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Akita or Chow Chow? Can’t quite decide? Have the best of both worlds with an Akita Chow mix! We will break down all facts and characteristics of this new breed for you in this article.
Read on to find out!
What is the Akita Chow mix?
Akita Chow is a cross between Akita and Chow Chow dog breeds. They can also be called Chakita and are not purebred like their parents.
Akita is a working dog breed that originated in the mountains of northern Japan. Their duties in the past were fighting and hunting, but now it is police and guard work.
Chow Chow, the mix’s other parent, is one of the oldest breeds that originated in China and is known to date to the Han dynasty (206 bc–ad 220).
Akita Chow mix size
As the Akita Chow is a relatively new mixed breed, there aren’t many established size standards. But you can expect Akita Chow dogs to be large in size due to the size of their parents.
The typical Chow Akita mix stands from 23 to 25 inches at the shoulder and weighs between 88 to 145 pounds. Males tend to be larger than females.
Akita Chow Chow mix appearance
Akita Chow dogs have many similarities in appearance with both their parents. They have a roundish face that is covered with dense fur. These dogs also have almond-shaped eyes, a black nose, erect ears, and a muscular but compact body.
Akita mixed with Chow has a long and thick double coat. The colors of Akita Chows are fawn, red, silver, brown, black, and white. Sometimes their coats are solid, and sometimes it’s a mix.
Akita Chow mix lifespan
The average lifespan of an Akita Chow is between 10 and 13 years. Three main factors affect the longevity of Akita and Chow mix dogs include:
- Genetic information they inherit from their parents.
- Events such as illnesses, injuries, and accidents happen to them during their life.
- Their nutrition and lifestyle.
Remember, our four-legged friends can live longer and be with us for many years if they receive proper care and immense love.
Akita Chow mix personality
Akita Chow is independent, bold, alert, and loyal, much like the breed’s parents. This parental genetic combination makes Akita Chow Chows excellent guard dogs and companions.
Their aggressive behavior reflects their protective nature. As a result, they are not friendly with strangers and can even show hostility towards strangers if not socialized properly.
Akita Chow mix health
Akita Chow is predisposed to the same health issues that Akita and Chow Chow also face. While most dogs are generally healthy, some can suffer from health issues such as entropion, progressive retinal atrophy, and hip dysplasia.
Therefore, it is important to maintain good care and regular veterinary checkups to detect any health issues early. Also, your vet can help you develop a care routine that will keep your dog healthy.
Akita Chow mix exercise
The energy levels of your Akita Chow mix may vary. But make no mistake, this breed will need rigorous exercise to stay happy and healthy. A good starting point is 60 minutes of walking per day.
If you have a yard, only let them off the leash if the yard is completely fenced to ensure everyone’s safety.
Training this large, stubborn breed can be challenging. As soon as you bring your dog home, begin a positive reward-based training program without using force with your dog.
Like most dogs, Akita Chow needs early socialization. From an early age, expose them to many different people, sights, sounds, and experiences to ensure your Akita Chow grows up to be a well-rounded dog.
Socialize your puppies with a small group before you introduce them to a large group. This will teach them to be accepting and friendly with other dogs and people.
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.
Akita and Chow mix grooming
Due to their dense coat, Akita Chow Chow mix sheds heavily and requires a bit of effort to do all the necessary grooming requirements.
Brush your dog at least once per week to keep shedding under control. Also, bathe Akita Chow once a month to maintain the health of their coat.
Check their ears once a week and clean them monthly to avoid infection. Trim your dog’s nails before they get too long. Their nails need to be trimmed once you hear the clicking sounds on the ground.
A tough job when caring for any animal is maintaining their oral health. So don’t forget to clean Akita Chow’s teeth at least once a week to maintain good oral health.
Related post: How to Clean Dog Teeth Without Brushing at Home?
Akita Chow mix feeding
Akita Chow diets should be formulated for a large breed with high energy and activity requirements. For optimum nourishment, you should look for high-quality dog food.
While these foods can be more expensive than others, they will give your dog all the required nutrients to stay healthy. It’s best to follow a feeding schedule and avoid leaving food out during the day. Feeding twice a day may be ideal.
Children and other pets
Akita Chows may not tolerate rough play from a young child. Therefore, they are suitable for families with older children who understand how to interact with a dog.
As with any dog, you should always teach kids the proper way to approach a dog and supervise interactions between your dog and kids to prevent any bad situations.
Chow Akita mix dogs prefer to be the only pet in your house. Find out if this is the right dog for you by learning about their Akita parents.
Conclusion
Akita Chow mix, commonly called Chakita, is a cross between Akita and Chow Chow dog breeds. They are independent, bold, alert, and loyal. Akita and Chow mix dogs are excellent guard dogs and would make a great addition to a family with older children or in a single-person home.
And before you leave, check out our best new puppy resource for new dog parents below ⇓
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