Even though Akita Collie hybrids are not as popular as their parent breeds, we’ve grown to love them just as much. They are always energetic, so intelligent, and usually exude a sense of unwavering loyalty.

In this guide, we’ll be talking about everything that distinguishes the Akita Collie from your typical dog. So, if you’re interested in learning all there is to know, keep on reading.

Breed Overview

You can never be too sure about the kind of traits that your Akita Collie pups will have because some of them have Akita dominant genes, while others incline more towards the Collie.

Even if they come from the same litter, you’ll realize as they grow older that some of them have the extroverted Collie personality, while others seem more reserved, but watchful. A clear indication that they take after their Akita side of the family.

Akita Collie Mix Puppies

Less popular dog breeds are incredibly hard to find, especially if you’re interested in buying a pup. You could ask breeders who’ve set up businesses near you, but the chances of finding an Akita Collie are low.

We’d start by looking at rescue shelters. They normally have all sorts of breeds available, and the good thing about adopting a dog from a rescue is that you won’t have to pay a large fee. On top of that, you’ll literally be saving a life, seeing as those dogs are sometimes put down to create space for newcomers.

Craigslist, Facebook Marketplace, and all the other eCommerce websites that you could think of are also great search options. You might be lucky to find someone who’s looking to rehome their Akita Collie, due to unavoidable circumstances.

Temperament & Intelligence of the Akita Collie Mix

As mentioned before, giving an accurate description of a hybrid is not as easy as one would assume, since these dogs draw their personality traits from other breeds. Nonetheless, we could still try to paint a clear picture, by describing the traits that typically define the parent breeds. The Border Collie, as you all know, was bred to be a working breed.

As such, they are normally extroverted, energetic, loyal, relatively intelligent, and naturally gregarious. The Akita, on the other hand, is very wary of strangers, stubborn, introverted, and intolerant of other animals. The only aspects that are similar to those of Collie are loyalty and intelligence.

Are These Dogs Good for Families? 🧑‍🧑‍🧒

From what we’ve seen and heard, we would say yes, they are suitable family pets. But then again, there are no guarantees, seeing as dogs come with different personalities. What if you’ve found a breed that’s more Akita than Collie, for example?

Of course, they’ll still be loyal to you, but their introverted nature will make it difficult for them to get used to having kids around. They’ll want to protect their boundaries, and that’s a concept that a lot of kids don’t understand.

Dominant or not, the Collie gene will always have some sway in their behavioral traits, thus the reason why they are regarded as energetic. That also means that you’ll have your work cut out for you when it’s time to administer their daily dose of mental and physical stimulation.

Without the exercises, these dogs tend to be destructive, as they’ll chew and break anything they find, just to expend some of that pent-up energy.

Socialization programs will play a vital role in molding the dog from a young age since they are designed to train them to appropriately behave in various social settings. But even if your Akita Collie is well socialized, you still have to be present during their interactions, as you can never be too sure about how they’ll react to certain stimuli.

Does This Breed Get Along with Other Pets?

This will mostly hinge on their dominant gene. If they are more like the Collie than the Akita, they’ll be gentle around their pet siblings or other animals. But there’s still the “herd instinct” problem that you’ll have to address. Remember, Collies were originally bred to help farmers herd their livestock. That’s why you keep hearing reports of Collies trying to “herd” motorists or kids.

On the flip side, we have Akita Collies that will be fairly aggressive in the presence of other animals, courtesy of their Akita genes.

Socialization programs will be your best bet for getting them under control, as they’ll help your dog get acclimated to the idea of sharing his/her personal space with other animals.

In a nutshell, the real question here is: “Can the Akita Collie be trained to be more friendly towards other pets?” And we would say yes, even though climbing that hill might not be easy.

Things to Know When Owning an Akita Collie Mix:

Food & Diet Requirements 🦴

Your Akita Collie will demand premium-quality food from a very young age. “Premium-quality” in this case, are the pet foods that meet the AAFCO standards.

Wet or dry, whatever you serve them has to be rich in protein to facilitate muscle growth and development. The proteins will also be essential to the body whenever it wants to conduct muscle or cell repair. Needless to say, what helps our canine friends stay young and maintain a toned physique is the protein that they acquire from their daily diets.

Good-quality dog food usually has healthy fats and a sufficient amount of complex carbs. We know there’s always a negative connotation when it comes to these nutrients but believe us when we say your dog needs them.

Especially if the conversation revolves around energetic breeds such as the Akita Collie, which requires a sustainable source of energy to get in the right amount of physical and mental stimulation. Vitamins and minerals are just as important, as they will help your dog fortify their immune system.

Check the nutritional guidelines on the package. Reputable brands that are experienced in this industry will include guidelines in their products package because they want their consumers to make informed decisions before making a purchase.

Ideally, the best protein comes from animals. It could be beef, lamb, chicken, liver, etc. And lastly, the ingredients should be balanced. Carbs are good, but too many carbs are dangerous. Even if you’re planning to serve them to an energetic breed. Your Akita Collie could gain weight rapidly, ultimately triggering other medical conditions.

Use this table as a guide, while shopping for your dog food:

Exercise 🐕

Compared to Collies, the Akita Collie hybrid is not quite as active. Regardless, they still have high energy levels and are considered athletic. Both physical and mental exercises are integral to their lifestyle, hence the reason why you have to design exercise programs that incorporate the use of puzzle toys.

The programs are supposed to involve intense activities that last at least an hour. Otherwise, your dog will feel like they still need more stimulation, before the day ends.

Training 🎾

The Akita’s stubborn nature might complicate things, but if your Akita Collie’s dominant genes are from the Collie side, training them won’t be that difficult. Their intelligence will help them grasp simple concepts faster, as well as the fact that they are always eager to please.

When they are old enough to be part of your training regimen, start with socialization classes. The exercises will help you tame that Akita bloodline before they get you into trouble. The obedience class will then follow, but you must leverage positive reinforcement techniques if you want them to be effective.

Grooming ✂️

Your Akita Collie will either have a wavy coat just like the Collie breed, or a straight one, borrowed from the Akita parent. The grooming sessions will have to be frequent, as both coats are thick and double-layered. You’ll need a de-shedding comb if the plan is to do it yourself.

Their teeth have to be cleaned twice a week, and their nails trimmed the minute you start hearing clicking sounds on the floor. In other words, around twice per month.

Health and Conditions 🏥

There’s a likelihood that your Akita Collie will inherit an auto-immune condition from the Akita parent. The sebaceous adenitis immune-mediated disorder is prevalent in that side of the family, and that’s why you may see them grapple with rashes and inflamed skin.

Gray Collie Syndrome is rare, but you still have to be prepared by ensuring your dog’s immune system is well fortified. The other serious but rare conditions are glaucoma and Progressive Retinal Atrophy. Both of them can lead to total blindness if the right treatments are not administered.

Male vs. Female

The males are more dominant in comparison to females, and larger. Females are known to be gentler, easier to train, and lighter on the weighing scale. Gender doesn’t usually influence their personalities, so there’s nothing to report on that front.

3 Little-Known Facts About the Akita Collie Mix

1. Akitas and Collies Have a Rich Cultural Background

The Akitas were initially bred in Japan, to serve as hunting or guard dogs. On the other side of the world, the English and Scots were also busy producing Collies, to help them herd their livestock.

Now, the kind of traits that make a dog proficient in hunting, are not the same as the ones that help them excel as herding dogs. That’s why the Akita Collies’ temperament is fairly unpredictable.

2. The Akita Collie Has a Lifespan of 10–14 Years

Like in most dogs, three main factors normally influence the longevity of an Akita Collie. Their nutrition, lifestyle, and genetics. If the parent breed was plagued by various illnesses, there’s a very good chance that your dog will be affected by the same issues down the road. Feeding them top-shelf food will prolong their lifespan, as well as make sure that they stay active.

3. The Akita Collie Hybrid Has a High Resistance to Cold

This can be attributed to their thick, double coats. The layers work together as an insulating system, making sure the warmth stays in and the cold out.

Final Thoughts

The Akita Collie is an offspring of the Akita and the Collie. The former hails from Japan while the latter was bred in England. Temperament-wise, those two breeds are very different. Collies are more extroverted and gentler, while the Akita normally comes across as being more reserved.

That’s why it’s not easy to predict an Akita Collie’s temperament. All we know for sure is that they are always intelligent and loyal to the core.

• See also: Akita Samoyed Mixed Dog Breed: Care, Pictures, Info, & More

Featured Image Credit: (L) Olga Aniven, Shutterstock | (R) Christian Schoissingeyer, Shutterstock