German Shepherd vs Akita Comparison – Which dog is better Alsatian wolf dog or American Akita?

"Find similarities and differences between German Shepherd vs Akita" Compare German Shepherd and Akita. Which is better: German Shepherd or Akita?

Size and Weight Price and Availability Trainability and Intelligence Personality and Temperament Activity and Playfulness Adaptability and Independence Bite Characteristics Health and Lifespan Energy and Activity Diet and Weight Management Allergies and Grooming Good With As a Working Dog Reproducibility Recognition Show differences only

Name	German Shepherd	Akita
Origins	Germany	Japan
All Dog Breeds By Country Of Origin
Group	Pastoral / Herding Dogs	Working Dogs
Popularity Rank	2	47
Reviews	21	9
User Ratings

Common Names & Aliases Compare different names used for German Shepherd and Akita. What other names are these breeds known by?	Alsatian wolf dog Berger Allemand Deutscher Schäferhund Schäferhund Alsatian	American Akita Japanese Akita Great Japanese Dog
Breed Classification Compare breed classifications between a German Shepherd and an Akita. Learn about their genetic backgrounds.	Purebred	Purebred

German Shepherd vs Akita Size and Weight Comparison

Size Classification Which is bigger: a German Shepherd or an Akita? Compare size differences between these breeds.	Large	Large
Weight Statistics Compare weight ranges between a German Shepherd and an Akita. Which breed is heavier?	Male: 66-88 pounds (30-40 kg), Female: 49-71 pounds (22-32 kg)	Male: 75-120 pounds (34-54 kg), Female: 75-110 pounds (34-50 kg)
Average Weight Which dog has a smaller / higher average weight?	Male: 77 pounds (35 kg), Female: 60 pounds (27 kg)	Male: 97.5 pounds (44 kg), Female: 92.5 pounds (42 kg)
Height Which is taller, German Shepherd or Akita? Is a German Shepherd taller than an Akita?	Male: 24-26 inches (60-65 cm), Female: 22-24 inches (55-60 cm)	Male: 26-28 inches (66-71 cm), Female: 24-26 inches (61-66 cm)
Average Height Which dog has a smaller / higher average height?	Male: 25 inches (62.5 cm), Female: 23 inches (57.5 cm)	Male: 27 inches (68.5 cm), Female: 25 inches (63.5 cm)

German Shepherd vs Akita Price and Availability Comparison

Price Range Compare puppy prices between a German Shepherd and an Akita. Which breed costs more?	$800-$2000	$800-$1200
Availability Which is easier to get, German Shepherd or Akita?	Very frequent: The German Shepherd is quite easy to get.	Very frequent: The Akita is quite easy to get.

German Shepherd vs Akita Trainability and Intelligence Comparison

Intelligence Rating Which is smarter: a German Shepherd or an Akita? Compare intelligence rankings and learning abilities.	Outstanding: German Shepherd is one of the brightest dog breeds. See more.	Average: It takes patience to teach this breed any tricks or commands, but the effort is worth it. See more.
Smartest Dog Breeds
Training Difficulty Which is easier to train: a German Shepherd or an Akita? Compare training requirements.	German Shepherd dogs are easy to train. See more.	Akita dogs are easy to train. See more.
Least Obedient Dog Breeds		Dog Breeds That Easy To Train
Watchdog Rating Which makes a better watchdog: a German Shepherd or an Akita? Compare alertness levels.	German Shepherd dogs are one of the best watchdogs. See more.	Akita dogs are one of the best watchdogs. See more.
Territorial Protection Which is more protective: a German Shepherd or an Akita? Compare territorial behaviors.	German Shepherd dogs are extremely protective guard dogs. See more.	Akita dogs are extremely protective guard dogs. See more.
Guard Dog Breeds List

German Shepherd vs Akita Personality and Temperament Comparison

Personality Traits Compare personalities of a German Shepherd and an Akita. How do their temperaments differ?	Curious Alert Courageous Intelligent Confident Obedient Loyal Watchful	Dignified Independent Protective Alert Courageous Intelligent Friendly Responsive Docile Faithful Vigilant Willing
Sensitivity Level Which dog is more sensitive? What's the difference between German Shepherd vs Akita?	Sensitive: German Shepherd dogs don't like an irregular daily routine, noisy household, and frequent guest visits. See more.	Sensitive: Akita dogs don't like an irregular daily routine, noisy household, and frequent guest visits. See more.
Most Sensitive Dog Breeds		Less Sensitive Dog Breeds
Affection Level Which is the more affectionate dog breed: German Shepherd vs Akita?	High: German Shepherd dogs are genuinely loyal, soft and gentle, loving, and affectionate dogs toward their handlers. See more.	High: Akita dogs are genuinely loyal, soft and gentle, loving, and affectionate dogs toward their handlers. See more.
Most Affectionate Dog Breeds
Social Needs German Shepherd vs Akita social needs comparison:	German Shepherd dogs need for social interaction is average. See more.	Akita dogs need for social interaction is average. See more.
Impulse to Wander or Roam Which dog has a greater roaming instinct? What's the difference between German Shepherd vs Akita?	German Shepherd dogs are not the biggest explorers. See more.	The wanderlust potential of the Akita is strong enough to escape from home. See more.
Prey Drive Which dog has a higher prey drive? What's the difference between German Shepherd vs Akita? Which can be better for hunting?	German Shepherd dogs have a higher impulse to chase and catch something than other dog breeds. See more.	Akita dogs have a higher impulse to chase and catch something than other dog breeds. See more.
Dog Breeds With Low Prey Drive		Dog Breeds With High Prey Drive

German Shepherd vs Akita Activity and Playfulness Comparison

Barking Frequency Which breed barks more: a German Shepherd or an Akita? Compare vocalization tendencies.	Low to Average: The German Shepherd rarely barks. See more.	Low: The Akita barks none to minimal. See more.
Quiet Dog Breeds That Don't Bark		Dog Breeds That Bark The Most
Playful Nature Which breed is more playful: a German Shepherd or an Akita? Compare play drive and energy.	Average: German Shepherds, like any other dog breed, like playing. See more.	Average: Akitas, like any other dog breed, like playing. See more.
Most Playful Dog Breeds
Apartment Adaptability Which is better for apartments: a German Shepherd or an Akita? Compare living space needs.	It is not the best choice if you want to keep them indoors, however, with careful exercise and several walks a day, they will tolerate the indoor environment, so it is possible to keep German Shepherd indoors.	Very house-friendly dog the Akita breed.
The Worst Dog Breeds for Apartment Living		Apartment Friendly Dogs List

German Shepherd vs Akita Adaptability and Independence Comparison

Lifestyle Adaptability Which adapts better to changes: a German Shepherd or an Akita? Compare adaptability levels.	German Shepherd dogs adapt very well to lifestyle changes and basically all living environments.	Akita dogs adapt very well to lifestyle changes and basically all living environments.
Alone Time Tolerance Which dog can be left alone: German Shepherd or Akita?	Just like every puppy, they are prone to panic, cry, bark, whine when they left alone by their owner.	Just like every puppy, they are prone to panic, cry, bark, whine when they left alone by their owner.

German Shepherd vs Akita Bite Characteristics Comparison

Bite Risk Assessment Which has lower bite risk: a German Shepherd or an Akita? Compare biting tendencies.	High 🔼 The German Shepherd has a high chance of biting somebody.	Moderate ⏺ The Akita has an average chance of biting somebody.
Mouthing Tendency Which is more mouthy: a German Shepherd or an Akita? Compare mouthing behaviors.	German Shepherd dogs have a strong tendency to nip, chew, play-bite, or herd people. See more.	Akita dogs have an average tendency to nip, chew, playbite, or herd people. See more.
Bite Strength Rating Which has a stronger bite: a German Shepherd or an Akita? Compare bite force PSI.	Between 200 and 400 PSI ⏺ German Shepherd bite force: Ordinary.	Between 200 and 400 PSI ⏺ Akita bite force: Ordinary.
Dog Breeds With The Lowest Bite Force		Dog Breeds With the Strongest Bite Force

German Shepherd vs Akita Health and Lifespan Comparison

Average Lifespan Which lives longer: a German Shepherd or an Akita? Compare average lifespans.	9-13 years The average lifespan of German Shepherd: 11 years	10-14 years The average lifespan of Akita: 12 years
Calculate dog years to human years by breed here
Climate Tolerance Which handles weather better: a German Shepherd or an Akita? Compare climate tolerances.	Tolerates warm and cold weather Dogs that tolerate hot and cold weather are typically those that have a double coat of fur. See more.	Prefers cold weather The Akita can adapt well to harsh weather conditions, and also can be a good mountain dog. See more.
Health Concerns Compare common health issues between a German Shepherd and an Akita. Which breed is healthier?	German Shepherds are commonly healthy dogs.	The Akita is a healthy breed, but there are certain health issues that you should check with your vet regularly.
Healthiest Dog Breeds
Vet Care Frequency Which one may need more or less veterinary visits: German Shepherd vs Akita?	Rare The German Shepherd should have a complete physical check-up at least every 12-18 months (but preferably once per year).	Average The Akita should have a complete physical check-up at least once per year.
Longest Living Dog Breeds
Health Problems Which one has more or less genetic/health problems: German Shepherd vs Akita? What are the allergies, genetic diseases and concerns for them? German Shepherd vs Akita health problems comparison:	Cataracts Hip Dysplasia Allergies Cancer Progressive retinal atrophy (PRA) Von Willebrand's Disease Bloat Epilepsy Blindness Cherry Eye Elbow Dysplasia Diabetes Heart Disease Retinal Dysplasia Demodectic Mange Degenerative Myelopathy Wobbler's Syndrome Panosteitis Hemophilia B Megaesophagus Cushing's Syndrome Lens Luxation Exocrine Pancreatic Insufficiency Chronic Diarrhea Cruciate Ligament Rupture Digestive Problems Hemophilia A Hypertrophic Osteodystrophy Lupus Myasthenia Gravis Nail Bed Disease Osteochondrosis Pannus Paralysis Perianal Fistula Seborrhea Vitiligo	Hip Dysplasia Hypothyroidism Progressive retinal atrophy (PRA) Bloat Sebaceous Adenitis

German Shepherd vs Akita Energy and Activity Comparison

Energy Rating Which breed is more energetic: a German Shepherd or an Akita? Compare activity levels.	German Shepherd dogs are high-energy dogs.	Akita dogs have a higher energy level than other dog breeds.
Low-Energy Dog Breeds		High-Energy Dog Breeds
Activity Requirement / Exercise Need German Shepherd vs Akita exercise need comparison. Which dog needs more activity? Which dog needs the most exercise: German Shepherd or Akita? Which dog needs the most walking? Which dog is the laziest?	German Shepherd dogs need quite a lot of exercise.	Akita dogs need quite a lot of exercise.
Sleeping Need Which one sleeps the least/most: German Shepherd or Akita?	German Shepherd dogs don't need too much sleep.	Akita dogs are quite energetic dogs and they don't spend too much time with sleeping.
Dog Breeds That Sleep A Lot

German Shepherd vs Akita Diet and Weight Management Comparison

Obesity Tendency Which gains weight easier: a German Shepherd or an Akita? Compare obesity risks.	Low to Average: The German Shepherd has a low to the average risk for obesity. See more.	Average to High: If you don't pay attention to the Akita's weight, he can easily gain weight. See more.
Dog Breeds Prone To Obesity
Food Consumption Which eats more: a German Shepherd or an Akita? Compare daily food needs.	3 to 4 cups of high-quality dry food a day, divided into two meals.	Recommended daily amount: 3 to 5 cups of high-quality dry food a day.
Dog Breeds That Eat A Lot

German Shepherd vs Akita Allergies and Grooming Comparison

Allergy Friendliness Which is more hypoallergenic: a German Shepherd or an Akita? Compare allergy friendliness.	No See more.	No See more.
Hypoallergenic Dog Breeds
Coat Colors What color variations exist for German Shepherd and Akita? Compare breed colors.	Black Tan Red Silver	Black Red White Brown Fawn
Grooming Requirements Which needs more grooming: a German Shepherd or an Akita? Compare maintenance needs.	Average: The German Shepherd requires average grooming effort. See more.	Easy to groom: The Akita doesn't require a lot of grooming. See more.
Low-Maintenance Dog Breeds		High-Maintenance Dog Breeds
Drooling Tendency Which drools more: a German Shepherd or an Akita? Compare drooling amounts.	The German Shepherd is a perfect example of a very low drooling tendency. See more.	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. See more.
Stinkiness Rating Which has less odor: a German Shepherd or an Akita? Compare natural smell levels.	Medium ⏺ The German Shepherd has an average chance of bad smell.	Medium ⏺ The Akita has an average chance of bad smell.
Coat Characteristics How do coats differ between a German Shepherd and an Akita? Compare fur types.	Fuzzy	Fluffy Dense Waterproof Straight
Bathing Needs Which needs more baths: a German Shepherd or an Akita? Compare bathing frequencies.	8-12 weeks Very rarely. Bathing your dog is beneficial to them in more ways than just one. See more.	3-4 weeks More often than average. These dog coats tend to be longer, softer, and oilier than short-haired breeds. See more.
Shedding Level Who sheds more German Shepherd or Akita? Do German Shepherd dogs shed more than Akita dogs?	German Shepherd dogs are heavy shedders. See more.	Akita dogs are heavy shedders. See more.
Low-Shedding Dog Breeds		Dog Breeds That Shed The Most

German Shepherd vs Akita Good With Comparison

Child Compatibility Which is better with children: a German Shepherd or an Akita? Compare kid-friendliness.	German Shepherd dogs are very kid-friendly dogs.	Akita dogs are kid-friendly dogs.
Kid-Friendly Dog Breeds
Pet Compatibility Which dog breeds get along well with other animals/pets?	German Shepherd dogs are generally with other pets.	Akita dogs are generally with other pets.
Stranger Friendly Which dog is more stranger friendly German Shepherd or Akita? Which dog is more friendly?	German Shepherd dogs are stranger-friendly dogs.	Akita dogs are not the most stranger-friendly dogs.
Dog Breeds That Are Aloof With Strangers		Dog Breeds That Are Friendly To Strangers
Cat Friendly Which dog is more cat friendly German Shepherd or Akita?	German Shepherd dogs are average friendly towards cats.	Akita dogs are average friendly towards cats.
Dog Breeds That Get Along Well With Cats
Dog Friendly Which dog is more dog friendly German Shepherd or Akita? Can a German Shepherd and an Akita be friends? Do German Shepherd dogs get along with Akita dogs?	German Shepherd dogs are not the most dog-friendly dogs.	Akita dogs are average friendly towards other dogs.
Good For First Time Owners Which dog is best for first time owners: German Shepherd vs Akita?	Yes German Shepherd dogs are good for novice owners, due to their easy-going personality.	Yes Akita dogs are good for novice owners, due to their easy-going personality.
Office Friendly Which one fits better in the office?	No German Shepherd is not the best dog breed for office environment.	No Akita is not the best dog breed for office environment.
Senior Citizens Friendly Which dog is good for elderly people?	German Shepherds are one of the best breeds for elderly people.	Akitas are usually recommended for elderly people.

German Shepherd vs Akita As a Working Dog Comparison

Service Dog Capability Which makes a better service dog: a German Shepherd or an Akita? Compare service capabilities.	Yes This breed makes good as a service dog. See more.	Not really This breed generally not used as a service dog. See more.
Most Popular Service Dog Breeds
Therapy Work Suitability Which is better for therapy work: a German Shepherd or an Akita? Compare therapy capabilities.	Yes This breed makes a perfect therapy dog. See more.	Not really This breed is generally not used as a therapy dog. See more.
Therapy Dog Breeds
Scent Detection Ability Which is better at detection work: a German Shepherd or an Akita? Compare scenting abilities.	Yes After proper training, they can excel at this kind of work.	Not really They are not typically employed for this type of work, but there may be exceptional cases.
Search & Rescue Potential Which is better for search and rescue: a German Shepherd or an Akita? Compare SAR abilities.	Yes This breed would make an excellent search and rescue dog.	Not really This dog breed is not typically used as a search and rescue dog.
Maritime Work Ability Which is better on boats: a German Shepherd or an Akita? Compare maritime abilities.	Not really German Shepherd breed usually doesn't like being on a boat. See more.	Not really Akita breed usually doesn't like being on a boat. See more.
Draft Work Capability Which is better at pulling: a German Shepherd or an Akita? Compare draft work capabilities.	Not really A drafting dog or draft dog is a dog bred and used for cart pulling. See more.	Not really A drafting dog or draft dog is a dog bred and used for cart pulling. See more.
Military Service Background Compare military history between German Shepherd and Akita. Which has stronger military background?	Yes In history, this breed was unfortunately used for combat dogs.	Yes In history, this breed was unfortunately used for combat dogs.

German Shepherd vs Akita Reproducibility Comparison

Puppy Litter Size Compare litter sizes between German Shepherd and Akita. Which has larger litters?	6-10 puppies	3-12 puppies
Dog Name Generator – Find A Perfect Name For Your Puppy
Pregnancy Duration Compare pregnancy duration between German Shepherd and Akita breeds.	60-64 days See more.	60-64 days See more.
Breeding Frequency Compare breeding frequencies between German Shepherd and Akita. Which needs longer recovery?	Once a year. More frequent breeding is not healthy. See more.	Once a year. More frequent breeding is not healthy. See more.

German Shepherd vs Akita Recognition Comparison

AKC Classification Compare AKC classifications of German Shepherd and Akita. Which groups do they belong to?	Recognized by the American Kennel Club in 1908 as a Herding breed.	Recognized by the American Kennel Club in 1972 as a Working breed.
FCI Classification Compare FCI classifications of German Shepherd and Akita. Which groups are they in?	Recognized by FCI in the Sheepdogs and Cattledogs (except Swiss Cattledogs) group, in the Sheepdogs section.	Recognized by FCI in the Spitz and primitive types group, in the Asian Spitz and related breeds section.
Kennel Club Recognition Compare kennel club recognition between German Shepherd and Akita. Which is more widely recognized?	American Canine Registry American Kennel Club America's Pet Registry Canadian Kennel Club Dog Registry of America Inc. Federation Cynologique Internationale Kennel Club of Great Britain North American Purebred Registry, Inc. American Canine Association, Inc. Australian National Kennel Council Continental Kennel Club National Kennel Club New Zealand Kennel Club United Kennel Club German Shepherd Dog Club Of America	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

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