Did you know that there are two distinct Akita breeds, the Japanese Akita and the American Akita? What characteristics unify and distinguish these breeds? You have come to the right location if you have been thinking about adopting an Akita. Discover all there is to know about these two unique breeds right now!
Everything you need to know about the Japanese and American Akita will be covered in this post. We shall discuss the physical variations between them, including sizes. We’ll also discuss their behaviors and ancestry, which can cause you to reevaluate which breed, is best for your house. Let’s start by telling these two Akitas apart right away!
Differences Between Japanese and American Akita
The American Akita and the Japanese Akita are very different from one another. The American Akita has a less stringent breed standard than the Japanese Akita, despite the fact that they are both descendants of the same original breed. Additionally, both the height and weight of the American Akita grow a little bit faster than those of the Japanese Akita. The American Akita was originally bred as a guard dog, but the Japanese Akita was originally bred for hunting.
Now let’s examine more closely at all of these variations.
Japanese vs. American Akita Size
The size disparity between the Japanese and American Akitas is one of their main distinctions. Even though their heights and weights usually overlap, the American Akita develops slightly larger than the Japanese Akita. Now let’s examine more closely at these numbers.
The Japanese Akita only grows to a maximum height of 23 to 25 inches, but the American Akita can reach heights of 24 to 26 inches, depending on gender. The Japanese Akita weighs 65 to 120 pounds overall, whereas the American Akita typically weighs 70 to 130 pounds. The majority of American Akitas grow larger than Japanese Akitas, despite this small difference.
American and Japanese Akita differences in appearance
Despite minor changes in appearance, it is clear that the Japanese Akita and the American Akita are linked. Comparatively speaking, the American Akita comes in more colors than the Japanese Akita. The Japanese Akita only comes in brindle, red, and black colorations due to breed requirements, however the American Akita comes in a variety of tan and brown tones.
Additionally, the American Akita has a bear-like face, whereas the Japanese Akita has a fox-like appearance. The only way to really notice this difference is to compare the two breeds side by side. However, this is unquestionably one of the primary ways to distinguish between them.
Japanese vs. American Akita: Ancestry and Breeding
The ancestry and breeding of the American Akita and the Japanese Akita are different from one another, as you may have already realised. For instance, the American Akita originated in America somewhere in the 1940s, whereas the Japanese Akita originated in Japan at some point in the 17th century. This is due to American servicemen during the American occupation bringing the Japanese Akita to the country.
Additionally, the American Akita was initially bred as a guard dog, but the Japanese Akita was created as a coveted royal hunting dog. However, due to their loyalty and general suspicion of strangers, both of these canines make excellent security dogs.
American vs. Japanese Akita: Differences in behavior
If you intend to adopt either of these Akita pups, you might be interested in learning more about the behaviors of both the American and Japanese Akita. These dogs are both extremely watchful and wary of both people and other dogs. In contrast to the Japanese Akita, the American Akita, however, shows more annoyance towards young children and other animals.
These two breeds demand a strong hand and are not suitable for novice dog owners. They can be aggressive towards canines of the same gender in addition to being stubborn, and this is especially true of Japanese Akitas. However, as long as all worried behavior is addressed promptly, they are both incredibly devoted dog breeds and capable learners.
Japanese vs. American Akita Lifespan
The Japanese Akita and the American Akita have remarkably comparable life spans. The Japanese Akita, however, has a significantly longer lifespan than the American Akita due to their different sizes. For instance, the average lifespan of an American akita is 10 to 12 years, whereas that of a Japanese akita is 10 to 13 years.