Akita Chow Mix: Care, Pictures, Info & More

The Akita Chow mix, fondly called the Chakita, is a relatively new hybrid developed by crossbreeding the Akita and Chow Chow dogs. Large in size, majestic, bold, alert, and loyal, this designer breed is a testament to the power of crossbreeding. It combines the best qualities of two well-natured breeds to present a fierce guard dog and an endearing furry companion.

Do you have difficulty deciding whether to adopt an Akita or a Chow Chow? The Chakita can offer you the best of both worlds. Read on to learn more about this unique hybrid’s physical attributes, temperament, care needs, and more.

Let’s begin!

Breed Overview

Although the Akita Chow lacks a deep history because they are a relatively new hybrid, there are centuries of history between the parent breeds. The Akita, native to Japan, is a hunting dog popularly used as a fighting dog in the late 1800s. In 1931, it was designated as a national treasure of Japan.

Chow Chows, on the other hand, are native to northern China. They were originally bred as hunting dogs but also worked as temple guard dogs. Although their history traces back about 8300 years ago, it was not until the late 1800s that they first arrived in England and then in the United States.

The Akita and Chow Chow dogs have numerous crossing similarities. For instance, both dogs are large, strong-boned, and have almond-shaped eyes and big, roundish heads. They also have dense fur that gives them a noble and intimidating presence.

Furthermore, there are also stuck similarities between the temperaments of the two. Both are bold, alert, highly protective, and utterly devoted to their families. You can expect your Chakita to inherit these qualities and more.

Akita Chow Puppies

Akita Chows are still new to the market. Finding puppies of the hybrid is extremely challenging, even when dealing with seasoned breeders. Because the Akita and Chow Chow dogs are relatively rare, expect to spend between $2,500 and $3,000 if you are lucky to find a Chakita puppy.

Chakita puppies are active but not hyperactive. Still, they enjoy playing energetically and maintain this puppy-like behavior into early adulthood. Given their size, you owe yourself the favor of enrolling your pup for training as soon as eight weeks.

Temperament & Intelligence of the Akita Chow Mix

Akita Chow mixes make excellent guard dogs because they are alert, bold, protective, and loyal to their family members. Although they are not overly lovey-dovey and will hardly ever jump on you or warm up to hours of cuddling, they are known to be highly possessive of their owners. You can tell you are your dog’s favorite person if it nudges your toes or gives you the famous lean.

Like both parents, Chakitas are intelligent but stubborn. As a hybrid of two hunting dogs, they prefer making decisions independently and don’t always follow instructions.

Moreover, they often show dominant behavior and need firm and consistent training to keep this conduct in check. These dogs also require proper socialization because their protective instincts make them highly likely to show aggression toward strangers.

Are These Dogs Good for Families?

Chakitas make excellent family pets when properly trained and socialized. However, they are not ideal for families with small children because of their large size. Be wary of the bossy tendencies of the hybrid that make it likelier to show dominance over smaller kids that cannot stand their ground.

Generally, Chakitas are ideal for individuals or families with older kids. They are not great fans of rough play and can snap if manhandled. It is safer to pair them with older children who know how to interact with dogs while showing firmness and kindness in equal measure. Unless your children are teens, always supervise play sessions.

Does This Breed Get Along With Other Pets?

Chakitas are all-rounded dogs when effectively trained and socialized. Exposure to different sights, sounds, people, pets, and experiences can significantly affect how they interact with kids and other pets.

Generally, these dogs prefer homes where they are the only pet but can get along with other similar-sized dogs of the opposite sex.

Both the Akitas and Chow Chow dogs are fierce hunting dogs. The crossbreed between the two also has high instinctive intelligence, making it prone to chasing small-sized pets. Unfortunately, pairing a Chakita with a cat, bunny, duck, or other small-sized pet is never a good idea.

Things to Know When Owning an Akita Chow Mix

Majestic dogs like the Akita Chow mix are hard to find. They are a marvel to look at and often maintain a calm and composed demeanor. Don’t be fooled by their bear-like aesthetics; Chakitas are fierce guard dogs that are highly protective of their families.

Before you welcome this hybrid to your household, here are a few essential things you should know.

Food & Diet Requirements

Akita Chow mixes need quality food formulated for large dog breeds. The right diet will provide optimum nourishment based on your hybrid’s energy levels and activity requirements.

Chakitas are prone to weight issues, and it is crucial to maintain a regulated feeding schedule. Ideally, feed your furry friend twice daily and serve portions depending on its size, age, metabolism, and activity level. The recommended daily amount is between three to five cups of high-quality dry food per day.

If your dog inherits the lazy streak of the Chow Chow parent, make sure you slash down its food portions appropriately. Likewise, it is better to offer more food to a Chakita that is as active as its Akita parent. It doesn’t hurt to seek personalized guidance from a qualified vet if you are unsure about the ideal food and portions to serve your pet.

Exercise

Akitas are highly energetic, while Chow Chow dogs have a lazy streak. The Chakitas fall somewhere between and are typically not the most active dogs. Still, they need plenty of rigorous exercise to burn pent-up energy.

A 60-minute stroll around the neighborhood or letting your dog off the leash in a fenced yard will suffice. Daily exercise is crucial to ensuring your dog’s health and keeping it disinterested in destructive behavior.

Training

All dogs, irrespective of size, pose the same behavioral and training challenges. However, extra-big dogs like Chakitas can present challenges in an extra-big way. It is crucial to go big with your training and teach your doggo appropriate behavior before he adds pounds and becomes harder to manage.

Furthermore, Akita Chow mixes are stubborn and love to assume dominance and push boundaries if allowed.

Early training can be instrumental in ensuring your doggo does not establish dominance over you. It is best to use positive reinforcement or reward-based training to help build trust and increase the odds of raising an obedient and well-mannered companion.

Also, remember to provide plenty of socialization opportunities because dogs like Chakitas are loyal to a fault. If they are only acquainted with their immediate family members, they pose a risk of attacking strangers and other dogs or pets that stray into their territory.

Grooming

Chakitas, like both parents, are majestic and attractive. Among their most priced features is their long, straight, and dense coat. These dogs are heavy shedders and require regular brushing to keep their fur looking healthy, neat, and tangle-free.

Brush your dog’s coat three to four times weekly. Also, brush its teeth regularly to keep dental issues at bay and trim the nails at least once monthly.

Akita Chow mixes are relatively easy to housetrain. Although they have dense fur, they are not smelly dogs and don’t need bathing more than three to four times yearly. If you wash them too often, their skin may dry out and lead to irritation or scratching. Also, there is no need for coat trims because the fur acts as insulation in cold weather and protects the skin from sunburns in warm weather.

Health and Conditions

Akita Chow mixes have an average life expectancy of 10 to 12 years. Because they are a relatively new breed, not much is known about their long-term health problems. Still, it would be best if you were wary of potential health problems prone to the Akita and Chow Chow dogs.

Let’s look at some serious and minor health issues you should be on high alert for.

Male vs Female

The difference between the temperaments of male and female Chakitas is not that recognizable. This is especially true when considering desexed pets. The only crucial fact you should know is that these dogs are usually aggressive toward dogs of the same sex.

Therefore, consider adopting a female Chakita if you have a male dog and vice versa.

If you must choose between a male and a female, the ideal choice depends on how much time and effort you are willing to devote to training and socializing your dog. Male Chakitas are more possessive, protective, and dominant, while females are more reserved. Although females are generally easier to train, both genders make excellent guard dogs and companions with quality training.

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3 Little-Known Facts About the Akita Chow Mix

1. They Have Cat-Like Personalities

Akita Chow mixes are aloof and standoffish. Like cats, they are highly independent with no real intention to please their owners. Although they are affectionate and form tight bonds with their favorite person, they will never rush to the door to greet you or show other displays of affection, like licking your face.

Generally, Chakitas prefer to sit back and observe. They are bossy, and your dog expects you to approach and greet his “royal highness.” Moreover, Akita Chow mixes prefer to sit next to you instead of cuddling. Although they love a good belly scratch, you have better luck grasping their attention using food incentives.

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2. They Pick Favorites

Socialization is of paramount importance when raising a Chakita. These dogs are lone wolves and prefer spending most time alone or with their favorite person. Once they mark you as their person, they can be fiercely possessive and protective of you.

Due to the possessive nature of Chakitas, you must introduce unfamiliar visitors slowly and in a controlled environment. Keep the initial exposure brief and reinforce good behavior by offering a reward if your doggo remains cordial.

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3. They Are Not as High-Maintenance as Many Assume

Chakitas are relatively low-maintenance, especially in the grooming department. At a glance, they have bear-like aesthetics because of their dense, luscious coats. It’s easy to assume that your pet ownership journey will mainly involve spending long hours attending to your dog’s coat.

On the contrary, these dogs only require a good brush every other day to keep their coats neat and minimize the shedding on your furniture. Apart from that, Akita Chow mixes don’t need coat trimming or regular baths. You can also breathe easy knowing that your pet will hardly ever accumulate an upsetting doggy smell.

Final Thoughts

The Akita and Chow Chow mix combines the best of two well-natured purebreds into one incredible package. Chakitas have a hard-to-miss regal demeanor and are gorgeous, quiet, alert, and bold. Although they are not fond of public displays of affection, they are loyal to a fault and make excellent guard dogs.

So, is it a brilliant idea to adopt a Chakita? It depends. Akita Chow mixes are not for everyone.

The ideal owner must be willing to put in the work and provide lifelong training and socialization. Chakitas are intelligent but stubborn, and their bossy nature can quickly frustrate a first-time pet parent. Fortunately, they learn to submit and respect boundaries under a firm and consistent handler.

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Featured Image Credit: Seregraff, Shutterstock

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