South Russian Ovcharka vs Akita - Breed Comparison

South Russian Ovcharka vs Akita - Breed ComparisonAkita is originated from Japan but South Russian Ovcharka is originated from Russia. Both Akita and South Russian Ovcharka are having almost same height. Both Akita and South Russian Ovcharka are having almost same weight. Akita may live 4 years more than South Russian Ovcharka. Akita may have more litter size than South Russian Ovcharka. Akita requires Low Maintenance. But South Russian Ovcharka requires Moderate Maintenance

Basic Information

Group:
Working dog
Herding dogs
undefined
Japan
Russia
Height Male:
64 - 70 cm
25 - 28 inches
62 - 66 cm
24 - 26 inches
Height Female:
58 - 64 cm
22 - 26 inches
62 - 66 cm
24 - 26 inches
Weight Male:
34 - 54 kg
74 - 120 pounds
46 - 52 kg
101 - 115 pounds
Weight Female:
34 - 50 kg
74 - 111 pounds
46 - 52 kg
101 - 115 pounds
Life Span:
11 - 15 Years
9 - 11 Years
Litter Size:
7 - 8
3 - 5
Size:
Large
Large
Other Names:
Akita-Inu, Japanese Akita
or South Russian Sheepdog, Ukrainian Shepherd Dog
Colors Available:
Brindle, Fawn, White, Red Fawn, Red, Pinto and Sesame
cream, greyish, yellowish, White
Coat:
Harsh and Rough, Dense, Water-Repellent, Short and Thick
Long, thick, coarse, wavy
Shedding:
Constant
Moderate
Temperament:
Affectionate, Alert, Courageous, Friendly, Independent, Loyal, Protective, Responsive
Affectionate, Alert, Cheerful, Courageous, Curious, Energetic, Friendly, Independent, Intelligent, Lively, Loving, Loyal, Outgoing, Playful, Protective, Quiet, Responsive, Social, Stubborn, Territorial
Grooming:
Low Maintenance
Moderate Maintenance
Trainability:
Moderate
Easy
Hypoallergenic:
No
No
Kids Friendly:
Yes
Yes
New Owners Friendly:
No
Yes

History

akitaAkita 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.

south russian ovcharkaKnown also as the South Russian Sheepdog or the Ukranian Shepherd Dog, the South Russian Ovcharka’s history isn’t well established, and there are different stories to its history.

Whatever their history, this large dog is closely related to the wolf and has also been crossed with sight hound dogs. Their numbers have been under threat when their role as herding dog was no longer needed for rural life.

It was in the 1920s however that the breed’s numbers were restored and the UKC officially recognised the South Russian Ovcharka in 1996.

These dogs are classified within the Herding Dog Group.

Description

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.

south russian ovcharka puppy - descriptionA large, big boned, well muscled herding dog, the South Russian Ovcharka stands at between 62 and 66cm in height and weighs between 46 and 52kg.

The dog has a thick, fairly coarse, weather-proof coat that can become long and this coat has always protected them from the harsh Russian winters.

He has small, floppy ears and the tail is medium length and also covered in thick fur.

Temperament:

These dogs need a lot of exercise and if you keep one as a pet he will need a lot of space to run and play. He guards his property too and makes a good watchdog.

He isn’t suited to living in small spaces in the city. He is a dominant, independent and strong willed dog so training and socialization will be important if you don’t want him to be unruly.

With the right kind of training, the South Russian Ovcharka can get along with pets and children in the home. He isn’t aggressive but he has strong guardian characteristics.

The first time dog owner would need to be firm, strong, confident, consistent and kind to handle this strong willed dog.

Characteristics

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.

south russian ovcharka dog - characteristicsThe South Russian Ovcharka may well be independent and strong headed but there is nothing that a little bit of training and socialization can’t do.

He is intelligent and will pick up some obedience commands easily. He is is dog that will like a strong, firm, consistent owner - someone who likes to include him in all the family activities.

He can get on with children but is better suited to life on a larger property as opposed to living in a small city place. Treat him with firmness and fairness and you’ll get yourself an excellent pet and companion.

Health Problems

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.

south russian ovcharka puppies - health problemsThis large breed has a lifespan of 9 to 11 years. Some of the health conditions to which this big dog can succumb are -

Hip Dysplasia:

This is something that affects many dogs, but particularly large dogs. When the hips haven’t formed properly, it can lead to pain, disability and arthritis.Lifestyle changes can help, like making sure your dog doesn’t pick up too much weight. For pain management you will need to get your pet to the vet.

Bloat:

Also known as Gastric Dilatation. The dog’s stomach fills with gas and can twist, and this in itself can be fatal. As soon as you see your pet pacing restlessly and he has a swollen stomach, he will need to get to the vet just as soon as possible.

Caring The Pet

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.

south russian ovcharka dogs - caringThe long coat is certainly going to need a good brush at least twice a week as it can so easily become matted.

Because he has floppy ears, you will need to check inside the ears that they aren’t showing signs of redness, indicating the possibility of a ear infection. Check at the same time for ticks and fleas.

Exercise:

This dog is going to need a good deal of exercise to keep him content. He will love a long walk out and about. Robust games will also need to be provided. It’s why he isn’t looked upon as a dog suited to the city. He needs a lot of space and can become frustrated and destructive if his exercise needs aren’t met.

Diet:

A dog is part of the family and he therefore deserves a good meal too. Good food is beneficial as it means your dog is less likely to get sick.

Like many dog owners, you’ll no doubt appreciate the convenience of commercially manufactured dog foods. You’ll need to choose the best one though because the inferior ones are made up of bad ingredients – fillers that have no goodness whatsoever.

To provide your South Russian Ovcharka with a tasty treat, try and give him some home-made food. Boiled chicken, rice or pasta, sweet potatoes, carrots and spinach are simple and tasty and won’t trouble your dog’s stomach.

Chop some of it up and add a small portion of this into his dry kibble twice a week. Your dog’s wagging tail will tell you how much he loves it.

To avoid skin infections, try to include some raw meat into his diet too when you can. Make sure your dog has a constant supply of fresh, cool water.

Comparison with other breeds

  1. South Russian Ovcharka vs English Bulldog - Breed Comparison
  2. South Russian Ovcharka vs German Shepherd - Breed Comparison
  3. South Russian Ovcharka vs Golden Retriever - Breed Comparison
  4. South Russian Ovcharka vs Labrador Retriever - Breed Comparison
  5. South Russian Ovcharka vs West Highland White Terrier - Breed Comparison
  6. South Russian Ovcharka vs French Bulldog - Breed Comparison
  7. South Russian Ovcharka vs Beagle - Breed Comparison
  8. South Russian Ovcharka vs Yorkshire Terrier - Breed Comparison
  9. South Russian Ovcharka vs Poodle - Breed Comparison
  10. South Russian Ovcharka vs Rottweiler - Breed Comparison
  11. South Russian Ovcharka vs Boxer - Breed Comparison
  12. South Russian Ovcharka vs English Pointer - Breed Comparison
  13. South Russian Ovcharka vs Siberian Husky - Breed Comparison
  14. South Russian Ovcharka vs Doberman Pinscher - Breed Comparison
  15. South Russian Ovcharka vs American Bully - Breed Comparison
  16. South Russian Ovcharka vs Abruzzenhund - Breed Comparison
  17. South Russian Ovcharka vs Affenpinscher - Breed Comparison
  18. South Russian Ovcharka vs Afghan Hound - Breed Comparison
  19. South Russian Ovcharka vs Aidi - Breed Comparison
  20. South Russian Ovcharka vs Airedale Terrier - Breed Comparison
  21. South Russian Ovcharka vs Akbash Dog - Breed Comparison
  22. South Russian Ovcharka vs Akita - Breed Comparison
  23. South Russian Ovcharka vs Africanis - Breed Comparison
  24. South Russian Ovcharka vs Askal - Breed Comparison
  25. South Russian Ovcharka vs Atlas Terrier - Breed Comparison
  26. Akita vs English Bulldog - Breed Comparison
  27. Akita vs German Shepherd - Breed Comparison
  28. Akita vs Golden Retriever - Breed Comparison
  29. Akita vs Labrador Retriever - Breed Comparison
  30. Akita vs West Highland White Terrier - Breed Comparison
  31. Akita vs French Bulldog - Breed Comparison
  32. Akita vs Beagle - Breed Comparison
  33. Akita vs Yorkshire Terrier - Breed Comparison
  34. Akita vs Poodle - Breed Comparison
  35. Akita vs Rottweiler - Breed Comparison
  36. Akita vs Boxer - Breed Comparison
  37. Akita vs English Pointer - Breed Comparison
  38. Akita vs Siberian Husky - Breed Comparison
  39. Akita vs Doberman Pinscher - Breed Comparison
  40. Akita vs American Bully - Breed Comparison
  41. Akita vs Abruzzenhund - Breed Comparison
  42. Akita vs Affenpinscher - Breed Comparison
  43. Akita vs Afghan Hound - Breed Comparison
  44. Akita vs Aidi - Breed Comparison
  45. Akita vs Airedale Terrier - Breed Comparison
  46. Akita vs Akbash Dog - Breed Comparison
  47. Africanis vs Akita - Breed Comparison
  48. Askal vs Akita - Breed Comparison
  49. Atlas Terrier vs Akita - Breed Comparison
  50. Aussie Poo vs Akita - Breed Comparison