Akita Pit Dog Breed Facts: History, Health Traits, and Characteristics
Table of Contents
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Akita Pit Breed Card
Akita Pit Breed Overview
Group
Mixed Breed Dogs
Height
16-22 inches tall
Breed Recognition
No
Weight
30-66 pounds
Country of Origin
Unknown
Personality
Independent, Protective, Loyal
Lifespan
10-12 years
Shedding
High
Akita Pit History
The Akita Pit is a mixed breed dog created by breeding an American Pit Bull Terrier and an Akita Inu. The resulting offspring can have the characteristics of either parent but often has traits from both.
The Akita Pit Bull mix is bred to produce a friendly and loyal companion who can be trained for protection and guard duties. In addition, some owners have chosen to train these dogs as therapy dogs.
As a result, they make excellent companions for older people who may require assistance around their homes or in public places such as shopping malls or airports, where they will be exposed to large crowds of people at all times.
Most kennel clubs recognize the Akita Pit Breed as a semi-official breed, but the AKC does not recognize it.
Cost ✅
COST LEVEL
Low End: $500
High End: $600
Akita Pit Physical Traits
General Appearance💡
The Akita Pit is a medium to large-sized dog that can grow up to 30 inches tall and weigh up to 70 pounds. The muscular body, broad chest, and strong legs are hallmarks of the breed. Most of the traits can take more from the Akita or more from the Pit Bull – there is no way of knowing.
The Akita Pit’s body has a muscular structure but isn’t overly bulky or heavy, so it can be easily moved around. The tail is carried low when relaxed but raised above the back when excited or moving quickly.
The head of this breed is broad with a square shape. The muzzle is also wide with large nostrils and almond-shaped dark eyes. The ears are erect and triangular with tips that slightly curve backward.
The Akita Pit has a thick, double coat. The outer coat is straight and coarse, while the undercoat is soft and fluffy. Common colors for this breed are cream, fawn, black, blue, brown, and brindle.
Size & Weight ❤️
Height: 16-22 inches
Weight: 35-66 pounds
Height: 16-22 inches
Weight: 30-59 pounds
Coat & Color
Eye Color
Dark brown
Coat Color
Cream, fawn, black, blue, brown, and brindle
Coat Length
Short to medium
Coat Texture
Straight
Akita Pit Temperament and Personality
The Akita Pit is a very intelligent and highly trainable dog. However, it is also very independent, which means that you will have to work hard to get them to obey your commands. They are very loyal and affectionate with their owners but wary of strangers.
Kid Friendly?
GOOD WITH KIDS
Bad Idea
Excellent Nanny
Yes, the Akita Pit is kid-friendly when properly raised.
However, the Akita Pit is a very large dog, so it should not be left unsupervised with toddlers or other small children. The Akita Pit is an excellent family dog for people who want a guard dog. The children should be taught not to overstep their boundaries with the dog.
Good with Other Pets?
GOOD WITH PETS
Bad Idea
Friendly Socialite
No, the Akita Pit is not very good with other pets. The Akita Pit is a crossbreed of two dogs known for their aggressive nature and strong prey drive.
If you want them to coexist with other animals, socialize them well when they’re puppies so they don’t become aggressive adults. The Akita Pit can learn to be good with other pets if they are raised together or have grown up around them.
Barks a Lot?
BARKING LEVEL
When Neccessary
Noise Maker
No, the Akita Pit does not bark a lot.
While Akita Pits can fiercely protect their home and family, they rarely bark unless they have a reason to. They are not yappy or overly vocal dogs, but they tend to be vocal when greeting people at the door or playing with other dogs. They can also be vocal when on watchdog duties.
Can Be Left Alone?
LEFT ALONE
Likes Being Alone
Sepration Anxiety
No, the Akita Pit is not a dog that can be left alone for long periods.
This breed requires a great deal of attention and interaction. Therefore, if you plan to go away for an extended period, it would be best to find someone to come in and care for the dog. If you leave your Akita Pit alone for more than 6 hours at a time, it may become destructive and begin chewing on things to find something to occupy its time while you are gone.
Akita Pit Training
Training an Akita Pit isn’t difficult, but it does take time and patience. You need to be consistent and persistent to train your dog properly.
Akita Pits can be stubborn animals, so it’s important that you start with obedience training and basic commands such as “sit” and “stay” right away. The earlier you teach your dog these simple commands, the easier it will be for both of you later on down the road.
Also, it is important to keep dog training sessions short and entertaining. As intelligent dogs, Akita Pits can get distracted if they find something in the background more interesting than the session itself. Use praise and treats to positively reinforce good behavior and do not punish the dog.
Akita Pit Needs
The Akita is a large dog that needs room to run and play. This breed is not recommended for apartment living. The Akita is a very independent and strong-willed dog that needs mental stimulation and interaction. In terms of overall maintenance, the Akita Pit is moderately needy.
Nutritional Requirements
FOOD MOTIVATED
Picky Eater
Voracious Eater
The Akita Pit needs a balanced diet that provides essential nutrients for growth, maintenance, and reproduction. A good quality commercial dog food can meet these requirements. It is also advisable to supplement them with vitamins and minerals for skin and coat health.
Akita Pits are prone to obesity, and their weight should be monitored so they do not become overweight.
Exercise & Activity Levels
ENERGY LEVEL
Couch Potato
Go-All-Day Stamina
The Akita Pit needs plenty of exercise to stay happy and entertained. Several walks throughout the day are highly recommended. It also enjoys light jogs and hikes. In between physical activities, this sharp-minded dog can be entertained with toys – interactive balls, slow-feeders, puzzles, etc.
Grooming Needs
SHEDDING LEVEL
No Shedding
Shedding Machine
Akita Pits need regular grooming. Weekly brushing prevents loose hair from flying around the house. During shedding season, they need more frequent brushing. Bathing is recommended on an as-needed basis and should be done with a high-quality dog shampoo.
Akita Pit Average Lifespan
Akita Pits are a very healthy breed with a lifespan of 10-12 years. Some can even live up to 15 years. However, as with any other breed, certain health issues can be common.
Commom Health Problems
- Progressive Retinal Atrophy (PRA): This is a condition that causes blindness when the retina degenerates over time. It’s not always possible to predict when a dog will get this disease or how quickly it will progress, but if you have an Akita Pitbull, checkups are important.
- Hip Dysplasia: Hip dysplasia is a condition that affects the hip joints and causes pain. Dogs who suffer from hip dysplasia often have trouble walking and running normally because their hips don’t work properly, leading to other health problems later on down the line if left untreated.
- Bloat: Also known as gastric dilatation and volvulus (GDV), it is a life-threatening condition in which the stomach twists and fills with fluid and gasses. It usually develops in deep-chested dog breeds if they overeat immediately after or before physical activity.
- Cataracts: A cataract is an opacity in the eye’s lens that causes vision loss if left untreated. Cataracts can affect both eyes but usually only develop in one eye at a time; they’re often seen in older dogs.
- Hypothyroidism: A condition in which the dog’s thyroid gland does not produce enough thyroid hormones.
- Sebaceous Adenitis: An autoimmune skin condition that results in skin lesions, itchiness, and discomfort.
- Luxating Patella: A luxating patella is when a dog’s kneecap slips out of place from its normal position while walking or running. This causes pain and discomfort for your dog that you may notice when they limp on their leg.
Recommended Health Tests
- Opthtalmogical evaluation
- Hip evaluation
Tips for New Akita Pit Owners
If you are looking into the breed, consider these tips for first-time Akita Pit dog owners:
Tip 1
Find a Reputable Breeder: It’s important that you find a reputable breeder who raises the puppies properly. They should be able to provide you with information about the bloodlines of the dogs in their kennel and show proof of vaccination records.
Tip 2
Get Puppy/Dog Products in Advance: If you have a puppy or are thinking about getting one, it’s a good idea to get pet supplies in advance. This will ensure you have everything you need when the puppy comes home. This includes food, treats, toys, collars, leashes, a dog bed, a crate, and food & water bowls.
Tip 3
Prepare for Exercise: Akitas need plenty of exercise every day to keep them healthy and happy. This means getting out there with them as much as possible to run off that energy! They make great hiking partners but also enjoy playing fetch in the backyard or taking long walks around the neighborhood.
Tip 4
Early Socialization: Socialization helps Akita Pits adjust better to the environment and reduces the risk of aggressiveness toward strangers or other animals later in life. Spend time with your puppy every day, taking it on walks, playing with it, meeting people in public places like parks or pet stores, going to play dates with other dogs, etc.
Akita Pit Similar Breeds
– American Pit Bull Terrier
– Akita Chow
– Kai Ken
Akita Pit Supplies You Need
It’s important to have the right supplies on hand when you’re caring for your Akita Pit. This is especially true if you’re new to dog ownership because you may not know what supplies are required.
The first thing is food. You will need to find good quality dog food made specifically for large breed dogs. Akita Pits are food-motivated, meaning you will definitely need high-quality dog treats.
Next, you will need toys for your new pet. Akitas love toys and chew on them more than most other dogs do, so you want to find ones that he cannot tear up easily because if he does, then it will be expensive replacing them all the time.
Brushes and combs are essential grooming tools because they help remove loose fur while promoting circulation in the skin. Use them at least twice a week to maintain healthy skin and coat. You’ll also need shampoo, conditioner, and ear cleaning solution for regular grooming.
Best Dog Beds for Akita Pits
Best Dog Food for Akita Pits
Best Dog Supplements for Akita Pits
Akita Pit Fun Facts
Take a look at these fun facts about the Akita Pit’s parent breeds:
Fun Fact 1
One of the most famous dogs in Japan is an Akita named Hachiko, who waited every day at Shibuya Station for his owner’s return home from work. When his owner died suddenly of a stroke, Hachiko continued to wait at the station every day until his death ten years later.
Fun Fact 2
Akita Pits are very intelligent dogs that can be trained to perform a number of different tasks around the house or on the farm. They tend to be independent thinkers who enjoy being given new things to play with and work with daily.
Fun Fact 3
The Akita was once known as the “Japanese wolf dog.” It’s believed that this name came from their appearance and behavior rather than any actual wolf bloodline.
Fun Fact 4
Both the Akita and Pit Bull Terrier are fiercely loyal dogs that will fight to the death for their human family members.
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