Akita and Husky are two breeds of dogs that are popular among pet owners across the world. They have a somewhat similar appearance, due to which they are confused to be the same breed.
However, this is not the case. Both breeds have different origins, and specific character traits, and they even exhibit different behavior.
Key Takeaways
- Akitas originate from Japan and serve as guard dogs, while Huskies come from Siberia and work as sledge dogs.
- Akitas have a more independent and aggressive temperament, whereas Huskies possess a friendly and social nature.
- Akitas are heavier and more muscular, while Huskies have a leaner build and more endurance.
Akita vs Husky
The difference between Akita and Husky is that Akita is a Japanese breed of dog that helps people hunt, whereas Husky is a Siberian breed of dog that pulls the sleds of people in snowy areas. For this reason, Akitas are known to be very aggressive and territorial, whereas Huskies are known to be calm and friendly to humans.
Akita, also known as Akita Inu, is a breed of large mountain dogs that initially inhabited Northern Japan. Over the years, people transported them to different places across the world.
They have a thick double-layered coat and come in all colors. Their average life span is of 10 years.
Meanwhile, the husky, also known as Siberian Husky, is a medium-sized mountain dog that initially inhabited Northern Asia. Like the former, these dogs were transported to different countries as well.
They, too, have a thick double-layered coat and come in all colors. Their bodies have markings, and their life span ranges from 12-14 years.
Comparison Table
| Parameters of Comparison | Akita | Husky |
|---|---|---|
| Origin | It is a breed of dog that originated in Northern Japan. | It is a breed of dog that originated in Northern Asia and was bred by the Siberian people. |
| Size | It is a large mountain dog that can weigh up to 36 kg. | It is a medium-sized mountain dog that can weigh up to 27 kg. |
| Lifespan | It has a lifespan of around 10 years. | It has a lifespan of 12 to 14 years. |
| Behavior | It exhibits aggressive and territorial behavior. | It exhibits calm behavior and is friendly to humans. |
| Domestication | It is a hunting dog that helps people catch other animals. | It is a sled dog that helps people in snowy areas. |
What is Akita?
Akita is a breed of large mountain dogs that originated from Northern Japan. They are hunting dogs due to and their behavior is very aggressive and territorial.
First-time pet owners are always suggested not to adopt Akita breeds.
These dogs have a thick double-layered coat that protects them from the cold in mountainous regions. They come in all colors and have a black mask and other pinto markings on their body.
Their height can range from 25 to 27 inches, and their weight can reach up to 36 kg. On average, these dogs have a litter of 7-8 puppies at one time.
One of the most famous Akita of all time is Hachiko. This was a pet who waited for his owner every day at the subway station. He continued to do so even after the owner’s death.
For this reason, there was a statue built for the dog in the spot where he waited every day. This also shows that these dogs are intelligent and loving towards family members.
However, they can get pretty aggressive with strangers.
Nowadays, this breed is extensively trained to be a therapy dog or a companion dog. It is also very popular in dog competitions.
What is Husky?
Husky is another breed of mountain dog that is medium-sized and has its origins in Japan. These dogs are widely used for pulling sleds in snowy regions.
They are known to have a calm temperament and be very friendly to people. Therefore, they are perfect to be adopted by first-time pet owners.
Like the former, these dogs have thick double-layered coats to survive in the snow. They come in all colors and have a mask and other body markings.
Alaskan Malamutes look very similar to them. Their height can range from 21 to 23 inches, and they can weigh up to 27 kg. These dogs have a lifespan of between 12 to 14 years. Their litter size can include 4 to 8 puppies at once.
Siberian huskies are known to be active, energetic, intelligent, tough, and resilient. However, they are now mostly adopted as home pets because of their friendly behavior.
However, many sledding events and competitions to date allow huskies to pull sleds for people.
These dogs are working dogs, just like the Akita breed. Therefore, they require a lot of exercises and a purpose for work to lead a healthy and fulfilled life.
Main Differences Between Akita and Husky
- Akita is a breed of dog that originated in Northern Japan, whereas Husky is a breed of dog that originated in Northern Asia and was bred by Siberian people.
- Akita is a large mountain dog weighing up to 36 kg, whereas Husky is a medium-sized mountain dog weighing up to 27 kg.
- Akita has a lifespan of around 10 years, whereas Husky has a lifespan of between 12 to 14 years.
- Akita exhibits aggressive and territorial behavior, whereas Husky exhibits calm and friendly behavior.
- Akita is a hunting dog that helps people catch other animals, whereas Husky is a sled dog that helps people in snowy areas.
References
- https://books.google.com/books?hl=en&lr=&id=I8HU_3ycrrEC&oi=fnd&pg=PA65&dq=difference+between+akita+and+husky&ots=BebrRCj7q9&sig=WjNWOyQf6x22IJi-kAVnx4HL_uQ
- https://www.mdpi.com/2076-2615/11/5/1435
Last Updated : 25 June, 2023
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Piyush Yadav has spent the past 25 years working as a physicist in the local community. He is a physicist passionate about making science more accessible to our readers. He holds a BSc in Natural Sciences and Post Graduate Diploma in Environmental Science. You can read more about him on his bio page.
I disagree with the article’s claim that Akitas are overly aggressive and not suitable for first-time owners. Any dog, regardless of breed, can be properly trained and socialized to be well-behaved.
The stories shared about famous Akita and Husky dogs are touching and add a personal touch to the article. It’s wonderful to see how these breeds have made an impact on history and human lives.
The comparison table presented here is very clear and helpful in understanding the key differences between Akita and Husky breeds. It provides a great overview of their distinctive features.
I think this article does a great job of highlighting why Akita and Husky breeds are very different in terms of their origin, behavior, and purpose. I appreciate the detailed comparison.
I believe this article does a great disservice to the Akita breed by suggesting that they are aggressive and territorial. This description fails to capture the full range of an Akita’s temperament or behavior.
I find it fascinating to learn about the distinct characteristics of these dog breeds from Japan. The details here are very informative and interesting.