Akita Collie Mix: Pictures, Care, Temperament & Traits
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The Akita Collie Mix is a fiercely loyal, intelligent, and energetic crossbreed between two of the most beloved big dog breeds. They’re not as popular as either of their parents but tend to receive the best traits of both. If you’re interested in learning more about this underrated underdog, you’re in the right place. Read on for more details and see if this big furry lug is the right dog breed for you.
| Height: | 20–25 inches |
| Weight: | 50–90 pounds |
| Lifespan: | 11–14 years |
| Colors: | Black, white, brown, blue, fawn, cream, sable, brindle |
| Suitable for: | Highly active families seeking a smart and large dog breed |
| Temperament: | Devoted, affectionate, playful, intelligent, energetic |
A mix between the stubborn, loyal Akita and the lively, smart Border Collie, the Akita Collie Mix can show any mix of the two breeds’ traits. Any given dog may have a more friendly, outgoing Collie personality, the more reserved Akita watchfulness, or a mix of them. Then, of course, every dog is unique and with their own quirks too.
Akita Collie Mix Breed Characteristics
Akita Collie Mix Breed Puppies
Mixed puppies are generally hard to find because breeders don’t sell them, so accidental litters are your best bet. Try Facebook Marketplace, Craigslist, and local selling apps if you’re interested in adopting an Akita Collie Mix puppy. Or you might consider checking local animal rescue organizations or shelters to see if they happen to have an older dog you can adopt.
Temperament & Intelligence of the Akita Collie Mix
The Akita Collie Mix has a wide range of personality traits to draw from. The Border Collie is more gregarious and trainable, while the Akita is more guarded and stubborn. That means their puppies will absolutely be loyal, smart dogs, but otherwise, you can’t predict what their personality will be like with 100% certainty. It’s also possible to get a nice mix of their personalities, like a more watchful Collie or a more friendly Akita.
Are These Dogs Good for Families? 👪
Absolutely, but you have to make sure you choose a dog with a suitable personality for your household. An Akita Collie Mix that leans more toward the Akita personality might not be suitable for homes with small kids, but by and large, they’ll be friendlier than a purebred Akita.
The addition of Collie DNA helps boost your odds of a livelier dog, but you must also make sure you can satisfy their exercise needs. Collies are especially prone to destructive chewing and digging when they’re bored or anxious, and Akitas can develop aggressive behavior as well. That makes it doubly important that you give them plenty of time and space to run!
Socialization from a young age is also integral in making sure a growing Akita Collie puppy learns appropriate behavior and boundaries with children. Ideally, adult supervision would be supplied until the dog can be trusted to behave around kids.
Does This Breed Get Along With Other Pets?
Maybe. It heavily depends on the individual personality of the dog, as the Akita is known to be aggressive but the Border Collie is gentler and sweeter. The Collie also has strong herding instincts that could be problematic for other pets, plus the Akita is naturally protective of their family and territory. Socialization is your best friend here, with controlled exposure to other pets helping to acclimate them to the idea of other pets being in the family too.
So, the real answer is that it depends on how aggressive the dog is toward other pets and how much work you’re willing to do socializing them. More territorial or jealous dogs will take more work, while dogs with the Collie’s trainability could adjust faster.
Things to Know When Owning an Akita Collie Mix:
Food & Diet Requirements 🦴
As with any large, athletic dog breed, the Akita Collie Mix requires high-quality dog food with a balanced mix of quality ingredients. To give you an idea of what to look for in a good dog food brand, look for the following ingredients and percentages.
| Protein: | At least 20% |
| Fat: | 10% to 20% |
| Carbohydrates: | 15% to 30% |
| Vitamins & Minerals: | Look for vitamin D, iron, calcium, and other trace minerals |
Visiting a vet with your Akita Collie Mix can also help pinpoint any nutritional deficiencies your dog may have. Plus, they’re sure to have more specific recommendations on some great dog food brands you can try.
Exercise 🐕
Akitas are a bit less active than Collies, which are known for their high energy levels and athleticism. That said, both breeds require at least an hour, preferably two, of walks or other physical exercise per day. Puzzle toys like stuffed Kongs are invaluable tools for keeping them busy during quiet times of day, wearing out their brains as much as a good walk wears out their body.
Keep in mind that these are high-energy dogs with a whip-smart brain—they can escape from poorly secured yards in a heartbeat. Make sure that your outdoor play area is 100% secure before letting your dog roam freely without supervision!
Training 🎾
Border Collies are renowned for their intelligence and eager-to-please attitude, but the addition of an Akita stubborn streak can complicate training for their offspring. Some dogs may be more independent than others, but as a general rule, every dog can learn basic commands. Socialization is first on the table because the Akita bloodline can contribute some aggression toward other animals. Obedience can be tied in quickly after, with lots of treats and patience sealing the deal.
Start with simple commands. Once the dog has learned that performing a specific activity gets them a treat, they’ll be more likely to go along with your future training sessions.
Grooming ✂️
The Akita Collie can inherit either the Akita’s straight coat or the Collie’s wavy coat, but either way, it’ll be a thick double coat. That means plenty of regular grooming sessions with a de-shedding comb and perhaps trips to a groomer for more unmanageable coats.
These crossbreeds don’t typically need any fur trimming, as the hair automatically sheds throughout the year. Nails are another story, though, and you need to keep an eye on your dog’s nails before they get sharp or uncomfortably long. On average, you can expect to trim an Akita Collie Mix’s nails once every month or two.
- Related Read: 10 Best Dog Shampoos – Reviews & Top Picks
Health and Conditions🏥
- Joint Conditions
- Bloat
- Auto-Immune Conditions
- Gray Collie Syndrome
- Progressive Retinal Atrophy
- Glaucoma
Minor Conditions
- Joint Conditions: Most notable are elbow and hip dysplasia, which causes painful arthritic symptoms—more common in older dogs and all big dog breeds.
- Bloat: AKA gastric torsion, this gastric condition is a potentially fatal medical emergency that requires immediate care.
- Auto-Immune Conditions: Akitas are especially susceptible to a condition called sebaceous adenitis, which causes rashes and inflamed skin.
Serious Conditions
- Gray Collie Syndrome: Although rare in crossbreeds, this condition causes severe, life-threatening problems for a dog’s immune system and other organs.
- Progressive Retinal Atrophy: A rare condition plaguing Akitas that causes loss of vision and eventually, total blindness.
- Glaucoma: Another ocular disease, glaucoma causes cataracts and blindness.
Male vs Female
Male dogs tend to be larger and heavier than female dogs, as well as more dominant. Females, by contrast, tend to be gentler and more trainable. Those are just generalizations, however, and every dog has its own unique personality no matter its gender.
3 Little-Known Facts About the Akita Collie Mix
1. Akita Collie Mixes Do Well in the Cold
The thick, fluffy double coat provided by both parents gives his mixed dog breed an outstanding resistance to cold weather, but they shed like crazy!
2. Health & Personality Depend on the Parents
While the breeds are important, the individual personality and health of both parents are even more important when predicting and assessing the health or temperament of an Akita Collie.
3. Akita Collies Have a Mixed Background
The Akita is an ancient guarding/hunting dog breed hailing from Japan, while the Border Collies are from all over England, Scotland, and most of the modern UK. That means an Akita Collie Mix can inherit a huge range of personality, fur, and medical traits, and you never know what you’re going to get with any individual dog.
Final Thoughts
Akita Collies come from two very different dog breeds, which come out in their mixed appearances and personalities. It’s important to get to know a puppy or dog before committing to them to ensure they’re compatible with your lifestyle. For instance, an Akita Collie that takes after the Akita’s territorial aggression would be a poor fit for families with kids.
See also:
- Pakita (Akita Great Pyrenees Mix): Pictures, Care, Temperament & Traits
- Akita Rottweiler Mix: Pictures, Care, Temperament & Traits
Featured Image Credit: Left – FunFamilyRu, Shutterstock | Right – Susan-McQuade, Shutterstock
