A Breeding Program Built on
Science, Standards & Legacy.
American Akita Breeding Program
The Apexx Akitas Breeding Program
The Apexx Akitas breeding program is an American Akita breeding operation founded by Ron Durant in 2003, based in Sussex County, New Jersey. Every dog in the program comes from champion bloodlines, receives full OFA health testing before breeding, and is raised through structured early neurological stimulation and eight weeks of developmental protocols before placement. Two Winter 2026 pairings are planned: Stone x Prosha and Asa x Salu, both anchored by European Grand Champion Joe bloodlines. Placements are made through a full application process to families across the United States and Canada.
20+
Years Breeding
American Akitas
American Akitas
150+
Nationwide
Placements
Placements
80%
Long-Term
Family Follow-Up
Family Follow-Up
5
OFA Health
Clearance Types
Clearance Types
Winter 2026 Pairings
Two Purposeful Pairings.
Both Anchored by European Champion Bloodlines.
Each pairing is selected months in advance based on pedigree analysis, temperament tracking across generations, structural compatibility, and genetic diversity. No breeding takes place at Apexx Akitas until both parents have completed full OFA health testing.
Pairing One
Stone x Prosha
Winter 2026 Litter · OFA Testing In Progress
A brindle female produced within our own program paired with a large fawn male from European Grand Champion bloodlines. Selected for bone density, head type, structural correctness, and generational temperament stability.
Dam
Stone
Brindle American Akita Female
By Grand Champion Asa x Champion Starlight
By Grand Champion Asa x Champion Starlight
OFA HipsTesting In Progress
OFA ElbowsTesting In Progress
CoatBrindle
RegistrationAKC Registered
BloodlineChampion Lineage
x
Temperament in Real Life. Prosha at home with family. This is the stable, confident, family-oriented temperament that anchors his selection as a sire.
Sire
Prosha
Fawn American Akita Male, Black Mask & White Markings
By European Grand Champion Joe x European Champion Lova
By European Grand Champion Joe x European Champion Lova
OFA HipsTesting In Progress
OFA ElbowsTesting In Progress
CoatFawn, Black Mask
RegistrationAKC Registered
BloodlineEuropean Champion
Pairing Two
Asa x Salu
Winter 2026 Litter · OFA Testing In Progress
Our Grand Champion sire, a Westminster competitor, paired with a red female carrying substantial bone and stable temperament. Selected for correct breed type, head structure, and consistency of expression.
Dam
Salu
Red American Akita Female, Black Mask & White Markings
By Boris x Kasia
By Boris x Kasia
OFA HipsTesting In Progress
OFA ElbowsTesting In Progress
CoatRed, Black Mask
RegistrationAKC Registered
BloodlineEstablished Lineage
x
Westminster Kennel Club. Grand Champion Asa competing on the world's most prestigious stage. Correct type, structure, and presence, verified in the ring.
Sire
Grand Champion Asa
Red American Akita Male, Black Mask & White Markings
By European Grand Champion Joe x European Champion Carrots
By European Grand Champion Joe x European Champion Carrots
TitleGrand Champion
OFA HipsTesting In Progress
OFA ElbowsTesting In Progress
CoatRed, Black Mask
BloodlineEuropean Champion
Pedigree Connection
Both Winter 2026 Sires
Trace to European Grand Champion Joe.
Prosha (Pair One, out of European Champion Lova) and Grand Champion Asa (Pair Two, out of European Champion Carrots) are half-brothers through European Grand Champion Joe. That deliberate common thread anchors both Winter 2026 litters in elite European champion bloodlines, while each dam brings distinct genetic diversity to the pairing. This is what intentional pedigree selection looks like.
A note on OFA status: Both Winter 2026 pairings show OFA hip and elbow status as "Testing In Progress." No breeding will take place at Apexx Akitas until full OFA clearances are complete and confirmed for both parents. This is a non-negotiable standard in our program. Pairing cards will be updated with certified results as they are received.
Our Foundation
American Akita Breeding Philosophy: Preservation Over Production
Apexx Akitas was founded with a singular purpose: to preserve and protect the true American Akita through responsible breeding, comprehensive OFA health testing, and uncompromising standards. Based in Sussex County, New Jersey, our program serves families across the tri-state region and nationwide.
The American Akita is a powerful, intelligent, and deeply loyal breed that demands thoughtful preservation. Our role as an American Akita breeder in New Jersey is not to follow trends but to uphold principles aligned with the AKC Akita breed standard and the Akita Club of America.
Not for volume
But for quality and responsibility.
Not for profit
But for breed preservation.
Not for convenience
But for health and temperament.
Not for trends
But for AKC standard adherence.
We do not view breeding as production. We view it as stewardship of a magnificent breed that demands thoughtful preservation and protection.Ron Durant · Founder, Apexx Akitas · Sussex County, NJ
Non-Negotiable Standards
American Akita Health Testing: OFA Standards
Every breeding decision at Apexx Akitas begins with comprehensive OFA health testing. Our protocol meets and exceeds the standards recommended by the Akita Club of America and aligns with OFA certification requirements.
01
Hip Dysplasia Screening (OFA)
Orthopedic Foundation for Animals certification evaluating hip joint integrity and identifying hereditary conditions.
Required02
Elbow Dysplasia Screening (OFA)
Critical screening for elbow abnormalities that impact mobility. Not optional and never waived for any dog in our program.
Required03
Eye Examinations (CERF/OFA)
Annual examinations by board-certified veterinary ophthalmologists to screen for hereditary eye conditions.
Required04
Thyroid Function Testing
Comprehensive thyroid panels identifying autoimmune thyroiditis and hormonal imbalances.
Required05
Cardiac Evaluation
Heart health screening to rule out congenital conditions that affect breed longevity.
RequiredSelection Criterion, Not a Marketing Phrase
American Akita Temperament: What Responsible Breeding Produces
A stable American Akita should be confident without aggression, alert without anxiety, loyal without excessive dependence, and calm without being lethargic. Temperament is not a marketing phrase at Apexx Akitas. It is a selection criterion that shapes every pairing we make.
Early Development Assessment
From birth through eight weeks we observe each puppy for confidence, resilience, and social responsiveness.
Juvenile Evaluation
We monitor behavior at six and twelve months when temperament characteristics begin to solidify.
Adult Temperament Testing
No dog enters our breeding program without a multi-year behavioral record.
Multi-Generational Tracking
We follow offspring temperament across multiple litters to verify genetic stability passes reliably.
ConfidentComposedLoyal to FamilySocially StableSound Under PressurePredictableHandler-FocusedDiscerning
First Eight Weeks
Early Development & Puppy Raising
The first eight weeks of a puppy's life create the foundation for everything that follows. We actively shape their development through structured protocols designed to optimize temperament, resilience, and adaptability.
01
Early Neurological Stimulation
Days 3 through 16 ENS protocols proven to improve stress resilience and long-term adaptability.
02
Progressive Socialization
Age-appropriate exposure to people, sounds, surfaces, and diverse experiences introduced incrementally.
03
Handling & Grooming
Gentle conditioning to handling, nail trimming, bathing, and examination.
04
Environmental Enrichment
Rotating toys, novel obstacles, and varied experiences encourage problem-solving and confidence.
05
Foundational Manners
We introduce crate training, house training awareness, and basic responsiveness before pickup.
06
Individual Assessment
Daily observation notes on each puppy's personality inform how we match individual puppies to families.
Program Integrity
Limited & Intentional Breeding
Responsible breeding requires time, attention, and resources that cannot be scaled without compromise. This is not a business model. It is a commitment.
What We Commit To
- Planned, intentional litters from fully OFA health-tested parents
- Lifelong breeder support and genuine long-term communication with every family
- Full transparency on health testing with publicly verifiable OFA results
- Temperament matching for each family's specific lifestyle and experience level
- Structured early development protocols carried out with every single litter
- AKC registration and complete multi-generational pedigree documentation
- Honest guidance, including telling a family to wait when that is the right answer
- Proper recovery time between litters to protect the dam's long-term health
What We Don't Do
- We do not breed for volume or revenue at the expense of quality
- We do not breed before both parents have complete OFA health clearances
- We do not sell without a thorough family screening and application process
- We do not breed dams back-to-back without adequate recovery time
- We do not breed young dogs or dogs without a proven multi-year temperament record
- We do not breed for trendy colors or extreme features at the expense of structure
- We do not run multiple litters simultaneously beyond what quality allows
- We do not lose contact with families after a puppy leaves our care
Common Questions
Breeding Program FAQ
What health tests do you perform on American Akita breeding dogs?
All breeding dogs at Apexx Akitas receive OFA hip and elbow evaluations, annual CERF/OFA eye examinations, thyroid function testing, and cardiac evaluation. Results are publicly verifiable through the OFA database. No dog is bred at Apexx Akitas without complete OFA health clearances on both parents.
How do you select which American Akitas to breed?
Breeding selection evaluates comprehensive OFA health clearances, proven stable temperament over multiple years, correct structure per the AKC American Akita standard, compatible pedigrees supporting genetic diversity, and overall contribution to breed preservation.
What pairings does Apexx Akitas have planned for Winter 2026?
Two pairings are planned for Winter 2026: Stone (a brindle American Akita female by Grand Champion Asa and Champion Starlight) paired with Prosha (a fawn American Akita male by European Grand Champion Joe and European Champion Lova), and Grand Champion Asa paired with Salu (a red American Akita female by Boris and Kasia). Both sires trace to European Grand Champion Joe. No breeding will take place until full OFA health clearances are confirmed.
How many American Akita litters do you produce per year?
Apexx Akitas intentionally limits litter production. Typically two to four planned litters per year, always prioritizing limited, purposeful litters over volume.
What support do you provide after placing an American Akita puppy?
Apexx Akitas provides lifetime breeder support including training guidance, health consultation, behavioral advice, and Akita ownership support throughout the dog's life. We maintain active relationships with approximately 80 percent of the families we have placed puppies with.
Do you ship American Akita puppies?
Apexx Akitas works with families nationwide and arranges safe, professional transport when needed, whether by ground transport or nanny flight. We prefer families to visit our Sussex County, New Jersey home when possible.
What is your puppy placement and screening process?
Apexx Akitas evaluates families through a detailed application, interview process, and thorough breed education before any placement decision. Our goal is successful permanent placements, not fast transactions.
The Bottom Line
The Apexx Akitas breeding program is a 20-year American Akita breeding operation in Sussex County, New Jersey built on full OFA health testing, European champion bloodlines, and structured eight-week early development. Two Winter 2026 pairings are planned: Stone x Prosha and Asa x Salu, both anchored by European Grand Champion Joe. Placements are made through a full application process. Call Ron Durant at (732) 850-5435 to begin.
Applying to Apexx Akitas
Every Apexx Akita is the product of 20+ years of experience, full OFA health testing, European champion bloodlines, and an uncompromising commitment to the American Akita breed. Sussex County, NJ, placing nationwide.