The American Akita is the American descendant of the Japanese Akita Inus, which came across the Pacific after the Second World War. In American breeding, they have developed into stronger and significantly larger dogs. The influence of the German Shepherd is particularly evident in the American Akitas. The strong dog with a hunting instinct is a very special animal and, with its strong temperament, needs an experienced owner at its side.
Content: American Akita
- profile
- Special features
- Nutrition
- Health and care
- Origin & History
- The right accessories
- Conclusion
American Akita - Profile
- Character: friendly, attentive, receptive, obedient and courageous
- Size: large
- Height: 60-72cm
- Weight: 30-40 kg
- Life expectancy: 11-13 years
- Coat type: medium-length straight hair with thick, dense and soft undercoat
- Colour: red-fawn, white, brindle, spotted with or without markings
- Special features: Never aggressive towards people
- FCI Group: Spitz and primitive dogs, Asian Spitz and related breeds
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American Akita - Special Characteristics
The American Akita, like its Japanese cousins, is one of the more demanding dog breeds . These headstrong and extremely proud animals require experienced leadership. However, if socialization is started early and thoroughly, the American Akita becomes an extremely loyal companion who is a true friend to its owner. Its behavior towards its own "pack" is extremely friendly and people-oriented. The animal is often suspicious of strangers and usually only observes them from a distance. Despite this, the American Akita is a peaceful animal that is not prone to aggressive behavior.
The American Akita has a strong stature and a very massive body. The triangular ears and the tail curled over the back are characteristic features. The coat is medium-length, stocky and stands slightly away from the body. The thick undercoat protects the dogs from the cold. They come in a variety of colors, with red, fawn and sand-colored tones being the most common. But brindle or spotted American Akitas are also common.
The American Akita is a special animal and impresses with its strength and proud, lofty nature. They are certainly suitable animals for experienced dog owners, but you should only dare to take on these complicated creatures if you know what you are doing. An American Akita in the wrong hands does not feel comfortable and brings little joy to those around him.
American Akita - What should be considered regarding nutrition?
There are hardly any important rules when it comes to feeding the American Akita. As with any dog, the focus is on a balanced diet. The food should tend to be high in protein with a high meat content . The amount of food should be based on the dog's age, weight and activity level. Choosing high-quality food goes without saying, but the Akita has a reputation for demanding high standards anyway. BARFing is only suitable to a limited extent for this. Biologically appropriate raw feeding involves giving high-quality raw meat and supplementing it with raw vegetables, fruit and grains. American Akitas can, however, be allergic to raw proteins, so you should carefully try out what is good for the dog in question. If in doubt, you can always discuss the diet with a vet. Also make sure to provide enough drinking water .
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American Akita - Health and Care
The Akita's coat needs a little more attention. It loses its undercoat twice a year and should generally be combed several times a week, especially during the shedding season . The shedding season lasts about 2-4 weeks and is accompanied by a lot of hair loss. In high temperatures, the dog's thick coat tends to overheat, so excessive exertion should be avoided in midsummer. Otherwise, the Akita Inu is considered to be a very easy-care and clean animal that also takes care of its own grooming wherever possible. A special feature is that the Akita does not smell strongly "of dog" even when its coat is wet.
The American Akita does not have any breed-specific diseases, provided there is no inbreeding. With proper feeding and good breeding, your four-legged friend will normally have hardly any health problems. At up to 14 years, the life expectancy of the Japanese immigrants is comparatively high.
American Akita - The right accessories
As a rule, an Akita is not interested in dog toys and prefers to go on long walks in nature. A long leash can be useful for this, so that you can let the dog run around on the one hand, but also keep its hunting instinct under control on the other. It is also important to provide the dog with its own place to retreat to. A large fenced garden is also ideal as a place for the dog to run around. However, you still cannot avoid the daily walk. So that your four-legged friend can rest after a long walk, you should provide him with a comfortable dog bed .
American Akita - Origin & History
The American Akita is a direct descendant of the Japanese Akita Inu dog breed. The dogs were imported from Japan to the USA primarily by American soldiers after the Second World War, and they established the breeding line of today's American Akitas. Crossbreeding with various other dog breeds led to an independent American line of Akitas, which differs from the Japanese specimens primarily in their size and strength. This is also due to the fact that at the same time efforts were being made in Japan to restore the breed to its original state. Since 2000, there has been an official FCI breeding standard that finally split the American and Japanese Akita breeding lines.
Conclusion
The American Akita, an impressive evolution of the Japanese Akita Inu, is characterized by strength, grace and a demanding character. With their friendly nature and loyal bonds to their pack, they are loyal companions for experienced owners. Grooming and feeding require care, while specific accessories such as leashes and resting places meet their needs. The history of the American Akita, brought to the United States from Japan, shows their cultural significance and versatility. An American Akita, properly cared for, is a fascinating family member with pride and strength.
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