21 Akita Mixes (With Pictures)

Dog mixes are like a box of chocolates: you never know what you're going to get, but every one of them is a treat. An Akita mix retains a surprising combination of traits from both parent breeds, so it can be difficult to predict exactly how your puppy will turn out. Often Akita mixes can be rescued from accidental litters, but intentionally planned “designer dog” Akita crossbreeds, however, can cost thousands. No matter their background, the good news is that mixed breeds are less likely to develop certain diseases than purebred dogs, which may extend their life expectancy past their breed standard. If you’re looking for an Akita mix breed, here are 21 options worth considering. But first, let’s look at the characteristics of an Akita.

Akita Characteristics

Breed Overview

With a fluffy medium double coat and a curled tail, the spry Akita looks ready to spring into a snowy expedition. Originally bred in Japan, the Akita descended from a Spitz-type dog. They've held many job titles over the centuries, from babysitter to military canine. Their slightly aloof nature suits them well for being guard dogs, but they need extensive socialization training to prevent them from reacting aggressively to strangers and new dogs.

Akita mixes that include a more amiable breed, such as the Labrador Retriever, may reduce this trait a little. Conversely, breeding the Akita with a breed of similar temperament such as the Chow Chow will bring it out more. Although they're not considered to be a particularly high-energy breed, they do well with outdoor activities and need daily exercise to stay healthy.

The 21 Akita Mixes

1. Akita x German Shepherd

The thick double coat and guarding nature of these two breeds make the match seem inevitable. You'll want to keep a lint roller on hand during the spring and fall though because they shed a lot of fur as they seasonally blow their coats.

2. Akita x Labrador Retriever

The friendly Labrador mixed with the aloof Akita presents a more balanced personality. They usually take the Labrador's happy smile, but they may inherit either a fluffy or a straight coat, and their tail may or may not curl like the Akita.

3. Akita x Chow Chow

Often sporting an orange coat with a purple tongue, this mix is adorable and much smaller than the average Akita. However, don't mistake this mix for a lapdog. Chow Chows also have a reserved personality and aren't too fond of snuggles. They do tend to form close bonds with their owners and will probably want to be where you are.

4. Akita x Staffordshire Bull Terrier

Mixing the Akita with a Pit Bull breed results in a muscular body and slightly boxy face that gives them a healthy appearance. These dogs may possess strong guarding instincts toward strangers or if they perceive a threat, but deeply love their people.

5. Akita x Newfoundland

You might want to invest in a pair of hiking shoes if you decide on this mix. Both parent breeds enjoy spending time exercising outdoors and have high energy levels. The personality of the mix depends on whether they adopt the Akita's independence or Newfoundland's affectionate nature.

6. Akita x Saint Bernard

Known as nanny dogs, the Saint Bernard embodies the qualities of a considerate babysitter by being loyal and sweet. Like the Akita, they also may defend the home when threatened, but aren't likely to act aggressive towards their family, making them the perfect guardian for households with children. Of course, as with all dogs, you'll want to make sure your child knows to respect the dog by not excessively teasing or hurting it. This is a large breed that can cause serious harm if they bite, even if they consciously choose not to.

7. Akita x Husky

When the Akita and Husky come together, you'll end up with a fluffy dog that looks like they're off to the races. They're an excellent choice for cold weather climates. If you have small pets like cats, however, this probably isn't the breed for you due to their high prey drive.

8. Akita x Shar Pei

Imagine the orange cream color of the Akita folded into the adorable wrinkles of the Shar Pei. Sounds like a dream, right? This breed is likely to be a bit reserved, since both parent breeds have strong guarding instincts.

9. Akita x Border Collie

The intelligent Border Collie mixed with the Akita gives you a spunky dog that's full of mental and physical energy. This dog definitely needs a job to do in order to keep from being bored and possibly destructive. They make a great running companion and are the best fit for active families with plenty of time to spend outside each day.

10. Akita x Golden Retriever

This large, honey-colored dog takes the sweetness of the Golden Retriever and the nimble prowess of the Akita, resulting in the ultimate family dog. You might expect some cuddles with this affable mix but be prepared to spend plenty of time off the sofa romping around with this happy dog.

11. Akita x Mastiff

With the large stocky body, this dog will probably intimidate strangers but love their family deeply. They may take the darker muzzle and ears from the Mastiff and may or may not have their short coat. They're the best fit for dog-only homes, as their high prey drive generally disqualifies them from feline-dwelling households.

12. Akita x Rottweiler

With rich dark brown coloring, the Akita and Rottweiler mix looks like a peanut butter cup. Their high intelligence coupled with their independent streak may be problematic without early training, so it's imperative to train them while they're young.

13. Akita x Shiba Inu

A true Japanese mixed breed, the Akita Shiba Inu mix looks like an oversized stuffed animal fox. The mix takes the orange color characteristic to both breeds, as well as their independent natures. While they may not be the most snuggly breed, they're definitely cute.

14. Akita x Great Pyrenees

A fluffy double coat is inevitable with this adorable mix. The Great Pyrenees is always white, so the mix may result in a cream color with red hues, or they may take one of the many colors in the Akita's breed standard.

15. Akita x Great Dane

The Great Dane is a gentle giant breed that is a loyal protector and also likes to snuggle and play. The perfect combination for a family dog, the Akita Great Dane mix may inherit the gray color characteristic of Great Danes or may adopt any blend of shades from the Akita.

16. Akita x Bernese Mountain Dog

The friendly Bernese Mountain Dog lends its soft, multi-colored coat to the independent Akita, resulting in an extra fluffy dog with a well-balanced personality. This dog is likely to have high energy levels since most parent breeds are working dogs, but they probably won't decline an invitation to snuggle once playtime is over.

17. Akita x Australian Shepherd

The beloved Aussie mixed with the Akita gives you lots of playtime and fur. They tend to develop a special bond with one person (lucky you!) but may need a little bit of time adjusting to new household members. Aussies frequently have blue eyes, so there's a chance they'll pass it on to the mix.

18. Akita x Cane Corso

The Cane Corso served as the guardian of Italian villas for centuries. This noble breed mixed with the Akita produces a stately looking dog that's affectionate to their family but may be a little wary of strangers. Early socialization is a must if you plan on taking them on public outings, or if you have a lot of visitors.

19. Akita x Samoyed

The Samoyed is a smaller, light-colored dog who was traditionally employed to pull sleds. Mixed with the fluffy Akita, this dog looks like they're ready to embark on an expedition through the snowy tundra.

20. Akita x Catahoula Leopard Dog

The Catahoula Leopard Dog from Louisiana mixed with the Japanese Akita blends more cultures than red beans and rice. It's an adorable match that's almost guaranteed to have a patterned coat and high energy levels.

21. Akita x Doberman

The well-defined features of the Doberman Pinscher are usually passed onto the mix, which may inherit their short coat or may take the Akita's medium coat depending on their genes. These are the ultimate guard dogs that form strong bonds with their closest people but may not be especially affectionate towards strangers.

Conclusion

The Akita alone is an awesome breed, but there can be some definite advantages to a mix. Their slightly distant nature can sometimes be reduced by breeding them with a dog that's more eager to please, such as the Golden Retriever. Conversely, a dog that is mixed with a similar breed with strong protective instincts is likely to make an excellent working dog or family pet, depending on their environment and training.

Featured Image Credit: Roman Zaiets, Shutterstock.