Apexx Akita puppies range from $3,500 to $5,000 depending on show quality, gender, markings, and whether breeding rights are included. Pet-quality puppies (limited AKC registration, spay/neuter required) start at $3,500. Show-quality puppies with championship potential are priced higher. Full breeding rights are rarely granted and significantly increase the price. Every puppy includes the same comprehensive health guarantee, early development program, and lifetime support regardless of price point.

 Every Apexx Akita puppy comes with: AKC registration papers, 2-year genetic health guarantee, complete health records, current vaccinations, multiple dewormings, microchip implantation (if desired), 4-generation pedigree (upon Request), puppy starter kit (food, toys, blanket with littermate scent), comprehensive raising guide, and lifetime breeder support. We also provide training resources and access to our puppy alumni network.

 We require a $500 deposit to reserve a specific puppy. Deposits are accepted via PayPal, Venmo, Zelle, check, or cash. Once you select a specific puppy (at 7 weeks after temperament testing), the deposit is non-refundable and applied toward your final purchase price. Waitlist deposits (before puppies are born) are fully refundable. Final payment is due 7 days before pickup.

 First, submit our puppy application. Once approved, you can place a deposit to join our waitlist or reserve from a current litter. Puppy selection happens at 7 weeks based on temperament testing results. We use a priority system based on deposit date, but actively guide families toward puppies that match their lifestyle and experience level rather than pure first-come-first-served.

 It’s a collaborative process. At 7 weeks, we conduct formal temperament testing on each puppy and share detailed results with waitlist families. We discuss each puppy’s personality, energy level, confidence, and traits. Based on your application information (experience level, lifestyle, expectations), we guide you toward puppies that will thrive in your home. You make the final choice, but with our expert guidance to ensure a good match. Proper matching reduces the likelihood of returns and creates better lifelong outcomes.

 Waitlist timing varies depending on litter plans and current demand. We produce 3-4 litters per year, so wait times typically range from 2-6 months. Families on our waitlist receive priority notification when new litters are planned or born. We’re honest about timelines and never overpromise availability. If you need a puppy urgently, we can sometimes recommend other reputable breeders with current availability.

 Waitlist deposits (before selecting a specific puppy) are not refundable but transferrable to a future litter if you change your mind. Once you’ve selected a specific puppy at 7 weeks, the deposit becomes non-refundable as we’ve now committed that puppy to you and turned away other interested families. However, if extraordinary circumstances arise (medical emergency, unexpected life change), we work with families on a case-by-case basis and may allow transfer to a future litter rather than forfeiting the deposit entirely.

 Every Apexx Akita comes with a 2-year genetic health guarantee covering hip dysplasia, elbow dysplasia, and other congenital defects. If a covered condition is diagnosed by a licensed veterinarian within 2 years, we’ll either replace the puppy from a current/future litter or refund the purchase price, your choice. Importantly, we do NOT require you to return your dog to receive the guarantee benefits. We understand they’re family by that point and the guarantee exists to help you financially, not take away your companion.

 Every Apexx Akitas breeding dog has complete OFA clearances including: Hip radiographs (minimum rating: Good), Elbow radiographs (minimum rating: Normal), Annual eye examinations by board-certified ophthalmologist (CERF/OFA), Thyroid panel screening for autoimmune thyroiditis, and Basic cardiac evaluation. All results are publicly verifiable on OFA.org using the dog’s registered name. We hide nothing and encourage buyers to verify our claims independently.

 At 6-7 weeks, every puppy receives: Complete physical examination by our licensed veterinarian, First puppy vaccination (DHPP), Multiple dewormings on veterinary schedule, Microchip implantation, and Health certificate if shipping/transporting. You receive complete health records at pickup showing all veterinary care provided.

 Yes. Puppies receive their first DHPP vaccination at 6-7 weeks before going home, plus multiple dewormings starting at 2 weeks and repeated every 2 weeks through go-home day. You’ll receive a vaccination record showing what’s been done and a schedule for future vaccinations to discuss with your veterinarian. Puppies are NOT fully vaccinated at 8 weeks, they’ll need booster shots at 10-12 weeks and 14-16 weeks as recommended by your vet.

 Contact us immediately with the diagnosis from your veterinarian. We’ll review the medical records and work with you to determine next steps under the health guarantee. For covered conditions diagnosed within 2 years, you can choose a replacement puppy or full refund. We also provide consultation and support for non-covered health issues that arise, you’re not alone in managing your dog’s health. Many families maintain contact with us for health advice throughout their Akita’s entire life.

 The formal written guarantee covers 2 years for genetic conditions. However, our lifetime support commitment means we’re here to consult on health issues throughout your dog’s life. If a pattern of genetic health issues emerges in a particular breeding line (extremely rare with our health testing), we take responsibility ethically even beyond the guarantee period. We’ve been breeding for 20+ years and our reputation matters more than short-term profit.

 Puppies go home at exactly 8 weeks of age. This timing is optimal for socialization, immune system development, and legal requirements in most states. We do not release puppies younger than 8 weeks under any circumstances. Puppies taken too early miss critical learning from mother and littermates and have higher rates of behavioral issues. The extra days matter.

 Extensively. Our socialization protocol includes: Early Neurological Stimulation (days 3-16) using the Bio Sensor program, daily handling by multiple people, exposure to household sounds (vacuum, TV, doorbell, music), multiple surface types (tile, carpet, grass, gravel), novel objects and environments, age-appropriate interaction with stable adult dogs, and introduction to children under supervision. By 8 weeks, Apexx Akita puppies have experienced more varied stimuli than many adult dogs.

 Puppies are not fully potty trained at 8 weeks, but we provide a strong foundation. By go-home day, puppies have begun to develop surface preference (prefer to eliminate on grass/outdoor surfaces) and understand the concept of a designated potty area. They’re crate trained enough to hold it overnight in a crate. However, YOU must continue consistent housetraining once puppy arrives. With proper consistency, most puppies are reliably housetrained by 4-5 months. Expecting an 8-week-old puppy to be fully potty trained is unrealistic.

 Beyond socialization, puppies learn: Positive crate association (crate is safe space, not punishment), handling tolerance for grooming and vet exams, basic food manners (calm around food bowls), gentle mouthing and bite inhibition through littermate play, exposure to collar and leash, and name recognition. These foundations make your training job easier. We provide a detailed training guide and resources for continuing puppy education.

 Apexx Akitas was founded in 2003, giving us 20+ years of dedicated experience with American Akitas exclusively. We don’t breed multiple breeds. Our singular focus is preserving and improving the American Akita. This depth of experience in one breed allows us to make informed breeding decisions based on decades of tracked outcomes rather than trial and error.

 Yes. All our breeding dogs are AKC registered and all puppies receive AKC registration papers (limited registration for pet puppies, full registration rarely granted for breeding). We follow AKC guidelines for responsible breeding. However, AKC registration alone doesn’t make someone a good breeder. It just means the dogs are purebred. Our health testing, experience, and practices go far beyond minimum AKC requirements.

 Absolutely. We welcome approved applicants to visit our home in New Jersey to meet puppies and parent dogs. Visits must be scheduled in advance to ensure we’re available and puppies are at an appropriate age for visitor exposure. For families too far to visit, we provide extensive photos, videos, and live video calls. A reputable breeder should always allow visits. If someone won’t let you see where puppies are raised, that’s a major red flag.

 Yes. Lifetime breeder support is included for every puppy we sell. This means you can contact us for advice, questions, or concerns throughout your dog’s entire life. We maintain an 80% contact rate with puppy families years after purchase because we genuinely care about long-term outcomes. Many families text us photos and updates regularly. Our support isn’t just a promise on paper, it’s demonstrated by two decades of sustained relationships with our puppy families.

 We have a lifetime return policy. We will take back any Apexx Akita at any age, any reason, no questions asked. No Apexx Akita will ever end up in a shelter or rescue if we can prevent it. While we don’t offer refunds for adult returns, we’ll either keep the dog ourselves or carefully rehome to an approved family. If you prefer to rehome directly, we’ll help you screen potential homes. The dogs we produce are our responsibility for life.

 Absolutely. We’re happy to connect you with previous puppy buyers who can share their firsthand experience. You can also read testimonials on our testimonials page and see photos/updates from Apexx Akita families on our photo gallery. We encourage prospective buyers to do their due diligence and talk to our clients.

 American Akitas and Japanese Akitas (also called Akita Inu) are related but distinct breeds recognized separately by most major kennel clubs (though not by AKC, which groups them together). Key differences:

• Size: American Akitas are larger and heavier (70-130 lbs) vs Japanese Akitas (typically 65-100 lbs)
• Head: Americans have broader, bear-like heads; Japanese have more fox-like heads
• Colors: Americans come in all colors including pinto; Japanese are limited to red, white, and brindle
• Temperament: Americans tend to be more guardian-oriented; Japanese are slightly less assertive
• History: Breeds diverged after WWII with different breeding goals

 Apexx Akitas breeds exclusively American Akitas, the larger, more diverse bear-headed type.

 American Akitas can be excellent family dogs with proper breeding, socialization, and training, but they’re not for every family. They’re best suited for: experienced dog owners (ideally with large breed experience), families with older children (10+), homes with secure fencing, families committed to training and socialization, and those seeking a loyal, protective companion. They’re NOT ideal for: first-time dog owners with no large breed experience, families with very young children, apartment living without access to outdoor space (though it’s possible with commitment), or owners who want an off-leash hiking companion (high prey drive). Properly raised Apexx Akitas are dignified, loyal, affectionate with family, and excellent with children in their household.

 American Akitas are a large breed. Males typically reach 100-130 lbs and 26-28 inches at the shoulder. Females typically reach 70-100 lbs and 24-26 inches. Individual puppies may fall outside these ranges. We can provide more specific estimates based on the puppy’s parents and pedigree, but genetics only predicts so much, nutrition and exercise during growth also play a role. Plan for a large, powerful adult dog regardless.

 We breed for the traditional American Akita temperament: dignified, loyal, reserved with strangers, protective of family, confident but not aggressive. Our lines are known for: excellent family bonds and affection with their people, stable temperament in home environment, appropriate wariness of strangers without fear or aggression, trainability and food motivation, and reduced dog-aggression compared to some Akita lines (though still present). We specifically avoid: fear-based aggression, human aggression, extreme shyness, hyperactivity, or unstable temperament. Temperament selection is as important as health and structure in our breeding program.

 It depends. American Akitas often have high prey drive and can be same-sex aggressive with other dogs. Many live successfully with opposite-sex dogs, especially when raised together from puppyhood. Cats are hit-or-miss — some Apexx Akitas live peacefully with cats (we have documentation of this), but it requires early socialization and proper management. Small pets (rabbits, guinea pigs, chickens) are generally not safe due to prey drive. If you have existing pets, discuss this during your application. We can guide you toward puppies showing lower prey drive and better multi-pet potential based on early evaluation.

 We prefer families pick up in person at our home in Sussex County, New Jersey (about 1 hour from NYC, Philadelphia, or northern Pennsylvania). This allows us to meet you, ensure proper transition, and review care instructions thoroughly. For families outside the tri-state area who cannot travel, we offer: Ground transport service via trusted pet transporters (East Coast primarily, additional fee applies), or Flight nanny service where a professional courier hand-carries puppy on a flight to your nearest major airport (additional fee applies). We do NOT ship puppies as cargo in the airplane hold, this is unsafe and traumatic for young puppies.

 Apexx Akitas is based in  New Jersey (northern NJ near the Pennsylvania and New York borders). We’re approximately: 1 hour from New York City, 1.5 hours from Philadelphia, 45 minutes from the Pennsylvania border, and 2-3 hours from Boston. Many families from Pennsylvania, New York, Connecticut, Massachusetts, and Maryland make the drive to pick up their puppies. We serve families nationwide but are most accessible to the Northeast and Mid-Atlantic regions.

 Possibly. We’ve placed puppies in over 20 states across the US. If you let us know your location, we can check whether we have previous puppy families in your area willing to serve as references. Keep in mind that most of our placements are concentrated in the Northeast and Mid-Atlantic, so we may not have local references for every state. We’re always happy to connect you with families regardless of location to discuss their experience.