Akita Golden Retriever Mix: The Ultimate Guide

The Akita Golden Retriever mix combines two beloved purebreds, the loyal and courageous Akita and the friendly, outgoing Golden Retriever, to create a unique hybrid dog. Also known as a Golden Akita or Akita Retriever, this impressive mix breed inherits some of the best traits from each parent, resulting in an intelligent, devoted, and affectionate companion.

In this comprehensive guide, we‘ll cover everything you need to know about the Akita Golden Retriever mix, including their history, physical characteristics, temperament, training and exercise needs, health concerns, and more. Whether you‘re considering adding one of these special dogs to your family or just want to learn more about the breed, read on for an in-depth look at this magnificent mixed breed.

History of the Akita Golden Retriever Mix

Like many designer dog breeds, the origins of the Akita Golden Retriever mix are not entirely clear. This hybrid likely originated in the United States sometime in the last 20-30 years, as purebred Akitas and Golden Retrievers were intentionally crossed.

The Akita and Golden Retriever were both established as distinct breeds much earlier though:

  • Akitas developed as guard and hunting dogs in the mountainous regions of northern Japan, with a written record of the breed dating back to the early 17th century. Helen Keller is credited with bringing the first Akita to the United States in 1937. The AKC recognized the breed in 1972.

  • Golden Retrievers trace their origins to Scotland in the mid-19th century, where they were developed as gun dogs to retrieve waterfowl. They were first shown in England in 1908 and recognized by the AKC in 1925. Today, Golden Retrievers consistently rank as one of the most popular dog breeds in the U.S.

Crossing these two respected purebreds results in a highly intelligent, capable, and loyal mixed breed companion who brings together some of the most appealing aspects of each parent breed. Since this is a relatively new hybrid and not a purebred, the Akita Golden Retriever mix is not recognized by the American Kennel Club. However, they are recognized by some hybrid breed registries like the Dog Registry of America, Inc. (DRA).

Physical Characteristics of Akita Golden Retriever Mixes

Since the Akita Golden mix is a cross between two breeds, their appearance can vary quite a bit depending on which parent they take after more. In general, you can expect Akita Golden Retriever mixes to be large, sturdy dogs with these physical traits:

Size: Adult Akita Golden mixes typically stand 22-28 inches tall at the shoulder and weigh 55-100+ pounds, with males tending to be larger than females. They have a solid, muscular build.

Head: A broad head with a straight muzzle of medium length, somewhat resembling their Akita parent. Ears are triangular and stand erect, giving an alert expression.

Coat: A thick double coat with a dense undercoat and straight, coarse outer coat of medium length. Common coat colors include various shades of gold, red, or fawn, often with white or black markings. Some may have a brindle pattern or a darker mask on the face.

Tail: A fluffy, plumed tail carried over the back in a loose curl or sickle shape, similar to an Akita.

Of course, individual Akita Golden Retriever mixes may deviate from these generalizations based on which parent breed‘s genes are dominant. In general, you can anticipate a large, strong, athletic looking dog with a substantial build, thick fur, and noble bearing.

Akita Golden Retriever Mix Temperament and Personality

An Akita Golden Retriever mix‘s temperament will depend on the specific traits inherited from each parent breed, but in general, you can expect a loyal, intelligent, and moderately active companion. Positive aspects of the Akita Golden mix‘s personality may include:

  • Deeply devoted to and protective of their family
  • Highly intelligent and trainable
  • Playful, active, and energetic
  • Friendly and outgoing with people, like a Golden Retriever
  • Courageous and alert, making a good watchdog

Potential drawbacks include a tendency to be wary of strangers, territorial, and dominant with other dogs, stemming from their Akita heritage. They have a high prey drive and may not do well with smaller pets like cats. Akita Golden mixes also tend to shed quite a bit and some may drool.

Proper socialization and training from a young age is essential to help them become well-rounded adult dogs. With an experienced owner willing to put in the time and effort, Akita Golden Retrievers can be wonderful family companions – affectionate and gentle with their people while also serving as vigilant protectors.

Their loyalty, intelligence, and athleticism also make them strong contenders in canine sports like obedience, agility, tracking, and more. Akita Golden mixes have been successfully trained for service, therapy, and search and rescue work as well.

Training and Exercise Needs

As a large and energetic mix of two active working breeds, Akita Golden Retrievers have substantial exercise needs. Expect to provide at least 60-90 minutes per day of moderate to vigorous activity, divided into multiple sessions. Long walks, hikes, trips to the dog park, swimming, and high-energy play sessions with toys are all good ways to keep them physically and mentally stimulated.

This athletic mix can make an excellent jogging or hiking companion once they reach maturity (around 18-24 months old). Without enough exercise and activity, Akita Golden Retrievers are prone to boredom, restlessness, and destructive behavior.

When it comes to training, this intelligent mix responds best to positive reinforcement methods and benefits from early socialization and obedience work. They need an assertive, experienced trainer who can provide consistent leadership without being overly harsh. Akita Goldens have an independent streak and can be strongwilled at times.

Start training your Akita Golden mix as early as possible and keep sessions short, fun, and focused. These driven, people-oriented dogs often excel at canine activities like obedience competition, agility, nose work, and more in addition to being quick learners at home.

Grooming and Care

With their thick double coats, Akita Golden Retriever mixes have moderate to high grooming needs. Brush them throughly at least a few times a week to remove tangles, mats, and loose fur. They will typically "blow coat" once or twice a year, shedding their undercoat, which requires extra brushing to keep up with. Regular baths every 4-6 weeks will help keep their skin and coat clean and healthy.

Other grooming needs include regular ear cleaning and nail trims as needed, just like any dog. Dental hygiene is also important – brushing your Akita Golden‘s teeth a few times a week and providing dental chews can help prevent painful dental disease later in life.

Health Concerns

Akita Golden Retriever mixes are generally healthy dogs with a lifespan of 10-14 years on average. However, like all breeds, they can be prone to certain hereditary health issues including:

  • Hip and elbow dysplasia
  • Eye problems like progressive retinal atrophy, cataracts, and glaucoma
  • Thyroid disorders
  • Allergies and skin problems
  • Bloat (gastric torsion)
  • Certain cancers like osteosarcoma, lymphoma, and hemangiosarcoma

Reputable breeders will screen their stock for common issues and strive to produce the healthiest puppies possible. However, it‘s still important for owners to be aware of these health risks and keep up with preventive care like regular vet checkups.

Is an Akita Golden Retriever Mix Right for You?

An Akita Golden Retriever can be an excellent companion for the right person or family. However, they are not the ideal fit for everyone. You may be a good candidate for this mix if you:

  • Have plenty of time and energy to devote to training, exercise, and socialization
  • Enjoy an active lifestyle with outdoor adventures like hiking and swimming
  • Don‘t mind a dog who sheds heavily and needs regular brushing
  • Have experience training large, strong-willed breeds
  • Want a loyal, protective dog who will be devoted to your family

On the other hand, an Akita Golden may not be the best choice if you:

  • Live in a small space like an apartment
  • Are often gone for long periods leaving the dog alone
  • Already have cats or small dogs who aren‘t used to a large, strong canine
  • Have very young kids, as Akita Goldens can accidentally knock over small children
  • Prefer a quiet lapdog or very laid back companion
  • Don‘t want to deal with lots of fur around the home

Finding an Akita Golden Retriever

If you‘ve decided this unique mix is right for you, the first step is finding a reputable Akita Golden breeder. Avoid pet stores or online ads promising instant availability, as these may be fronts for puppy mills. A responsible breeder will ask you as many questions as you ask them to ensure their pups are going to suitable homes.

Expect to pay anywhere from $500 to $1500+ for an Akita Golden Retriever puppy depending on the breeder and your location. Remember that the upfront cost is only part of the lifetime expense of owning a large dog.

You may also want to look into adopting an adult Akita Golden mix from a rescue organization. While not as common as purebreds, these mixes do sometimes end up in shelters and with breed-specific rescues. Adopting an adult lets you skip the puppy stage and may cost less overall.

Fun Facts About Akita Golden Retriever Mixes

  1. Some owners affectionately call this cross a "Golden Akita" while others prefer "Akita Retriever."

  2. With their protective instincts, Akita Golden mixes can be excellent guard dogs as well as loving companions – no one will mess with this big, brave hybrid!

  3. These dogs are known for their intelligence – the Akita ranks 54th and the Golden Retriever 4th out of 138 breeds for obedience/working intelligence according to canine psychologist Stanley Coren.

  4. The thick double coat of an Akita Golden mix provides insulation in both hot and cold weather, so they can adapt to a variety of climates. However, they shouldn‘t be left outside in extreme temperatures.

  5. While a purebred Akita can be aloof with strangers, Golden Retrievers tend to think everyone is their new best friend – so an Akita Golden mix‘s reaction to new people will depend on which parent‘s personality shines through.

Conclusion

Bringing together two popular and versatile purebreds, the Akita Golden Retriever mix is a smart, devoted, good-natured companion who can fit into many different active households. While these big, energetic dogs are not for everyone, with proper training and care they have the potential to be wonderful, lifelong additions to the right family.

If you‘re looking for a large, loving, protective dog with the courage of an Akita and the friendly nature of a Golden, the Akita Golden Retriever hybrid may just be your perfect match. Just be prepared for lots of brushing, plenty of exercise, and a big, goofy canine grin greeting you every day!

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