If you are in the market for a great companion dog, you can’t go wrong with the Akita Pit Bull. This medium sized dog is a great companion. As the owner of one of these gorgeous, well-behaved canines, your life is sure to take a turn for the better.
The Akita Pit Bull is, as the name gives away, a mix between the Akita breed from Japan and the American Pit Bull Terrier. It is a great dog to have as a companion. It has a friendly nature and is easily trainable, meaning the Akita Pit follows commands readily. It is medium sized with a matching medium weight. It is a friendly breed, but can be good-naturedly stubborn at times.
Before making that decision to buy one of these companion dogs, it is best to know the facts and details of the Akita Pit Bull mix. After all, an educated decision is hardly a wrong one. Read on to learn about this breed’s size, temperament, habits, caring needs, and more.
- Physical Characteristics (Size and Physical Look)
- Lifespan
- Grooming Needs
- Temperament
- Exercise Needs
- Working/Hunting Dogs
- Health Risks
- Feeding
- Are Akita Pits Protective?
- How Much Does an Akita Pit Cost?
- Is an Akita Pit Right for Me?
- Best Climate for an Akita Pit
- The Attention an Akita Pit Needs
- Compatibility with Kids
- Compatibility with Other Animals
Physical Characteristics (Size and Physical Look)
The Akita Pit Bull mix is a medium-sized dog. The average size of a dog of this breed is 16 to 22 inches tall from paw to shoulder and 30 to 60 pounds in weight. The size of the dog depends on the parents but most dogs of this breed fall into these ranges.
Unlike the long, thick fur of the Akita, the fur of this dog tends to be short, taking after its Pitbull breeding, and can come in different colors including fawn, white, black, blue, and brindle.
Though maintaining the appearance of a pit bull, this mix has bigger and pointier ears and a leaner bodily physique, traits it inherits from its Akita breeding. The traits this mix shows depends on the ratio of each breed it inherits. In general, though, the Akita-Pit mix looks like a halfway cross between its two genetic ancestors.
Lifespan
The lifespan of this mixed breed is typical when compared to most other dogs. The Akita Pit Bull mix typically lives between 10 and 12 years. This lifespan, though, of course depends on the dog’s health and avoidance of problems.
As with most dogs, health problems can be prevented and lifespan can be elongated through proper care and treatment. The Akita Pit Bull mix is a low-maintenance breed which makes it fairly easy to have one as a pet for at least a decade.
Grooming Needs
The Akita Pit Bull does not require extensive grooming and is relatively easy to keep clean. Weekly brushings are enough to keep this breed’s coat free of knots and tangles. When brushing, it is best to use a short-toothed comb made of plastic or metal. Try not to use a comb with too long of teeth, especially if you are using a metal comb.
This breed has short hair, like its Pit Bull ancestors, and long-toothed combs can scratch the dog’s skin if used improperly.
To keep your Akita Pit Bull clean, weekly baths or a cleaning any time it begins to look scruffy or dirty suffice. Using tap water with dog shampoo or any special cleaner you can find at your local pet shop will do the trick. As I mentioned earlier, the Akita Pit Bull is a low maintenance breed.
The grooming and cleaning times for your Akita Pit Bull can be invaluable bonding times. Although they do not require any special or elaborate grooming and cleaning treatment, do not take this time for granted. Have fun and be sure to take proper care of your dog to ensure the best possible relationship between dog and owner.
Temperament
An important thing to keep in mind when considering the Akita Pit Bull’s temperament and personality is its genetic inheritance. Both the Pit Bull and the Akita are intelligent, strong willed dogs who like to challenge their owners at times in an attempt to establish dominance. The Akita Pit Bull mix is no different.
Any owner of this breed can easily counteract this personality trait, though, through obedience training and a kind but firm hand. Consistent training can turn this dog’s stubborn and aggressive streak into a kind and loving temperament.
With proper training from an early age, the Akita Pit Bull mix can be a great companion dog. Due to its intelligence, this dog can easily learn obedience and commands when taught properly.
It is best to use positive reinforcement to teach behaviors. Using punishments or other forms of negative reinforcement can cause your Akita Pit Bull to not obey you at all. They can show obedience and an abundance of love for their masters. They can also make great family dogs and get along with kids well.
Exercise Needs
The Akita Pit Bull mix is not a hyper dog and does not require an abundance of exercise. Like any breed, thirty minutes to an hour of activity per day is enough to satisfy this animal’s exercise needs. A brisk walk or a light jog for an Akita Pit Bull over two years of age is a great activity to engage it in.
Akita Pit Bulls also require social stimulation. One of the worst things you can do for your Akita Pit Bull is to neglect its socialization and play needs. If left ignored, this dog can act out in frustration and boredom. Engaging your Akita Pit Bull pet in interesting activities will help its personal development and enforce its loving nature and obedience to you as its master.
Working/Hunting Dogs
The original purpose of breeding the Akita Pit Bull was to make a hunting dog. This breeding purpose is evident through its eager, people pleasing personality and sensitivity to the moods of its master. It also serves as a good guard dog, utilizing the hunt dog instincts it was bred with.
Looking back on the Akita Pit Bull’s genetic heritage, it is no wonder it serves as a good hunt/work/guard dog. The Akita was originally bred in the north of Japan as a work dog and a bear hunting dog. Working in the mountainous Northern Japan region and taking on creatures the likes of a bear has given the Akita a strength and hunter instinct that is hard not to appreciate.
The American Pit Bull Terrier was originally bred to harness the gameness of the English Terrier and the strength and athleticism of the English Bull Dog. Its past is unfortunately bloody, involving such cruel sports as bull baiting, bear baiting, and dog fighting.
Thankfully, nowadays, with the outlaw of such sports in the interest of animal welfare, the American Pit Bull Terrier now serves as a great therapy and family dog.
Mix these two impressive breeds together and you get the Akita Pit Bull, a strong, athletic dog with a loving and obedient nature. A perfect dog for work, play, or companionship.
Health Risks
The best way to ensure your Akita Pit Bull is healthy and free from previous health risks or defects is to buy your dog through a trusted and reputable breeder.
A good breeder will be able to provide you with documentation on the dog’s health and clearance tests proving the dog is free from previous ailments. These documents and tests are the best way to get a clear picture for your individual dog of what health risks it could face later on in its life.
To ensure you are dealing with a reputable breeder interested in more than just the money of selling dogs, look out for a few signs.
If the breeder is eager to set up meetings with you to talk about the puppies they have available and to give you a chance to meet and interact with potential puppies, that shows that the breeder has an interest in making sure you and the puppy are a good match. Look for reviews and research the background and reputation of the breeder before making any decisions.
Finally, if the breeder has many puppies for sale on their website, chances are they are more interested in the money. Some breeders may use illicit means to breed and produce more puppies just to be able to sell more and profit more money.
Feeding
As with any dog, it is important to provide your Akita Pit Bull with a diet rich in nutrients and minerals that properly replenish, maintain health, and accommodate its activity level.
Feeding your Akita Pit Bull high quality dry dog kibble is a good basic choice. Be sure to feed it a few times throughout the day in smaller servings as opposed to one or two large servings. This helps ensure proper feeding throughout the day and prevents overfeeding.
The best way to know what type of food and how much exactly to feed your Akita Pit Bull is to consult your veterinarian. Another important thing to keep in mind when it comes to your Akita Pit Bull’s health is possible inherited allergies. This, too, you can talk to your vet about.
Are Akita Pits Protective?
To answer this, let’s go back to the Akita Pit Bull’s genetic inheritance. The Akita breed is known for being a great guard dog. It does not require guard dog training, is friendly to its owner and family, and only barks when there is good reason to.
The American Pit Bull Terrier is a very friendly breed. Though sometimes this people-friendly nature can work against them being good guard dogs, they do become protective of their humans whom they love and care for.
Similarly, Akita Pit Bulls inherit both the guarding instinct of the Akita and the jovial, friendly nature of the Pit Bull. Loving and caring deeply for their humans while having a good guard instinct give this breed the best of both worlds.
How Much Does an Akita Pit Cost?
Akita Pit Bull dogs tend to be a pricier breed to buy. On average, an Akita Pit Bull puppy will cost you between $200 and $500 USD. Depending on your budget and financial means, this can be a reasonable or a steep price tag.
Add on the food and veterinary care bills and you are sure to make a significant financial investment in this dog.
Is an Akita Pit Right for Me?
The Akita Pit Bull dog requires an owner with some experience owning and training dogs. Or at least, an owner with access to a professional trainer. Its stubborn and aggressive tendencies require experienced and firm handling, but with proper and consistent training, Akita Pit Bulls prove to be loving and caring companion dogs.
If you are willing to learn how to properly train them or invest in professional training for you dog, then the Akita Pit Bull is right for you, especially if you want a loving, playful pup who loves to bond with humans.
Best Climate for an Akita Pit
Both the Akita and the Pit Bull come from moderate climates (Northern Japan and England, respectively). Similarly, the Akita Pit Bull thrives on moderate weather.
Unlike its Akita ancestors, though, the Akita Pit Bull does not have thick fur to protect it from harsh cold so weather exactly like Northern Japan is not the best for it. Weather like what you can find in the East and Midwest of the United States is typically a good fit for an Akita Pit Bull, though it is best to air on the warmer side due to this breed’s short fur.
The Attention an Akita Pit Needs
The Akita Pit Bull is an intelligent dog. It needs regular social engagement, either with other dogs or with humans. To leave your Akita Pit Bull ignored is to leave it bored and more likely to act out in annoyance.
In addition to the hour of physical activity it needs every day, you should play games and activities with your Akita Pit Bull and talk with it if you feel like it.
All of this should be done within the proper boundaries of owner and dog, though. Be sure to not let your dog assert dominance over you, a habit the Akita Pit Bull tends to show.
Compatibility with Kids
The Akita Pit Bull is a great family dog. When properly trained, it will not try to assert dominance over members of the family and will get along great with children. It inherits a friendly, jovial nature from its Pit Bull ancestors and a protective guard dog instinct from its Akita ancestors.
Your Akita Pit Bull will love to play with children while keeping a watchful eye over their safety.
Compatibility with Other Animals
The Akita Pit Bull also tends to get along with other pets, as well, though this can be dependent on proper training. This breed is a great addition to any family with children, even if you already have other pets. With training the Akita Pit Bull can be a very obedient dog, follow any command, and get along great with children and other animals.
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Mike is the Founder of Familylifeshare. Mike is well-knowledged in marriage, parenting, dogs, blogging and committed to sharing his knowledge and expertise with his readers. Know more about Mike from here.
