American Akita
美國秋田犬
Updated 2026-09-10
At a glance
The American Akita is the large, heavy-boned type of Akita that developed in the United States after the Second World War from Dewa-line dogs brought home by American servicemen; the FCI names Japan as the country of origin and the USA as the country of development, and classifies it in group 5 (Asian Spitz and related breeds) as a companion dog. It is a broad, blunt-triangular-headed dog with small erect ears, a curled tail and a harsh, standing double coat in any colour, males 66–71 cm and females 61–66 cm at the withers. The standard calls it alert and responsive, dignified and courageous, and warns that American Akitas may be highly responsive to other dogs, particularly of the same sex. This is the same dog the AKC, CKC and Royal Kennel Club register simply as "Akita" — the catalogue carries it under both names, and the Japanese type is FCI standard 255.
Facts
| Size | Large |
|---|---|
| Height | 61–71cm |
| Weight | 32–59kg |
| Life expectancy | 10–14years |
| Breed group | AKC: working FCI: 5 |
| Role | Working |
| Coat | Double coat |
| Shedding | 3/ 5 |
| Exercise | 60–150min/day |
| Can be left alone | up to 4 hours |
| Companionship need | 3/ 5 |
| Trainability | 3/ 5 |
| Barking | 2/ 5 |
| Good with children | 3/ 5 |
| Good with other dogs | 1/ 5 |
| Heat tolerance | 2/ 5 |
| Cold tolerance | 5/ 5 |
Health
This page is general information compiled from published sources. It is not veterinary, legal or purchase advice. Dogs vary within a breed — talk to a vet or a reputable breeder about the dog in front of you.
Health notes are not veterinary advice. Conditions listed are those reported for the breed, not a diagnosis of any dog. Always consult a veterinarian.
Hip dysplasia and inherited eye conditions
The Royal Kennel Club lists hip testing under the BVA/KC Hip Dysplasia Scheme and eye testing under the BVA/KC/ISDS Eye Scheme among the pre-breeding health screening it recommends for the Akita (the American type in the KC's Utility group). Ask your vet or breeder about hip scoring and eye screening.
Hip dysplasia
Commonly reported in the breed; breeders screen hips by X-ray. Ask your vet about hip screening and about keeping your dog lean and fit.
Progressive retinal atrophy (PRA)
An inherited eye condition reported in the breed; DNA tests and eye examinations are available. Ask your vet or breeder about eye screening.
Inherited eye conditions
Various inherited eye conditions are reported in the breed; annual eye examinations by a veterinary ophthalmologist are recommended for breeding stock. Ask your vet about eye screening.
Cataracts
Hereditary cataracts are reported in the breed. Ask your vet about eye examinations if you notice cloudiness in the eyes.
Bloat (gastric dilatation-volvulus)
Deep-chested dogs of this breed are at risk of bloat, a life-threatening emergency. Ask your vet about the warning signs and prevention options.
Hypothyroidism
Hypothyroidism is reported in the breed. Ask your vet about thyroid testing if you notice weight gain, lethargy or coat changes.
Behaviour
Alert, dignified, and often reactive to other dogs
The FCI standard's Behaviour / Temperament section reads: "Alert and responsive, dignified and courageous. American Akitas may be highly responsive of other dogs, particularly of the same sex." Shyness or viciousness is a fault and an aggressive or overly shy dog is disqualified.
Dignified guardian, wary of other dogs
The CKC says the Akita is dignified and reserved but courageous, friendly to people yet possibly aggressive toward other dogs, and barks infrequently; the AKC says Akitas tend to be aggressive toward other dogs, particularly of the same sex, so extreme caution is needed in canine interactions, and their independence and strong prey drive mean they should never be off lead in an unsecured area.
Moderate exercise, serious socialisation
The AKC says the Akita is not a highly active breed — a daily jog or brisk walk meets most dogs' needs and, with enough exercise, it can do well in a relatively small home — but as an instinctive guardian it needs early and extensive socialisation so it learns to accept a wide variety of strangers; the CKC says this rugged, athletic dog requires lots of outdoor exercise.
Temperament
The AKC summarises the breed's temperament as "dignified / courageous / profoundly loyal".
Energy and exercise
Energy level is rated 4/5 (high) on the AKC breed-trait chart. The Royal Kennel Club puts its exercise need at "more than 2 hours per day".
Training and barking
AKC trait chart: trainability 3/5, barking level 2/5. Individual dogs vary; early socialisation and reward-based training are recommended for every breed.
Official guidance
Summaries of official documents are ours; the source is linked. Breed standards, laws and licensing rules change — check the issuing body for the current version.
FCI nomenclature — American Akita (standard no. 344, group 5)
FCI breed nomenclature entry with the official breed standard PDF in English, French and Spanish.
Read the sourceAccessed 2026-09-09
The Royal Kennel Club — Akita
Breed A–Z entry with breed characteristics and the pre-breeding health screening schemes the Royal Kennel Club recommends for the breed.
Read the sourceAccessed 2026-09-09
American Kennel Club — Akita
Breed overview, breed-trait chart, history, official standard summary and health notes from the AKC and the national parent club.
Read the sourceAccessed 2026-09-09
Canadian Kennel Club — Akita (Working Dogs)
Origin, temperament, activity level, height/weight, coat and grooming as described by the Canadian Kennel Club.
Read the sourceAccessed 2026-09-09
What owners say
Owner advice is quoted from public community posts and reflects those owners' opinions, not PocketPaw's position. It is unverified and not a substitute for professional advice. Each item links to where it was said.
“The parent club's FAQ says Akitas are intelligent, affectionate, quiet and clean but independent and headstrong, so may not suit first-time owners; that they can be dog-aggressive, especially toward the same sex, so two males or two females should not be housed together; that dog parks are not appropriate places to socialise an Akita; and that buyers should ask for OFA hip results on both parents.”
— Akita Club of America — Frequently Asked Questions via breed clubWorldwide2026-09-09
Sources
- [1]American Akita — FCI standard no. 344 — Fédération Cynologique Internationale (Accessed 2026-09-09)
- [2]FCI-Standard No. 344 — American Akita, 24.04.2026 — Fédération Cynologique Internationale (Accessed 2026-09-09)
- [3]Akita — Breed Information (health and breed characteristics) — The Royal Kennel Club (Accessed 2026-09-09)
- [4]Akita — Dog Breed Information — American Kennel Club (Accessed 2026-09-09)
- [5]Akita — Choosing a Breed — Canadian Kennel Club (Accessed 2026-09-09)
- [6]How do I help my dog adjust to spending time alone? — The Royal Kennel Club (Accessed 2026-09-09)
- [7]Incidence and risk factors for heat-related illness (heatstroke) in UK dogs under primary veterinary care in 2016 (Hall, Carter & O'Neill, Scientific Reports 10:9128) — Nature / Scientific Reports (Accessed 2026-09-09)
- [8]Frequently Asked Questions — Akita Club of America — Akita Club of America (public breed information) (Accessed 2026-09-09)
Still have questions?
Ask owners on the PawMunity forum — every breed has its own board.
Breed data compiled by PocketPaw from the sources credited on each entry. Text and layout © 2026 NextPath Solutions Limited. Please link to a page rather than copying it.