Akitas can be a hard breed to take care of if you’re a new dog owner. In fact, as a new owner, it is for the best that you stay away from this breed.
Instead, you can take your picks from dogs resembling Akitas with similar temperaments.
You might also already have had an Akita and are instead looking for breeds that remind you of your furry friends but aren’t exactly like them.
The 5 Dogs That Look Like Akitas:
- Alaskan Malamute
- Siberian Husky
- Samoyed
- Finnish Spitz
- Shiba Inu
What Does an Akita Dog Look Like?
Akitas share some common interests with arctic breeds. As these proud dogs were originally bred in the snowy mountains of Japan with the express purpose of hunting, they have quite an imposing figure.
Most dogs of this breed weigh at least 130 pounds and have a thick coat of fur to protect them against the stubborn winter. Often, they are compared to wolves for their rugged nature.
Akita Like Dogs Breed Profile
1. Alaskan Malamute
Compared to the Akitas, the Alaskan Malamute is merely 85 pounds. The Akita easily towers over it with its imposing figure.
However, the Malamute has a stocky frame similar to the Akitas, though a bit scaled-down. They have dark fur on the surrounding areas of their faces, but their look has light furs.
Here, they are quite different and opposite from the Akitas, as Akitas have light fur around their necks and ears and darker fur on their face. In temperament, they are quite similar.
If you are not a strong and confident owner, you won’t be able to handle Alaskan Malamute either, as they tend to have their stubborn streak.
2. Siberian Husky
In front of an Akita, the Russian dog breed, Siberian Husky, would be called small and quite light, even though they are quite big by normal dog weight.
In appearance, Huskies share similarities with Akitas, mainly in their pointed ears and the thick coat of fur they both possess.
They are also brothers when it comes to their stubborn nature. However, Siberian Huskies do well in packs and can get along with other breeds without much trouble. Akitas, on the other hand, are loners by birth.
3. Samoyed
Unlike the Akitas’ rugged appearance, the Samoyed comes across as elegant and has a graceful sprint.
Yet, both connect to the snow, resulting in thick fur. Though, the coat of Samoyed is lighter than that of Akitas.
The face of the Akitas resembles that of the Samoyed the most. Alaskan Malamute and Finnish Spitz have long and narrow muzzles, but Akita and Samoyed have broad and flatter faces.
4. Finnish Spitz
The Finnish Spitz is the second smallest dog breed on this list. Unlike the wolf-like features of the Akitas, they appear to be more of a fox, with only 36 pounds to their weight.
However, the thick and soft coats of the Akita and Finish Spitz are quite similar. In temperament, they would be immediate friends if not for the fact they are both hunters with rugged and alert personalities.
5. Shiba Inu
If it weren’t for the small stature of the Shiba Inu– where they weigh only 23 pounds- it would be easy to mistake them for Akitas. Thick fur, a broad face, and an alert expression are distinctive features.
They are also similar in their personality, requiring firm discipline and an owner who can control their stubborn streak.
Besides the firm difference in size, the only other way to distinguish between the two is by the darker muzzle that Akitas possesses.
I have written a More In-depth Comparison in the article below:
Conclusion:
We have provided you with a distinctive list of 5 dogs that look like Akitas. While the Akita dog price should be considered, the characteristics of your future dog will matter a lot more at the end of the day. We hope it will help you choose your next or your first dog!
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