An Akita mix combines the gorgeous, loyal Akita with another breed. Today we will take a look at the pros and cons of Akita mixes. We’ll share the top Akita mix breeds and help you to pick the right Akita mix puppy for your family.
Contents
The Akita is an ancient dog breed that originated in Japan, where today this dog has been designated as one of seven national monuments of that country! A movie called “Hachiko” was made about one of the most famously loyal Akitas in history.
Did you know Helen Keller is often credited with introducing dog lovers outside Japan to the Akita? She has been quoted as saying her first Akita, Kamikaze-go, was an “angel in fur.”
Size, height and weight
Akitas can weigh 70 to 130+ pounds and stand 22 to 26 inches high. They have a stocky, powerful head and body.
Personality and temperament
A well-bred, well-trained Akita is loyal, dignified and has a strong protective instincts towards “their” people and home. Some breeders feel adult female Akitas are less dominant and can make better pets.
Overall, be aware this breed needs lots of family time and people interaction along with early and ongoing socialization and training to live happily as a companion canine.
If you plan to bring an Akita into your home, be sure to research your state’s dangerous dog laws before making the commitment. If you own your own home or plan to in the future (or even if you are a renter carrying renter’s insurance), first check with your insurance company before choosing an Akita mix.
Coat care and grooming
Akitas are often said to be “cat-like” in their self-grooming habits. However, they do need near-daily brushing and grooming to maintain healthy skin and coat. The Akita’s dense, waterproof, double layer coat evolved to keep this dog warm in the snowy mountains of their native Japan.
You can expect your Akita to shed year-round and seasonally. Interestingly the seasonal shed is an event some dog owners have lovingly nicknamed the “snowstorm.”
Health and longevity
Breeders should pre-test parent dogs for:
- hip and elbow dysplasia,
- patellar luxation,
- autoimmune thyroiditis and
- eye issues.
One of the biggest health concerns Akita dogs face is bloat (gastric torsion) where the stomach twists. A simple veterinary surgery can prevent this potentially fatal condition. Akitas can live 10 to 13 years.
Akita Mixes
It’s possible that Akita mix breed dogs are healthier than the parent breeds. Especially when each parent is health tested as clear for the conditions that often impact their own pure breed.
The theory of hybrid vigour is a canine breeding practice gaining legitimacy today. Purebred dogs bred to a strict breed standard for appearance or temperament can have less genetic diversity. Consequently, this appears to be causing serious health problems for some breeds. Adding fresh genetic influence through hybrid breeding programs offers a chance for improved health in future generations.
Akita Types List
This clickable list will jump you down to the Akita mix breed you want to learn about!
- Alaskan Malamute Akita Mix (Alaskan Akita)
- American Bulldog Akita Mix (Bullkita)
- American Pitbull Terrier Akita Mix (Akitapit)
- Australian Shepherd Akita Mix (Aussiekita)
- Bernese Mountain Dog Akita Mix (Akitabern)
- Border Collie Akita Mix (Akita Collie)
- Boxer Akita Mix (Boxita)
- Catahoula Leopard Dog Akita Mix (Catakita)
- Chinese Shar-Pei Akita Mix (Sharpita)
- Chow Chow Akita Mix (Akita Chow)
- Dalmatian Akita Mix (Dalmakita)
- German Shepherd Akita Mix (Shepkita)
- Golden Retriever Akita Mix (Golden Akita)
- Labrador Retriever Akita Mix (Labrakita)
- Neapolitan Mastiff Akita Mix (Nekita)
- Pembroke Welsh Corgi Akita Mix (Corgita)
- Poodle Akita Mix (Akipoo)
- Samoyed Akita Mix (Samkita)
- Shiba Inu Akita Mix (Inukita)
- Siberian Husky Akita Mix (Huskita)
Alaskan Malamute Akita Mix (Alaskan Akita)
The Alaskan Malamute Akita mix (Alaskan Akita) will weigh 70 to 130 pounds and live 10 to 14 years. These dogs will shed year-round and seasonally. This dog has a strong personality yet is playful and affectionate with “their” people.
American Bulldog Akita Mix (Bullkita)
The Bullkita will weigh 40 to 130 pounds with a life expectancy of 8 to 13 years. This dog will shed year-round and may blow coat if the Akita genes dominate. The American Bulldog has the flat-faced (brachycephalic) muzzle shape which can create lifelong health issues.
American Pit Bull Terrier Akita Mix (Akitapit)
The Akitapit will weigh 30 to 130 pounds with a lifespan of 8 to 15 years. This dog will shed year-round and somewhat seasonally. Your Akitapit will inherit strong protective and guarding instincts from both parent dogs.
Australian Shepherd Akita Mix (Aussiekita)
The Australian Shepherd Akita (Aussiekita) will weigh 40 to 130 pounds with a lifespan of 10 to 15 years. This dog will shed year-round and seasonally. Expect an active, energetic dog who needs lots of daily play and exercise.
Bernese Mountain Dog Akita Mix (Akitabern)
An Akitabern will weigh 70 to 130 pounds with a life expectancy of 7 to 13 years. Your Akitabern will shed copiously year-round and seasonally.
The Akitabern is one of the most interesting hybrid dogs in this article. The Bernese Mountain dog is famously friendly and is excellent with kids. So you may find the temperament of this pup more conducive to family life.
Border Collie Akita Mix (Akita Collie)
The Akita Collie may weigh anywhere from 30 to 130 pounds and will live 10 to 15 years. This dog will shed year-round and seasonally. Your Akita Collie will be a high energy, active dog who fares best with a job to do.
Boxer Akita Mix (Boxita)
The Boxer Akita (Boxita) can weigh 50 to 130 pounds and live 10 to 13 years. This dog will shed somewhat year-round and perhaps seasonally. A Boxita is going to be a strong, energetic dog that needs lots of daily activity.
Catahoula Leopard Dog Akita Mix (Catakita)
The Catakita can weigh 50 to 130 pounds and live 10 to 14 years. This dog will shed somewhat year-round. The Catakita will inherit the strong guarding and protective instincts of both parents.
Chinese Shar-Pei Akita Mix (Sharpita)
The Sharpita will weigh 45 to 130 pounds with a lifespan of 8 to 13 years. This dog will inherit some special health needs with the deep skin wrinkles characteristic of the Shar-Pei breed.
Chow Chow Akita Mix (Akita Chow)
The Akita Chow will weigh 40 to 130 pounds with a lifespan of 8 to 13 years. This dog will shed quite a bit year-round and seasonally.
Chow Chows are from China and Akitas are from Japan. Both have been bred for similar purposes. Specifically, guarding and protecting people and property.
Dalmatian Akita Mix (Dalmakita)
The Dalmatian Akita (Dalmakita) will weigh 45 to 130 pounds and live 10 to 13 years. This dog will shed year-round. The biggest health issue to watch for here is the congenital deafness often present in purebred Dalmatians.
German Shepherd Akita Mix (Shepkita)
The German Shepherd Akita (Shepkita) will weigh 50 to 130 pounds and live 7 to 13 years. This dog will shed year-round and seasonally. Your Shepkita will have strong protective and guarding instincts inherited from both parents.
Golden Retriever Akita Mix (Golden Akita)
A Golden Retriever Akita (Golden Akita) will have an adult weight range of 55 to 130 pounds with a lifespan of 10 to 13 years. Expect lots of shedding with this dog!
The Golden Akita is another interesting hybrid because of how different the two parent dogs’ temperaments are. For this reason, you may find the Golden Akita to be a better choice as a family pet.
Labrador Retriever Akita Mix (Labrakita)
The popular Akita Labrador Retriever mix(Labrakita) weighs 55 to 130 pounds and lives 10 to 13 years. This dog will shed year-round and seasonally. They combine two dogs with very different personalties, so watching your puppy grow will be very interesting!
Neapolitan Mastiff Akita Mix (Nekita)
The Nekita will weigh anywhere from 70 to 150 pounds! This dog’s life expectancy is 7 to 13 years. They will shed moderately year-round and perhaps seasonally as well. This dog may have special health needs due to the deep skin folds that can cause eye issues.
Pembroke Welsh Corgi Akita Mix (Corgita)
The Pembroke Welsh Corgi Akita mix (Corgita) weighs 30 to 130 pounds with a life expectancy of 11 to 13 years. This dog will shed moderately year-round. Finally, the Corgita will inherit the shortened legs characteristic of the Corgi breed.
Poodle Akita Mix (Akipoo)
The Akipoo can weigh 40 to 130 pounds and live 10 to 18 years. Akipoos may shed less than the other hybrids featured here. Your Akipoo will be smart, active and athletic.
Samoyed Akita Mix (Samkita)
The Samoyed Akita (Samkita) can weigh 35 to 130 pounds and live 10 to 14 years. This dog will shed quite a bit year-round and seasonally. The Samkita is likely to be friendly, funny, bright, active and very bonded to “their” people.
Shiba Inu Akita Mix (Inukita)
The Shiba Inu Akita (Inukita) may weigh anywhere from 17 to 130 pounds. Ordinarily these dogs live 10 to 16 years. The Inukita will shed a lot year-round and seasonally.
Your Inukita may inherit the Shiba Inu’s known instinct to self-housebreak, consequently lessening your training duties in this important area.
Siberian Husky Akita Mix (Huskita)
The Siberian Husky Akita cross (Huskita) may weigh 35 to 130 pounds. The lifespan is 11 to 14 years. This dog will shed seasonally as well as year-round. Your Huskita’s guarding tendencies may be tempered a bit by the Husky influence.
Akita Mix Puppies
When choosing an Akita mix puppy you need to first pick which mix fits with your family best. Make sure that if the puppy turned out in size, looks or temperament like either parent, or a combination of the two, that you’d be happy.
Look for a good breeder. One that isn’t just breeding for money, but that has another purpose for their dogs. Like a beloved family member. The mother should know her name and have an obvious bond with their owner.
Make sure that the Akita parent is friendly, and that the breeder shows you copies of clear health tests for both parents. Great breeders will ask you lots of questions, and expect plenty in return too. If you feel uncomfortable at any point chatting to the breeder, then don’t feel bad for continuing your search elsewhere.
When you bring home your puppy make sure to invite lots of guests over to your house. And take your puppy to busy places too. The window of socialization closes at around three months, so make the most of that valuable time to get them out and about and used to all sorts of people.
Is an Akita Mix Right For Me?
An Akita mix is best suited to a home that has experience with guarding dog breeds. You need to be committed to lots of socialization, exercise and training for your Akita mix puppy. And plenty of love and attention for their lifetime.
We hope you have enjoyed learning about these Akita mixes! Do you own an Akita or an Akita mix? Let us know in the comments below!
Find Out More
- Alaskan Malamute
- American Bulldog
- Pitbull Terrier
- Australian Shepherd
- Bernese Mountain Dog
- Border Collie
- Boxer
- Catahoula Leopard Dog
- Shar Pei
- Chow Chow
- Dalmatian
- German Shepherd
- Golden Retriever
- Labrakita
- Corgi
- Poodle
- Samoyed
- Shiba Inu
- Siberian Husky
References and Resources
- Nicholas, F.W., et al, “Hybrid Vigor in Dogs?,” The Veterinary Journal, 2016.
- Warf, E., et al, “Living With An Akita/Helen Keller,” Akita Club of America, 2019.
- Soto, S., “Health Statement,” American Kennel Club, 2014.
- Wallis, S., “Akita Temperament,” Akita Rescue, 2018.
- Coren, S., PhD., DSc, FRSC, “14 Dog Breeds Blacklisted by Insurance Companies,” Psychology Today, 2014.
- Enos, S., “The Problem with People, Not Pit Bulls,” American Pit Bull Foundation, 2017.
Leave a Reply