The Akita Shepherd: A Profile
A Family-Friendly Designer Dog
One advantage of a hybrid or "designer" puppy over a mutt is that the parent breeds can give you an idea of the size and temperament the dog will have. Another theory of hybridization is that the offspring will be healthier than purebred dogs, which may be inbred and have genetic problems. However, the other side of that theory is that the offspring may inherit the worst genetic traits of both parent dog breeds.
The Japanese native Akita Inu dogs have been bred with German Shepherd dogs in part because when they first arrived in the US after WWII, there were very few Akitas in the US, and in part to reduce the size and alleged aggressiveness of the Akita Inu breed. German Shepherd dogs can be police and army dogs, but they are also excellent family dogs. A male Akita can be up to 150 pounds; a male German Shepherd rarely tops out over 80 pounds.
Akita Shepherds are large sturdy dogs, between 50 and 100 pounds. They resemble the Akita, but the outer layer of the two-layer coat is shorter on the Akita Shepherd. Coloring varies, but most have traditional German Shepherd dog black and fawn coloring, with the cream or white paws of the Japanese Akita Inu. Their paws are large, and the snout is narrower and longer than the Akita Inu's. The ears are larger than Akita Inu ears and set slightly to the sides of the head.
Health is rarely a problem for the Akita Shepherd, although they may have hip dysplasia, a problem common to both breeds in the mix. Check out the lineage of both parents for hip health before you buy. They shed, but daily brushing reduces the amount. They don't have a "doggy" smell, and need at most two baths a year. They should not be shaved, as their coat protects them from sun and heat as well as cold.
In temperament, the Akita Shepherd is considered a better family dog than the Akita Inu. Unlike the Akita Inu, the mix isn't a "one person" dog, but will love the entire family and accept them as its pack. They are very good with small children, and will allow their ears and tails to be pulled and played with, and their bodies to be a nap pillow. They are also very happy with single people or couples.
Training is a must with the Akita Shepherd, and should start immediately. This will be a large dog, and the owner must be the "alpha" in his pack. The Akita Shepherd is very intelligent, but can be stubborn if not well-trained. They respond best to positive reinforcement and also respond well to food rewards. They can learn a great variety of behaviors and are generally accepting of other dogs and small animals. They are loyal and protective of their humans. Akita Shepherd dogs love a house with large fenced yard, but can adapt to apartment living if their owner provides adequate daily exercise, which can consist of two daily walks and a weekly (or more) visit to a dog park.
The price of an Akita Shepherd can range from a low of $250 to as much as $1000, depending on the quality of the parents. Newspapers and the Internet may help you find one, but it can be hard to find ads. Check shelters, as you can often find Akita Shepherds there for little to no cost. These dogs may need "rehabilitation," so don't take them on unless you have the time and patience to work with them.
(Sources: http://www.dogbreedinfo.com/akitashepherd.htm , http://www.breederinfocenter.com/index.php?c=Akita+Shepherd,http://www.scottspuppypalace.com/akita-shepherd.htm,http://for-sale.yakaz.com/akita-shepherd-mix , http://www.petyourdog.com/dog_breeds/dog_breed_by_group/hybrid_designer_dogs/akita-shepherd/ , http://www.articlesbase.com/pets-articles/train-your-akita-shepherd-puppy-using-the-right-mindset-when-training-the-akita-shepherd-1511829.html , http://www.dogsindepth.com/working_dog_breeds/japanese_akita.html )
Published by L. Lee Scott
Studied archaeology, linguistics, classical music,psychology, and beauty; worked in environmental monitoring & compliance. Love dogs and always have at least one! I'm a member of the largest national dog bre... View profile
- German Shepherd Dogs: History and Facts About One of Today's Most Popular AKC BreedsThe German Shepherd is a loyal companion animal, known for its protectiveness, and it tends to be a one person dog. It is easy to train, quick to learn, and very obedient. It is one of today's most popular breeds, wit...
Advantages and Disadvantages of Owning a German Shepherd DogThe German Shepherd is a beautiful and noble dog breed, but there are some factors you should consider before purchasing or adopting one. Here are the advantages and disadvantag...
10 Reasons You Do NOT Want a German Shepherd DogHere are ten reasons to consider why the German Shepherd might NOT be the best dog for you.- Learn How to Crate Train Your German Shepherd the Right WayBringing a new dog into your household is very much like bringing a new child into the family. Like a child, a dog needs a great deal of structure and guidance initially.
- Life with a German Shepherd/Chow PuppyA personal account of the characteristics of a German Shepherd/Chow hybrid dog.
- Breed Bans May Affect Your Dog: It's Not Just About Pitbulls and Rottweilers
- The Akita Inu: A Japanese Breed
- Akitas -- the Breed I Can't Live Without
- Groups of Dog Breeds
- German Shepherd Dogs - Intelligent, Loyal, Affectionate
- Adopting a German Shepherd Dog: What to Expect
- German Shepherd Dogs: What You Need to Know
- The Akita Shepherd is half Akita Inu and half German Shepherd dog.
- Akita Shepherds are smaller than Akita Inus and still good protector dogs.
- Akita Shepherds are designer dogs, not a pure breed.
18 Comments
Post a CommentAnd don't forget... they LOOOVE to play. I have a 5 year old named Gus (short for Gustov) and that's all he ever thinks about, hahaha!
About a month a ago I rescued and adopted a 2 year old Akita Shepherd for my widowed mother who lives alone. His size made my mom nervous at first, but instantly he became a protector to her and my family which includes 3 children. He loves to play with his rubber ducky and ball, and he is an absolute clown for attention (he walks on 2 legs to get a laugh from my kids). He's absolutely the best dog ever. I am not a dog person, but I love this Akita Shepherd! He's a house dog, and responds well when we say no! He's loyal, loving, fun, protective, and just overall great!! Akita Shepherds will be the breed I will go to when I get a dog for my household!
Only just came across this today,i adopted mine here in the uk, he was found wandering the streets of coventry, west midlands , i dont know if he had been let free or escaped as he was a houdini when i first had him. The police "arrested" him for fighting with another dog :-) , no history was known and they guessed his age to be around 16 months. Well hooch will be 5 this year and has gone from strength to strength, theres been days when ive felt like strangling him, coming home to a wrecked settee and all the blinds i had , bless him, but now hes settled and turned into a wonderful family friend, and my best buddy . The only issues he has is his recall and yes aggression towards some other dogs. But ive learned to manage these apart from being able to trust him to come back because of his high prey drive . They are a fantastic mix .
Thank you! I hope you continue to enjoy your Akita Shepherd. Just remember to keep her busy; they need plenty of exercise in order to be focused enough to learn what you want to teach them. They're very smart, and they WANT to learn -- but don't let them get away with that stubborn streak. You and your husband are the pack leaders, and the dog needs to know that. They are wonderful, lovable, loyal, and protective dogs, who'll love you through their entire lifetime. The dog is lucky to have you -- but you're lucky to have her, too!
What an informative article. My husband got an akita shepherd off craigslist and she is a wonderful dog. I have been doing research on her and your article came up. Your article was very interesting and answered alot of questions I had.
Thank You
Not a ramble, Brett, but some important comments. People really need to undrstand that there are no bad breeds, just bad or naive owners. You have to know what you're doing when you bring home a large, intelligent dog. Treat them with love and respect, give them something to do, and you'll have a loving family member. Akita shepherds learn very quickly, and they enjoy learning. Agility is great, but I hear you about the cost! If you can do it at home, go for it. It will keep her happy and strengthen your bond with her. And thank you for saying pit bulls are a good breed -- people only see the ones who have been trained to be vicious. You can train a dog to do almost anything, and in the wrong hands, that's a bad thing. Raised properly pit bulls can be great family dogs too. They aren't innately aggressive or vicious; that was in their training and how they were treated. Most dogs just want to be loved. And fed...
We got out akita sheperd mix by accident. Somebody dumped her a few months back and my husband was convinced she was malinois sheperd, we sent her DNA in a discovered she is Akita / sheperd mix. She has done obediance and now is learning agility, very bright but also very sensitive. When she is scolded she knows it, smart is an understatement. I believe we will try some other sport as the classes are expensive, and I can do the work at home. She loves our heeler mix, and plays well with her.
Lee you are right about the breed, it's not the breed, it's the owner that makes the dog agressive. We used to show AKC, UKC, ARBA, and FCI German shows. The "pitbull" breed here in the US are a good breed and never had any problems with them at the shows, very well mannered and NOT aggressive.
Sorry about the rambeling.
You're welcome, Matt. My first "Akita" was an Akita Shepherd, and she was the most wonderful, intelligent, friendly, dog -- good with children, babies on up, protective of small children (almost maternal), and a beautiful dog with excellent manners. Also very easy to train, once I convinced her (about two days after she came to my home) that I really was the Alpha in our little pack. That never changed, even though she was a big strong dog. Protective but never, ever aggressive, and a gentle response to provocation. IMO they are great dogs -- but they need good owners like you, too.
Excellent Article! I have an Akita Shepherd that I adopted from the SPCA and he is one of the best behaved, easy to train dogs. He is very loving to us and our 3 kids. We got him when my oldest son was 7 months (he is now 7y). the dog was very accepting when we had 2 more children. Everybody who meets our dog is taken away with his beauty and manners. The Akita Shepherd, in my experience is a fantastic dog.
L Lee Scott, thank you for this article, I wish there was a way to save it
Another mix breed I didn't know is now fashionable. I too think it's dumb when there are so many dogs out there now that need good homes. I will say that the photos I seen of this breed show a beautiful dog. Years ago my dad has an akita/chow mix, she was a gentle and nice looking dog. dog.