Fun Akita Shepherd Facts For Kids

Akita Shepherds are also known as "Shepkita" and this hybrid is registered with the International Designer Canine Registry under that name. This enormous breed, Shepkita is a cross between a German Shepherd and an Akita. Compared to anywhere else on the planet, it is a more popular designer dog in the United States. They have a severe and aggressive demeanor, but are also brave, making them an excellent working dog as well as a companion. Because the Akita Shepherd dog is a hybrid, they will have a mix of paternal and mother breeds, which will impact their appearance and disposition.

Akita Shepherds are bold and intelligent. These dogs are usually incredibly devoted and loyal to their owners and go to great lengths to please them. They are calm and silent but always on the lookout. Shepkitas are good working dogs and have a strong instinct to guard their home and family.

These dogs require a moderate to a high level of upkeep. They require many exercises and are not easy to train. This dog breed is also one of the best to acquire if you want a powerful dog with few health problems. Hip dysplasia is one issue that can arise, so make sure your dog has frequent check-ups.

For more relatable content, check out these Basenji dog facts and German Shepherd facts for kids.

What type of animal is an Akita Shepherd?

Akitas are powerful, double-coated high-energy dogs with a long history in Japan. They are known for their dignity, bravery, and loyalty. In addition, these breeds are revered as family protectors and emblems of good health, happiness, and long life in their homeland.

What class of animal does an Akita Shepherd belong to?

Akita German Shepherd is a high-energy dog that belongs to kingdom Animalia and class Mammalia. These personal protection dogs require sufficient exercise through long walks and training.  

How many Akita Shepherds are there in the world?

Information on this is not available.

Where does an Akita Shepherd live?

Shepkita is ideally suited to larger houses or homes due to its high levels of energy. They may, however, live in a relatively sized apartment if one has the opportunity to take dogs outside for a few hours each day to play and wander.

What is an Akita Shepherd's habitat?

Because the Shepherds Akita dog has so much energy, they prefer rural or suburban areas where they can explore and run around in broad swaths of terrain. The dog can live in various conditions, from hot to cold, and can even be an outdoor dog, though in extreme temperatures and at night, they should be brought indoors.

Who does Akita Shepherd live with?

Akita Shepherds are considered loyal, diligent, and protective dogs, attributes they get from both of their parents. This is why they make excellent pets for families and are good with children. They're generally laid-back when they're with their owners, but outsiders might make them stand-offish or even belligerent. They are naturally protective, but with proper training and socialization, can help us in search and rescue operations. These dogs are also incredibly active and require a great deal of physical and mental stimulation to be happy.

Akitas are obedient, peaceful, and high-energy dogs. Akitas, who are wary of strangers and frequently intolerant of other animals become aggressive, will happily express their funny, cuddly side with family and friends. They thrive in the company of humans. The Akita, a huge, independent-thinking dog, is hardwired to protect those they care about.

How long does an Akita Shepherd live?

The average Shepherd Akita has a lifespan of 10 - 13 years. They may be prone to health issues like hip or elbow dysplasia, dry eye, and heart defects.  

How do they reproduce?

As you may expect from its name, an Akita German Shepherd is a cross of two high-energy dog breeds: the Akita Inu and the German Shepherd. They can reproduce twice a year.

What is their conservation status?

In the United States, after the World War, the population of these dogs exploded. Akita is regarded as a national treasure in Japan, symbolizing protection, health, happiness, and longevity. Shepherd dogs were initially created to herd sheep in Germany, but they have subsequently been used for several duties. While Akita Shepherds may have existed naturally through time, it is thought that breeders began making them in the '50s, after Akitas were brought to the United States from Japan. Breeders intended to mix the Akita's stoic, protective temperament with the German Shepherd's loyalty. They continued to breed Akita Shepherds as the breed's popularity grew.

German Shepherd Akita is still the most common dog breed in America and is not considered endangered species. Even though the Akita Shepherd was developed as a designer breed, some have ended up in shelters or the hands of rescue organizations.

What do Akita Shepherds look like?

They have a slightly smaller head than that of an Akita dog but marginally larger than that of a German Shepherd. They have a thin and short nose and strong teeth, a large black nose, almond-shaped brown eyes, and sharp erect ears. Their body is huge, thick, and robust, with a broad chest and muscular forequarters. The tail is curved, and the feet are huge. Black, tan, golden, brown, sable, spotted, white, speckled, and brindle are some of their common hues. It has a dense, medium-length, thick coat.

*Please note that this is an image of a German Shepherd, one of the parent breeds of the Akita Shepherd. If you have an image of an Akita Shepherd please let us know at [email protected]

How cute are they?

Akita Shepard is considered cute when young with a heavy coat and curvy tail. Grooming them can be difficult for those with allergies.

How do they communicate?

The Akita Shepherd is a breed with a high level of intelligence that thrives on constant stimulus. They may, however, be obstinate or unwilling to let you be the dominating partner in the relationship. Because Akita Shepherds have natural guarding instincts, they don't need to be encouraged to be aggressive, and they don't profit from inadequate training.

How big is an Akita Shepherd?

The Akita Shepherd is a new mixed breed, a mix of Akita and German Shepherd parents- therefore, they expect them to be on the larger side- there are limited size criteria. However, the majority are between 24-28 in (61-71.1 cm) tall at the shoulder.

How fast can an Akita Shepherd run?

Akitas have been utilized in a variety of capacities, including military and law enforcement services. They've also been employed for guarding, fighting, bear and deer hunting, and sled hauling. Such jobs necessitate an energetic and active dog.

Like their wolf predecessor, original Akitas could run for kilometers in quest of the game- they were raised and habituated to it. Wolves used to be able to sprint for more than 60 mi (96.6 km) in pursuit of food, but today's wolves only traverse around half that distance in a day. Akita Shepherds have the stamina to exercise and train in a modest manner. It's said to be an athletic species that gets tired quickly and enjoys relaxing. A healthy Akita (mix breed) will run with you for a mile or two when fed enough food. However, there's a significant probability that they won't be interested in the longer run. In addition, the dog's thick coat makes it difficult for them to run for lengthy periods in hot weather.

How much does an Akita Shepherd weigh?

Akita Sherperd's, mix breed weight varies greatly, with adult females weighing 75-110 lb (34-50 kg) and males weighing 75-120 lb (34-54.4 kg). No matter what breed, maintaining a healthy weight is critical. Because Akita Shepherds are prone to gaining weight, a meal rich in biologically suitable protein and healthy fats and ground bone is preferred. Additionally, vegetables rich in vitamins and minerals is also vital for maximum health and performance.

What are their male and female names of the species?

The male Akita Shepherd is called a dog while the female is known as bitch.

What would you call a baby Akita Shepherd?

A baby Akita Shepherd is known as a Shepkita puppy.

What do they eat?

This huge mixed-breed dog has a voracious appetite to match. Depending on their age, activity level and nutritional requirements might range from 2.5-6 cups of food each day. This can be divided into two meals, may vary if diagnosed with hip dysplasia.

Fish, sea plants, and rice were once fed food to Akita Shepherds. Akitas are allergic to corn.  However, supplements such as the 10 in 1 Dog Multivitamin are now available to give them the nutrients they require. Meat is the most acceptable food source of protein for these dogs. It can be a firm and consistent meal, but they can also be fed vegetables to receive the vitamins and minerals they need. However, dogs will be healthy and content if you offer them high-quality dry dog food.

Are they hypo allergic?

The Akita Shepherd dog sheds a lot of hair and will need to be subjected to grooming frequently to eliminate the excess hair. Allergy sufferers should avoid it at all costs as even good grooming won't protect you from coat shedding.

Allergies to dog coat hair are a prominent cause of health issues. This chronic condition affects around 60 million Americans and over 700 million globally and is commonly referred to as hay fever. A major number of people are not allergic to dog fur. Instead, they're allergic to the dog's dander (skin flakes) or saliva. However, hair indeed has a role. According to some research, children exposed to pets early in life are less likely to develop dog or cat allergies later in life. However, bringing an Akita Shepherd into your house would not be helpful if your child already has a dog allergy.

Would they make a good pet?

Akita Shepherds are incredibly devoted, affectionate, loyal, and protective of their owners, making the breed an excellent choice for a family companion. However, before engaging with your Akita Shepherd dog, small children should learn how to play with these large dogs appropriately. An even-tempered Akita Shepherd can be an excellent personal protection companion for young children if proper training is given.

Akita Shepherds can get along with other pets if introduced carefully and calmly, and early socialization and consistent training will help this go quickly. Positive reinforcement must be used to train and exercise them. These dogs can become friends with other dogs if well trained. Small animals like cats may have a predatory drive, but adequate socialization can help avoid undesired tendencies.

Grooming them can be difficult for those with allergies.

Did you know...

The Akita dog is a member of the Working Dog breed category, which includes the following parent breeds: Alaskan Malamute, Bernese Mountain Dog, Doberman Pinscher, Great Pyrenees, Komondor, Kuvasz, Mastiff, Standard Schnauzer, and Siberian Husky.

The 'Working Dog' breed is known for its physical prowess and ability to pull sleds and carts and its unique capacity to protect enterprises and property. The Akita is also a great rescue dog, saving people from drowning or rescuing them from rugged terrain, protective, and strict with work ethic.

During World War II, the large dog breed with strong prey drive, Akita, was crossed with German Shepherds so that they could be saved from the government order to cull non-military dog breeds.

Is an Akita bigger than a German Shepherd?

Both Akitas and German Shepherds are huge, distinctive-looking dogs, who are naturally protective and loyal to their owners. German Shepherd dogs are shorter and lighter than Akitas. Female Akita Inu stand 23.6-26 in (60-66 cm) tall and weigh 68.3-108 lb (31-49 kg), while male Akitas are 26-28 in (66-71 cm) tall and weigh 83.8-127.9 lb (38-58 kg). Whereas, male German Shepherds stand 24-26.4 in (61-67 cm) tall and female German Shepherds stand 21.7-24 in (55-61 cm) tall, with both male and female German Shepherds weighing 75-97 lb (34-44 kg).

What is another name of Akita shepherd?

Akita Shepherd dogs are also known as Shepkita.

Here at Kidadl, we have carefully created lots of interesting family-friendly animal facts for everyone to discover! For more relatable content, check out these least chipmunk facts and Dutch Shepherd facts pages.

You can even occupy yourself at home by coloring in one of our Akita Shepherd coloring pages.