When posed with the question of Akita vs Pitbull, how do you know which one is right for you? This post will compare these two distinct dog breeds and explore all the aspects to help you choose the right dog.
Let’s dive right in!
Akita vs Pitbull video:
Akita vs Pitbull: History
The Japanese Akita and Pitbull have significantly disparate pasts. A dog’s history can reveal a lot about what you can expect from them as a family companion.
It is an essential part of your doggy research if you are thinking about welcoming one of these adorable pups into your life.
Akita history
The Akita is an older dog breed than the Pitbull, and they were developed around the 17th century.
This dog originated in the snowy and rural lands of Odate, Akita Prefecture, a mountainous region of Japan.
They were used for hunting and guarding purposes. They were powerful enough to hunt animals such as wild boar, elk, and Ussuri brown bears.
In Japan, the Akita is a symbol of good health, happiness, and longevity.
The Akita breed began to split into two types in the post-World War II era: Japanese Akita (commonly called Akita Inu) and the American Akita.
Helen Keller, an American woman, is credited with bringing the Akita to America after being given two Akitas by the Japanese government in 1938.
After World War II, many soldiers saw how solid and great-looking Akitas were, so they brought them to the United States. It helped to boost the breed’s popularity in the states.
So, over time, differences started to appear. In America, people bred Akitas to be big and bear-like. But, in Japan, breeders tried to maintain the original breed stats.
The Akita is described as the most faithful dog breed, as proven by Hachiko, a famous Akita who waited for his owner’s return for nine years until his death.
In 2009, Hollywood released a movie called Hachi: A Dog’s Tale that made the Akita breed famous and adored throughout the world. Statues of Hachiko are erected in both Japan and the US and attract many dog lovers and visitors.
Pitbull history
The Pitbull can trace back to the early 1800s in the United Kingdom.
They were originally bred from Old English Bulldogs (these dogs are similar in appearance to today’s American Bulldog) who gained their popularity in the British Isles in a cruel bloodsport known as “bull-baiting.”
Pitbulls were used to kill rats and fight other dogs to entertain people.
Shortly before the Civil War, immigrants from the British Isles came to the United States, but along with them came their Pit Bulls.
However, this dog has been misunderstood a lot. Today, Pitbulls continue to receive more positive media attention due to education and advocacy organizations devoted to promoting an accurate image of these dogs.
They can be seen in the show ring, in various dog sports, in law enforcement work such as narcotics detection, in the armed forces, in search and rescue, as service dogs, therapy dogs, etc.
Akita vs Pitbull: Popularity
Both are popular dog breeds, but the Pitbull is more popular than the Akita.
Akita vs Pitbull: Size
The Akita is a large-sized dog. They are taller and heavier than Pitbull dogs. Males stand 26 to 28 inches and weigh 85 to 130 pounds. Females stand 24 to 26 inches and weigh 70 to 110 pounds.
The Pitbull is a medium-sized dog. Height of 18 to 19 inches for males, 17 to 18 inches for females. Weight ranges from 30 to 85 pounds.
Akita vs Pitbull: Coat Types
Akitas are double-coat dogs, whereas Pitbulls are single-coated dogs. Besides, the length of Akita’s hair is longer than Pitbull’s hair.
The standard coat of Akitas is short hair. The gene for long hair is recessive, and therefore the long-haired variety is rarer.
Pitbull’s coat color is much more diverse than Akita’s.
According to major kennel clubs, Pitbull colors include black, black brindle, blue, blue brindle, blue fawn, red, red brindle, fawn, fawn brindle, fawn sable brindle, tan, buckskin, seal, tricolor, and reverse brindle. Meanwhile, merle, black and tan, liver, liver brindle, white or albino, and 80% white are considered non-standard.
Akita vs Pitbull: Appearance
The appearance of Akita and Pitbull dogs is very different, so you will not mistake an Akita and a Pitbull.
Akita appearance
As a spitz breed, the appearance of the Akita reflects cold weather adaptations essential to their original function. Japanese Akita has an attractive appearance and dignified expression.
They have a fox-like appearance with small eyes, erect ears, and muscular bodies. The legs are straight and strong. The tail is large and usually curled over the body.
Japanese Akitas have urajiro markings – a whitish coat on the sides of the muzzle, on the cheeks, on the underside of the jaw, neck, chest, body, and tail, and the inside of the legs.
Pitbull appearance
Pitbulls have a sturdy physical appearance.
The back is robust and firm. The chest looks solid because it is well-filled and deep.
The shoulder blades of the forequarters are muscular, broad, and lengthy. The forelegs are powerful and muscular, and the elbows are closely set.
With muscular, powerful, and slightly broad hindquarters and thick muscular, well-developed thighs, the hindquarters feature a noticeable well-filled pelvis and rump.
Tails taper to a point and have a natural extension from the topline. Feet are round, and some may appear well-arched.
Akita vs Pitbull: Life Expectancy
Overall, these two breeds are healthy. The average lifespan of an Akita is between 10 and 13 years. Pitbull has an average lifespan of 12-14 years.
Akita vs Pitbull: Temperament
Both breeds are unwaveringly loyal to their family and love their owners unconditionally.
The Akita, however, is very suspicious and naturally wary of strangers. They tend to notice them as threats. If convinced of a threat, they may show aggression.
Akitas are big but not loud. They only bark when necessary. As a result, they serve as effective early warning signals.
If you are looking for a dog that is loyal, wary of strangers, and will protect your family and home at all costs, then the Akita is a good choice for you.
On the other hand, Pitbulls tend to love new people despite their reputation. This makes the Pitbull easier to handle for first-time dog breed owners than the Akita.
Both Akita and Pitbull dogs need early socialization to ensure that your puppy grows up to be a well-rounded dog.
Akita vs Pitbull: Health
Common health problems in Akita dogs include hip and elbow dysplasia, progressive retinal atrophy, and autoimmune hypothyroidism.
Common health problems in Pitbull dogs include hip dysplasia and allergies.
Early diagnosis is the key to a long and happy life, so you should ensure to schedule routine checkups.
Akita vs Pitbull: Exercise
The Pitbull and Akita’s exercise needs are similar. Aim for 1-2 hours with brisk walks, romping in the yard every day. In addition, puppies should avoid jumping or jogging on hard surfaces.
Akita vs Pitbull: Training
Pitbull is eager to please his owner, while Akita is not as interested. So, training a Pitbull dog is much easier than an Akita.
Pitbulls are usually energetic and fun to train. Many dogs excel at advanced obedience and canine sports like agility and rally obedience.
The Akita is significantly more independent than the Pitbull and will not be as obedient as Pitbull dogs. They do not respond to the harsh training method nicely. If your training is respectful, the dog will, in turn, respect you.
The most effective dog training technique for Akita and Pitbull is positive reinforcement training. Using high value and rewards to keep them motivated, convince your dog that it is always better to listen to you.
The Pitbull is more likely to be motivated by praise, whereas the Akita prefers food.
In addition, they both need socializing from a young age, especially with other dogs.
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 vs Pitbull: Nutrition
Akitas eat more than Pitbulls. Both do well on a formula diet that contains high-quality protein.
Akitas are prone to becoming overweight, so be sure not to overfeed them. Always follow the package instructions according to their weight.
Although Pitbulls are smaller than Akitas, they have a higher metabolism, so they will not gain weight as quickly as Akitas, so you won’t have to be as strict.
Akita vs Pitbull: Shedding and Grooming
As you can guess, double-coat dogs like Akitas will shed more than single-coat dogs like Pitbulls.
Pitbulls shed consistently and shed year-round. But they don’t have the blown-coat event like Akitas.
Akitas shed year-round but will shed heavily in the fall and spring.
The Pitbull only needs to be brushed once a week. The Akita needs brushing at least two or three times a week, even daily during shedding seasons to eliminate dead hairs and keep the fur soft and shiny.
Bathe your dog once every 6 to 12 months. Trim their nails once a month and clean their ears weekly.
But keep in mind that do not bathe them too often because it can dry out their skin, deplete natural oils, and lead to scratches and irritation.
FAQs
Are Akitas more aggressive than Pitbulls?
Yes, Akitas are more aggressive than Pitbulls. They tend to be aggressive toward other dogs, especially those of the same sex.
What dog would beat a Pitbull?
Rottweilers are one of the breeds that can beat the Pit Bull.
Are Akitas fighting dogs?
The Akita breed in the 1600s was involved in dog fighting, which at the time was popular in Japan.
Conclusion
The Akita and Pitbull are both significantly different dog breeds.
The main difference between Akita vs Pitbull is their size. Akita is much larger and harder to train than Pitbull. So they need an experienced dog owner. But Akitas are better guard dogs compared to Pitbulls.
Neither of these breeds is better than the other! We only choose a dog based on personal preference and suitability to our home and family.
And before you leave, check out our best new puppy resource for new dog parents below ⇓
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