The Akita German Shepherd Mix Breed Information And Guide

Akita German Shepherd Mix

Akita German Shepherds, sometimes known as Shepkitas are a gorgeous and impassive breed. What’s great about this mixed breed is that they have inherited the best of both worlds from their famous parents. Here is what you can expect with these pups:

What are the Basic Characteristics of the Akita German Shepherd Mix?

Here are some of the basic traits associated with this mixed breed:

Height24 – 28 inches
Weight70 – 120lbs
CoatMedium length, Double coated
Level of AffectionHighly affectionate with family
Kid-FriendlyYes, if introduced properly
Dog FriendlyYes, if socialized properly
Cat FriendlyMaybe, if socialized properly
Preferred ClimateBetter suited to cool or cold climates
Shedding LevelsHigh
TrainabilityModerate to high
Potential to Bark/HowlLow

What Do Akita German Shepherds Look Like?

Curious about what your Akita German Shepherd may look like? Here’s a breakdown:

How Big Will Your Akita German Shepherd Be?

Akita German Shepherds absolutely classify as a large breed dog. If you are considering getting this dog, you should prepare for just how big your pup can get.

Traditionally, a female dog will be smaller and weigh less than a male dog. Of course, the exact size of your pup will depend on their genes, early nutrition, and other factors.

What Will Their Coat Be Like?

All Akita German Shepherds will have fluffy coats. They are also double-coated, which means that there will be quite a bit of fur to deal with. However, some pups may be fluffier than others. The coats are medium length.

With this mixed breed, the coats will either consist of a single color or a combination of shades. It is also possible to find Akita German Shepherds with the brindle color and pattern.

Depending on their parents, this mixed breed may consist of black, red, brown, grey, red, white, silver, and sable.

What is the Temperament of an Akita German Shepherds?

A word often used to describe the personality of Akita German Shepherds is stoic. This may not seem like the best trait for a family dog, but don’t worry. This breed is incredibly affectionate with family and quite loyal too.

That being said, they aren’t necessarily as playful or as goofy as other family dog breeds. For instance, they may not seek out as much for comfort and attention.

It can take Akita German Shepherds a while to get used to children. However, as long as they are introduced properly, this mixed breed should take to little ones rather readily. From then on, they should be quite calm with and around kids.

Still, it is a good idea not to leave your Akita German Shepherd alone with very young children.

These dogs do have a protective streak. Once they are bonded to you, they may spring into action into any human or animal that they consider a threat. This makes them great watchdogs. At the same time, it also means that you have to socialize them well to prevent them from becoming aggressive with all strangers.

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Another important thing to know is that Akita German Shepherds are quite willful, bordering on stubborn. When you add their intelligence to the mix, you have a handful. These pups need someone who is able to take charge and show them who’s the boss.

The situation with other animals can be a little trickier. These pups aren’t known for getting along with other dogs, but this can depend on their personality as well. If you socialize an Akita German Shepherd at a young age and introduce them to other dogs the right way, there shouldn’t be many problems.

They have a moderate prey drive and may be prone to chasing cats and other small creatures. Introducing them to these animals when they are younger can help to curb these instincts.

Is Akita German Shepherd Mix a Healthy Breed?

The benefit of mixed breeds such as the Akita German Shepherd is that they tend to suffer from fewer genetic disorders. Nevertheless, there is a chance that your pup can be diagnosed with various medical conditions.

What is the Life Span of an Akita German Shepherd?

The average life expectancy of an Akita German Shepherd is 10 to 13 years. As such, you should be able to enjoy having your pup along for many years.

To ensure that your dog lives a long and healthy life, it is important to provide them with proper nutrition, exercise, and medical care.

What are Some of the Diseases Associated with Akita German Shepherds?

These are some of the conditions that this breed may be predisposed to:

The good news is that many of these conditions can be maintained. This includes dysplasia. By giving your puppy proper supplements and ensuring that they don’t do anything to hurt themselves, you can prevent quite a bit of discomfort.

It is important to take your dog to the vet on a regular basis. This is especially true if you notice any issues or ailments with your dog. An early diagnosis can go a long way in prolonging the progress of a disease. Your vet may also be able to use various treatments to maintain or improve your dog’s quality of life.

What are the Nutritional Requirements for an Akita German Shepherd?

A high-quality dog food can keep your dog healthy as well as prevent them from gaining weight. While they are a large dog breed, they only expend moderate amounts of energy each day. Therefore, you need to suit a food that meets these caloric needs.

Look for foods that contain high-quality sources of protein, carbohydrates, fats, and minerals. This way, you won’t need to enhance your dog’s diet with other supplements. It also ensures that your dog isn’t consuming empty calories.

It should be noted that this breed can have a large appetite and may be always eager to eat. However, it is important to only give them the recommended amount of food every day and to minimize their treats. Otherwise, they may be at risk of obesity which can cause other issues such as put too much weight on their joints.

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Every dog can vary in terms of size, energy expenditure, health conditions, and more. Due to this, your vet will be the best judge of which dog food to give your dog.

How Much Exercise Does an Akita German Shepherd Need?

Akita German Shepherds only need a moderate amount of exercise. This means about half an hour to an hour of physical activity a day. Of course, this will depend on your pooch – it is possible to end up with a high energy pooch who may require a little bit more exercise.

For the most part, you can rely on walks to exercise your Akita German Shepherd. You should try to split it up into at least two sessions, so that your dog can get work out any excess energy throughout the day.

At the same time, it is important to switch things up with your dog. Playing Frisbee and fetch is a great way to spend time with your dog and make sure that they are entertained.

How Much Grooming Does an Akita German Shepherd Need?

These dogs shed quite a bit, so this is something you will need to stay on top of. There are also specific times of the year, where the Akita German Shepherd will undergo their shedding season. At this point, they will shed a significant amount of fur.

Despite this, there isn’t too much hassle in keeping your Akita German Shepherds clean and well-groomed. Brushing out their coat once or twice a week is a habit that you should get into. They will not leave as much fur around your house. Use a slicker brush and an undercoat rake to get it all.

When the shedding season is upon you, you will need to brush your dog at least once a day. This may seem excessive, but it is the only way to guarantee that everything you own will not be covered in fur. Make sure to use a de-shedding coat to help with the process.

As for bathing, you don’t have to do this too often; only when your dog is dirty. However, you should wait several months in between baths. Over-bathing an Akita German Shepherd can damage their skin and coat.

What is the Best Living Environment for an Akita German Shepherd?

As mentioned, these dogs have incredibly thick coats. This keeps them warm and well-insulated in cooler climates. At the same time, this coat also puts them at a disadvantage when it comes to warm weather. It is best not to have this breed in warmer environments.

If your Akita German Shepherd is living in a warm climate, it is important to make sure that they are comfortable and don’t overheat. Your pup should always be close to a fan or air conditioning. Don’t let them stay outside during the summer months. Give them plenty of cool water and treats throughout the day.

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As for houses, these dogs are quite large and do take up a lot of room. Thus, they won’t do so well in smaller spaces. A mid-sized or large house is the best option. If you have a larger apartment, however, they can make do.

If your Akita German Shepherd is going to be living in an apartment, they will need plenty of fresh air and exercise. Therefore, you will need to make sure that they are able to go outside several times a day.

How Can You Train Your Akita German Shepherd?

The great thing about Akita German Shepherd is that they are quite responsive to training. They are intelligent and love learning new tricks and commands.

This training does have to start an early age, though. This is important for a few different reasons. First, it allows you to prevent or halt any bad behaviors at an early age. This way, these habits don’t have a chance to become embedded with your puppy.

This mixed breed can also be quite headstrong. If you don’t establish yourself as the leader very early on this can lead to misbehavior early on. If you have other people in your household make sure that your dog respects their authority as well.

In addition to training, socialization is quite important as well. When your dog is still a puppy, they should be exposed to a variety of people. This is especially important with children. However, make sure that it is a positive interaction. Avoid too-young children that may grab or harass your puppy.

The moment your dog is fully vaccinated, start introducing your Akita German Shepherd to other dogs. This is something you should do if you are planning on having other dogs in your household in the future.

Where Can You Find Akita German Shepherd Mix?

You should always find a reputable breeder when looking for an Akita German Shepherd mix. They will do the necessary research to ensure that your dog’s have a minimal chance of developing any genetic disorders.

Where Can You Adopt an Akita German Shepherd Mix?

An Akita German Shepherd is considered to be a designer mixed breed. Due to this, not many of them are given up for adoption. However, if you do extensive research online and in other regions, you may come across this breed.

FAQs

Here are some frequently asked questions about Akita German Shepherds:

How Big Will an Akita German Shepherd Get?

These dogs can get pretty big – they can be as tall as 28 inches and weigh up to 120lbs.

How Long Do Akita German Shepherd Mixes Live?

This mixed breed can live up to 10 to 13 years.

How Much Are Akita German Shepherd Puppies?

The puppies can cost between $500 and $700 depending on the breeder, availability, and where you live.

These are the top things you should know about Akita German Shepherds. It will now be easier to decide whether this is the right pooch for you or not.

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