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The Akita Great Dane mix is a unique combination, and they are pretty rare. We’ve covered everything from their beauty and behavior to their health and care in the sections below, so make sure you read till the end to discover all the aspects of this exceptional breed!
What is an Akita Great Dane mix?
Because they are a cross between the Akita and the Great Dane, the Akita Great Dane mix frequently inherits the best traits from both breeds. While the Akita is an aggressive dog, the Great Dane is known as a gentle friend.
However, they are not a good fit for everyone or every family, so there are a few things you need to know about this mixed breed before bringing them home. Read on to find out!
History
The Akita is a thousand-year-old breed from Japan. They were initially used for hunting and guard duty in the mountains of northern Japan. When Helen Keller visited Japan in 1937, she received a dog as a gift and brought the first Akita to the United States.
The Great Dane, also known as the Apollo of dogs, is a giant breed. They originated in Germany and have been around for more than 400 years. Like the Akita, they were employed to hunt wild boar and serve as guard dogs.
Interestingly, these two working breeds have opposite personalities, although they performed similar tasks. Keep reading to learn how this affects the temperament of an Akita Great Dane mix.
Temperament
This loyal and family-loving dog combines the Akita’s territorial personality with the Great Dane’s gentle nature. As a result, you will have an intelligent, affectionate companion that wants to be where the family is.
The Akita Great Dane mix is also a great protector. Although they aren’t particularly vocal, they wouldn’t hesitate to defend their family. You can expect them to bark at strangers and show bravery when you need protection.
Appearance
The Akita Great Dane mix has an athletic, muscular body. They’re generally taller than the Akita and shorter than the Great Dane. They can have a dense double coat like the Akita. However, if their coat resembles the Great Dane, it will be short and sleek.
Size
When you look at their parents, it’s no surprise that the Great Dane Akita mix is a giant dog. They can weigh between 110 and 180 pounds and stand between 26 and 36 inches tall. Most dogs fall somewhere in the middle of these ranges once they reach adulthood.
Lifespan and health
Because of their beauty and uniqueness, more and more people are falling in love with the Akita Great Dane mix. Just be aware that they have a short lifespan, around 9 to 11 years.
Although they are relatively healthy canines, like all breeds, it’s crucial to be aware of any potential parent-related issues your new puppy may have if you’re considering this breed.
Here are a few conditions to watch out for:
- Development Issues
- Hip Dysplasia
- Gastric Torsion
- Bone Cancer
- Heart Disease
Exercise
Depending on their age and activity level, the Akita Great Dane mix requires 60 to 90 minutes of daily exercise to stay happy and healthy. A local dog park is a terrific place for this pup to get some fun activities, as it will also help improve their etiquette and socialization skills.
If you’re a gardening fan, understand that your dog is also a fan of destroying the landscape. So consider it before beginning any physical activities in your beautiful garden!
The Akita part of this mixed breed has a stubborn temperament that might make training challenging. Also, their sheer size alone can make them impossible to control once they get older.
When they’re still young, it is advisable to teach them good manners and have them attend an obedience training class to provide the foundation you and your furry friend need for a lifetime of joy, happiness, and peace of mind.
Also, these dogs definitely require early socialization, which involves exposure to many people, sights, sounds, and experiences. The best results will come from consistent training combined with compliments and rewards for a job well done.
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 and grooming
The Akita Great Dane mix sheds year-round, but you can keep shedding under control with regular brushing. It also keeps your dog’s coat healthy and clean.
Brush their teeth two or three times a week to remove tartar and bacteria. Trim their nails once or twice a month if your dog doesn’t grind them naturally. You should also check their ears weekly to prevent infection.
As you groom, look for sores, rashes, or infection-related signs on the skin, in the eyes, nose, mouth, or feet. Your careful weekly exam will help you spot potential health problems of your furry friend early.
Fortunately, making grooming a positive experience filled with praise and rewards will lay the groundwork for easy veterinary exams and another handling when your Akita Great Dane mix is an adult.
Feeding
Do you want to prolong your dog’s longevity? Diet is more essential for a rapidly growing giant breed puppy like an Akita Great Dane mix than for most other breeds.
Feeding them the right food will help control their rapid bone growth and reduce the risk of orthopedic diseases.
You should always feed them high-quality food specially designed for large dogs. The amount of food also matters. You should consult your veterinarian or nutritionist for dietary recommendations.
Living with children and other pets
The Akita Great Dane, if socialized properly, can do well with children. However, this breed may not be suitable for living with young children. These dogs don’t know how big they are, so they can accidentally knock kids over easily.
You should always teach children how to interact with a dog and supervise all interactions between them to prevent unwanted behaviors.
The Akita Great Dane mix will get along with other pets as long as they are socialized early. The Akita side can make them more aggressive towards other animals. Thankfully, their friendly Great Dane genes make them much more mellow.
Puppies
Before getting an Akita Great Dane mix puppy, be aware that while they make excellent house dogs, this breed is not a good fit for a small house or apartment. They are too big and will knock into everything!
Also, they are relatively rare. You will need to search far and wide to find a reputable breeder and expect to be added to a waiting list.
Conclusion
The Akita Great Dane mix is undoubtedly a giant dog to handle, but as long as you train them well and provide all they need, they will return the favor tenfold and become a reliable friend who will always be by your side.
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