The Akita Lab mix dog is a new hybrid or “designer” dog breed that isn’t technically a true breed at all.
But this doesn’t mean the “Labrakita” won’t achieve breed status at some time in the future.
This mix may become just like the Akita and the Labrador Retriever, this hybrid’s parents on official breed lists.
The current popularity of hybrid dog breeds has sparked an intense and ongoing debate.
Owners, breeders, and scientists each have their own unique take on the pros and cons of purebred dogs versus hybrid dogs.
Read on to learn more about this debate and, most importantly, discover everything you need to know about the Akita Lab mix dog as a family pet!
Designer Dogs – What Does Science Tell Us?
The science is clear – hybrid dog breeds can bring newfound vigor (genetic diversity) to any purebred dog breed lineage.
We see this frequently in the wild when biologists are fighting to save a vanishing species without sufficient remaining genetic diversity to repopulate itself healthily.
But in captivity, the practice is not so well known or accepted.
Breeders sometimes feel like crossbreeding dilutes their hard work to develop purebred dog lines.
Owners don’t tend to be so picky as long as the pup is healthy and friendly.
This means scientists are for now the foremost proponents of interbreeding in an attempt to alleviate long-standing genetic (heritable) health issues in certain purebred dog breeds.
For example, the purebred Labrador Retriever frequently suffers from cancer, a health issue that seldom plagues Akita dogs.
Here, breeding the two purebred dog breeds together may result in a new breed that is more cancer-resistant.
The Labrakita – An Akita Lab Mix
The Labrakita dog will always have aspects of each parent dog.
But which aspects transfer to which puppies can sometimes feel more like gambling than science!
This is because there is currently no accurate way to predict which traits from either parent dog will appear in a given puppy in a litter of first generation Labrakitas (those whose parents are a purebred Akita and a purebred Lab).
But in second generation or later litters (those whose parents are Labrakitas), predicting how the parent genes will display in each puppy becomes easier.
The first step to learning more about the Akita Lab mix, then, is to learn as much as you can about each parent dog breed!
Origins of the Akita Inu
The ancient Akita Inu (or simply “Akita”) breed calls Japan home and has for 10,000+ years.
This hunting class dog works in packs and can bring down surprisingly large, fierce prey.
Today, the Akita is a permanent part of Japanese history and culture.
Interestingly, in Japan when a family welcomes a new baby, a traditional gift is an Akita dog figurine, which is said to symbolize long life and happiness.
Hachiko, the most famous modern Akita, has been memorialized in a film called “Hachi: A Dog’s Tale.”
Origins of the Labrador Retriever
The Labrador Retriever hails from Newfoundland, which today is a part of Canada.
This breed arose from a lineage of water dogs and has a wonderful swimming ability and natural love for water.
The Labrador Retriever is the most popular pet dog in America and has been for 26 years and counting.
Many families today believe you truly can’t go wrong by choosing a Lab!
Size, Height And Weight Of An Akita Lab Mix
The Akita Lab mix may vary in size depending on the size, height, and weight of each specific parent dog.
The Akita dog is considered to be a large dog breed.
Females typically stand 24 to 26 inches tall (paw to shoulder) and weigh between 70 and 100 pounds.
Males typically stand 26 to 28 inches tall and weigh 100 to 130 pounds.
The Labrador Retriever is considered a medium-to-large dog breed.
Females tend to stand 21.5 to 23.5 inches and weigh between 55 and 70 pounds.
Males tend to stand between 22.5 to 24.5 inches and weigh between 65 to 80 pounds.
For the most general purposes, this means your Akita Lab cross puppy could stand anywhere from 21.5 to 28 inches tall and weigh anywhere from 55 to 130 pounds when fully grown.
Temperament And Behavior Of An Akita Lab Mix
The Labrakita temperament can range from super-exuberant and playful to headstrong and reserved.
This is because of certain differences in the personality and temperament of the Akita versus the Labrador.
The Akita is a truly ancient dog breed that has evolved to hunt in packs of other equally large and intelligent dogs.
This dog breed is intensely loyal to the point of being considered an excellent guard dog.
The Labrador is a dog that rarely meets a stranger – everyone is a friend!
These dogs are also incredibly smart and eager for socialization but can be slow to mature (especially if your Labrakita’s parent is an English Lab).
Socialization And Training Requirements For An Akita Lab Cross
The Akita can be very independent and willful and so will need a positive, firm, steady, and consistent training regimen to integrate successfully into the social life of a family.
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The Lab also needs early and ongoing positive yet firm training to do well as part of a family and community.
From this, you can already see that your Akita cross Lab puppy will need continuous socialization plus lots of positive reinforcement and training to do well as a pet dog.
Grooming And Care Of Your Akita Lab Mix
In the area of grooming and general skin/coat care, both parent dogs to an Akita Lab mix puppy share some important coat characteristics.
This holds true whether you bring home a yellow Lab Akita mix, an Akita black Lab, or a chocolate Akita Lab mix dog.
Both the Akita dog and the Labrador Retriever have short, thick, double-layer, water-repellent coats.
Both dogs will shed seasonally (an occurrence called “blowing the coat”).
The Lab will shed more profusely year-round than will the Akita.
Both dogs benefit from weekly brushings.
The Akita has less doggy odor than the Lab, although both can benefit from an occasional bath.
So you can expect at least weekly brushing and monthly bathing duties for your Labrakita, as well as a certain level of ongoing shedding and a twice-annual big coat shed.
Health Issues Of Akita Dogs And Labrador Retrievers
The official Akita breed health statement recommends that breeders test all parent dogs for:
- hip dysplasia
- elbow dysplasia
- eye issues
- autoimmune thyroiditis
- (optionally) patellar luxation
The official Labrador Retriever breed health statement recommends that breeders test all parent dogs for:
- hip dysplasia
- elbow dysplasia
- exercise-induced collapse
- eye issues
- thyroid issues
- heart issues.
Any reputable Akita Lab mix breeder will willingly volunteer results of all required and recommended breed-specific health tests so you know the parent dogs of your puppy are healthy enough to breed.
Are Akita Labradors Good Family Dogs?
The best way to answer this question is to take a look at each parent dog’s personality.
The Akita is considered to be a good family dog.
However, breeders caution that this dog can lack the patience to tolerate the rough play and inexpert handling of small children.
In contrast, the Labrador Retriever is a wildly popular family dog.
This breed is great with family members of all ages.
Labs are arguably the most popular pet dog in the world.
This interesting combination of traits means the Labrakita may or may not make a good family dog in your situation.
The Ideal Home For A Labrador Akita Mix
An Akita Lab mix can be a good family dog in a family with older children who can learn to handle the puppy appropriately.
The Labrakita is not a great dog choice if you have other vulnerable family pets.
Both the Akita and the Lab have a strong prey drive from their shared background as hunting and working dogs.
The Perfect Companion For Life With A New Puppy
How To Pick An Akita Lab Puppy
As we touched on earlier, the first step towards selecting Labrakita puppies is deciding whether you want a first-generation hybrid (one parent being an Akita dog and the other being a Labrador Retriever) or a second generation or later hybrid puppy (one or typically both parents being Labrakitas).
Akita Lab puppies are going to be cute no matter what generation they are from!
So it is very important to make this decision before you go to look at a litter!
In general, your costs will range from $500 to $1,500+ for an Akita Lab mix puppy.
Show lineage, parent pedigrees, birth order, gender, show versus pet quality, color, size, and other traits can impact your purchase price.
Don’t forget to have the breeder show you the results from any health tests done on the parents.
Should I Get An Akita Black Lab Mix?
This is truly a question that only you can answer!
We hope the information here is useful.
Compare your specific living situation against the basic needs of the Akita Lab mix dog to decide if this is your next pet!
Let us know in the comments below if you have a favorite Labrakita.
Sources
Moskalenko, M., “Crossbred cat embryos frozen in Siberia will save endangered species,” Russia Beyond, 2016.
Bennington, S., “Color Myth,” Moonlit Labradors, 2018.
Pilot, M., “Widespread, long‐term admixture between grey wolves and domestic dogs across Eurasia and its implications for the conservation status of hybrids,” Wiley/University of Lincoln UK, 2018.
Faith, C., “Dogs That Changed the World,” PBS Nature, 2010.
Soto, S., “Breed History/Official Health Statement: Akita,” The Akita Club of America, 2018.
Kampo, F., “Official Health Statement: Labrador Retriever,” The Labrador Retriever Club, Inc., 2016.
Vicki Smith says
Our male Akita Lab mix was such an aggressive brat (not mean, but so demanding and possessive of food bowls, bedding and space) that
at 6 months his 1st family gave him up. He terrorized their 3 older dogs. My one older female shepherd just gave into all his bossiness. We had to hand feed her in another room for months. He loves people and other dogs. And at 9 yrs old still pulls when walking. Named him L.B. for little brat.
luke says
I have a labkita she is so clever she gets my slippers and fetches anything I teach her to she is a very fast learner very friendly and makes a good house pet apart from the hairs I agree with everything I just read but would say only thing I disagree with I have 3 rabbits who she gets on very well with and she used to live with a cat as a puppy so they can get on with other animals if introduced as a puppy and trained not to be too rough
Mike says
I have a black lab & Akita mix. Best dog I have ever had obtained from a shelter at 1 1/2 now 5yrs. Loyal. Athletic,great w/ grandchildren,loves to fetch and jump also dock diving dog , and never leaves my sight.
Sara Zimmerman says
We have a 10 year-old black lab/Akita mix and although he was a rambunctious puppy he has become an amazing, kind, protective and lovable dog. We highly recommend the bread. He was good with children and cats as a puppy and has become calmer as he has aged. He is quite cuddly.
j anne says
I have a Akita cross lab girl 9months old in a few days. I haven’t had her since a baby. I got her when she was 6 months old she is now 9 months, when I got her she was under weight 7.6kg had fleas and worms, wasn’t chipped even to the people I got her off said she was. Anyway she is now happy healthy and very much loved. now weighing 29.5kg 4.half stone. we have been training her since we had her and she’s still pulling on the lead still not listening properly when on the lead, when she on the lead and see’s another dog she will just keep pulling me till she gets to the other dog to say hello and try and play even if I told her no and tried pulling back but she’s very strong.. can anyone help me with any tips.
HOWARD W GARROW says
Try a no pull harness with a ring in the very ftont of the harnes hook your leash there and every time she pulls tell her easy and it will get better with time when you tell her easy give a little pull on her leash as if to shift down a gear it works well
Madam Muffins says
We also adopted an akita/lab mix at about 4/5 months old. She was feral beforehand – no socialization beyond her litter-mates (2 brothers), mange, malnourished. Lots of vet trips and medicines got her healthy but she’s very timid and scared of people even now at nearly two years old.
We’ve bought an easy leader, the kind that wraps around their nose and clips at the back of their head, for walks. It’s efficient as she’s so complacent that my children can take her out for walks around the neighborhood at 8 and 9 years old unsupervised. We’ve also begun professional training, however I’m not sure her timidness will ever truly go away. The trainer told us that Akita’s tend to be a “one-person” kind of dog and that, probably due to her isolated past, our dog seems to have adapted that trait in spades. But we’re hoping the training will give her some confidence and will dampen the fear based reaction to strangers as she’s an absolute doll and genuinely would never hurt a fly.
For Pulling – we were told to walk her in a circle and to stand in front of her to get her attention and to go over her commands – sit, down, up, come. And reward after every completed command, of course.