and Japanese Akitas to be two separate breeds, no longer allowing free breeding between the two. The United Kennel Club, the Federation Cynologique Internationale (FCI), The Kennel Club, the Australian National Kennel Council, the New Zealand Kennel Club, and the Japan Kennel Club consider Japanese and American Akitas as separate breeds. Some countries refer to the American Akita as simply the Akita and not the American Akita. The issue is especially controversial in Japan. For the FCI's 84 countries, the breed split formally occurred in June 1999, when the FCI decided that the American type would be called the Great Japanese Dog, later renamed the American Akita in January 2006.

Clubs and further reading

Sources

  1. Akita (dog breed) - WikipediaWikipedia contributors Retrieved 2026-10-14.License: CC BY-SA 4.0. Adapted excerpts from Wikipedia contributors, Akita (dog breed), revision 1368872159. CC BY-SA 4.0. Formatting, citations and selection changed. Source history: https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Akita_%28dog_breed%29&action=history
  2. Wikidata structured breed dataWikimedia contributors Retrieved 2026-10-14.License: CC0 1.0. Wikidata contributors (CC0).
  3. National C-BARQ breed and all-breed means from USA.PLOS ONE / Figshare Retrieved 2026-10-14.License: CC BY 4.0. Bohland, Kyle R.; Lilly, Meghan Leanne; Herron, Meghan E.; Arruda, Andréia G.; O’Quin, Jeanette M. (2023). National C-BARQ breed and all-breed means from USA.. PLOS ONE. Dataset. https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0289356.s003 CC BY 4.0. Selected rows and field names adapted; values unchanged.
  4. File:Akita inu.jpegWikimedia Commons Retrieved 2026-10-14.License: CC BY-SA 3.0. File:Akita inu.jpeg by B@rt, CC BY-SA 3.0 (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/3.0/); source: https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Akita_inu.jpeg.
  5. Palipaws everyday care planningPalipaws Retrieved 2026-10-14.License: Palipaws original factual summaries. Palipaws. Original care-planning text, separate from breed measurements and licensed article summaries.
  6. AKC national parent club directoryAmerican Kennel Club Retrieved 2026-10-14.License: Factual reference only. Names and verified external links only. No source descriptions, logos or endorsement reused.