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Dog · FCI group 5

Akita

The Akita is a large, powerful dog with a dense double coat and a curled tail. The breed shows fierce loyalty to its family, strong guarding instincts, and natural wariness toward unfamiliar people. You must provide dedicated training and daily exercise to keep this dignified dog balanced.

  • Loyal
  • Dignified
  • Alert
  • Fearless
  • Aloof
  • Territorial
Akita
OriginJapan
Size
Giant
Adult weight
31.8 to 59 kg
Height at the withers
61 to 71 cm
Lifespan
10 to 14 years

This is general guidance. Always ask your vet.

How big does a Akita get?

An adult Akita weighs 31.8 to 59 kg and stands 61 to 71 cm at the withers.

FCI standard specifies height and requires weight to balance with build; weight ranges reflect AKC standards.

[S4][S5][S6][S7]

How long does a Akita live?

A Akita lives 10 to 14 years.

General breed registries cite 10 to 14 years, while scientific cohort studies report median longevity between 8.9 and 11.4 years.

[S2][S9][S10][S11][S12][S13][S14]

What health problems are common in the Akita?

The most common in the Akita are: Hip Dysplasia, Elbow Dysplasia, Sebaceous Adenitis (SA), Uveodermatologic Syndrome (VKH-like Syndrome), Autoimmune Thyroiditis (Hypothyroidism), Gastric Dilatation-Volvulus (GDV / Bloat), Amelogenesis Imperfecta (Enamel Hypoplasia).

6 to 24 months

Hip Dysplasia [S14][S24][S25]

A malformation of the hip joint that causes wear, pain, and degenerative joint disease.

Ask your vet about:

  • PennHIP distraction index testing
  • OFA radiographic evaluations
5 to 12 months

Elbow Dysplasia [S24][S26]

Developmental defects in the elbow joint components that produce lameness and arthritis.

Ask your vet about:

  • OFA elbow radiographs
1 to 5 years

Sebaceous Adenitis (SA) [S27][S28][S29]

An immune disorder destroying the skin's oil glands, causing fur loss and scaling.

Ask your vet about:

  • Full-thickness skin punch biopsies by a dermatopathologist
1.5 to 4 years

Uveodermatologic Syndrome (VKH-like Syndrome) [S30][S31]

An autoimmune disease attacking pigment cells, leading to ocular inflammation, blindness, and skin depigmentation.

Ask your vet about:

  • Slit lamp biomicroscopy
  • Tonometry
  • Dermatologic biopsy
2 to 5 years

Autoimmune Thyroiditis (Hypothyroidism) [S24][S26][S32]

Immune destruction of the thyroid gland, leading to low hormone levels, lethargy, and weight gain.

Ask your vet about:

  • Free T4 by equilibrium dialysis
  • TSH test
  • Thyroglobulin Autoantibodies (TgAA) test
Over 3 to 4 years

Gastric Dilatation-Volvulus (GDV / Bloat) [S18][S33]

A sudden, life-threatening twisting and gas distension of the stomach.

Ask your vet about:

  • Abdominal radiographs
  • Prophylactic laparoscopic gastropexy consultation
5 to 7 months

Amelogenesis Imperfecta (Enamel Hypoplasia) [S24]

An inherited genetic disorder causing fragile, pitted tooth enamel susceptible to wear and fracture.

Ask your vet about:

  • DNA buccal swab test
  • Blood genetic test for enamel hypoplasia

What is a Akita's temperament like?

The Akita is dignified, alert, and devoted to family. The breed stays aloof with strangers and possesses natural guarding instincts without nuisance barking.

[S5][S8][S15][S16][S17][S18]

How much exercise does a Akita need?

A Akita needs 60 to 90 minutes of exercise a day.

Akitas need daily structured walks, jogging, and scent puzzles, but they do best with controlled exercise rather than free play at dog parks.

  • Energy3 / 5
[S8][S16]

How does a Akita handle heat and cold?

The thick double coat offers insulation against freezing conditions, but it makes the breed vulnerable to overheating in warm or humid climates.

  • Handles heat1 / 5
  • Handles cold5 / 5
[S16][S18][S19][S20]

How much does a Akita shed, and how do you groom it?

Brush once or twice weekly with a pin brush and slicker, and use an undercoat rake daily during seasonal shedding periods; do not shave the coat.

Double coat with harsh, straight outer coat and thick, soft undercoat

  • Shedding4 / 5
[S14][S16][S21][S22]

Is a Akita good with children and other pets?

Akitas can live with older household children under adult supervision, but they display same-sex dog aggression, strong hunting prey drive toward small animals, and wariness of shared apartment corridors.

  • With children2 / 5
  • With other pets1 / 5
  • In an apartment2 / 5
[S2][S8][S16][S18]

Is a Akita easy to train?

Akitas are independent thinkers that lose interest with repetitive drills. Use positive reinforcement and food rewards, avoiding harsh corrections.

  • Ease of training2 / 5
[S2][S14][S16][S23]

What does a Akita eat at each life stage?

  • PuppyFeed a large-breed puppy formula with controlled calcium, phosphorus, and moderate energy to maintain steady, gradual bone and joint growth.
  • AdultProvide a complete large-breed adult diet split into at least two daily portions to lower the risk of bloat.
  • SeniorSelect a calorie-controlled senior formula rich in fiber, digestible protein, and omega fatty acids to protect aging joints and prevent weight gain.

Where does the Akita come from?

Originating in the mountainous Akita prefecture on northern Honshu, the Akita Matagi hunted bear, wild boar, and deer starting in the 17th century. Crosses with English Mastiffs, Tosas, and later German Shepherd Dogs altered the breed's size and structure. Returning American soldiers brought heavy Dewa-line dogs to the United States after World War II, establishing the American type recognized under FCI Standard No. 344.

Country of origin: Japan.

[S1][S2][S3]

Fun facts about the Akita

  • Hachikō, an Akita in Tokyo, waited at Shibuya Station every day for more than nine years after his owner passed away. [S2][S35]
  • Helen Keller introduced the Akita to the United States in 1937 after receiving a puppy named Kamikaze-go in Japan. [S36][S37]
  • Japanese families give small carved Akita statues to loved ones as traditional symbols of good health, long life, and happiness. [S14]
  • Every Akita possesses an individual curl pattern in its tail, sitting over the spine or along the side. [S15][S38]
  • American Akita standards permit all coat colors, including pinto patterns and dark masks, which Japanese standards disallow. [S15][S21]

Tips by life stage and weather

  • PuppyStart socialization classes and expose your puppy to diverse sounds and people early to manage guarding behaviors.
  • PuppyKeep daily training sessions brief and reward-based to hold your puppy's focus and avoid resistance.
  • AdultKeep your Akita on a secure leash during walks to prevent chasing behavior driven by high prey instincts.
  • AdultDivide daily rations into two separate meals and avoid strenuous exercise immediately around feeding times.
  • SeniorSchedule regular veterinary wellness checkups to assess hip joints and overall thyroid function as your dog ages.
  • SeniorAdjust exercise routines to low-impact walking sessions to maintain muscle tone without straining older joints.
  • Hot seasonWalk your dog during early mornings or late evenings to protect against heat exhaustion during warm Mexican summers.
  • Hot seasonProvide continuous indoor access to shade or air conditioning, and never clip the insulating double coat.
  • Cold seasonEnjoy extended outdoor exercise sessions in cold conditions, as the dense undercoat provides natural thermal protection.
  • Cold seasonCheck paws for burrs, dirt, and moisture after winter outings to keep skin and foot pads clean.
  • Rainy seasonDry the thick double coat thoroughly after rain walks to prevent skin dampness and secondary skin infections.
  • Rainy seasonProvide indoor mental stimulation games and scent puzzles when heavy rains prevent daily outdoor activities.

In the Kiba Vet app, your pet's breed profile shows a tip of the day based on its age and the weather where you live.

This is general guidance. Always ask your vet.

Checked against sources; veterinary review pending. Updated on September 29, 2026.

Written with the help of AI from the cited sources and checked fact by fact against them by a second model.

Sources

Every health fact and every number on this page comes from these sources. Identifiers from Wikidata (CC0).