The Akita Collie, or Akita Border Collie Mix, is loyal, loving, energetic and playful.
Mix a purebred Akita and a purebred Border Collie together, and theoretically, you end up with an active family dog with high exercise needs.
The Border Collie’s gentle and friendly nature tends to counteract the Akita’s otherwise aggressive nature. Both purebred parents enjoy working and hence, the Akita Collie will require plenty of exercises each day.
Since the popularity of this crossbreed is increasing, it will be quite easy to find Akita Collie puppies. So, what should you expect from your new Akita Border Collie Mix?
Keep reading to see pictures and learn more about the Border Collie Akita Mix – from what to expect in terms of personality and temperament to how to take care of your new mixed breed dog.
Table of Contents
What is an Akita Border Collie Mix Called?
The Akita Border Collie Mix is a cross between a purebred Akita and a purebred Border Collie. This mix is also commonly known as an Akita Collie.
Some Quick Facts About the Akita Border Collie Mix
| Breed Type: | Crossbreed/Mixed Breed |
| Size: | Large-sized dog |
| Other Names: | Akita Collie |
| Good Watch Dog: | Yes |
| Good Guard Dog: | Yes |
| Average Weight: | 60 to 130 pounds |
| Average Height: | 22 to 28 Inches |
| Lifespan: | 10 to 13 years |
| Apartment Living: | No, A large space with a fenced-in yard is preferred |
| Ideal for: | Active families and dedicated dog lovers looking for a reliable watchdog |
| Coat: | Medium-length double coat |
| Coat colors: | Black, Fawn, and White, among others |
| Suitable for first time owners: | No |
| Trainability: | Relatively easy to train |
| Hypoallergenic: | No |
| Shedding: | Seasonal, heavy |
| Grooming Needs: | Brush their coat a few times each week, and bathe them monthly |
| Energy Levels: | High |
| Exercise Needs: | At least 60 minutes of exercise every day is required |
| Tolerance to being left alone: | No |
| Feeding and Diet: | 3 to 4.5 cups of high quality dog food each day, divided into two or three meals |
| Possible Health Issues: | Hip dysplasia, elbow dysplasia |
| Temperament: | Brave, loyal, loving, energetic, intelligent, protective, stubborn |
| Cat Friendly: | No, early socialization is required |
| Dog Friendly: | Moderate, early socialization is required |
| Kid Friendly: | Yes, they are known to be friendly, playful and affectionate around children (early socialization is required) |
| Barking Tendencies: | Rarely |
| Price: | $600 to $1200 |
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The Origin and History of the Akita Border Collie Mix
Due to the mere fact that the Akita Border Collie Mix is a mixed breed, you cannot know, for sure, what parent breed your pup will take after most.
Your hybrid dog may look like his Akita parent or he may look like the Border Collie parent. In most cases, however, Akita Collie puppies are going to inherit characteristics from both parents. The good news is that, with proper training and socialization, Akita Collie dogs make great family pets.
The Akita Border Collie Mix has not yet been registered with the AKC. This is because this pup is a mixed breed. Nonetheless, they still make wonderful companions and are popular with dog owners the world over.
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So where does the Akita Collie come from?
It is difficult to pinpoint the exact origin of the Akita Collie. We can learn more about the origins and history of this dog by taking a closer look at each parent breed.
The Akita
The Akita was originally bred to assist in hunting bears, but it was later on crossed with Mastiffs and Tosas to improve its abilities as a fighting dog.
Once dog fighting was declared illegal in 1908, Akitas were refined and kept as a cherished Japanese breed.
During the Second World War, the breed almost became extinct. Fortunately, some of these dogs were brought to America by soldiers returning home after the war. These pups fascinated dog lovers in the United States and the breed’s popularity increased considerably.
Border Collie
As its name suggests, the Border Collie was originally bred on the borders of Scotland and England.
In 1873, sheepdog competitions were held in the United Kingdom for the first time to evaluate different sheepherding breeds with various physical characteristics and personality traits.
One participant, Hemp, stood out due to his ability to control sheep using his intense glare instead of constant barking. This dog sired many puppies, forming the modern-day Border Collie breed.
In 1906, the breed standard was written, with a strong emphasis on behavioral abilities. The breed made its way to the United States in the 20th century, where it was commonly used as working dogs and family pets.
The Characteristics of the Akita Border Collie Mix
As discussed above, it’s usually difficult to predict the exact physical characteristics of the Akita Collie Mix because they might inherit most of their features from one breed. Nonetheless, we can get a good idea of what your Akita Collie will look like by taking a look at previous litters.
The General Appearance of the Akita Collie
Taking a closer look at the appearance of each parent breed can give us a good idea of what a Border Collie Akita Mix looks like at maturity.
Since both parent breeds have similar characteristics, their offspring should fit perfectly well into his new environment.
These powerful and compact dogs can resemble either an Akita or a Border Collie. However, they can also be a perfect combination of both breeds. The result is a beautifully striking dog with straight, oval ears.
How Big Will an Akita Border Collie Mix Get?
A full grown Akita Collie stands between 22 and 28 inches tall and weighs around 60 to 130 pounds.
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Coat and Coat Colors
Both parent breeds have a double coat, so your Akita Collie will be no different. The coat should be straight and medium in length.
If the dog has strong Border Collie genes, then he will come in one of several colors, including black and white.
If the mix takes more after the Akita parent, then he will have one of these colors: black, brown brindle, fawn/brown, red, silver or white.
Additionally, an Akita Border Collie Mix may have black overlay.
Temperament and Personality Traits
Both the Border Collie and the Akita are known to be Intelligent dogs, so your Akita Collie Mix will be equally bright. This mix needs mental stimulation on a regular basis through training, exercises and interactive dog toys to stay healthy and happy.
If left with pent-up energy and mentally under-stimulated, these dogs are likely to develop destructive behaviors. Due to their large size, it’s important to avoid this through daily exercise. This makes an Akita Border Collie Mix a poor choice for first time owners. These dogs will require a dedicated owner with plenty of time on his hands to train and exercise them.
The Akita Collie could be a bit aggressive thanks to the Akita parent’s hunting background. However, the Border Collie’s genes could help counteract some of the Akita’s other undesirable tendencies.
No matter what parent breed your mix takes after, you can expect them to be very active. This makes them a poor choice for apartment living. These dogs will need long walks or hikes each day to tire them out.
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Is an Akita Border Collie Mix a Good Guard Dog?
Yes. The Akita Border Collie Mix makes a good watchdog and guard dog. They are naturally protective and will always come to your rescue if they sense danger.
While your mix might not be particularly fierce due to the Border Collie’s docile nature, you can expect him to protect you and your property at all times.
Are Akita Border Collie Mix Dogs Good with Kids?
If your mix takes more after his Collie parent, then he should get along well with children. Border Collies are known to be friendly, patient and always ready to play games with kids.
However, the Akita parent is not so good with kids. So it’s always a good idea to monitor your children whenever they are interacting or playing with this mix.
Are They Good With Cats and Other Animals?
The Border Collie Akita Mix has a high prey drive and may not get along with small animals at home.
As a larger animal, this dog may want to assert their dominance over smaller creatures, so it is always a good idea to introduce your dog to smaller pets early. That way, your dog will learn to treat your other pets with respect.
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Training
The Border Collie Akita Mix is a very intelligent canine, so training should be relatively easy. However, these powerful dogs can also be stubborn so it’s advisable to start housetraining them early.
For the best results, use positive reward-based training techniques. These include treats, praise, belly rubs and so on. Keep each training session short, engaging and consistent to maintain your Akita Border Collie Mix’s attention.
Avoid getting angry with your dog because he will not know why. Using punishment-based methods will backfire since your pup will not understand and might lose trust in you.
You may even want to take your Akita Collie to puppy training classes, or hire a professional dog trainer.
Socialization
As mentioned earlier, the Akita Collie is a friendly dog who loves his people and any pets he has been brought up with. Nonetheless, you’ll need to socialize him early so he can learn how to live peacefully with people and other animals.
Sometimes dogs see strangers and other animals as a threat so they feel the need to protect themselves and their families.
Therefore, you should introduce your Border Collie Akita Mix to many different people, animals, places, sights, smells and sounds in a safe manner. You should start socializing them from a very young age since it is more difficult to socialize older dogs.
How to Take Care of Your Akita Border Collie Mix
If you want to adopt an Akita Border Collie Mix, make sure you can meet their exercise and grooming needs.
Exercise Needs
The Akita Collie generally has tons of energy. Due to their size, Akita Collies require at least 60 minutes of physical activity each day. You should ensure that you can dedicate this amount of time to exercising them before bringing one of these puppies home.
These dogs enjoy being with their families. They will want to join you whenever you are exercising. They will also enjoy playing with interactive dog toys because they help to keep them occupied and mentally stimulated.
Border Collie Akitas do best in cold weather as their double coat keeps them warm and comfortable. In warmer regions, they will need a constant supply of fresh water to stay cool and properly hydrated.
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Grooming and Shedding
Fortunately, grooming your Akita Border Collie Mix is not a difficult task. These dogs tend to groom themselves and they don’t shed a lot.
You only need to brush their coat a few times each week to maintain their coat in the proper condition. These will also require bathing only once in a while in order to avoid removing the natural oils from their skin.
If you’re worried about doggy odour, you should consider using deodorizing wipes for dogs, as these will help keep your pet clean and smelling fresh at all times.
Trim their toenails when they grow too long and brush their teeth every week. This will prevent dental decay and diseases from developing. You can also buy them dental chews to help make it easier for you.
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Feeding and Diet
Your Akita Border Collie Mix should eat three proper meals every day.
You should feed your mix high quality dog food. It must contain a good amount of protein to help them stay active. All the ingredients should be easy to digest. The kibble should contain no fillers or artificial additives.
Also, feed your dog a good source of probiotics to ensure your pet’s joints and bones stay strong and healthy, which is extremely important for large breeds.
With fish oil or wild Alaskan salmon oil, your Akita Collie’s coat and skin will stay in the best condition possible while supporting their overall health.
Life Expectancy
The Akita Collie has an average lifespan of about 10 to 13 years.
Common Health Issues
Sadly, as with any other breed of dog, the Border Collie Mix is vulnerable to the same health conditions that affect the parent breeds.
Since the Akita has more health issues than Collies, you should take your dog to the vet regularly.
Regular vet visits and keeping an eye on your Akita Border Collie Mix will help you detect any health problems early. Common health issues to watch out for include elbow and hip dysplasia.
Remember to buy your mix puppy from a reputable breeder. This will greatly reduce the chances your pet will experience any of the above genetic diseases.
Reputable Akita Collie breeders always do health testing on both parent dogs and do not crossbreed if they find that any issues may be passed on to the offspring.
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Akita Collie Mix Price
You can expect to pay around $600 to $1200 for an Akita Border Collie Mix puppy for sale. However, the cost will vary depending on the source. A reputable breeder will usually charge more than online sellers.
Rescuing an Akita Border Collie Mix
Adopting an older dog from a shelter is often a risky affair. Without proper documentation about the pup’s lineage and health, it is difficult to know what you are getting yourself into.
However, Akita Collie dogs in shelters and rescue centers around the country need new loving homes and adopting a puppy or an adult dog can be a fulfilling experience.
If you’re interested in a rescue Akita Border Collie Mix, contact your local shelter or inquire with the humane society. Akita and Border Collie rescues might also have mixed breed dogs available for adoption.
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Pet Products and Accessories
If you have your heart set on adopting an Akita Border Collie Mix puppy, you should start preparing by buying various pet products and accessories.
These include interactive dog toys for large dogs; memory foam dog beds like the Furhaven Orthopedic dog bed; and dog crates like the highly popular MidWest Folding Crate for large Dogs.
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Frequently Asked Questions
Are Akita Border Collie Dogs Dangerous?
Border Collie Akita mixes are known to be mouthy, and can sometimes bite or nip at their masters. Although these dogs seem to be aggressive, they are rarely dangerous.
Are Akita Border Collie Aggressive to Other Dogs?
The Akita parent tends to be aggressive towards same-sex dogs. These dogs do best if they are the only canine in the home. However, it’s still possible for an Akita Border Collie Mix to get along with other canines.
A properly socialized Border Collie Akita Mix should be sociable with other dogs.
Are Border Collie Akitas Good Family Dogs?
Yes. Border Collie Akita mixes thrive on companionship and bond closely with their owners and families. They also get along well with children and other pets that they have been brought up with. They are also naturally protective of their home and family.
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Do Border Collie Akitas Bark a Lot?
No. Unlike some other dog breeds that tend to bark a lot, Border Collie Akitas bark rarely, usually as a deterrent or when they need your attention.
Are Border Collie Akitas High Maintenance?
Yes. Border Collie Akitas are high maintenance dogs. This is because they have a very strong work ethic. Without proper exercise and mental stimulation, these dogs can develop behavioral issues as they seek alternative ways to release their pent-up energy.
Both the Akita and Border Collie parent breeds need a dedicated owner who can provide enough exercise to keep them happy and healthy.
Can Akita Border Collie be Left Alone?
No. Like all puppies, Akita Border Collies are prone to bark, cry, whine or panic if they are left at home alone for long.
Border Collies, in particular, are prone to separation anxiety since they tend to bond closely with their owners and families. So if you tend to work away from home throughout the day, this is not the best breed for you.
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