Akita Dogs for Adoption in Columbia, MO

Akitas bark relatively little and usually save it for something that truly catches their attention, like a stranger at the door. Many make other sounds instead, including grumbles, groans, moans and a talkative woo-woo, and some carry objects or their owner's wrist in their mouths. A quiet Akita can still be an alert, serious watchdog, so watch its body language too.

No, Akitas are not hypoallergenic. They have a thick double coat that sheds steadily and blows out heavily, often twice a year, when the dense undercoat comes out in clumps. Like all dogs, they also produce allergens in dander and saliva. Anyone with dog allergies should spend extended time with an Akita before adopting and plan for frequent brushing and vacuuming.

American Akitas are larger and heavier, with a broad, bear-like head, while Japanese Akita Inu are lighter, more refined and fox-faced. Colors differ too: American Akitas can be any color, including pinto and black masks, whereas Japanese Akitas are limited to red, fawn, sesame, brindle and white, with pale urajiro markings. Most kennel clubs now treat them as two separate breeds.

No, Akitas are not banned in the UK. The Dangerous Dogs Act prohibits specific types, including the Pit Bull Terrier, Japanese Tosa, Dogo Argentino, Fila Brasileiro and XL Bully, and the Akita is not among them. General laws on keeping a dog under control still apply, and some landlords and insurers set their own rules for powerful breeds, so check before moving.

Akitas are not rare, though they are less common than many breeds. The American Kennel Club ranks the Akita around 59th of roughly 200 breeds by registrations. The Japanese Akita Inu is far less common in the United States. Akitas and Akita mixes do appear at shelters, and Akita-specific rescues focus on finding them homes that understand the breed.

The Akita's roots are old, since spitz-type hunting dogs have lived in northern Japan for centuries, but the modern breed is about a hundred years old. Efforts to preserve and standardize it began in Japan in the 1920s and 1930s, and the American type took shape after World War II. The American Kennel Club recognized the Akita in 1972.

Raise an Akita with early, positive socialization to many people, places and calm dogs, plus consistent, reward-based training from day one. Teach handling, leash manners and calm greetings while the dog is small. Feed separately from other pets, respect its need for space, and keep play with other dogs supervised. A trainer experienced with guarding breeds can help early.

No, Akitas are not descended from foxes. Like every domestic dog, they descend from ancient wolf populations, and foxes belong to a separate branch of the canine family that cannot interbreed with dogs. The Japanese Akita Inu is sometimes described as fox-like because of its narrower head, upright ears and red coat, but that is only a resemblance.

Akitas should be indoor dogs that also enjoy outdoor time. Their thick coat handles cold weather well, and many love snow, but they are strongly bonded to their families and should not live isolated outside. They also overheat easily. A secure yard for supervised play, combined with living indoors with the household, suits most Akitas best.

Many Akitas can swim, and their history in Japan's snowy, rugged terrain gave them sturdy, webbed feet and a water-resistant coat. Enjoyment varies a lot between Akitas, so let an Akita approach calm, shallow water at its own pace and supervise closely. Their heavy coat takes a long time to dry, so rinse and dry it well afterward.

Akitas can live in hot climates, but it takes deliberate care. Their dense double coat is built for cold, so they need air conditioning, shade, plenty of water and exercise at cooler times of day. Regular brushing removes the insulating undercoat, while shaving is not recommended. Heavy panting, drooling, weakness or collapse are emergencies that need prompt veterinary care.

You can have more than one Akita, but it takes care. The breed is prone to same-sex aggression, so many experienced owners pair a male with a female, and some Akitas do best as the only dog. Introduce dogs slowly, feed them separately and keep separate resting areas. A friendship between puppies can change once both mature, around two years.

In most places you can legally own an Akita, but local rules vary. Some towns, housing communities, landlords and insurers restrict or add requirements for certain breeds, and the Akita appears on some of those lists. Before adopting, check local ordinances, your lease and your homeowner's or renter's insurance policy. Rules change, so look at current versions rather than older lists.

Akitas often huff, a short breathy puff through the nose or mouth, as a way of communicating. Owners describe it during excitement, mild frustration or when a dog wants attention, much like the breed's grumbles and woo-woo sounds. Read it alongside body language. Huffing that comes with coughing, labored breathing or tiredness, however, deserves a veterinary check.

No, Akitas are not pointing dogs. Pointing, where a dog freezes and aims at hidden birds, belongs to sporting breeds like pointers and setters. Akitas were bred to track and hold large game at bay. An Akita may freeze and stare at a squirrel or cat, but that usually signals prey interest, so redirect it calmly before it becomes a chase.

Adult Akitas should have upright ears, and drop ears are a disqualification in the breed standard. Puppies' ears often flop or rise one at a time while they are teething, and most stand fully by around four to six months, sometimes later. An adult whose ears never stood may be a mix. A sudden drooping, swollen ear needs a veterinary check.

Akitas do appear in dog shows, including the Westminster Kennel Club show, but in smaller numbers than many breeds. Their size, strength and frequent intolerance of other dogs make crowded show halls demanding, and fewer people exhibit them. The split between American and Japanese types in many registries also divides entries. Show numbers say little about how Akitas do as pets.

No one knows how many Akitas exist worldwide. Kennel clubs count only the dogs registered with them each year, and many pets are never registered, so no reliable global total exists. In the United States, the Akita ranks around 59th of about 200 breeds by American Kennel Club registrations, which makes it uncommon but far from rare.

Unspayed Akitas usually come into heat about every six months, though intervals vary and some females cycle only once a year. First heats commonly occur between about six months and two years of age in large breeds. Each heat lasts around two to three weeks. GetBuddy encourages spaying adopted dogs; ask your veterinarian about the best timing for your Akita.

Yes, the Akita is a large breed, and many males reach giant-dog weights. Adults usually weigh 70 to 130 pounds and stand 24 to 28 inches at the shoulder. That size affects everything from food costs to vehicle space and how firmly you need to handle a leash. Make sure everyone walking the dog can manage its strength safely.