Akita are a popular Japanese breed that are natural protectors of the family.
The Akita was initially bred to hunt large game such as deer, wild boar and the Yoze bear.
However, they’ve since established themselves as natural guardians and protectors of the family.
There are two different varieties of Akita: the Japanese Akita and the American Akita.
They’ve got different physical traits and temperaments.
One of the key differences is the colors of Japanese Akita and American Akita.
In this article, we’re going to look at the different colors of the two Akita breeds.
With our brief introduction over, let’s learn a little bit more about Akitas.
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What is an Akita?
Akita Inu Masami (Photo: @masamiakitainu / Instagram)
Akita originate from Japan along with the country’s other famous breed, the Shiba Inu.
However, unlike the Shiba Inu, the Akita is a large dog bred for hunting bigger game than their canine compatriots.
Although Akita were popular with Japan’s high society, an exiled nobleman is credited with creating these dogs.
They’ve got huge symbolic value to Japanese people as instinctive protectors of the family.
Newborns are often presented with an Akita figurine to denote a happy and healthy life.
The arrival of western breeds in the Asian country polluted the Akita’s pure bloodline.
As a result, efforts were made in the early 20th century to preserve the bloodline of pure Akitas.
Although World War II negatively impacted their numbers, the Akita popular rebounded in the second half of the 20th century.
As of 2019, the American Akita is the 47th most popular breed in the United States.
Japanese Akita
Akita Inu Masami (Photo: @masamiakitainu / Instagram)
The Japanese Akita, also known as the Akita Inu, were strictly purebred Akita unlike other Akita mixes that had been bred with western breeds such as the German Shepherd.
The Akita Inu is a smaller dog than the American Akita. Their frames aren’t as muscular, while they’ve got an appearance which isn’t dissimilar to a fox.
The Japanese Akita has a size range from 23-25 inches (59-64cm), while they can weigh between 65 and 120 pounds (30-55 kg).
Akita Inu have brown and almond-shaped eyes, while their triangular ears that sit a little forward.
American Akita
Akita Inu dog lying in the snow (Photo: Adobe Stock)
An American lady called Helen Keller arrived in the USA with the first Akitas after the Japanese government gifted her two in 1937.
A breed standard was laid out for the Akita by the first Akita club but the American Kennel Club didn’t recongise these Japanese dogs as a breed until 1972.
The American Akita, or Akita for short, have an appearance that is often described as bear-like. They’ve got powerful bodies and muscular frames that make them adept guard dogs.
The American Akita can grow to a heigh between 24 and 26 inches (61 and 71 cm) and can weigh between 70 and 130 pounds (32 and 60 kg).
Akitas have triangular ears that sit erect to give them an alert appearance.
They’ve got small, deep set eyes that are brown in color.
Japanese Akita colors
Japanese Akita Inu puppy (Photo: Adobe Stock)
Japanese Akita can come in red fawn, sesame (red fawn with black tips), brindle and white.
The Kennel Club in England outlines that all varieties of Japanese Akita should have urajiro markings apart from white Akita Inu.
Urajiro is a cream to white color that you’ll find on certain breed such as Akitas and Shiba Inus. These Urajiro markings can be found on the sides of the muzzle, on the cheeks, on the undersides of jaw, neck, chest, body and tail, and on the inside of the legs
The Kennel Club goes on to add that the Urajiro markings could be less visible on the brindle, where it may be a greyish frosted overlay of the main coat colour.
The organization go on to add that these Urajiro markings should blend into the main color of the Akita Inu.
White markings on the main body are frowned upon if you intend to show your Japanese Akita.
American Akita colors
The American Akita have a wider spectrum of colors compared to the Japanese Akita.
The American Kennel Club outline the Akita’s coat color in their breed standard:
Any color including white; brindle; or pinto. Colors are rich, brilliant and clear. Markings are well balanced, with or without mask or blaze. White Akitas have no mask. Pinto has a white background with large, evenly placed patches covering head and more than one-third of body. Undercoat may be a different color from outer coat.
As you can see, you’ll find an American Akita in a wide variety of colors. However, Pinto and White American Akita tend to be quite common.
Red Akita Inu
Akita Inu Masami (Photo: @masamiakitainu / Instagram)
The red Akita Inu is the most common variety of Akita Inu.
Black Akita Inu
According to the Kennel Club’s breed standard, black is not an acceptable color for an Akita Inu. That’s not to say you won’t find one. They just can’t be show.
Brindle Akita Inu
Brindle Akita Inu is another variety of the Japanese Akita that is allowed, according to the Kennel Club’s breed standard.
Red Akita
The red American Akita is a common variety of this Japanese breed.
Brindle Akita
Although a lot of different colors are allowed for American Akitas, one of the most impressive shades is brindle Akita.
Black Akita
A black American Akita is another stunning variety of these Japanese dogs.
White Akita
Finally, the White Akita will leave quite the impression with it’s stunning shade.
Akita breeders and puppies
Getting an Akita is a big responsibility and one that should be taken lightly. We recommend contacting breeders and current owners to do a lot of research on the breed.
You could also contact the Akita Club of America to see if any Akita need to be fostered so you can sample life with this breed before you decide to bring home one permanently.
Akitas generally aren’t recommended for first-time owners given their size alone. They’ve also got a independent streak that can make some Akita challenging to train.
If you’ve still go your heart set on an Akita and you’ve got the right circumstances to get one of these large dogs, you should check out the Akita Club of America’s website.
They’ve got a list of breeders that have signed up to the organization’s code of ethics.
Akita puppies have a price range between $750 β $2000 depending on each breeder.
However, you’ll need to consider other expenses such as insuring your dog, feeding your dog and potentially hiring a dog sitter or dog walker depending on your circumstances.
Akita to follow on Instagram
If you want to learn more Japanese Akita, American Akita and the colors of these dogs, you can also do some research on social media websites such as Instagram.
Here are two examples of Japanese Akita on Instagram:
1) Masami (@masamiakitainu)
2) Naoko (@naokoa_akita_inu)
Here are two examples of American Akita on Instagram:
1) Kuma (@kuma_the_akitaa)
2) Akira (@akiramyakita)
Anything else to consider?
We never recommend our readers to buy an Akita, Akita Inu or any dog from a puppy website, a pet store or third party dealer.
It’s good practise to ask to see a puppy interacts with its mother if you’re planning to buy from a breeder. You should also ask to see health and vet checks plus AKC or UKC documentation for the parents.
Most breeders will also have a list of questions for potential dog owners to answer, such as the size of your living space, whether you’ve got time to exercise your dog and whether you’ve got sufficient finances.
Wrapping up – our final thoughts
So there you have it, we’ve looked at the different colors of Japanese Akita and American Akita.
The American Akita can come in a wider range of colors compared to the Japanese Akita.
