American Akita
| Size at withers | 61-71 cm |
|---|---|
| Weight range | 32-59 kg |
| Life expectancy | 10-13 years |
| Size class | Giant (> 40 kg) |
| Normal resting vitals | Heart rate 60–100 bpm · Respiration 10–30/min · Temperature 38.3–39.2 °C |
| Temperament | Bold, dignified, deeply loyal to family; aloof and often dog-aggressive |
| Common health issues | Hip dysplasia; hypothyroidism; autoimmune conditions (sebaceous adenitis, VKH-like uveodermatologic syndrome); bloat |
| Exercise needs | Moderate - 45-60 min/day |
| Climate & housing suitability | Poor suitability - the dense double coat makes it heat-intolerant; needs a cool climate and, in warm regions, air conditioning. |
| Owner notes | Larger, bearier and multi-coloured compared with the Japanese Akita, from which it split as a separate breed. |
Origin and purpose
Spitz; FCI Group 5. Origin: Japan, developed in the USA; large spitz-type companion and guardian.
Larger, bearier and multi-coloured compared with the Japanese Akita, from which it split as a separate breed.
What a breed was built to do explains most of what it will do in your home. A dog selected for hundreds of years to run, guard, herd, or hunt does not stop wanting to because it now lives in an apartment — the drive is the breed, and the owner's job is to give it somewhere to go.
Temperament and training
Stated temperament: Bold, dignified, deeply loyal to family; aloof and often dog-aggressive
This is an independent-minded breed that was developed to make its own decisions, and it will not work for you simply because you asked. That is not stubbornness or stupidity — it is the trait the breed was selected for. Training must be genuinely rewarding to the dog, and expectations of instant, military obedience are misplaced. Recall, in particular, is often unreliable in these breeds; be honest about that before letting one off-lead near traffic.
Conditions this breed is predisposed to
Gastric dilatation and volvulus (GDV, 'bloat')
Hip dysplasia
Hypothyroidism
Sebaceous adenitis
Health screening — what to test, and when
| Screen for | Test | When |
|---|---|---|
| Gastric dilatation and volvulus (GDV, 'bloat') | No screening test. Discuss preventive gastropexy with your vet in deep-chested breeds | At neutering, if the vet agrees it is indicated |
| Hip dysplasia | Radiographic hip evaluation (hip scoring) | Once at 12–24 months; earlier if lame |
| Hypothyroidism | Thyroid blood panel | On unexplained weight gain, coat loss, or lethargy; annually in predisposed breeds |
| Sebaceous adenitis | Skin biopsy | On scaling, hair loss, and a dull, brittle coat |
Every dog, every breed: an annual health examination (twice yearly from seven years), body-condition scoring at each visit, dental assessment, year-round parasite control, and the core vaccinations.
For breeders — test before you mate
- Gastric dilatation and volvulus (GDV, 'bloat') — No screening test. Discuss preventive gastropexy with your vet in deep-chested breeds
- Hip dysplasia — Radiographic hip evaluation (hip scoring)
- Hypothyroidism — Thyroid blood panel
- Sebaceous adenitis — Skin biopsy
Feeding
Slow, controlled growth is essential — giant-breed puppies grow for eighteen months or more, and pushing that growth with over-feeding or calcium supplementation causes lasting orthopaedic damage. Use a diet formulated for large- or giant-breed growth and keep the puppy visibly lean. As an adult, two measured meals a day, never one large one. Feeding costs are substantial and should be budgeted before acquiring the dog.
Exercise and enrichment
Stated requirement: Moderate - 45-60 min/day
Moderate daily exercise plus mental stimulation. Adaptable to apartment life provided the daily walk actually happens every day.
Climate and living conditions
Stated suitability: Poor suitability - the dense double coat makes it heat-intolerant; needs a cool climate and, in warm regions, air conditioning.
Ageing and senior care
Life expectancy: 10-13 years. This dog is a senior from around 5–6 years, at which point wellness examinations should move to twice a year and senior blood and urine screening begins. Giant breeds age fast and live short lives, and this is the hardest fact about owning one. Senior screening should start early, orthopaedic support matters from middle age, and cardiac and bone cancer risks are real. Go in with your eyes open. Senior care →
Before you take one home
- Ask the breeder for the health-test results listed above — for BOTH parents, on paper, before you pay a deposit. A breeder who has done the tests will be proud to show you; one who deflects, or who tells you the tests are unnecessary in this line, is telling you what you need to know.
- Consider adoption. Shelters and rescues have dogs of every kind, including purebreds, and the local native or landrace dog is often healthier, better adapted to its climate, and more in need of a home than almost anything you can buy. See Part XII.
