Yes, Akitas shed moderately year-round and much more in the fall and spring. You should up their brushing to once a day during this time to minimize shedding.

Are Akitas hypoallergenic?

No, Akitas are not considered hypoallergenic dogs (though no dog is 100% hypoallergenic).

Are Akitas good with kids?

Akitas can do well with kids if well–socialized and trained. However, as introverted pups, they won’t enjoy children who are overly boisterous or rambunctious. They may prefer calmer, older kids.

How long do Akitas live?

The Akita life expectancy is 10–14 years. Give them a healthy diet, the challenging exercise they need, and regular vet care to help them have the longest, fullest life possible.

Akita Inu vs. Shiba Inu: What’s the difference?

The Akita and Shiba Inu have a lot of things in common—like their aloof, independent personalities and their love of the outdoors. The biggest difference between Akitas and Shiba Inu is size; it would be hard to mistake a 100-pound Akita for the smaller Shiba Inu, who tends to hover around 20 pounds and be more fox-like (and feistier).

Akita

Updated August 13, 2025

Devoted and chill, the Akita is a nature-lover who adores spending time outside with their person. A true introvert, these dogs need their quiet time and don’t love noise or crowds; they’ll bond with someone who feels the same—and loves the fun of hiking through the woods together.

Temperament

Clever, Introverted, Outdoorsy

Weight

Male: 100-130 pounds

Female: 70-100 pounds

Height

Male: 26-28 inches

Female: 24-26 inches

Life Expectancy

10-14 years

Maintenance Level

Friendliness

Coat Color

Black, Fawn, Red, White, Brown Brindle

Jump to section

Do you secretly get excited when people cancel plans? If so, the Akita might be your ideal pup.

It’s not that this dog dislikes people; it’s just that they’re an introvert at heart, and they need their quiet time. You’ll find them either happy and cozy at home with you (no strangers, please) or alert and happy in the great outdoors. Who needs a big crowd when you have each other?

Akita Characteristics

Remember: Dogs are individuals and not all dogs, even those of the same breed, will exhibit all the same qualities.

Exercise Needs

Health Issues

Grooming Needs

Training Needs

Shedding Level

Friendliness

Playfulness

Energy Level

Good for Apartments and Small Homes

Sensitive to Cold Weather

Sensitive to Warm Weather

Good for First-Time Pet Parents

Akita Appearance

With a tail curled high and ears alert, these pups always look ready for adventure (even if they’d rather curl up with you).

When full-grown, the Akita’s size can be 100 pounds or more, and their plush double coats can be solid or mixed with brindle (fur with brown or tan stripes) or pinto (large patches of color). Some even have a mask highlighting their intelligent eyes.

Ears
Akitas’ ears stand tall and alert. They’re small in comparison to their head size, and they’re shaped like rounded triangles.
Eyes
Akitas’ intelligent eyes are small and dark brown, with a triangular shape.
Nose
They have a broad nose that’s typically black but might be a lighter shade on some dogs.
Coat Length
Akitas are double-coated. The undercoat is soft and dense, while the outer coat is straight.
Coat Color
The Akita dog breed comes in a variety of colors, including black, brown, fawn, red, silver, and white. They may have brindle or pinto markings as well as masks that show off their eyes.
Tail
They carry their tail high with a distinctive curl, often over their back. Their tail has longer fur but without a feathery plume.

Akita Temperament

Quiet and dignified, Akitas are loyal pups who love spending time with their families. They’re smart dogs and fairly active, so they enjoy both mental and physical challenges, like going on long hikes together or solving doggy puzzle toys.

Despite their high energy levels, they’re not social butterflies. In fact, Akitas often feel cautious around strangers. Because of their aloof personality, they’ll benefit from extra socialization and training while growing up.

Even with socialization and training, all interactions between your dog and other pets and kids should be supervised. Children also need to know how to interact with dogs and to respect this breed’s boundaries (no pulling on their fluffy tail, please).

Similar in size and pet care needs as the Akita

How to Care for a Akita

Akitas need extra grooming when the seasons change and shedding increases, but they are surprisingly adept at keeping themselves clean. They’ll need regular training and socialization, which they’ll probably excel at (they’re very clever dogs).

Akitas are so good at keeping themselves clean that some people say they’re practically cat-like. But this doesn’t mean they don’t need any help with grooming.

Bathing: Bathe your dog once a month, unless they happen to get super dirty.
Brushing: Use a pin brush once a week to keep their coat shiny and their shedding under control. However, during spring and fall shedding seasons, you’ll need to brush your dog daily.
Dental care: Help keep your pup’s teeth in shape by brushing them daily with a dog toothpaste like Petsmile. It’s a good idea to start the routine when your Akita puppy is young so they get used to the experience. They’ll also need a professional dental cleaning at your vet once a year.
Nail care: Trim your dog’s nails once a month. If you can hear the nails clacking on hard surfaces when they walk, it’s time for a doggy manicure.

When it comes to training, Akita puppies need a patient pup parent who uses positive reinforcement to teach them necessary skills, such as how to walk nicely on a leash and come when called.

Start training your Akita puppy at 7–8 weeks of age with simple cues like sit, stay, and come. If you adopt an Akita when they’re older, begin training as soon as you bring them home.

Akitas are exceptionally clever dogs, so if it takes them a while to catch on during training, it’s not for lack of smarts. Instead, this is probably because they can be a bit independent-minded—in other words, they’ll know you’re asking them to sit, but they just might not feel like listening.

Limit training sessions to five or 10 minutes so they don’t get bored, and always use positive reinforcement—that is, training treats, favorite dog toys, and praise as motivation. Consulting a certified dog trainer who uses positive reinforcement is never a bad idea if your pup needs some extra help picking up the basics.

Regular socialization with other dogs and people is important, as is introducing them to new places (think public parks, dog parks, and dog-friendly hiking trails). These social interactions give your Akita a chance to explore a variety of environments and situations, making them more comfortable as they navigate life.

An Akita needs a complete and balanced diet that meets AAFCO standards for their current life stage (puppy, adult, or senior).

Your veterinarian can help determine the best diet and feeding times for your Akita; they’ll probably recommend a large-breed dog food formula, which can be especially important for Akita puppies. The Hill’s Science Diet Puppy Large Breed Food and Adult Large Breed Food could be good options, but see what your vet recommends.

Don’t forget to calculate treats into your pup’s daily meal plan—treats contain calories, too, and should never be more than 10% of your dog’s daily intake.

When feeding your Akira, it’s a good idea to take precautions to avoid bloat (a life-threatening condition in dogs where the stomach distends with food and/or gas). Do this by:

Offering your dog food in a slow feeder bowl
Placing the bowl on the floor (rather than elevating it)
Feeding your dog multiple smaller meals throughout the day
Restricting exercise for two hours before or after your Akita eats

Be alert for any signs of bloat in your Akita, like retching and dry heaving, pacing, drooling, and stomach distention. Take them to the veterinarian ASAP if you notice these symptoms.

Ideally, an Akita would love at least two 30-minute walks a day, but add some variety to their exercise routine to keep boredom at bay. Maybe one is a brisk walk around the neighborhood, and maybe the other is a more intense hike. Or, substitute the second walk with a high-energy game of fetch in your fenced backyard.

While it’s important for them to be active, Akitas also want to be with you—they’re actually pretty affectionate. So just don’t let them in the backyard and expect them to do their thing; they’d prefer playing games with their family.

Make sure their mind is well-exercised, too, with interactive toys and short training sessions. Once they’re worn out, they’re happy to chill.

If you’re a social butterfly who’s always hosting friends at your place, an Akita might not be the best fit to share your home.

This introvert wants a pretty quiet home, or even a small family who’s chill and calm. An Akita might not love it if you have younger children who are loud and need excessive attention. You probably see the theme by now—they really want you to themselves.

These pups can thrive in either a large home or a not-so-giant apartment, if they have sufficient exercise. And when they get that exercise, it’s important to have them safely on a leash or within a fenced-in space.

Loyal to a fault, it’s possible Akitas may accept other four-legged siblings, but again, they’ll probably be happiest if they’re the apple of your eye (aka, the only pet at home).

Akita Health

The typical Akita lifespan is 10–14 years. Here are some health issues to be aware of. 

Bloat and gastric dilatation-volvulus (GDV): Bloat is a life-threatening condition that occurs when the stomach distends with air and/or food. A serious complication of bloat is gastric dilatation-volvulus, when the stomach twists on itself, cutting off blood supply to the organs. Be alert for symptoms and take your Akita to the vet immediately if you suspect bloat or GDV—the condition becomes deadly surprisingly quickly.
Hip dysplasia: Hip dysplasia is when the ball and socket of the hip and thigh bones doesn’t properly fit. It’s an inherited condition that can be made worse if a dog is overweight, and it eventually leads to arthritis and pain. More severe cases may require surgery, but the condition is often treated with medications, joint supplements, special diets, weight management, and/or physical therapy.
Hypothyroidism: Hypothyroidism is one of the most common endocrine disorders in dogs. It can be diagnosed with a blood test, so thyroid levels should be a normal part of screening blood work as your dog ages.
Myasthenia gravis: Myasthenia gravis is an autoimmune disorder that leads to muscle weakness and affects body movements (and sometimes cognition). See your vet if you notice differences in your dog’s physical or mental abilities. Although there is no cure, this condition can be managed with medication.
Progressive retinal atrophy (PRA): PRA leads to blindness in dogs. While there is no cure, pups who lose their eyesight tend to adapt well and can still live full, happy lives.
Sebaceous adenitis: This is a skin condition that affects the oil glands beneath a dog’s skin. Symptoms of sebaceous adenitis include hair loss, dandruff, scaly skin, and skin infections. It’s treated with supplements, topicals, and medications.
Von Willebrand disease: Akitas are susceptible to von Willebrand disease, a bleeding disorder where the blood doesn’t clot properly. There’s no cure, so your vet may recommend a stress-free lifestyle that avoids places where your dog may get bruised or scratched, such as hikes or the dog park.

Akita History

The Akita’s origins date back to 17th century Japan, where they were bred to hunt deer, boar, and even bears. Close to extinction a few times, they came back from the brink and are a symbol of health and happiness today in Japan. In fact, they are one of seven Japanese dog breeds designated as a national monument, according to the Akita Club of America.

Activist and author Helen Keller, who lost her hearing and sight after a childhood illness, was gifted an Akita when she visited Japan in 1937; she brought the dog back to the U.S. with her. After World War II, some American soldiers brought Akitas when they returned home.

The Akita was officially recognized by the American Kennel Club (AKC) in 1972. Currently, there are two main types of Akitas: the more commonly known American Akita (or just Akita) and the Akita Inu, also called the Japanese Akita. The AKC considers these two separate breeds.

Akita puppies are typically anywhere from $600–$2,000. If you choose this route, pick a responsible breeder.

You can also rescue an Akita. Look for an Akita rescue organization, keep an eye out at your local shelter, or search Chewy’s database of adoptable dogs in your area.

FAQs

This content was medically reviewed by Barri Morrison, DVM, Chewy veterinarian.

Similar in size and pet care needs as the Akita

Akita