Last Updated on September 20, 2023
*. The Akita is very different from the Siberian Husky, and there are only a few commonalities between them. Although they may appear very similar, they are two distinct breeds with completely different personalities.
The Akita is a strong and dominant canine. He will never be able to enjoy time with his family and will always be guarded. Although the Husky is a hyperactive, silly dog who loves being the center of attention all the time, he can also be stubborn and independent. He is more difficult to train than an Akita.
Akitas and Akitas both require a strong master. However, Akitas need a leader that they can look up too. If you feel that you are not authoritative enough, he will look down on your actions. Let’s dive into the details about both breeds.
Breed History
They have very different histories, but similarly, each breed had a famous and heroic pup that made their breed very popular in the mid-20th Century. They are often compared because of their wolfy looks. Are they really related? This historical comparison will help us answer that question.
Akita
The Akita we know and love today was developed in Japan during the 17th Century. The Akita has been bred to hunt wild boars and bears for many decades. An Akita used to be a royal privilege, but he is now a common pet.
*Akitas are considered a Japanese symbol of happiness, good health and long life .. Because of their protective nature, they are often compared to Pitbulls and other guardian breeds. Akitas are also sometimes mistaken for a Shiba Inu, which almost looks like a smaller version of the Akita.
In 1925, a Japanese professor passed away suddenly at work, and that day he failed to return home to his loyal Akita, Hachiko. Hachiko would wait for him every day and accompany his master on his walk back home. Hachiko waited for his master every day until he died.
So impressed was the famous visiting author Helen Keller by his loyalty and beauty, two Akitas were brought over to America and a breed standard was established in 1939. Soon after this, his popularity began, Keller went on to describe Akitas as ‘angels in fur.’ They are currently ranked by the American Kennel Club as the 47th most popular breed in America.
Siberian Husky
The Siberian Husky was developed by the Chukchi Tribe in Russia thousands of years ago. Their purpose was to be a canine racing car ,. His profession was to carry light loads over large areas of icy terrain. He did this quickly and didn’t tire easily. The Husky was a working dog but his companionship qualities were appreciated and he is a loved family pet
Their popularity began in 1925 when a famous Siberian Husky, called Balto, led a pack of dogs who carried a life-saving antidote across 658 miles of frozen terrain. They saved hundreds of lives during a deadly diphtheria outbreak and did it in five days. Ever since then, the Husky has been a very popular family dog, and he is currently ranked as the 14th most popular breed by the AKC.
Appearance
The Siberian Husky and Akita are quite different in appearance. The Akita is the much bigger dog, with males measuring between 26 to 28 inches from paw to shoulder, compared to the Husky who measures much shorter at 21 to 23 1/2 inches tall.
The Akita is much heavier as well, with males weighing 100 to 130 pounds compared to the Husky who weighs 45 to 65 pounds; at the top end of the scale that makes the Akita double the size. Many people mistake the Husky for a wolf, but it’s actually the Akita that comes closer in size to them than the Husky does.
The Akita looks more square than the Husky. The Akita is a large breed, while the Husky is a medium-sized puppy. The Akita is a large breed and will take up much of your living space.
The Akita’s most distinctive feature is his curly Tail , that looks like a Catherine wheel Firework. It is curled in a tight curl no matter what condition he is in. The Husky has a straight brush-like tail that curls up across his back when he is in a state of alertness or excitement.
They are both originally from cold climates, and as such, they both have a double coat which gives them their similar fluffy exterior. The Husky has nine standard colors while the Akita has nine. However, he has more options for marking his coat. People often mistake the crossbred Gerberian Shepsky for an Akita as well.
Temperament
The Akita takes his job as a family guardian seriously, while he is happy to play and have fun with his family, he is always observing the world around him and ready to protect no matter what. It can be difficult for him to accept strangers into his pack. Once he accepts them, you have a friend !.
Huskys, on the other hand aren’t known for being very vigilant and rarely guard their family homes or property. Of course, they are loyal and if they felt their family was in immediate danger they would protect them, but they are such sociable creatures that they don’t have a suspicious bone in their body. If you’re looking for a guard dog, the Akita is the best choice.
The Akita’s protection comes with an inexhaustible love and affection for their families. Despite their hard-as-nails exterior, they are just as affectionate and loving with their family as the Husky. These guys both need lots of love, attention and snuggles.
It is said that Akita’s can be aggressive with other dogs, particularly those of the same sex. However, many Akita owners say that this tendency is easily removed if the pup is socialized early and is put through disciplined obedience training.
While neither the Akita nor the Husky is suited to first-time owners, the Akita is an intensely dominant dog who, if allowed, will become obnoxious and unruly. You should have no concerns about aggression in any of these dogs if you believe you can overcome them.
They are also both very talky canines, especially the Husky. The Akita is more vocal than the Husky and the Husky is less so.
Exercise
Both the Akitas and Huskys need to exercise a lot. The Akita will need around 60 minutes of exercise a day, whereas the Husky will need around 90 minutes a day.
Turk of war and other games that challenge the Akita’s authority should be avoided. Play frisbee and fetch instead. Although the Akita may not be known for its agility, he is happy to take part in an agility course because he loves having fun.
The Husky, being the original sled dog, is built for long-distance running and speed, and as such he makes a perfect jogging partner. If you are unable to offer this, then take your Husky for long brisk walks. To burn off extra energy, intense games can be played.
Huskies can become delirious when they don’t get enough exercise. It’s important to make sure huskies have the toys they need to keep them occupied so they don’t get into trouble.
Huskies can have their energy levels brought down a bit when they are crossed with other breeds like a Pitbull.
Training
The Akita is eager to please . He learns his commands much faster than the Husky and is therefore easier to train.
The Husky is a stubborn dog, who, while being equally intelligent as the Akita, doesn’t strive to please his master and is much more independent. This can make training Huskys more difficult. The best way to counteract this is to keep training sessions short and interesting.
While the Akita picks up commands quicker and is more obedient than the Husky, he has a more complex personality as he is much more dominant, and as such, he needs a strict master who will take the lead. This is a non-negotiable factor, and if you don’t think this is something that you can take on then the Akita is not the breed for you, unless of course, you are happy to have an unruly and untrainable canine ruling the roost!
Health
The Akita National Breed Club suggests that the Akita should be tested for the following health issues:
- Hip Dysplasia – caused by an abnormal formation of the hip joints which can cause painful arthritis. This condition is very common in dogs.
- Ophthalmologist Evaluation – the Akita should be screened for a list of eye conditions such as Progressive Retinal Atrophy.
- Thyroid Evaluation – this affects the regulation of hormones and metabolism, and can cause a series of health issues, such as Myasthenia Gravis.
The Siberian Husky National Breed Club suggests that the Husky should be tested for Hip Dysplasia and undergo an Ophthalmologist evaluation like the Akita above.
In addition to the above, the Akita is more prone to suffering from Bloat, which can be serious and life-threatening. The Husky lives a little longer than the Akita, but the Husky is one the most healthy dogs. As with any dog, if you are considering getting either one of these then be sure to do thorough research into their health and what symptoms to be aware of.
Nutrition
The Akita will eat around four cups of food a day, whereas the Siberian Husky will eat slightly less at around three cups of food a day. The Husky is smaller than the Akita but he is more energetic and has an increased metabolism. As such, he won’t gain weight as quickly as the Akita. Akita dog food should consist of a high-quality kibble made specifically for large breeds.
They will both need age-appropriate food, however, some veterinarians will say that after the age of seven, the Akita should be fed low calorific food to avoid kidney diseases he is often prone to.
Grooming
Both the Siberian Husky and Akita are easy to groom. Both need to be brushed 2-3 times per week ,. This will increase to once a day if they shed or when it gets warmer.
The only thing to be aware of is that they are both heavy shedders, particularly the Husky, and so you will need to up the vacuuming schedule, and invest in a lot of lint rollers! A deshedding tool will also come in handy during the shedding seasons.
Puppy Price
The average price of an Akita is around $1,250, compared to the average price of the Husky which is around $1,000. Both of these breeds require more food than average, so the ongoing costs for these guys should be considered. You should ensure that you only trust reputable breeders when choosing a pup.
The Akita and the Siberian Husky also tend to find themselves in adoption centers more so than the average pooch, and this is simply because the owner underestimated how intense and energetic these guys are. So, if you are thinking about rescuing an Akita, then the Akita Club of America has listed several dedicated rescue centers, and the Siberian Husky of America Trust also lists dedicated rescue centers state by state.
Final Thoughts
They are energetic and fun dogs that will make you smile. Because the Akita’s personality can be more complex and intense, training him will take a lifetime. Although the Husky is more energetic, hyper and stubborn than his counterparts, he doesn’t need as much training from an experienced owner.
So, no matter if you like a Hachiko, a Balto or a Balto, so long as they fit into your life and have what they need, both are equally rewarding and loveable dogs.