Akitas and German Shepherds are both amazing dog breeds, but what happens when you breed them together? German Shepherds are incredibly smart, courageous, and confident. They are an extremely popular breed for multiple reasons.
Akitas are extremely loyal, courageous, and dignified. Akitas are a Japanese breed that is famous specifically for their loyalty. One of the most well-known Akita dogs is Hachiko, known for returning to his owner’s train station and waiting nine years for his return that never came.
When you mix the two breeds, you are going to have a dog that is hard-working, loyal beyond belief, and stoic. Akita German Shepherds are a combination of all the best traits of their parents before them. With both parents being members of the American Kennel Club, this mix is considered a designer breed.
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What is an Akita German Shepherd Mix Temperament?
Akita German Shepherds have a very unique temperament. They are obedient and very loyal, so they live to please. This pup will do whatever you ask of them if it means seeing you happy. The only thing they ask from you in return is some love and affection. If you are happy with them, they will be happy forever.
Akita German Shepherds also have a strong instinct for defense, making them ideal guard dogs. This trait makes them very alert, so expect some barking when they hear noises like a car door closing or someone opening your front door.
Some experts say this mix of dog breeds is prone to behavioral problems or aggressive tendencies. This will be most common in puppies who were bred poorly. They might also have the tendency to try to sneak out the door as soon as their owner opens it, so this is something that will need to be addressed at a very young age.
With two large, working dogs as their lineage, Akita German Shepherds need a lot of exercise. It is recommended to take them out for two long walks every day. You should also take them to the dog park to become socialized with other people and dogs. The dog park will let them run off energy and make friends in the process.
How Much Does an Akita German Shepherd Mix Cost?
You can expect an Akita German Shepherd to cost somewhere between $500 and $700. The cost will depend on where you are located and the current availability of the breed. If there aren’t many of the breed available, they will likely be more expensive. This is a breed that is considered designer but is sold at an affordable price.
It is possible to find Akita German Shepherd dogs from non-profit breeders or rescue foundations. There are some cases where owners surrender their Akita German Shepherds to rescues because they weren’t prepared for what the breed needed.
How Can You Spot an Akita German Shepherd Mix?
It might be a little tricky to tell when you are looking at an Akita German Shepherd mix. It is likely for the mix to stand between 24 and 28 inches tall, and they will weigh between 75 and 120 pounds. Their size will relate more to that of an Akita.
The head of the mix will typically be smaller than that of an Akita’s but larger than a German Shepherd’s. You will be able to tell when you are dealing with a mix because their muzzle will be short and narrow, similar to a German Shepherd’s muzzle. Their teeth will be very strong, and they will have a hefty bite force.
On the end of the muzzle, the mix will have a large nose that resembles that of both parents. Since both the Akita and the German Shepherd have pointy, erect ears, the mix will have the same. As for their body, it will be strong and thick. They will have a broad chest and powerful legs.
You can expect the offspring of a German Shepherd to have very large paws, even as a puppy. Don’t be surprised if their paw grows as large as the palm of your hand! It is also going to be highly likely that this mix inherits the curly tail of an Akita.
The mix pup will also inherit the double-coated fur from its Akita parents, which means lots of shedding. The most common colors you will see are black, tan, sable, golden, spotted, and brindle. This list is not limited, as the pups can turn out in a variety of different colors.
Are Akita German Shepherd Mixes Good with Children?
If you have children, it is extremely important to understand whether or not this mixed breed will be good with them or not. German Shepherds are known to be excellent with children of all ages and even enjoy their company. Akitas, on the other hand, usually only get along well with older children.
What does this mean for Akita German Shepherds? Luckily, they inherit their love for children from their German Shepherd genes. As long as you introduce the pup and the children properly, they will get along great and play well together.
You need to be sure that your child knows how to properly respect a dog if you want the dog to respect the child back. If your child is poking the pup in the eye, pulling on the ears and tail, bouncing on the dog, or kicking, it is not likely that the Akita German Shepherd will get along well with your child. Teach the proper behavior young.
Are Akita German Shepherd Mixes Good With Cats?
Akita German Shepherds will get along with cats if they are socialized and trained to get along with them from a young age. Socialization is the key to getting these dogs to behave properly around cats. It is going to be in their instinct to chase the cat and possibly bite them.
It is important to correct any inappropriate behavior as soon as it happens. You will also need to watch for signs to distinguish between play and fighting. If your pup is playing with a cat in a way that you don’t feel comfortable with, correct them immediately.
You should also supervise interactions between the animals for the first few days to a week before leaving them alone together. This will allow you to slowly introduce the pets and quickly separate any potential disagreements. Once the dog understands that the cat is a friend, they will get along great.
Are Akita German Shepherd Mixes Good With Other Dogs?
Akita German Shepherd dogs are likely to get along well with other dogs when introduced slowly and properly. They will usually show more signs of aggression towards pets that are the same sex they are, but if you bring them in as a puppy, you can avoid this with proper socialization.
Do Akita German Shepherd Mixes Have Any Health Problems?
Akita German Shepherd mix dogs have a tendency of inheriting health issues from their parents. The Akita and the German Shepherd are different dogs, but they do have some health concerns that you should be aware of before bringing a mix of breeds into your home.
Canine Hip Dysplasia
Hip dysplasia is a condition that dog owners are always worried about hearing. While it is most common in larger dogs, any size dog can develop it. The condition can be incredibly painful and will likely reduce the quality of life your dog has.
Canine hip dysplasia is a skeletal condition that affects how the hip joint functions—the hip joint consists of a ball and socket function. When a dog has hip dysplasia, the ball and socket don’t develop or fit properly, causing the two to grind together. This leads to deterioration and loss of joint function completely.
Genetics plays a big part in the development of hip dysplasia in dogs. The condition is hereditary in German Shepherd dogs and can be passed down to your pup. Not all hip dysplasia cases can be prevented, but you can reduce the risk of your pup developing the condition with proper diet and exercise.
Bloat
Bloat is also referred to as gastric dilatation-volvulus complex. When this happens, it can potentially be life-threatening to your pup and is considered a medical emergency. The condition occurs when the dog’s stomach fills up with air. The air can build up pressure and cut the blood flow between the heart, back legs, and abdomen.
When the blood flow gets cut off, the blood will start to pool up in the back end of the dog’s body. This will reduce the amount of working blood volume in the body and send your dog into shock. The stomach will then flip, taking the pancreas and spleen, cutting the blood flow off completely.
This condition is incredibly rare, and even the mildest cases can be fatal if not treated. Keep an eye out for signs that include the dog’s stomach instantly getting larger, restlessness, and whining when the belly is pressed. You can try to prevent bloat by feeding your dog twice a day. Fast eaters are more likely to develop bloat, so control the speed your dog eats.
Von Willebrand’s Disease
This disease is the most commonly inherited bleeding disorder in dogs. The cause is a protein deficiency needed to help platelets stick together to form clots and seal broken blood vessels. The protein that is deficient is called the von Willebrand factor.
This disease is hard because most dogs don’t show any outside symptoms of having it. In some cases, the dog might start hemorrhaging from the nose, bladder, or rear end. The disease is diagnosed through a screening test performed in your vet’s office.
Degenerative Myelopathy
This disease is most commonly found in dogs that are older. Degenerative myelopathy is a spinal cord disease that can cause dragging, loss of coordination, or knuckled feet. Over time, the dog’s limbs will become so weak that they won’t be able to walk anymore.
The disease is caused when the transmission fibers of the spinal cord start to deteriorate. When this happens, it strips away the insulation between nerve fibers and can result in a loss of the fibers themselves. The loss of these fibers messes up the communication from the brain to the limbs.
What Should You Feed an Akita German Shepherd Mix?
The diet of an Akita German Shepherd needs to be targeted towards a large breed with a medium amount of energy. If they are overfed, they will gain weight and be at a higher risk for bloat. Pick a feeding schedule for your dog and stick to it. Don’t leave their food out for them during the day and limit the number of treats given.
These dogs require between 2.5 and 6 cups of food per day that should be broken up between two meals. The amount of food will depend on your dog’s age and activity level. The best protein source for dogs will come from meat, and they can get the minerals and vitamins they need from vegetables.
You can also feed your dog high-quality dry dog food, and they will still be just as healthy and satisfied as they would with a fresh food diet.
How to Groom an Akita German Shepherd Mix
Akita German Shepherd dogs have a lot of fur, meaning they need a ton of grooming maintenance. With the double-coated medium-length fur, they will shed enough to create another dog. Taking care of their coat takes a lot of energy and time to keep it from getting matted.
The pup will also blow its coat seasonally. When this happens, they will need to be brushed every single day, sometimes twice a day. If you have allergies to dog fur, keep this in mind before bringing this dog into your home.
When the dog isn’t blowing their coat, they need to be brushed just once a week. With proper coat management, their coat will be manageable and soft. Without proper care, the fur will get tangled and matted. These pieces will need to be cut off.
The Akita German Shepherd’s nails should be trimmed about twice a month. The proper length for their nails is just short enough so that you don’t hear them clicking on the floor when they walk. You will also need to check their ears on a daily basis to make sure there are no pests or debris. It is also important to brush their teeth consistently.
Are Akita German Shepherd Mixes Easy to Train?
The Akita German Shepherd mix is a descendant of two very smart dog breeds. This results in the puppy being extremely intelligent, so they benefit from a ton of stimulation. The main problem you might run into is that the breed can be stubborn or not willing to let you be the dominant one.
The stubbornness is inherited from the Akita, and the dominance issues are passed down from the German Shepherd. You need to start training the pup as soon as you bring it home and assert dominance at an early age. This will teach them obedience and that they need to listen to you.
It is best to use positive methods of training your dog and avoid getting upset and yelling at them. When they listen to your commands, offer them praise, affection, and occasional treats. It might even be beneficial to hire a professional dog trainer.
Want To Train Your Akita German Shepherd With Peace Of Mind?
If you haven’t trained your Akita German Shepherd properly, then this is the perfect time to start. Whatever bad behavior your Shepherd has, whether it’s barking at night or other bad behaviors, using the right training program is the key to having an obedient and happy pup.
With Brain Training For Dogs, you’ll save yourself a ton of time and effort. Instead of banging your head against the wall trying to figure out why your dog won’t listen, you’ll follow a path that has been tried, tested, and most importantly, that’s given proven results. Not to mention the fact, you’ll be able to fit the course around your schedule, not fit your schedule around a trainer or obedience class.
So instead of worrying about whether they’re going to be well-behaved or not, you’ll only have to worry about how much fun you’ll have with them!
And in most cases, it’s still going to be:
Cheaper than hiring a professional.
Cheaper than replacing everything they might break.
And definitely cheaper than a lawsuit against you, if they decide to bite someone.
Just imagine how great it will feel to finally be able to trust your Akita German Shepherd completely and never worry whether they’ll be naughty or not. Instead, you’ll have the peace of mind that you have a well-behaved pup, and the boundaries you set for them will always be there, EVEN IF YOU’RE NOT.
And the best part is it also has a 60-day money-back guarantee! So there’s no reason not to give Brain Training For Dogs a try!
So if you’re tired of your dog’s bad behavior or how they react around other people and pooches, then give it a try! You’ll be amazed by the results!
(You can also check out a full review here to learn exactly what the course has to offer!)
What Are The Pros And Cons Of An Akita German Shepherd Mix?
There are plenty of pros and cons to consider before bringing this type of dog into your home.
Pros
Low tendency to bark
Extremely intelligent
Adapts well in cold or hot climates
Great guard dog
Playful
Affectionate with family members
Loyal
Courageous
Socializes well with other pets
Cons
Endless shedding
Potentially stubborn
Can be aggressive toward people they don’t know
Territorial
Not great for first-time dog owners
How Big Will A German Shepherd Akita Mix Get?
Akitas and German Shepherds are both considered to be large breed dogs, so it only makes sense that Akita German Shepherd mix dogs are also considered a large breed. Their shoulders will usually stand between 24 and 28 inches. This is just over 2 feet.
Most will weigh somewhere between 75 and 120 pounds when they are fully grown. This will depend on the sex of the dog and their activity level. Females will usually be smaller than males. Some dogs might weigh more than this range, while some dogs might weigh less.
Recap
If you want a dog that is loyal, protective, hard-working, and obedient, the Akita German Shepherd mix is perfect for you. However, they do take a lot of work and are not considered a great option for first-time dog owners. They require a lot of attention and exercise.
Akita German Shepherd mix dogs are great with kids and other animals as long as they are introduced slowly and properly. You can also expect to spend a large amount of time grooming this dog, as they have a massive amount of fur.
Like any dog, these dogs are prone to some health concerns passed down from their parents. Be aware of these concerns to know what the symptoms are like and when to take them to the vet. The Akita German Shepherd will require the diet of a large dog to remain healthy.
