Istrian Sheepdog vs Akita - Breed Comparison | Petzlover

Akita 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.

Known also as the Karst Sheepdog, the beautiful, medium sized Istrian Sheepdog hails from Slovenia, Yugoslavia in the 1600s, being used to guard sheep. In fact, the Karst Shepherd was recognized as the Illyrian Shepherd in 1939.

The dog is fairly scarce in his own country, but interest in the dog started developing in the late 1970s. The Fédération Cynologique Internationale recognizes the breed and it has also been exported to the United States, being recognized by the United Kennel Club.

It is also recognized by a number of smaller kennel clubs. The dogs numbers have declined at certain periods in its history but fortunately breeding programs boosted its numbers.

Akita’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.

This is a medium sized, muscled, strong dog with an iron-grey coat that has shades of deeper grey. His beautiful coat is long, thick and fairly harsh to the touch, with the undercoat protecting the dog against cold weather.

Around the neck area the hair is longer, forming an eye-catching-like mane. The stomach area has longer hair too. He has a noble look about him with kind, brown eyes and a round skull. The muzzle of the dog is dark, the limbs long and muscular and the tail is long and covered in thick fur.

The dog is slightly longer than its height, and both males and females stand at 54 to 63cm in height and weigh between 26 and 40kg. The long tail reaches right down to the hocks. The ears of the dog are fairly short and are floppy.

Temperament:

This dog has always made an excellent guard dog, being alert and also being distrustful of strangers. He will need to be trained and socialized if you want him to be obedient to you and more amicable around children in the home as well as visitors to the home.

If he is trained and well socialized, he is able to make a good pet. However, he is an energetic dog, used to working and he isn't recommended for life in the city if there is only a tiny garden. He needs space and will require a large garden.

He will also need to be exercised and not just left to his own devices in the backyard. Because he is essentially a working dog he doesn’t easily fit into the role of pet and companion. He is a working dog and will need to be kept busy.

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.

Your Istrian Sheepdog is a unique, strong-willed dog that is used to guarding, and working and he wants to be kept involved and busy.

He is wary of strangers and makes an excellent guard dog for any family home. Remember that it is never good to invest in a dog purely for guard dog purposes. A dog such as the Istrian Sheepdog is a social creature and he also wants- and needs to be part of a human family that provides him with plenty of interaction with them.

The Istrian Sheepdog is a loyal, loving dog who is capable of forming strong bonds with his human family. With proper training and socialization he makes a good friend of children and the elderly too.

Include him in all your family activities just like any human family member and he will make you a splendid, courageous pet.

Akita 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.

As with many other dog breeds, the Istrian Sheepdog is a healthy dog that, because of history of hard work, is robust and able to stand up well to common dog illnesses.

However there is one dog illness that strikes many dogs and at any age, and it is hip dysplasia. This is a malformation of the hip joints.

You'll notice that your once active dog is lethargic, doesn't want to play so much anymore and battles to get up after lying down. The disease is painful for your dog and it can lead to mobility issues. The disease is diagnosed with x-rays and your vet will recommend treatment options to make life more comfortable and less painful for your beloved pet.

Feeding Akita

It 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.

Exercise:

This is a dog that is used to guarding his flock and he will need to be in a home that has a fair sized garden. He can adapt to life in the city or to the countryside, but wherever he is, he will need sufficient exercise. Take him with you on your walks or hikes and give him some rope- and ball games.

General Care:

Wherever you live in the world, when the Winter winds howl and blow in icy rain or snow, a dog is at an increased risk of illness. You decided to have a dog in your home and it is your responsibility to care for him. Winter weather is downright unpleasant and dangerous for most pets.

Bring your pet in during such weather and provide him with a warm, dry sleeping space. During hot weather, make sure your pet has a cool, shady spot to lie down in, out of the boiling sun. Whatever weather you're experiencing, your pet should never ever be without a constant supply of fresh, cool water.

Provide him with excellent food that is full of vitamins and minerals to keep him healthy. Learn to know what human foods can be toxic for him and cause him digestive problems.

Grooming:

Your double coated Istrian Sheepdog will need a thorough brushing at least twice a week because of his dense, double coat. He does shed and isn't a hypoallergenic dog. His thick coat can tangle easily if it isn't properly brushed and maintained.

Clip his nails when and if they grow long. Other grooming aspects for this attractive dog require checking his ears for infection and also checking his teeth as dental disease can lead to a host of serious illnesses in your dog.