Akita Akita

Akita

Loyal Courageous Dignified Protective

About the Akita

The Akita is a powerful, noble breed originating from the mountainous regions of northern Japan, where it was bred to hunt wild boar, deer, and even bears. Males stand 26–28 inches tall and weigh 100–130 pounds, while females are slightly smaller at 24–26 inches and 70–100 pounds. The breed has a thick double coat that comes in several colors — including white, brindle, and pinto — and sheds heavily twice a year during seasonal "blowouts."

Temperament & Personality

Akitas are fiercely loyal and protective of their families, often forming an especially deep bond with one primary person. They are naturally reserved and wary of strangers, making them excellent guard dogs without excessive barking. While they can be gentle with children in their own family, Akitas generally do not tolerate other dogs well — particularly dogs of the same sex — and require experienced handling.

Pros

  • Exceptionally loyal — the breed's devotion is legendary, as exemplified by the famous Hachiko
  • Naturally clean and cat-like in grooming habits
  • Quiet breed that rarely barks unnecessarily
  • Imposing presence serves as an effective deterrent to intruders

Cons

  • Strong same-sex dog aggression makes multi-dog households challenging
  • Heavy seasonal shedding requires frequent brushing and cleanup
  • Dominant personality demands an experienced, confident owner
  • Prone to autoimmune disorders, hip dysplasia, and bloat (gastric torsion)

Discover loyal Akitas waiting for their forever homes — explore adoptable Akitas on Puplister now.

Akita Quick Facts

Size
70–130 lbs, 24–28 in
Lifespan
10–13 years
Exercise
Moderate
Grooming
High
Good with Kids
Not recommended
Good with Pets
Not recommended

Is the Akita right for you?

Answer 5 quick questions to see how well this breed matches your lifestyle.

Take the Quiz

Available Akitas

Hartford
Adult

Akita / German Shepherd Dog

Hesperia Animal Shelter · Hesperia, CA
Banjo
Young
Banjo
S

Akita

Tallahassee-Leon Community Animal Service Center · Tallahassee, FL
Scout
Adult
Scout
L

Akita

Pasadena Humane · Pasadena, CA

Related Breeds

English Setter

2 pets available

1

About the English Setter The English Setter is one of the oldest gun dog breeds — developed in England over 400 years ago to locate game birds by crouching or "setting" to indicate their position. Standing 23–27 inches tall and weighing 45–80 pounds, these graceful dogs are renowned for their beautiful feathered coat in distinctive "belton" patterns — blue belton, orange belton, tricolor, lemon belton, and liver belton. Their elegant appearance, with long, silky ears and a gently flowing coat, has earned them the title of the most beautiful sporting breed.Temperament & PersonalityEnglish Setters are gentle, sweet-natured dogs with a calm indoor demeanor that belies their energetic field abilities. They are exceptionally good with children — patient and tolerant even with rough toddler play — and generally accepting of other dogs and household pets. Their affectionate, people-oriented nature makes them poor kennel dogs; they need to live as part of the family to thrive emotionally.ProsOne of the gentlest sporting breeds — excellent with children of all ages and other petsCalm and quiet indoors when given adequate outdoor exerciseFriendly toward strangers — makes a welcoming family dog without guarding tendenciesVersatile field dog that transitions beautifully from hunting companion to couch cuddlerConsFeathered coat requires regular grooming — brushing 3–4 times weekly to prevent tanglesProne to elbow dysplasia, hypothyroidism, and congenital deafnessStrong hunting instincts — will bolt after birds and small animals if not in a secure areaCan be slow to mature mentally — puppy-like behavior often persists until age 3 or beyondDiscover the beauty and gentleness of the English Setter — find one waiting for a home on Puplister.

Saint Bernard

1 pet available

About the Saint Bernard The Saint Bernard originated in the Swiss Alps at the Great St. Bernard Hospice, where monks bred these massive dogs for over 1,000 years to locate and rescue travelers lost in snowstorms along the treacherous mountain pass. Males typically stand 28 to 30 inches tall and weigh 140 to 180 pounds, though individuals exceeding 200 pounds are not uncommon. Their coat comes in two varieties — short-haired (smooth) and long-haired (rough) — both in white with red, mahogany, brindle, or brown markings. Temperament & Personality Saint Bernards are gentle, patient, and extraordinarily tolerant — their legendary devotion to humans extends to being remarkably careful and nurturing around children despite their massive size. They are friendly with strangers, other dogs, and household pets, possessing a calm, unflappable demeanor that makes them wonderful therapy dogs. While not aggressive, their sheer size and deep bark are often enough to deter unwanted visitors. Pros Exceptionally gentle and patient — one of the best giant breeds for families with childrenCalm, low-energy indoor demeanor despite enormous sizeFriendly and non-aggressive toward people and other animalsImposing presence provides natural deterrent without guard training Cons Legendary drooling — especially the loose-lipped, heavy-jowled individualsShort lifespan of 8 to 10 years, with some living even lessProne to hip and elbow dysplasia, bloat, osteosarcoma, and dilated cardiomyopathyEnormous food costs and substantial space requirements for comfortable living Few breeds embody devotion quite like the Saint Bernard — find one in need of a loving home on Puplister.

Cocker Spaniel

4 pets available

About the Cocker Spaniel The American Cocker Spaniel — the smallest of the sporting breeds — descended from English Cocker Spaniels brought to North America in the late 1800s and was developed as both a skilled bird flusher and an adoring family companion. Standing 13.5–15.5 inches tall and weighing 20–30 pounds, the Cocker Spaniel is known for its luxurious, silky coat that comes in black, ASCOB (any solid color other than black), and parti-color varieties. Their large, soulful dark eyes and perpetually wagging tail have made them one of America's most beloved breeds for decades.Temperament & PersonalityCocker Spaniels are the quintessential happy dog — eager to please, gentle, and brimming with affection for everyone they meet. They thrive on human companionship and are wonderful with children, other dogs, and even cats when properly introduced. Their sensitive nature means they respond best to positive reinforcement and can become anxious or submissive if treated harshly.ProsGentle, merry temperament makes them one of the best breeds for families with young childrenHighly trainable and eager to please — excel in obedience and agilityAdaptable to apartment living provided they receive daily walks and playFriendly with strangers, other dogs, and household pets — rarely aggressiveConsCoat requires professional grooming every 4–6 weeks plus daily brushing to prevent mattingProne to chronic ear infections due to long, heavy ear flaps that trap moistureHigh incidence of eye conditions including cataracts, glaucoma, and cherry eyeSome lines suffer from "rage syndrome" — sudden unprovoked aggression linked to poor breedingReady to welcome a joyful, tail-wagging Cocker Spaniel into your life? Find your perfect match on Puplister.

Bulldog
Bulldog Dog

16 pets available

1

About the Bulldog The Bulldog — also known as the English Bulldog — traces its ancestry to 13th-century England, where its predecessors were used in the brutal sport of bull-baiting before the practice was outlawed in 1835. Today's Bulldog stands 14–15 inches tall and weighs 40–50 pounds, with a wide, low-slung, heavy-set body, a massive short-faced head, and the breed's trademark underbite and wrinkled face. Their short, smooth coat comes in red, white, fawn, fallow, and various brindle patterns, requiring minimal grooming beyond regular wrinkle cleaning.Temperament & PersonalityModern Bulldogs are gentle, dignified, and surprisingly affectionate — a far cry from their fierce bull-baiting ancestors. They are calm, patient, and excellent with children, earning them a reputation as one of the most dependable and predictable family companions. Bulldogs are sociable with other pets and typically friendly with strangers, though they can be courageous and protective when they sense a genuine threat to their family.ProsCalm, low-energy temperament — perfectly content with short walks and lots of couch timeExcellent apartment dog due to compact size and minimal exercise requirementsPatient and gentle with children, making them outstanding family petsMinimal grooming needs with their short, easy-care coatConsSevere brachycephalic syndrome causes chronic breathing difficulties, snoring, and heat intoleranceExtremely prone to health problems — including hip dysplasia, cherry eye, skin fold infections, and spinal issuesCannot tolerate heat or vigorous exercise and is at high risk of heatstrokeExpensive to own due to frequent veterinary visits and potential for costly surgical interventionsBulldogs may have special needs, but they repay every ounce of care with unwavering devotion — find adoptable Bulldogs on Puplister.

Related Articles

Frequently Asked Questions

What are the key traits of a Akita?
The Akita is known for being loyal, courageous, dignified and protective.
How many Akitas are available for adoption?
There are currently 3 Akitas available for adoption on Puplister. Browse the listings above to find your perfect match.
How do I adopt a Akita from Puplister?
To adopt a Akita, browse the available listings on this page, click on a pet you're interested in, and contact the shelter directly through their profile page.