Akita Inu vs Finnish Lapphund - Breed Comparison | MyDogBreeds

The Akita Inu, originating from Japan's snowy Akita Prefecture, has a long-standing legacy as a powerful hunting dog and loyal companion. Bred in the 1600s to track large game like boar and bear, the Akita quickly earned its place among Japanese nobility as a guardian and symbol of courage.

Its dignified nature and unwavering loyalty were immortalized in the true story of Hachikō, an Akita who waited nearly a decade for his deceased owner at a Tokyo train station. This devotion captured national and global admiration, leading to the breed’s recognition as a national treasure in Japan.

After World War II, American soldiers introduced Akitas to the West, giving rise to a larger, more robust variation known as the American Akita. Today, the Akita Inu remains a cherished breed worldwide for its strength, loyalty, and quiet dignity.

Known also as the Lapinkoira, Lapponian Shepherd Dog or Finish Lapland Dog, it is believed that the Finnish Lapphund is an ancient dog breed, dating back way back to 7000 B.C.

The breed had its origins as a reindeer herder with the Sami people, being both herder and protector. In Finland, the first breed standards for the dog were set in 1945 by the Finnish Kennel Club. They called the dog the Lappish Herder.

The first American litter was born in 1988 and it was in 1994 that the breed was recognized by the United Kennel Club, becoming a recognized breed in the Herding Group in 2011.

The Akita Inu is a large, powerful, and dignified dog breed known for its striking appearance, quiet nature, and unwavering loyalty.

Originating from Japan, it has a broad head, erect triangular ears, and a plush double coat that comes in red, white, brindle, or sesame, with characteristic urajiro (whitish markings). The Akita carries itself with pride and confidence, often aloof with strangers but deeply affectionate and protective toward its family.

Calm, intelligent, and strong-willed, the breed requires early socialization and firm, consistent training. Though not ideal for first-time owners, the Akita Inu is a loyal guardian and devoted companion for those who understand and respect its independent spirit.

Looking quite a bit like the Samoyed, Siberian Husky or Australian Shepherd, the Finnish Lapphund stands at between 40 and 52cm and weighing 15 to 24kg.

The Finnish Lapphund is a medium sized dog with a friendly, sweet face.He has a beautiful soft cuddly kind of coat that is medium to long in length and essentially straight. The dense undercoat provides insulation and shouldn’t be trimmed.The dog comes in different colors such as tan brown, yellowish and black. The ears are erect and the tail is bushy, curling over the back.

Temperament:

One characteristic of this dog which can irritate some people is that he has a tendency to bark. This characteristic of his makes him a good watch dog though. He is a friendly dog who wants to do the right thing, and training and socialization can ensure that he is always obedient and amicable.

Intelligent and alert, your pet is an intelligent dog and training him won’t prove to be difficult.It is a dog which craves companionship from his human family and he wants to be included in all his family’s activities. He wants to accompany you on all your running- and cycling activities. He gets on well with children in the home with his gentle nature, being a particularly friendly breed.

The Akita Inu is a large, noble, and powerful breed known for its dignified presence, strong loyalty, and quiet confidence. Originally bred for hunting and guarding, Akitas are naturally protective, courageous, and independent thinkers.

They form deep bonds with their family but are often aloof with strangers. Calm and clean by nature, they rarely bark without reason and carry themselves with elegance and strength.

Their double coat is thick and weather-resistant, requiring regular grooming, and they shed heavily, especially seasonally.

While intelligent, Akitas can be stubborn, so they thrive best with experienced owners who can offer consistent training and leadership. With proper care and socialization, the Akita Inu is a devoted, majestic companion.

The Finnish Lapphund is an active and alert dog who just loves to fuss around his human family. He has many good qualities that make him the perfect family pet. It is why he is often referred to as an all-rounder.

He is a calm, friendly non-aggressive dog who wants to be co-operative with his owners. He has the tendency to bark. With a friendly, happy face, he is essentially just a big teddy bear and if you treat him well he is going to make sure that he showers you with his special love and loyalty.

The Akita Inu is generally a strong and resilient breed, but it is prone to several genetic and breed-specific health issues.

Common concerns include hip and elbow dysplasia, progressive retinal atrophy (PRA), and hypothyroidism, all of which can affect mobility, vision, and metabolism.

The breed is also susceptible to autoimmune disorders like VKH-like syndrome and sebaceous adenitis, a skin condition causing hair loss and irritation. Additionally, Akitas may experience bloat (gastric torsion), a life-threatening emergency common in deep-chested dogs.

Regular veterinary care, proper diet, and responsible breeding practices are essential to help minimize health risks and ensure a long, healthy life.

Regarded as generally healthy, the Finnish Lapphund can reach anything between 12 and 14 years of age. There are however one or two common dog illnesses that your Finnish Lapphund might be more prone to and these are hip and elbow dysplasia as well as progressive retinal atrophy.

While the occurrences of these illnesses is rare, they can happen with your Finnish Lapphund. Whenever you notice something untoward with your pet, get him to the vet immediately.

Caring for an Akita Inu involves commitment, consistency, and understanding of the breed's unique needs. They require regular grooming, especially during seasonal shedding, with brushing at least 2–3 times a week and daily during coat blow periods.

Akitas thrive on routine exercise, such as long walks or playtime in a secure area, but they aren’t overly energetic. Training and socialization should start early, using positive reinforcement and calm, firm leadership to manage their independent and protective nature.

They are best suited to homes where they are the only pet or properly introduced to others. Akitas are clean, quiet, and typically bond closely with their family, so providing mental stimulation, affection, and clear boundaries is key.

Regular vet checkups, a balanced diet, and proper social interaction help keep your Akita healthy, happy, and well-adjusted.

Grooming:

With his beautiful, thick coat the Finnish Lapphund sheds quite heavily during certain seasons. The double coat will certainly require a good brushing at least twice a week to remove dirt, burrs and grass.

Diet:

All dogs deserve a high quality dog food which is appropriate to the breed, the age of the dog, his size and his activity levels.

You want to ensure that your pet gets all the right vitamins and minerals he requires for good health. If you aren’t sure what to feed your pet on, speak to your vet. Home-made food is always a good idea too as it provides some variety to your pet’s diet. Cooked rice, vegetables and chicken becomes a tasty, nutritious treat when added into his kibble. Also try to add in some raw meat when you can as well to ensure his skin and coat remain healthy. Cool, fresh water is to be supplied night and day non-stop.

Exercise:

Your Finnish Lapphund isn’t the kind of dog who is going to be bounding around you demanding exercise. He is a calm dog with moderate exercise requirements. He will love to join you on a walk every day and some ball games will satisfy him.