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The black American Akita is one of the most loyal dog breeds in the world. In today’s post, we’ll cover “everything” about black Akitas so you can figure out if they’re a good fit for you or not.
Let’s dive right in!
Appearance: How do I identify an Akita?
Black Akitas are a spitz breed, bred for living in cold climates. Being only slightly longer than they are tall, their appearance is balanced and reflects cold-weather adaptations needed for their original role as hunting dogs in the cold mountains.
They are large and muscular. Black Akitas have a big bear-like head, erect ears, deeply set eyes, and bushy tails that curve over their backs. Their double coat consists of two layers: a dense undercoat and a short top coat. The American Akita comes in a variety of colors, and black is one of them.
Size: How big is a full grown Akita?
Black Akitas are large spitz-type dogs. Mature males are typically 26 to 28 inches tall and weigh between 100 and 130 pounds. Females are 24 to 26 inches tall and weigh 70 to 100 pounds.
What are Akitas known for?
The Akita originated in northern Japan and has become well-known due to its frequent appearances in Hollywood movies. The breed comes in two different varieties: Japanese and American.
The noble and intimidating look of Akitas makes them excellent guard dogs. In feudal Japan, they used to protect the nobility. These canines stand for longevity, happiness, and good health. In Japan, parents frequently get a miniature statue of an Akita when a child is born.
Related post: Japanese Akita vs American Akita
Lifespan: How long can Akitas live?
The average lifespan of black Akitas is between 10 and 13 years. They have the same lifespan as other large breeds, such as the Golden Retriever and the German Shepherd.
However, these loyal dogs can live longer if they receive proper care and love from good owners. An interesting fact is that the oldest Akita ever recorded died in 2011 at the age of 26!
Temperament: Do Akitas have a good temperament?
With family, black Akitas are sweet, devoted, and playful. They enjoy having their family around and want to participate in all daily activities. They are naturally protective of the ones they care about, especially family members.
But black Akitas are instinctively wary of strangers and tend to be aggressive with dogs. So they must be well socialized with many people and other animals from a young age.
Be aware that Akita’s strong personality might be overwhelming. They are not a breed for the timid and will do best in a one-dog household.
Related post: 10 Akita Temperament Facts
Food amount: How much do Akitas eat a day?
Unfortunately, obesity, cancer, and diabetes in pets are climbing at alarming rates. Many scientific studies highlighted the health benefits of fresh foods and the dangers of various commercial pet food manufacturing processes.
Your black Akita needs a fresh meal that is optimal for the breed, age, activity level, ideal weight, and sensitivities. It needs to be balanced and nutritionally complete for dogs.
With that in mind, I highly recommend the vet-designed plan of The Farmer’s Dog. This fresh food brand offers 4 healthy options: beef, chicken, turkey, or pork.
Their meals are made of human-grade meat and veggies and are safe for all dog’s stages of life. They are also suitable for dogs with food sensitivities, picky eaters.
This brand sells food on a subscription basis. Once you sign up for a plan, they’ll help you determine the perfect meal that suits your Akita. And the food will be delivered to you within days of cooking.
Shedding: Do Akitas shed a lot?
Black Akita dogs are heavy shedders. If you want to keep shedding under control, it’s crucial to brush them regularly, especially during seasonal transitions when they will shed so profusely and leave clumps all over your house.
Related post: 5 Best Tips To Manage Akita Shedding
Grooming: How often do you groom an Akita?
In addition to brushing, bathing is also an important component of keeping their skin and coat healthy. They also need bathing, teeth brushing, ear cleaning, and nail trimming when you hear clicking sounds on the floor in their grooming routine.
Health: Do Akitas have health problems?
Although black Akitas are generally healthy, they can be predisposed to conditions such as autoimmune hypothyroidism, hip and elbow dysplasia, and progressive retinal atrophy.
Exercise: How much exercise does an Akita need per day?
Black American Akita dogs need 45 to 60 minutes a day of exercise with activities like walking or running to keep them happy and healthy. They love playing in a large, secure garden with you and plenty of fun toys.
Training: Do Akitas need training?
If you do not train Akitas from a young age or do it the wrong way, your dog will be more likely to become aggressive. So training is a must part of owning a black Akita or any dog.
You need to train your dog as soon as possible because it makes your dog more obedient, builds confidence when interacting with other people and animals, as well as strengthens your relationship.
But remember that black American Akita dogs do not respond well to the harsh training method. So it’s better to use positive reinforcement – one of your most powerful tools for shaping or changing your dog’s behavior.
Positive reinforcement training rewards desired behaviors with compliments, treats, toys, or anything else your dog finds enjoyable.
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.
Black Akita puppy: How much are Akitas worth?
The average price of an Akita puppy is $1,000 in the United States. Most puppies cost between $600 and $2,000. However, the cost will vary according to the breeder, area, bloodline, color, age, prizes, etc.
Top Picks For Akitas
1. BEST FRESH DOG FOOD
We Like: The Farmer’s Dog – Made of human-grade meat and veggies and customized to your dog’s individual needs. Get 50% off your first order of The Farmer’s Dog.
2. BEST DOG TREATS
We Like: Zuke’s Mini Naturals Chicken Recipe Training Dog Treats – One of the best-selling dog treats.
3. BEST CHEW TOY
We Like: KONG Classic – Great toy for heavy chewers like our Akitas.
For a list of all the supplies you need for your new puppies, check out our Minimal Puppy Checklist to get all the right things to ensure a successful adoption process.
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