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Akita Chow Breed Card
Akita Chow Breed Overview
Group
Mixed Breed Dogs
Height
23-25 inches tall
Breed Recognition
No
Weight
88-145 pounds
Country of Origin
Unknown
Personality
Independent, Intelligent, Protective
Lifespan
10 to 12 years
Shedding
High
Akita Chow History
The Akita Chow is a crossbreed between the Akita Inu and Chow Chow. The Akita was originally bred in Japan and used as a hunting dog. Then it became more popular as a guard dog because of its size and strength.
The Chow Chow is an ancient breed that was originally found in China thousands of years ago. This breed has seen many changes over time but still retains its original characteristics today.
The Akita and the Chow Chow dog were first bred together in the late 1800s by Japanese dog breeders looking for a large guard dog with the loyalty of a Chow and the protective instincts of an Akita.
The resulting hybrid was named after its parents, with “Chow” coming from “Chow Chow” and “Aki” coming from “Akita.” The cross became popular in Japan during World War II when many people needed protection from burglars, thieves, and other intruders. These dogs were also used in military service during World War II, where they helped track down wounded soldiers on battlefields. Today, most kennel clubs recognize the Akita Chow as a semi-official breed, but the AKC does not recognize it.
Cost ✅
COST LEVEL
Low End: $800
High End: $1000
Akita Chow Physical Traits
General Appearance💡
The Akita Chow mix (also known as Chakita) is a large dog breed with a muscular build, thick coat, and excellent companion dog skills.
The Akita Chow breed is a large dog weighing between 88 to 145 pounds. Akita Chow has many of the same physical traits as its parents. They are very muscular dogs with thick coats of fur and long tails.
The breed has a roundish face and large, almond-shaped eyes that are dark brown or amber. It has thick lips and a wide muzzle. The ears are small and triangular, and stand upright on top of the head.
The double coat of the Akita Chow is long and straight and protects from cold weather. The main coat colors are silver, red, brown, fawn, black, and white. You may also find a predominantly white Akita Chow, with some having black or brown spots on their heads, legs, or tails.
Size & Weight ❤️
Height: 23-25 inches
Weight: 99-145 pounds
Height: 23-25 inches
Weight: 88-132 pounds
Coat & Color
Eye Color
Dark brown
Coat Color
Red, sesame, fawn, brindle, black, brown, white, silver
Coat Length
Short to medium
Coat Texture
Straight
Akita Chow Temperament and Personality
The Akita Chow is naturally calm and gentle but can be very protective when needed. They are intelligent dogs who thrive on mental stimulation. The Akita Chow has a strong desire to please their owners and will do whatever they can to earn praise.
It is important to socialize with this breed while they are young so they do not become overly protective or aggressive when they meet new people or animals outside the home.
Kid Friendly?
GOOD WITH KIDS
Bad Idea
Excellent Nanny
Yes, the Akita Chow is kid-friendly as long as they are properly trained.
The Akita Chow is a great dog for older children, but not really for toddlers as they can knock them over by accident. They can also accidentally hurt young children if they get too excited in play or if they jump on them when they’re being petted.
Good with Other Pets?
GOOD WITH PETS
Bad Idea
Friendly Socialite
No, Akita Chow is not good with other dogs.
They are also not good with cats, although they may tolerate them better than other dogs. This is because they are generally more aggressive than most other breeds. The Akita is a very territorial dog, which means it will guard its territory fiercely and try to attack any intruders who enter it without permission.
Barks a Lot?
BARKING LEVEL
When Neccessary
Noise Maker
No, the Akita Chow does not bark a lot.
Akita Chows only bark when on watchdog duties, meaning when there is someone or something they perceive as a threat to their family members. If your Akita Chow mix breed barks frequently, it means it is either bored or anxious.
Can Be Left Alone?
LEFT ALONE
Likes Being Alone
Sepration Anxiety
Yes, the Akita Chow can be left alone.
However, if left alone for too long, it may become bored and destructive. Proper crate training and having lots of doggy toys can be helpful. However, untrained Akita Chow puppies should not be left alone for more than a couple of hours.
Akita Chow Training
The first step in training an Akita Chow is establishing yourself as the pack leader. This will help ensure that your dog listens to commands and also helps prevent dominance issues from arising between the two of you down the road.
Once this is done, it’s time for some basic obedience training. This includes teaching your dog how to sit, stay, down, come when called and even walk on a leash without pulling. You can find great resources online for teaching these commands if you don’t feel comfortable doing it yourself; however, there are plenty of books available at bookstores as well.
Once your dog has mastered these commands, it’s time to move on to more advanced training. This includes teaching your dog how to heel on a leash without pulling and how to walk next to you instead of in front or behind. You can also teach them how to stop at intersections, cross streets safely and even get off the couch when told.
Akita Chow Needs
The Akita Chow can be a high-maintenance dog as it requires physical exercise, mental stimulation, and a fair share of grooming. Also, the breed is not very friendly with other dogs and pets, and socialization can be a challenge. The dog is not famous for its high trainability, but it is possible.
Nutritional Requirements
FOOD MOTIVATED
Picky Eater
Voracious Eater
Akita Chows need high-quality dog food that meets their nutritional needs. They are prone to obesity, so you must keep your dog on a healthy weight-loss diet and monitor their body weight.
To avoid and manage some health issues, we suggest using foods rich in omega fatty acids or glucosamine.
Exercise & Activity Levels
ENERGY LEVEL
Couch Potato
Go-All-Day Stamina
Akita Chows are high-energy dogs. They require plenty of exercise daily; otherwise, they will take out their pent-up energy on your furniture or other household items. Akita
Chows need daily walks or hikes with lots of off-leash playtime in a safe area. They do best with a large yard or an active family that can spend time playing with them. Also, they love playing fetch.
Grooming Needs
SHEDDING LEVEL
No Shedding
Shedding Machine
The Akita Chow’s double coat requires brushing at least once weekly to remove loose hair and keep it healthy. In addition, the undercoat should be combed out regularly to prevent matting and tangles.
When bathing your Akita Chow, use a shampoo formulated for dogs, but make sure it does not contain any added perfumes or dyes, as these could irritate your pet’s skin.
Akita Chow Average Lifespan
The average lifespan of the Akita Chow is between 10 and 14 years. However, this breed is prone to certain diseases that may reduce its life span or affect its quality of life.
Commom Health Problems
- Hip Dysplasia: Occurs when the head of the femur and the hip socket do not fit as they should, causing arthritic changes, mobility issues, and pain.
- Elbow Dysplasia: Similar to hip dysplasia, the condition develops when the elbow joint does not function properly, causing pain and lameness.
- Allergies: Allergies are prevalent in dogs, and Akita Chows are no exception. Allergies can cause skin irritation and itching, which can be treated with special dog shampoos or medications.
- Eye Problems: Akita Chows can suffer from eye ulcers, cataracts, progressive retinal atrophy, and cherry eyes. A veterinarian can treat these conditions but require proper care to prevent further damage or infection.
- Gastric Torsion (Bloat): Akitas are also prone to gastric dilatation volvulus (GDV). This is a medical condition where the stomach twists on itself, causing it to fill with gas and fluid and making it difficult for your dog to breathe.
Recommended Health Tests
- Eye examination
- Hip evaluation
- Elbow evaluation
Tips for New Akita Chow Owners
If you’re thinking about bringing an Akita into your home, here are some tips to help you get started:
Tip 1
Find a Reputable Breeder: Choose a reputable breeder who can provide proof of health tests for both parents and any puppies already born in the litter. This way, you know that your puppy has been bred responsibly.
Tip 2
Get Puppy/Dog Products in Advance: Consider purchasing pet products such as crate liners, toys, and feeding bowls ahead of time so you have them ready when the time comes.
Tip 3
Socialize your Puppy: Socialization helps them learn how to interact with other people, animals, and environments so that they can become well-adjusted adults. You should always introduce new people, places, and things to them as soon as possible.
Tip 4
Keep your Pet on a Leash: Be aware of the fact that the Akita Chow has a high prey drive, which means that they like to chase after small animals. Therefore, you must keep your Akita Chow on a leash
Akita Chow Similar Breeds
– Hokkaido
– Kai Ken
– Kishu Ken
Akita Chow Supplies You Need
Akita Chows require regular grooming because their coats tend to get matted easily if they don’t get brushed properly regularly. A wire brush can be used on short-haired dogs, while a bristle brush works well for longer coats.
Bathe your dog as needed using a gentle pet shampoo; be careful not to get water in their ears or eyes, as this could cause irritation or infection.
You should get several toys for your Akita Chow. This breed likes chewing on things, so having something like a bone or rawhide chew will keep them busy when they want to chew on something other than their owner’s shoes.
You will also need to buy a good-quality leash or harness and collar for your Akita. More importantly, ensure you’re feeding your Akita Chow good quality food.
Best Dog Beds for Akita Chows
Best Dog Food for Akita Chows
Best Dog Supplements for Akita Chows
Akita Chow Fun Facts
If interested in the Akita Chow Chow mix, read these fun facts about the breed and its parent breeds:
Fun Fact 1
The Akita is known as “Japan’s Dog,” It is so popular that it has been designated a national treasure by the Japanese government.
Fun Fact 2
The Akita has been used in numerous movies and TV shows, including The Last Samurai, Forrest Gump, and The Searchers.
Fun Fact 3
The famous psychoanalyst Sigmund Freud had a Chow Chow named Jofi. Jofi used to sit with Sigmund during sessions and could tell which patients are calm and which are nervous.
Fun Fact 4
The Akita Chow’s ears are upright when alert but fold forward when relaxed to be used as rudders when swimming through the water due to their webbed feet, making them excellent swimmers!
Why Trust Us?
This article was written by pet parents, for pet parents, and reviewed by our expert veterinary panel. We understand you want to ensure you are only using the best products to support your pet’s health and happiness. At veterinarians.org our mission is to provide you with the most up-to-date information and resources you need on the products you buy for your pet.
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