Akita vs American Staffordshire Terrier vs Australian Shepherd – Which one is a better dog breed for you?

"Find similarities and differences between Akita vs American Staffordshire Terrier vs Australian Shepherd" Compare Akita and American Staffordshire Terrier. Which is better: Akita or American Staffordshire Terrier or Australian Shepherd?

General Appearance Hair & Care Characteristics Good With Health Factors Reproducibility Show differences only

Name	Akita	American Staffordshire Terrier	Australian Shepherd
Origins	Japan	United States	United States
All Dog Breeds By Country Of Origin
Group	Working Dogs	Hunting Dogs	Pastoral Dogs (Herding Dogs)
Popularity Rank	47	83	17
Reviews	4	5	2
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Other Names	Great Japanese Dog, Japanese Akita, American Akita	Amstaff, Stafford, Staffy	Aussie, Little Blue Dog
Breed Type	Purebred	Purebred	Purebred
AKC Group	Recognized by the American Kennel Club in 1972 as a Working breed.	Recognized by the American Kennel Club in 1936 as a Terrier breed.	Recognized by the American Kennel Club in 1991 as a Herding breed.
FCI Group	Recognized by FCI in the Spitz and primitive types group, in the Asian Spitz and related breeds section.	Recognized by FCI in the Terriers group, in the Bull type Terriers section.	Recognized by FCI in the Sheepdogs and Cattledogs (except Swiss Cattledogs) group, in the Sheepdogs section.
Breed Recognition	American Canine Registry American Kennel Club America's Pet Registry Canadian Kennel Club Dog Registry of America Inc. North American Purebred Registry, Inc. American Canine Association, Inc. Continental Kennel Club National Kennel Club	No set	American Canine Registry American Kennel Club America's Pet Registry Dog Registry of America Inc. North American Purebred Registry, Inc. American Canine Association, Inc. Continental Kennel Club National Kennel Club New Zealand Kennel Club United Kennel Club Australian Shepherd Club Of America
Price	$800-$1200	$800-$1000	$600-$800

General Appearance - Akita vs American Staffordshire Terrier vs Australian Shepherd

Size	Large	Medium	Large
Weight	Male: 75-120 pounds (34-54 kg), Female: 75-110 pounds (34-50 kg)	57-67 pounds (25-30 kg)	Male: 50-65 pounds (25-29 kg), Female: 40-55 pounds (18-25 kg)
Avg. Weight	Male: 97.5 pounds (44 kg), Female: 92.5 pounds (42 kg)	62 pounds (27.5 kg)	Male: 57.5 pounds (27 kg), Female: 47.5 pounds (21.5 kg)
Height	Male: 26-28 inches (66-71 cm), Female: 24-26 inches (61-66 cm)	Male: 17-19 inches (43-48 cm), Female: 16-18 inches (41-46 cm)	Male: 20-23 inches (52-58cm), Female: 18-21 inches (46–53 cm)
Avg. Height	Male: 27 inches (68.5 cm), Female: 25 inches (63.5 cm)	Male: 18 inches (45.5 cm), Female: 17 inches (43.5 cm)	Male: 21.5 inches (55 cm), Female: 19.5 inches (46–53 cm)

Hair & Care - Akita vs American Staffordshire Terrier vs Australian Shepherd

Coat	Fluffy Dense Waterproof Straight	Fine	Feathered
Colors	Red Fawn White Black Brown	Brown Blue White Black	Red Blue Merle Black
Grooming	Easy to groom: The Akita doesn't require a lot of grooming.	Effortless: The American Staffordshire Terrier requires minimal grooming.	Average: The Australian Shepherd requires average grooming effort.
Shedding Level	Akitas are heavy shedders.	American Staffordshire Terriers shed none to minimal.	Australian Shepherds shed moderately.

Characteristics - Akita vs American Staffordshire Terrier vs Australian Shepherd

Temperament	Alert Dignified Friendly Responsive Courageous Docile Intelligent Vigilant Independent Faithful Willing Protective	Attentive Devoted Loyal Intelligent Courageous Friendly Tenacious	Active Friendly Intelligent Loving Affectionate Good-natured Protective
Intelligent Rank	Average: Akita's has average obedience intelligence.	Smart: American Staffordshire Terrier's has great intelligence.	Smart: Australian Shepherd's has great intelligence.
Trainability	Akitas are easy to train.	American Staffordshire Terriers are easy to train.	Australian Shepherds are very easy to train.
Playfulness	Akitas, like any other dog breed, like playing.	The American Staffordshire Terrier is a playful breed.	The Australian Shepherd is a highly playful breed.
Sensitivity Level	Akitas don't like an irregular daily routine, noisy household and frequent guest visits.	American Staffordshire Terriers have an average emotional level and are not the most sensitive dog breed.	Australian Shepherds don't like an irregular daily routine, noisy household and frequent guest visits.
Affection Level	Akitas are genuinely loyal, soft and gentle, loving and affectionate dogs toward their handlers.	American Staffordshire Terriers are genuinely loyal, soft and gentle, loving and affectionate dogs toward their handlers.	Australian Shepherds are highly affectionate dogs.
Social Needs	Akitas need for social interaction is average.	American Staffordshire Terriers are a social breed.	Australian Shepherds are a social breed.
Barking	Low: The Akita barks none to minimal.	Average: The American Staffordshire Terrier barks occasionally.	Low to Average: The Australian Shepherd rarely barks.
Watchdog Ability	Akitas are one of the best watchdogs.	American Staffordshire Terriers are average watchdogs.	Australian Shepherds are one of the best watchdogs.
Territorial	Akitas are extremely protective guard dogs.	American Staffordshire Terriers are average defenders.	Australian Shepherds are extremely protective guard dogs.
Biting Potential	Moderate The Akita has an average chance of biting somebody.	Low The American Staffordshire Terrier has a low chance of biting somebody.	Low The Australian Shepherd has a low chance of biting somebody.
Mouthiness	Akitas have an average tendency to nip, chew, play-bite, or herd people.	American Staffordshire Terriers have a strong tendency to nip, chew, play-bite, or herd people.	Australian Shepherds have a higher than average tendency to nip, chew, play-bite, or herd people.
Impulse to Wander or Roam	Wanderlust potential of the Akita is strong enough to escape from home.	American Staffordshire Terriers have average wanderlust potential.	Australian Shepherds are not the biggest explorers.
Prey Drive	Akitas have a higher impulse to chase and catch something than other dog breeds.	American Staffordshire Terriers have an average prey drive, which means that they don't have a high impulse to chase and catch something like a cat or any other small aminals, but it might happen.	Australian Shepherds have a higher impulse to chase and catch something than other dog breeds.
Apartment Friendly	Akitas are very apartment-friendly dogs.	American Staffordshire Terriers are not recommended for an apartment lifestyle.	Australian Shepherds are not the best choice for an apartment lifestyle, but they don't mind being inside if you walk them several times every day.
Adaptability	Akitas adapt very well to lifestyle changes and basically all living environments.	American Staffordshire Terriers adapt to lifestyle changes and different living environments quite okay usually.	Australian Shepherds adapt very well to lifestyle changes and basically all living environments.
Tolerates Being Left Alone	Just like every puppy, they are prone to panic, cry, bark, whine when they left alone by their owner.	American Staffordshire Terriers do best when a family member is at home during the day or if their workplace is dog-friendly so they can take the dog at work.	Australian Shepherds do best when a family member is at home during the day or if their workplace is dog-friendly so they can take the dog at work.
Fighting Dog	Yes In history, this breed was unfortunately used for combat dog.	Yes In history, this breed was unfortunately used for combat dog.	Not really In history, this breed was not really used for combat dog.

Good With - Akita vs American Staffordshire Terrier vs Australian Shepherd

Stranger Friendly	Akitas are not the most stranger friendly dogs.	American Staffordshire Terriers are stranger friendly dogs.	Australian Shepherds are not the most stranger friendly dogs.
Child Friendly	Akitas are kid-friendly dogs.	American Staffordshire Terriers are kid-friendly dogs.	Australian Shepherds are very kid-friendly dogs.
Cat Friendly	Akitas are average friendly towards cats.	American Staffordshire Terriers are not cat-friendly dogs.	Australian Shepherds are average friendly towards cats.
Dog Friendly	Akitas are average friendly towards other dogs.	American Staffordshire Terriers are not dog-friendly.	Australian Shepherds are average friendly towards other dogs.
Office Friendly	No Akita is not the best dog breed for office environment.	Yes American Staffordshire Terrier is one of the best dog breeds for office environment	No Australian Shepherd is not the best dog breed for office environment.
Senior Citizens Friendly	Akitas are usually recommended for elderly people.	American Staffordshire Terriers are usually recommended for elderly people.	Australian Shepherds are one of the best breeds for elderly people.
Pet Friendly	Akitas are generally with other pets.	American Staffordshire Terriers do best when they’re the only pet at the family.	Australian Shepherds are generally with other pets.
Good For First Time Owners	No Akitas are not good for novice owners, due to their stubborn personality.	Yes American Staffordshire Terriers are good for novice owners, due to their easy-going personality.	No Australian Shepherds are not good for novice owners, due to their stubborn personality.
Service Dog	Not really This breed generally not used as a service dog.	Yes This breed makes good as a service dog.	Not really This breed generally not used as a service dog.
Therapy Dog	Not really This breed generally not used as a therapy dog.	Not really This breed generally not used as a therapy dog.	Not really This breed generally not used as a therapy dog.
Detection Dog or Sniffer Dog	Not really A detection dog or sniffer dog is a dog that is trained to use its senses (mostly its smell) to detect substances such as explosives, illegal drugs, wildlife scat, currency, blood, and contraband electronics such as illicit mobile phones.	Not really A detection dog or sniffer dog is a dog that is trained to use its senses (mostly its smell) to detect substances such as explosives, illegal drugs, wildlife scat, currency, blood, and contraband electronics such as illicit mobile phones.	Not really A detection dog or sniffer dog is a dog that is trained to use its senses (mostly its smell) to detect substances such as explosives, illegal drugs, wildlife scat, currency, blood, and contraband electronics such as illicit mobile phones.
Search and Rescue Dog (SAR)	Not really The use of dogs in search and rescue (SAR) is a valuable component in wilderness tracking, natural disasters, mass casualty events, and in locating missing people.	Not really The use of dogs in search and rescue (SAR) is a valuable component in wilderness tracking, natural disasters, mass casualty events, and in locating missing people.	Not really The use of dogs in search and rescue (SAR) is a valuable component in wilderness tracking, natural disasters, mass casualty events, and in locating missing people.
Boat Dog	Not really Akita breed usually doesn't like being on a boat.	Not really American Staffordshire Terrier breed usually doesn't like being on a boat.	Not really Australian Shepherd breed usually doesn't like being on a boat.
Cart Pulling or Drafting Dog	Not really A drafting dog or draft dog is a dog bred and used for cart pulling.	Not really A drafting dog or draft dog is a dog bred and used for cart pulling.	Not really A drafting dog or draft dog is a dog bred and used for cart pulling.

Health Factors - Akita vs American Staffordshire Terrier vs Australian Shepherd

Health Issues	The Akita is a healthy breed, but there are certain health issues that you should check with your vet regularly.	The American Staffordshire Terrier is a healthy breed, but there are certain health issues that you should check with your vet regularly.	The Australian Shepherd is a healthy breed, but there are certain health issues that you should check with your vet regularly.
Health Problems	Bloat Hip Dysplasia Hypothyroidism Progressive retinal atrophy (PRA) Sebaceous Adenitis	No set	Allergies Cancer Cataracts Collie Eye Anomaly Deafness Detached Retina Distichiasis Drug Sensitivity Elbow Dysplasia Epilepsy Hip Dysplasia Hypothyroidism Nasal Solar Dermatitis Osteochondrosis Dissecans Persistent Pupillary Membranes Progressive retinal atrophy (PRA)
Life Expectancy	10-14 years	12-14 years	12-15 years
Calculate dog years to human years by breed here
Hypoallergenic	No	No	No
Energy Level	Akitas have a higher energy level than other dog breeds.	American Staffordshire Terriers have an average energy level, so if you live a semi-active life, this breed can be a good choice for you.	Australian Shepherds are high energy dogs.
Exercise Need	Akitas need quite a lot of exercise.	American Staffordshire Terriers need quite a lot of exercise.	Australian Shepherds need a lot of exercises.
Sleeping Need	Akitas are quite energetic dogs and they don't spend to much time with sleeping.	American Staffordshire Terriers sleep 12-14 hours a day as an average dog and they're not considered as a lazy breed.	Australian Shepherds don't need too much sleep.
Avg. daily food consumption	Recommended daily amount: 3 to 5 cups of high-quality dry food a day.	2.5 to 3 cups of high-quality dry food a day, divided into two meals.	1.5 to 2.5 cups of high-quality dry food a day, divided into two meals.
Weight Gain Potential	Average to High.	Low to Average.	Average to High.
Weather & Climate	Prefers cold weather The Akita can adapt well to harsh weather conditions, and also can be a good mountain dog.	Prefers average to warm weather conditions	Prefers average to cold weather conditions The Australian Shepherd can adapt to well to cold weather conditions, some dogs even can be a good mountain dog.
Stinkiness	Medium The Akita has an average chance of bad smell.	Medium The American Staffordshire Terrier has an average chance of bad smell.	Medium The Australian Shepherd has an average chance of bad smell.
Drooling tendency	The Akita is a big drooler, so if you're disgusted by slobber spots on your clothes, you should choose a dog from another breed.	The American Staffordshire Terrier is an average drooler.	The Australian Shepherd is a perfect example for very low drooling tendency.

Reproducibility - Akita vs American Staffordshire Terrier vs Australian Shepherd

Gestation Length	60-64 days	60-64 days	60-64 days
How often can the have a litter?	Once a year. More frequent breeding is not healthy.	Once a year. More frequent breeding is not healthy.	Once a year. More frequent breeding is not healthy.
Litter Size	3-12 puppies	5-10 puppies	6-9 puppies, average 7
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