Chihuahua vs Akita - Breed Comparison | MyDogBreeds

Chihuahua vs Akita - Breed ComparisonChihuahua is originated from Mexico but Akita is originated from Japan. Chihuahua may grow 47 cm / 18 inches shorter than Akita. Chihuahua may weigh 50 kg / 110 pounds lesser than Akita. Chihuahua may live 5 years more than Akita. Chihuahua may have less litter size than Akita. Both Chihuahua and Akita requires Low maintenance.

History

chihuahua - historyQuite a bit of the Chihuahua’s history is shrouded in mystery, and there are different versions about its origins.

While historians speculate, most will agree that the tiny dog hails from Mexico. The UK Kennel Club considers the smooth- and long coat Chihuahuas as 2 distinct breeds.It was in 1904 that the Chihuahua became a registered breed by the American Kennel Club.

Chihuahua is actually the name of a state in Mexico, and it is amazing that Chihuahua specimens were found way back in the 1800's already. Today the Chihuahua is a very popular dog breed in several countries.

akita - historyAkita is a very old breed. The first information originates back in the 1600s. Akita was a royalty guard and a hunting dog. They were popular because of their bravery. Akita even attacked bears. Helen Keller brought the first Akita to America. She admired the breed because of the famous Hachiko, a dog that was known for his loyalty. Today, Akita is a popular dog in the whole world. They are lovely family pets, and if train properly they will be adorable part of any family.

Description

chihuahua puppy - descriptionThe small Chihuahua stands at about 15 – 23 cm and he weighs about 1,5 – 4kg.

You’ll notice that he shivers when he is excited or when he is cold or frightened. Some people buy him a jersey to don on cooler days. With this tiny toy dog, you get a short- and a long coated Chihuahua.

This is the smallest dog breed and his coat is available in a number of colors such as fawn, tan, white and black. It is the dog’s round apple-shaped head which is a distinctive feature. He has erect ears and huge fruit-bat type eyes.

Temperament:

The Chihuahua is such an alert, fun-loving, feisty little dog, and though he may appear to be an ideal pet for children, he actually isn’t. He is too dainty and frail, and a child, during play, could accidentally crush him.

It’s a pity though because he just loves being around his human family. He is also a highly strung dog, and given the chance, he’ll nip and even bite during games. It is why socialization and training are considered important for the Chihuahua.

Just like with children, how you raise and treat your Chihuahua will determine how he turns out. He is such a sweet little dog that training and socialization can remove these unwanted characteristics. He is very intelligent and responds well to training.

akita puppy - descriptionAkita’s average weight is 34-54kg, while their height is 58-66cm. Females are smaller than males. Lifespan variates from dog to dog but an average lifespan of Akita is 11-15 years. However, if you take care of your dog with a proper diet and regular vet checks they can live longer than average. Litter Size of Akita is 7-8 puppies, but again, litter size variates because of dog’s genetics. Other Names for Akita are Akita-Inu and Japanese Akita.

Characteristics

chihuahua dog - characteristicsSmall and feisty, the Chihuahua’s personality isn’t set in stone, and the tiny dog can be either shy and timid or he can be social, confident and jaunty.

They're always loyal and affectionate to their human owners, but they don’t get on too well with- and are wary of small children who aren’t disciplined and who could hurt them.

With his big eyes and big ears together with his comical antics, they can be a source of entertainment for their human owners. He is easy to train too and even though he is small, he doesn’t think he is, and he is willing to use his big personality to make you a loving, loyal and devoted companion.

akita dog - characteristics Akita is a very elegant breed. They are very strong and fast, so they had been excellent guards. They sometimes can be stubborn, but they are very loyal to the family. Akita has tendencies to be aggressive to other dogs. Because of their dominant character, they can be especially aggressive towards the same sex. They are the best for one-dog houses. With family, they are very loving and gentle. The best way to train Akita is by positive training with awards. The old-fashioned way like punishing is not recommendable. Constant and firm training is important, so if you are first time owner, it might be a big challenge. If you are first time owner, consider advising with a trainer who knows the breed.

Akita loves to be around family and to be included in family activities. They do not need a lot of activity, but daily routines of one-hour walks or jogging would be ideal for Akita. Visiting parks for dogs is not a good idea because of aggressive attitude towards other animals. If Akita does not have activities they can get bored, and you do not want bored Akita. When bored they start barking, digging, chewing, and sometimes even aggressive. Overall, they are very loving and gentle dogs who love to be around family and enjoy activities. But, they also need proper care and attention which require time and patience.

Health Problems

chihuahua puppies - health problemsThe Chihuahua doesn't have any particular health issues, more so when you get him from a reputable breeder. With good care he can reach 20 years of age.

Hypoglycemia:

Known as low blood sugar, hypoglycemia is easily treatable, but if it isn’t caught early it can be fatal.Hypoglycemia makes a dog lethargic and he’ll shiver and could go into a coma. Get him to the vet immediately.

Bloat:

Gastric Dilatation or bloat is when the stomach twists, it becomes enlarged and blood supply is cut off to the stomach. Left untreated, it can be fatal.

Dental Disease:

Chihuahuas are susceptible to dental problems, so you will need to brush his teeth 2 or 3 times a week to prevent tartar build-up, gum disease, loss of teeth and other diseases.

akita puppies - health problemsAkita is a very healthy breed in general. Nevertheless, almost as every breed, Akita can develop health issues. Hip dysplasia, hypothyroidism, Progressive retinal atrophy are some of the issues Akita might have. Although, if you give your puppy Akita necessary vitamins, with a healthy diet and regular vet checks, it will a very happy and healthy dog. It is also important to know the genetics of your dog, so carefully choosing a puppy is very important.

Caring The Pet

Diet:

chihuahua dogs - caringAlways make sure to choose a high-quality dog food for your Chihuahua as this will keep him in tip-top health. A healthy Chihuahua can live to be 20 years of age. Speak to a veterinarian for recommendations on the best type of food to feed your tiny pet.

Giving him some home-made food such as brown rice, vegetables and cooked chicken for instance will be a welcome treat for him. Make sure he always has a bowl of fresh, cool water close by.

Exercise:

The Chihuahua may well be the smallest toy sized dog breed, but don’t be mistaken – he has plenty of energy and is constantly prancing around. He is more than capable of living in a small apartment, but even so he needs to be taken outside every now and then for a game or a walk.

Be careful with your small pet though, as too much exercise can lead to elbow- and hip dysplasia.

Grooming:

The Chihuahua is a moderate shedder with Spring being their heavier shedding period. Because of his small size, you won’t be bothered by too much hair. The short haired Chihuahua is easy to maintain and with a rubber brush, you can brush him gently twice a week.

You’ll also need to clip his nails and if you can’t manage this your vet can also help you.

Feeding Akita

akita dogs - caringIt is always important to adjust feeding to size, activity age and built. Dogs who are bigger and have more activity will need more food. For an average Akita 3-5 cups of dry high-quality food, divided into 2 meals will be enough. They also love to eat vegetables like carrots, broccoli, and fruits like apples, oranges, watermelon, etc.

Feeding Akita puppy

Akita puppy should have more meals per day plus additional calcium and vitamins. 3-5 meals per day would be an ideal for a puppy. It is a perfect way to develop your puppy into a healthy adult dog.

Grooming Akita

Grooming Akita is not the worst, but it will require some work. They have a double coat, but they are shedding a lot. Occasional vacuuming will be a new habit that every Akita owner needs. They shed 2-3 times per year, so it is not very bad. When it not shedding, everyday brushing would be a perfect way to groom your Akita.

Basic Information

Group:
Toy dog
Working dog
Origin:
Mexico
Japan
Height Male:
15 - 23 cm
5 - 10 inches
64 - 70 cm
25 - 28 inches
Height Female:
15 - 23 cm
5 - 10 inches
58 - 64 cm
22 - 26 inches
Weight Male:
2 - 4 kg
4 - 9 pounds
34 - 54 kg
74 - 120 pounds
Weight Female:
2 - 4 kg
4 - 9 pounds
34 - 50 kg
74 - 111 pounds
Life Span:
12 - 20 Years
11 - 15 Years
Litter Size:
2 - 5
7 - 8
Size:
Toy dog
Large dog
Other Names:
None
Akita-Inu, Japanese Akita
Colors Available:
Fawn, white and black, tan
Brindle, Fawn, White, Red Fawn, Red, Pinto and Sesame
Coat:
Short- and long haired
Harsh and Rough, Dense, Water-Repellent, Short and Thick
Shedding:
Moderate, Seasonal
Constant
Temperament:
Affectionate, Alert, Cheerful, Courageous, Curious, Docile, Energetic, Friendly, Gentle, Independent, Intelligent, Lively, Loving, Loyal, Outgoing, Playful, Quiet, Responsive, Social, Sweet
Affectionate, Alert, Courageous, Friendly, Independent, Loyal, Protective, Responsive
Grooming:
Low maintenance
Low maintenance
Trainability:
Easy
Moderate
Hypoallergenic:
No
No
Kids Friendly:
No
Yes
New Owners Friendly:
Yes
No

Comparison with other breeds

  1. Chihuahua vs Yorkshire Terrier - Breed Comparison
  2. Chihuahua vs Chinese Crested Dog - Breed Comparison
  3. Chihuahua vs Affenpinscher - Breed Comparison
  4. Chihuahua vs Brussels Griffon - Breed Comparison
  5. Chihuahua vs Chipoo - Breed Comparison
  6. Chihuahua vs Chiapom - Breed Comparison
  7. Chihuahua vs Bichon Bolognese - Breed Comparison
  8. Chihuahua vs Bugg - Breed Comparison
  9. Morkie vs Chihuahua - Breed Comparison
  10. Havanese vs Chihuahua - Breed Comparison
  11. Chorkie vs Chihuahua - Breed Comparison
  12. Pekingese vs Chihuahua - Breed Comparison
  13. Chiweenie vs Chihuahua - Breed Comparison
  14. Chug vs Chihuahua - Breed Comparison
  15. English Toy Terrier (Black & Tan) vs Chihuahua - Breed Comparison
  16. Long Haired Chihuahua vs Chihuahua - Breed Comparison
  17. Russian Toy Terrier vs Chihuahua - Breed Comparison
  18. Franzuskaya Bolonka vs Chihuahua - Breed Comparison
  19. Phalene vs Chihuahua - Breed Comparison
  20. Cockachon vs Chihuahua - Breed Comparison
  21. Shih Tzu vs Chihuahua - Breed Comparison
  22. Silky Terrier vs Chihuahua - Breed Comparison
  23. Snorkie vs Chihuahua - Breed Comparison
  24. Toy Bulldog vs Chihuahua - Breed Comparison
  25. Toy Mi-Ki vs Chihuahua - Breed Comparison
  26. Akita vs Siberian Husky - Breed Comparison
  27. Akita vs Rottweiler - Breed Comparison
  28. Akita vs Boxer - Breed Comparison
  29. Akita vs Doberman Pinscher - Breed Comparison
  30. Samoyed vs Akita - Breed Comparison
  31. Alaskan Malamute vs Akita - Breed Comparison
  32. Bullmastiff vs Akita - Breed Comparison
  33. Great Pyrenees vs Akita - Breed Comparison
  34. Boerboel vs Akita - Breed Comparison
  35. Presa Canario vs Akita - Breed Comparison
  36. Alapaha Blue Blood Bulldog vs Akita - Breed Comparison
  37. Labrador Husky vs Akita - Breed Comparison
  38. Argentine Dogo vs Akita - Breed Comparison
  39. Giant Schnauzer vs Akita - Breed Comparison
  40. Africanis vs Akita - Breed Comparison
  41. Belgian Shepherd vs Akita - Breed Comparison
  42. Goldador vs Akita - Breed Comparison
  43. Bandog vs Akita - Breed Comparison
  44. Belgian Shepherd Dog (Groenendael) vs Akita - Breed Comparison
  45. Dogo Cubano vs Akita - Breed Comparison
  46. Dogo Sardesco vs Akita - Breed Comparison
  47. Beauceron vs Akita - Breed Comparison
  48. Central Asian Shepherd vs Akita - Breed Comparison
  49. Mackenzie River Husky vs Akita - Breed Comparison
  50. Black Russian Terrier vs Akita - Breed Comparison

View/Compare Breeds

Popular Dog Breeds