What’s the Difference Between an Akita and Akita Inu?

Posted on June 5, 2012 by jane

Just curious what the main differences are between an American Akita and an Akita Inu. And please don’t try to tell me that an Akita Inu is a mutt or a designer dog, I’m talking about the Japanese Akita.

Thanks in advance. icon smile Whats the difference between an Akita and Akita Inu?

This long-time Akita kennel has some excellent information for you: http://www.tamarlane.com/comp.htm . Be sure to click on the Links at the bottom of that article for a lot more info on how the original Akita was split into 2 very different breeds.

"So somewhere along the line a dog breeder decided to mix up who the dogs bred with, and you have the new breed. like a mix of a shitzu and a poodle makes a Shitzapoo."
When you don’t have a CLUE what you’re talking about, please refrain from posting.

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  • Painted Pony

    The most recognizable Akita is known as the American Akita. The Akita Inu is known as the Japanese Akita. And, while they are similar, there are differences in size, coloring, shape and personality. For all the differences just google this site:

    http://www.ehow.com/info_8106048_difference-between-akita-akita-inu.html#ixzz1u6ytLGFu
    References :

  • JonTom

    an American Akita is bred differently than an Akita Inu. So somewhere along the line a dog breeder decided to mix up who the dogs bred with, and you have the new breed. like a mix of a shitzu and a poodle makes a Shitzapoo. Just different breed of dog and maybe a few noticable traits like size, hair and color of hair
    References :

  • Helen Rempel

    This long-time Akita kennel has some excellent information for you: http://www.tamarlane.com/comp.htm . Be sure to click on the Links at the bottom of that article for a lot more info on how the original Akita was split into 2 very different breeds.

    "So somewhere along the line a dog breeder decided to mix up who the dogs bred with, and you have the new breed. like a mix of a shitzu and a poodle makes a Shitzapoo."
    When you don’t have a CLUE what you’re talking about, please refrain from posting.
    References :
    Owned, bred & showed Akitas

  • 4Her4Life

    The easiest way to think about the difference is to compare to other breeds – the American Cocker Spaniel is just an Americanized version of the English Cocker Spaniel and the American Staffordshire Terrier is an Americanized Staffordshire Bull Terrier.

    The "American Akita" is a larger, heavier dog with more coat, a different head shape, and more acceptable colors – it is similar in type to an Alaskan Malamute. The "Japanese Akita"/Akita Inu is more like a large version of a Shiba Inu, more lightly built, a more refined/elongated headpiece, and only a handful of allowed colors.

    I’m not sure if there is a difference in temperaments as well.

    Clarification: There were no recorded crosses in the development of the "American" Akita. They are purebred Akitas, but have been bred to conform to a different standard and ideal. That is why I compared with Cockers and AmStaffs- those, too, were created by a divergence in type without cross-breeding. But, at the same time, it is almost disingenuous to speak of them as being the SAME breed these days, just like Cockers and Staffies, there is enough set divergence to type to justify considering them separate breeds. The AKC parent club has decided to maintain one standard – that of the American Style – and for registration purposes to consider there to only be one breed, but in international kennel clubs (i.e. the FCI) there are separate breeds for "Akita Inu" and "American Akita"
    References :
    http://www.tamarlane.com/comp.htm

  • youngatheart

    The Akita came to this country from Japan and at no time did Akita breeders here mix in other breeds and the breed remained pure in this country as well. So there is no more difference between them and the Akita in Japan than there is between US dachshunds and dachshunds in Germany. Actually ‘inu’ is the Japanese word for ‘dog’, so they are one and the same. A Japanese Akita would be one imported from Japan. They may breed them with slightly different conformation or temperament but it is still the same thing as an Akita born in this country. People who say they have Japanese Akita, should have the import papers on the dogs.
    References :
    49 years breeding, training and competing with dogs of various breeds.

  • Leslie

    There is no difference between Akita’s besides the Japan Akita and the American Akita although it could be a debate. Basically "inu" just means dog in Japan
    References :
    I have had akitas for 30 years and now I have shiba inu’s (Dog)