Akita Border Collie mix is a beautiful and enchanting dog breed, but not many people know about it. In this breed guide, we’ll cover everything you need to know about this new mixed breed so you can determine if this is the right dog for you. Let’s dive right in!
What is an Akita Border Collie mix?
An Akita Border Collie mix is a cross between a purebred Akita and a purebred Border Collie. In most cases, the Akita Collie will inherit traits from both parents.
The exact origin of the Akita Collie is difficult to pinpoint. But we can learn more about it by taking a closer look at the history of each parent breed.
The Akita is a working dog breed that originated in the northern Japanese mountains. It was used for hunting and fighting before being trained for police and guard duty.
The Border Collie was originally developed in Scotland and later thrived in the Scottish and English border areas. They are excellent sheepdogs and have been used along the English-Scottish border for about 300 years.
Size
Akita Border Collie mix is relatively new, so there aren’t many size standards. But you can expect an Akita Collie to be medium to large in size based on the size of their parents.
Generally, an Akita Border Collie stands from 22 to 28 inches and weighs between 60 to 130 pounds when fully grown. Males tend to be larger than females. Also, some dogs can be smaller or larger than average.
Appearance
The appearance of each dog is tough to predict because each puppy is unique and inherits different traits from its parents. However, we can get a good idea of what your Akita Collie will look like by taking a closer look at its parents.
Akita Collies will have a thick double coat like their parent breeds, so that’s why they prefer cold weather. Their coat frequently combines the colors and patterns of Akita and Border Collie. They can be a mix of many colors or solid.
Lifespan
Akita Border Collie mix has an average lifespan of about 10 to 13 years. Although genes have a huge impact, there are many other things you need to take care of if you want to increase your dog’s life expectancy.
Three main factors that affect the longevity of a dog include:
- Genetic information they inherit from their parents.
- Events like illnesses, injuries, and accidents happen to them during their life.
- Their nutrition and lifestyle.
Fortunately, our furry friends can live longer and be with us for many years if they receive immense love and proper care. Read on to know how to do it.
Akita Border Collie mix temperament
Akita Border Collie mix temperament is loyal and active. Due to the Akita’s hunting background, they could be a little bit more aggressive. However, the Border Collie’s gene might help offset this undesirable tendency.
This mixed breed needs regular mental stimulation through training and exercise. These dogs are more likely to show destructive behaviors if their pent-up energy is not released or they are not mentally stimulated.
Health
Akita Collie mix dogs are prone to the same health issues that affect their parents. The common health problems of this breed include elbow and hip dysplasia, eye diseases, sensitivity to certain drugs, and epilepsy.
As with all dogs, it’s vital to check the health history of your puppy’s parents, maintain good care, and schedule regular veterinary check-ups to ensure your dog will live a healthy life for as long as possible.
Exercise
This high-energy dog generally has tons of energy. If you want to adopt a Border Collie Akita mix, make sure you can meet their exercise needs.
Akita Collies require 60 minutes of physical activity every day. These dogs love to be with family and may want to run with you. They also love playing with dog toys because it can keep them busy and mentally stimulated.
Akita Border Collies do best in cold weather because their double coats can keep them warm and comfortable. If you live in hot regions, your dog will need a constant supply of fresh water to stay cool and hydrated.
Akita Collies are extremely intelligent, but they can be stubborn as well. They will need a firm trainer who can skillfully handle them. So you should start training this mixed dog as early as possible.
Positive reward-based training techniques will bring the best results. It can come from their favorite food, treats, praise, belly rubs, and so on. Also, keep each training session short, fun, and consistent to hold your dog’s attention.
Since it is more challenging to socialize older dogs, you should socialize Akita Collie mix puppies at a young age. Introduce your mixed dog to many people, animals, sights, noises, smells, and places in a safe manner.
Whatever your dog’s breed is, training is a must if you want to eliminate bad behavior and create the obedient, well-behaved dog of your dreams. You can choose suitable online classes from these 20 reputable SpiritDog Training courses to learn how to “successfully” train your canine using science-based positive methods, or grab the free guide below.
Shedding & grooming
Akita Collies shed moderately throughout the year and heavily during shedding season. They may not be a good fit for people with allergy problems. However, grooming them is not a difficult task.
You should brush them once a week and bathe them monthly to keep shedding under control and maintain a healthy coat. In order to prevent ear infections, you should also periodically check and clean your dog’s ears.
Let’s trim their long nails when you hear the clicking sounds on the floor. Also, don’t forget to clean their teeth at least once a week to support their dental health.
Feeding & diet
You should feed your dog high-quality food to provide all the essential nutrients they need. All ingredients should be easy to digest. Also, their food must contain a good amount of protein and no artificial fillers or additives to help them stay active and healthy.
Akita Collies are easy to gain weight if overfed, so you should stick to a regular feeding schedule and not leave food out throughout the day.
Related post: What Do Akitas Eat? Top 5 Diet Ideas for Your Canine
Children & other pets
Akita Collies are known to be friendly with children. But you still need to monitor your children whenever they interact or play with dogs. Additionally, socialization is crucial to teach them how to get along with other animals.
Conclusion
Akita Border Collie mix is a cross between Akita and Border Collie breeds. These dogs are intelligent, loyal, and active. Akita’s genes can make them a bit more like an aggressive dog. They will also have strong herding instincts like Border Collie. A great combination!
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