Akita: Temperament, Size, Care & the Hachiko Story

The Akita is a large, sturdy, heavy-boned spitz-type dog with a broad head, small erect ears, and a full tail curled over its back. In Japan, the Akita is revered as a family protector and a symbol of health, happiness, and a long life—when a child is born, parents are often gifted an Akita statue. The breed was made famous worldwide by the legendary, loyal Hachiko. In this dog breeds guide profile, you will find the Akita's history, the differences between Japanese and American Akitas, temperament, care, and health.

Origin	Japan (Akita Prefecture)
FCI Group	Group 5 – Spitz and primitive types (Japanese Akita No. 255)
Height	males 26–28 inches, females 24–26 inches (AKC)
Weight	males 100–130 lbs, females 70–100 lbs (AKC)
Coat	thick double coat, dense undercoat
Colors	Japanese – red, sesame, brindle, white; American – various
Lifespan	10–14 years
Temperament	dignified, calm, loyal, protective, independent
Suitable for	experienced owners with no other dominant dogs

The Akita originated from northern Japan's hunters and guard dogs

The Tohoku region of northern Japan was historically home to the Matagi hunters, who used medium-sized Matagi dogs to track and hunt black bears, wild boars, and serows in the snow-covered mountains. The direct ancestor of the Akita is the dog from the Odate region, which samurai and wealthy farmers kept as a guard and fighting dog; until 1931, it was known as the Odate dog. The AKC notes that in the early 17th century, a nobleman exiled to the Akita Prefecture encouraged his vassals to compete in breeding a large, versatile hunting dog that hunted wild boars, deer, and bears in packs. For a time, only the imperial family and the court were allowed to own Akitas.

During the 19th and 20th centuries, Akitas were crossed with Tosa fighting dogs and foreign breeds, losing their uniformity. In 1931, the Akita was declared a Japanese natural monument, the mayor of Odate founded a society to preserve the pure Akita, and the first standard was published in 1934. During World War II, the government ordered the culling of non-military dogs, leading some to cross Akitas with German Shepherds to save them. After the war, US servicemen brought back larger Akitas, which formed the foundation of the American type. The FCI separated the breeds in 1999, naming the American type the American Akita in 2006, while the AKC officially separated them in 2020.

Hachiko – a symbol of loyalty

Hachiko was born in 1923 and belonged to Tokyo professor Hidesaburo Ueno, who lived near Shibuya railway station. The dog accompanied his owner to the station every day and waited for his return. On May 25, 1925, the professor died at work from a cerebral hemorrhage, but Hachiko continued to go to the station every day to wait for him for another nine years. In 1934, shortly before the dog's death, a bronze statue of him was erected at the station; it was melted down during the war but later restored, and since 1936, a memorial ceremony has been held in Shibuya every March 8th. This story helped the Akita gain worldwide fame, and the AKC calls Hachiko one of Japan's most cherished symbols.

Appearance: a massive spitz with a curled tail

The Akita is a large, muscular, heavy-boned dog. The head is broad and massive, balanced by a full tail curled over the back. Erect ears and dark, shining eyes give it an alert expression—a hallmark of the breed. The coat is thick and double-layered, with a dense undercoat designed for the harsh winters of northern Japan. The Japanese Akita is lighter with a more fox-like face, and its colors are red, sesame, brindle, and white, with cream or white markings. The American Akita is more massive, often sporting a black mask, and comes in a wider variety of colors.

Temperament: calm, dignified, and protective

The AKC describes Akitas as quiet and very clean, wary of strangers, and often intolerant of other animals. With family and friends, they reveal their silly, affectionate side and crave human companionship. The Akita is an instinctive guardian, independent-thinking and stubborn, so consistent training for this massive and very strong dog must begin in puppyhood. Early and extensive socialization with people and other dogs is essential.

The Akita is not an overly active breed, but it does need moderate exercise: a jog or a brisk walk at least once a day. With enough activity, Akitas do well even in smaller homes, as they were bred not only for hunting but also as house guards.

Health and care

• Gastric dilatation-volvulus (bloat) – a life-threatening emergency; knowing the signs is crucial.
• Hip dysplasia – requires X-ray evaluations of the parents.
• Eye and thyroid disorders – breeding dogs should be screened.
• Coat. Brush at least once a week, and daily twice a year when the undercoat blows out in clumps.
• Nails and teeth. Trim and brush regularly.

Japanese vs. American Akita

Trait	Japanese Akita	American Akita
FCI recognition	since 1964	separate breed since 1999
Build	lighter, fox-like face	more massive, broad head
Colors	red, sesame, brindle, white	various, often with a black mask
Origin	Japan	US (from Japanese Akitas)

The Akita needs clear rules and a calm home

The Akita is a serious dog whose training begins on day one. Its independence means the dog decides for itself whether a command is worth obeying, so rules must be clear and consistent.

• Other animals: Akitas are often intolerant of dogs of the same sex, so it is best to keep a single dog or a male-female pair in the home.
• Guests: The Akita is wary of strangers, so it must be taught to accept guests calmly rather than guarding the house against them.
• Shedding: Twice a year, the thick undercoat sheds very heavily—daily brushing is required during these times.

A properly trained Akita is a loyal, quiet, and clean family member who will not bother the neighbors with nuisance barking.

Who is the Akita for and how to choose a puppy

The Akita is suited for an experienced, calm, and consistent owner who appreciates a dignified, independent dog and does not have other dominant dogs in the home. First, decide which breed—Japanese or American—you want, as they are distinct breeds with different standards. When looking for a puppy, choose a reputable breeder who registers their litters with the AKC or UKC, performs health screenings for hips, eyes, and thyroids, and allows you to meet the parents to gauge their temperament. Avoid puppy mills and pet stores, and consider adopting through a breed-specific rescue. Vets also highly recommend microchipping your new puppy and checking local ordinances, as breed-specific legislation or homeowners insurance policies can sometimes restrict large guardian breeds. We cover more general tips in our guide introduction.

You can find the smaller Japanese breed in the Shiba Inu profile, and other northern spitz breeds in the Siberian Husky and Alaskan Malamute descriptions.