Akita Mastiff Mix
The Akita Mastiff Mix, is a mixed breed dog resulting from breeding the Akita and the Mastiff. This will be a larger dog with longer hair. Note that anything mixed with the Akita and Mastiff might be better for a more experienced dog owner or handler. Is it more like the Akita or the Mastiff? Those are the questions we will try and answer below. Continue reading below to see pictures, videos, and learn more about the beautiful Akita Mastiff Mix.
While we really recommend that you acquire all animals through a rescue, we understand that some people might go through a breeder to get their Akita Mastiff Mix puppy. That is, if they have any Akita Mastiff Mix puppies for sale.
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Here are some pictures of the Akita Mastiff Mix
Akita Mastiff Mix History
All hybrid or designer dogs are tough to get a good read on as there isn’t much history to them. Breeding specific dogs like this has become common in the last twenty years or so even though I am sure that this mixed breed found it’s share of dogs to the shelter due to accidental breeding. We will take a closer look at the history of both parent breeds below. If you are looking at breeders for new, designer dogs please beware of Puppy Mills. These are places that mass produce puppies, specifically for profit and don’t care at all about the dogs. Please sign our petition to stop puppy mills.
Mastiff History:
The Tibetan Mastiff is one of the oldest breeds, they are considered to be the first ancestor of the other mastiff breeds in the world. In 2008, a mitogenome study concluded that 12 dog breeds studied appeared to have diverged from the gray wolf 42,000 years ago, the Tibetan Mastiff lineage diverged earlier at 58,000 years ago. He is one of the oldest known breeds. He is originally from Tibet where it worked as a guardian breed who either traveled with nomadic herdsmen, watching over their flocks, or served as the protector of villages and monasteries. Travelers often wrote of the dogs’ ferocity, which was encouraged by the inhabitants. Theare are Chinese documents dating to 1121 BC that talk about the ferocity of Tibetan guard dogs. However, they weren’t introduced to the U.S until 1970.
English Mastiffs are a large working breed that are literally thousands of years old. This is of course skeptical, but there is evidence depicting them going back as far as 6 thousand years ago. They were bred by gamekeepers for strength, size and speed using a cross of the tough, heavy and aggressive Bulldog of the 19th century with the large, strong, less aggressive Mastiff. They were used in “baiting sports” to kill bulls and bears, many times in the arena. Fortunately, this was put to an end in Britain in the 1830’s.
Akita History:
The Akita is an Asian dog that hails from the mountains of Japan. Predecessors of the modern Akita were used for hunting bear, wild boar and deer in Japan as late as 1957. They would be used to flush out the bear and keep it at bay until the hunter could come and kill it. However, like virtually all ancient dog breeds they have morphed over the generations. From being dogs that hunted and protected to being killed and forced to fight for human entertainment.
Awesome videos of Akita Mastiff Mix puppies
Akita Mastiff Mix Size and Weight
Mastiff
Typically stand 24 to 26 inches
Typically range from 75 pounds to 160 pounds.
Standard Akita
Height: 26 - 28 inches at the shoulder
Weight: 70 - 130 lb.
Lifespan: 10 - 12 years
Akita Mastiff Mix Personality
Like all hybrids, you have to look to the parents to get a good read on how they will likely behave. This could obviously make for a very powerful and strong breed. Both of these parent breeds can be strong and powerful and have very strong prey and drive instincts. They should get along well with other animals if exposed and socialized properly as well. They are somewhat capable of independence, or alone time when the house is noisy or full. She responds well to positive reinforcement, like all dogs. She should be rather affectionate and enjoy spending lots of time with you. Don’t plan on leaving her alone for long periods as he won’t do well alone. She wants to be with the “pack.”
Akita Mastiff Mix Health
All dogs have the potential to develop genetic health problems as all breeds are susceptible to some things more than others. However, the one positive thing about getting a puppy is that you can avoid this as much as possible. A breeder should absolutely offer a health guarantee on puppies. If they won’t do this, then look no more and don’t consider that breeder at all. A reputable breeder will be honest and open about health problems in the breed and the incidence with which they occur. Health clearances prove that a dog has been tested for and cleared of a particular condition.
The Dalmatian mixed with the Mastiff might be prone to Wobbler's syndrome, cervical vertebral instability (CVI), and cardiomyopathy, canine hip dysplasia, osteosarcoma, von Willebrand's disease, demodicosis, and gastric torsion
Note that these are just common problems in both breeds.
Akita Mastiff Mix Care
What are the grooming requirements?
This will be a more challenging dog to groom if the Akita shines through but easier if the Mastiff prevails. Be prepared to brush them a few times a week. Either way, get ready to invest in a good vacuum if you want to keep your floors clean! Give them baths as needed, but not so much that you dry out their skin. Never tie your dog up outside - that is inhumane and not fair to him.
What are the exercise requirements?
Plan on taking them for extremely long walks and hikes to keep their energy level down. This exercise will keep them from being destructive. A tired dog is a good dog. A tired dog is a good dog though. Never tie your dog up outside - that is inhumane and not fair to him.
What are the training requirements?
This is an intelligent dog that will be a little bit challenging to train. They are going to want to take the alpha position and need someone with a firm, strong, hand that can let them know their place. The best thing you can do is break the sessions into shorter daily sessions to keep their attention span higher. It might have a prey drive and be disposed to running for and chasing small prey, but if handled properly this can be managed. All dogs respond best to positive reinforcement. So make sure to praise her when she does well. She is an intelligent dog who loves to please, and loves a physical challenge. The more exercise she gets the easier she will be to train. Proper socialization is imperative to all dogs and puppies. Make sure to take her to the park and doggy day care to get her around as many people and dogs as possible.
Akita Mastiff Mix Feeding
A lot of times diet is done on a per-dog basis. Each one is unique and has different dietary requirements. Most dogs in the U.S. are overweight. A mix like this one that is prone to hip and elbow dysplasia should really be on fish oil and glucosamine and chondroitin supplements as soon as possible.
Overfeeding any dog is not a good idea as that can really exacerbate health problems such as elbow and hip dysplasia.
A good diet to look into is Raw Food Diet. A raw food diet will be especially good for the Wolf background.