Akita Shepherd Dog Breed

As a crossbreed, the Akita Shepherd is not an official member of any breed category, though dogs of this breed will certainly fit into the Working group. These large, courageous animals are frequently utilized as personal protection dogs. .

Some Akita Shepherd facts: they're quite large (height at the shoulders is 24-28 inches, and weight is 75-120 pounds), with coats that vary in color, length, and texture; short or medium, soft or harsh, wavy or straight, double-layered, and dense are all coat possibilities for this crossbreed. Life expectancy is 10-13 years. Here are some advantages and drawbacks of owning this breed:

PROS:

• Large and imposing
• Low barking tendency
• Intelligent
• Fantastic watch- and guard dog abilities
• Adapts well to hot or cold climates
• Playful and affectionate with family members
• Loyal and courageous
• Socializes fairly well with other pets

CONS:

• Sheds profusely
• Can be stubborn and willful
• Not suited for apartment life
• May be aggressive toward strangers
• Great deal of socialization with humans and other animals necessary
• Large size and rambunctiousness may be dangerous to small children
• Firm, consistent training required
• Extremely territorial
• Not good for first-time owners
• Can be expensive to purchase

The Akita Shepherd is often considered the "bodyguard" dog breed--both figuratively and literally. These big dogs are normally calm, quiet, and loyal--and will wreak havoc upon anyone or anything they consider a threat. With a temperament that combines the courage and strong will of the Akita with the obedience and intelligence of the German Shepherd, these Shepkitas are pictures of quiet power. Dogs of this breed, depending on how much of the German Shepherd's intelligence they inherit, can be quite intelligent; on the flip side, if they retain a lot of the Akita's stubbornness, they can be difficult to train.

Two things every Akita Shepherd owner will need: a strong leash, and a strong vacuum cleaner. Dogs of this breed are both curious and territorial--and with their strength, they will definitely need to be controlled when in public. A Shepkita will chase other animals (and will be difficult to control while doing so), and a good leash will be absolutely necessary. And unfortunately, these dogs shed heavily, so owners should be prepared to vacuum often.

Akita Shepherds are fairly active, but not overly so. Vigorous games like tug-of-war, Frisbee, or fetch will be good for them, as will a long daily walk (provided the dog is leashed).

Alert, protective, intelligent, loyal, and sometimes stubborn and even aggressive, the Akita-German Shepherd mix temperament is one of power. Dogs of this breed are affectionate and even-tempered with their human family members, and are willing to please them; they are also courageous and alert, and have very strong protective instincts. Some Shepkitas will naturally behave like their Akita parent breed and be stubborn, independent, and aggressive, so a great deal of socialization is recommended for these dogs (and the earlier in the dog's life, the better) to try and instill good behavior. But according to owners, a well-balanced Akita Shepherd is a joy to have around.

Training a dog of this breed is hard to predict although they truly do want to please you. The dog may take after the German Shepherd and be obedient and quick to learn; it may also retain the Akita's stubborn temperament and be nearly impossible to teach. In any case, canine experts suggest firm, consistent, repetitive training methods where the trainer establishes him- or herself as the absolute "alpha" leader.

One thing the Akita Shepherd will likely need no instruction for: being a watchdog. With their large size, protective natures, and mistrust of strangers, these dogs will instinctively try to neutralize any threat--and they will probably succeed.

Akita Shepherds are normally pretty healthy, but a common issue some dogs see is bloat. Others may suffer from dry eye (or keratoconjunctivitis sicca, which is a lack of tear production to lubricate the eyeball) or hip dysplasia. Some Shepkitas are allergic to corn in foods; a veterinarian can determine whether this is the case for individual dogs.