Akita Collie Mixed Dog Breed: Care, Pictures, Info, & More

The Akita Collie Mix: A Comprehensive Guide to a Unique Hybrid Dog

Combining the loyal, courageous Akita with the intelligent, energetic Border Collie results in the interesting and relatively rare Akita Collie mix. While you may not have heard much about this hybrid dog, these beautiful canines can make wonderful companions for the right owner. In this in-depth guide, we‘ll cover everything you need to know about the Akita Collie mix, from their physical characteristics and temperament to their exercise needs and potential health concerns. By the end, you‘ll have a clear idea if this unique mixed breed might be the right dog for you.

Breed Overview

The Akita Collie is a cross between a purebred Akita and Border Collie. Like all mixed breed dogs, their appearance and temperament can vary quite a bit depending on which parent they take after more. In general, you can expect an Akita Collie to be a medium to large dog with a thick, dense coat. Common colors include black, white, brindle, fawn, and sable.

In terms of size, an Akita Collie typically stands 24-28 inches tall at the shoulder and weighs between 70-130 pounds when fully grown, with males tending to be larger than females. With a lifespan of 10-14 years, they have a similar life expectancy to their Akita and Collie parents.

Physical Characteristics

One of the most noticeable traits of the Akita Collie is their lush, fluffy coat. They usually have a thick double coat, with a soft, dense undercoat and a longer, coarse top coat. Regular brushing is a must to keep their fur from matting and to control shedding. Expect heavier shedding seasonally as they "blow" their undercoat.

An Akita Collie‘s face may resemble the Akita or Collie more, with a longer muzzle being a common Collie trait. Their ears are usually upright like the Akita but can sometimes have a slight flop at the tip. Eye color is typically brown but can also be blue or bi-colored.

With their sturdy, muscular build, the Akita Collie tends to have an imposing presence. Their body is usually longer than tall, more similar to the Akita build. A long, fluffy tail carried over the back is a hallmark of the Akita influence.

Temperament and Personality

When it comes to temperament, the Akita Collie is an interesting mix of traits from both parent breeds. From the Akita side, they often inherit a strong sense of loyalty, courage and protectiveness over their family. Akitas tend to be more aloof and wary around strangers.

The Collie influence often shows up as high intelligence, strong herding instincts, and an energetic, work-oriented drive. Collies live to please their owners and thrive on having an active job to do. They are also usually friendly and outgoing dogs.

Put this together and you get an Akita Collie who is very devoted to and protective of their family but may be more standoffish with strangers. They need a lot of mental stimulation and physical activity to be happy. An understimulated Akita Collie may become bored and destructive.

The guarding tendencies from the Akita side mean thorough socialization from a young age is a must. An Akita Collie needs to be exposed to lots of friendly people and situations so they learn what is normal vs. a true threat. The herding drive from the Collie side may show up as "herding" children or other pets, which needs to be redirected.

With proper socialization and training, an Akita Collie can make a great family pet. They are loyal, loving, and super smart. Just be prepared for a dog that needs a lot of attention, exercise and mental enrichment. It‘s also important to be a confident owner who can provide consistent leadership, as the independent Akita temperament may show up as stubbornness.

Exercise and Training

As you might expect from the intelligent, high-energy Collie side, Akita Collies need a lot of exercise and mental stimulation every day to be happy and well-behaved. A couch potato lifestyle will not suit this active mix – plan on at least an hour or more of intensive exercise daily. Think jogging, hiking, fetching, agility, etc.

In addition to physical exercise, mental workouts are a must for the clever Akita Collie. Puzzle toys, scent games, obedience training, and other brain teasers will help meet their need for mental enrichment. A bored Akita Collie with pent-up energy is likely to find their own "fun" in destructive ways, like excessive chewing, digging or barking.

When it comes to training, the Akita Collie has the potential to be highly trainable but also has an independent streak. The Collie in them is eager to learn and thrives on positive reinforcement training. But the Akita side may show up as a stubborn attitude, especially if training becomes boring or repetitive.

As with all dogs, starting training early is key. Focus heavily on socialization between 8-16 weeks, exposing your Akita Collie puppy to all sorts of people, animals and environments. Sign up for puppy training classes and keep lessons fun, upbeat and rewarding.

For the headstrong Akita Collie, training sessions should be short but frequent. Focus on positive motivation using high-value treats, praise and play. Avoid punishment or scolding which can lead to a resentful attitude. Consistent, firm and fair leadership is important to establish yourself as the one in charge.

With the Akita Collie‘s protective nature, it‘s critical to put a lot of effort into training and socializing from a young age. An untrained, undersocialized Akita Collie can become suspicious, anxious or even aggressive out of fear. But when raised properly, they are more likely to be discerning, watchful and controlled.

Feeding and Diet

The Akita Collie‘s diet should be suited for their size, age and activity level. As a medium to large breed dog, they will eat more than a small dog. And as an active, energetic canine, they will need a complete and balanced diet to fuel their high-octane lifestyle.

In general, look for a high-quality dry dog food that has an animal protein source (like chicken, beef, fish, etc.) as the first ingredient. Avoid foods heavy in fillers like corn, wheat and soy which offer little nutritional value. Your Akita Collie‘s kibble should have a balance of protein, fat and digestible carbohydrates.

Follow the feeding guidelines on the bag according to your dog‘s weight. For an active, muscular breed like the Akita Collie, a food with at least 20-25% protein is a good goal to support muscle tone. Healthy fats from animal sources or oils should make up around 10-20% to keep their skin and coat in good condition.

Some owners like to add in wet food, raw food, or home-cooked ingredients to their dog‘s diet. This can provide some appealing variety but should be done carefully to avoid unbalancing the nutrition. Always introduce new foods slowly and watch for any signs of gastric upset or allergies.

As a large breed, Akita Collie puppies should eat a large-breed growth food for their first year of life. This helps ensure their bones and joints develop properly without growing too fast. Adults should be kept lean and fit, not allowed to become overweight which can stress their joints.

Grooming and Care

The Akita Collie‘s thick, fluffy coat will require regular grooming to keep it healthy and tangle-free. Brush them at least a few times a week, more often when they are heavily shedding. A slicker brush and metal comb can help work through their dense double coat down to the skin.

Occasional baths as needed with a gentle dog shampoo can help keep their coat clean and fresh. Too frequent washing can strip the natural oils and lead to skin irritation. Regular ear cleaning with a vet-approved solution is important to prevent wax and moisture build-up which can cause infections.

Dental care is also an essential part of grooming. Brush your Akita Collie‘s teeth at least a few times a week (daily is ideal) with a soft toothbrush and canine toothpaste. This helps prevent painful periodontal disease. You can also provide dental chews and toys to encourage chewing which scrapes plaque off the teeth.

Don‘t forget about nail care as well. Trim your Akita Collie‘s nails every few weeks or as needed to prevent overgrowth. If you can hear their nails clicking on hard floors, they are too long. You can also train your dog to use a scratch board to naturally file down their nails.

Health Concerns

As a mixed breed dog, the Akita Collie may be prone to some of the same health issues as their parent breeds. While mixed breeds are often healthier than purebreds due to greater genetic diversity, it‘s still important to be aware of potential problems.

Some health concerns to watch for in the Akita Collie include hip and elbow dysplasia, hypothyroidism, progressive retinal atrophy, and bloat. Collie eye anomaly and hearing loss are also potential issues from the Collie side. From the Akita side, predispositions include thyroid disorders, autoimmune diseases, and certain cancers.

Of course, not every Akita Collie will develop these problems. The best way to stack the odds in your favor is to get your dog from a responsible breeder who health tests their parent dogs. This can help reduce the risk of passing on hereditary diseases.

Keeping your Akita Collie fit with proper exercise, feeding a healthy diet, and booking annual vet check-ups can also go a long way towards preventing health problems. It‘s also a good idea to learn the signs of bloat, a potentially fatal condition more common in large, deep-chested breeds. Knowing the symptoms could save your dog‘s life.

Interesting Facts

  • Akitas are a ancient Japanese breed, originally used for hunting large game like boar and bears. Today they are known as loyal, courageous guardian dogs.
  • The Border Collie consistently ranks as one of the smartest dog breeds, able to learn complex tasks. Their intelligence comes from being bred to herd sheep on the border of England and Scotland.
  • Akitas have webbed toes which made them skilled swimmers for hunting. Some Akita Collies may inherit this unique trait.
  • The famous Akita Hachiko was known for his incredible loyalty, waiting for his deceased owner at the train station every day for 9 years. This is a testament to the devoted Akita temperament.
  • Border Collies are considered the best herding dogs in the world with their quick minds, agility and work ethic. Some Akita Collies may show this strong herding instinct.

Is the Akita Collie right for you?
After learning about the traits and needs of the Akita Collie, you might be wondering if this unique mixed breed is a good fit for your lifestyle. They can certainly make wonderful companions in the right home, but they aren‘t the dog for everyone.

An Akita Collie is best suited for an owner who can provide plenty of exercise, training and companionship. If you live an active lifestyle and want an intelligent, devoted dog to join you on hikes and other adventures, this might be the breed for you. Having experience with intelligent, high-energy working breeds is also helpful.

On the other hand, if you work long hours or have a more sedentary lifestyle, the Akita Collie is probably not the best choice. They crave attention and activity, so leaving them alone all day can lead to problem behaviors. Apartment dwellers should also think carefully, as the Akita Collie does best with space to run and play.

With their protective instincts, the Akita Collie needs an owner committed to proper training and socialization from puppyhood. They do best with a firm, consistent leader who can give them guidance. Novice owners may find them challenging. Households with young kids should also be cautious, as the herding instinct and protective nature needs to be controlled.

If you feel you can meet the Akita Collie‘s needs, you will be rewarded with a smart, loyal and loving companion. Just be prepared for some stubborn streaks, plenty of fur, and lots of exercise. With the right training and care, the Akita Collie can be a devoted friend for life.

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