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Why Temperament Starts Before the Puppy

American Akita from Apexx Akitas showing correct structure and stable temperament, champion bloodlines, Sussex County New Jersey
Why Akita Temperament Is Decided Before the Puppy Is Born , Apexx Akitas
Apexx Akitas  ·  Breeding Philosophy

Why Akita Temperament Is Decided
Before the Puppy Is Born

Ron Durant  ·  Apexx Akitas  ·  Sussex County, New Jersey

The question I get from almost every serious family is some version of the same thing: how do I know the puppy will have a good temperament? It is the right question. The answer most breeders give is wrong.

They talk about training. They talk about socialization. They talk about how they raise their puppies. All of that matters , but none of it is where temperament starts. By the time you are looking at a puppy, the most important decisions have already been made. Either someone made them deliberately, or nobody made them at all.

I have been breeding American Akitas for over twenty years. This is what I have learned about where temperament actually comes from, and what it means for the family trying to find the right dog.

The Pairing Is the Temperament Decision

The American Akita is a dominant, powerful animal. That is not a warning , it is a description of what makes the breed extraordinary when the genetics are right. Calm, confident, bonded to its family, stable under pressure. That dog exists, and it is real, and it comes from specific decisions made before any puppy is born.

Drive, reactivity, threshold, social tolerance , these traits have a genetic component. You cannot breed two nervous, high-strung dogs and train the offspring into stability. The ceiling gets set at conception. A breeder who does not understand this is not managing temperament. They are gambling with it and asking you to pay for the result.

By the time you are looking at a puppy, the most important decisions have already been made , or they have not been made at all.

Before any pairing happens at Apexx Akitas, I am asking three things. Does each parent demonstrate the stable, self-assured temperament the breed standard describes? Are both parents fully health-tested , because structural pain and temperament instability are the same conversation, which I will get to in a moment. And does the combination of their lines suggest a predictable outcome, or is it a roll of the dice?

If any of those answers is uncertain, the breeding does not happen. That is why we produce limited litters. Quality and volume do not coexist in responsible breeding.

Powerful well-structured American Akita male from Apexx Akitas , champion bloodlines, correct structure, stable temperament

This is what correct breeding decisions look like. Structure, presence, and stability do not happen by accident.

Health Testing and Temperament
Are the Same Conversation

Most buyers understand that OFA certification matters for physical health. Fewer connect it to temperament. The connection is direct and it matters more than most people realize.

A dog with undiagnosed hip dysplasia lives in chronic pain. A dog in chronic pain cannot be stable. It may guard spaces it would not otherwise guard. It may be reactive in situations that would not concern a healthy animal. You cannot train around structural pain. You can only manage it , and management is not the same as a sound temperament.

Every dog in our breeding program carries verifiable OFA certification covering hips, elbows, thyroid, eyes, and cardiac. Not claimed. Verifiable. The certificate numbers are public record at ofa.org and I encourage every family to look them up before they ever contact me. Any breeder who cannot give you those numbers is asking you to trust their word instead of the record.

OFA hip and health report for Champion Ash , Apexx Akitas breeding stock

Champion Ash , OFA Hip Report. Publicly verifiable at ofa.org.

OFA elbow certificate for Champion Ash , Apexx Akitas

Champion Ash , OFA Elbow Certificate. Both parents certified before any breeding decision is made.

These documents exist before any puppy does. That is the standard. Anything less is a breeder asking you to trust claims made on a website.

What Happens in the
First Eight Weeks

Genetics set the foundation. What happens in the first weeks of a puppy's life either builds on that foundation or wastes it.

The neurological system of a newborn puppy is still forming. Research into early canine development has shown clearly that structured handling in the first weeks of life produces measurable differences in how a dog responds to stress for the rest of its life. Dogs that received consistent early handling show greater tolerance for novel situations and more stable responses under pressure. This is documented, not anecdotal.

It does not require equipment or special facilities. It requires showing up every day, handling each puppy individually, and understanding what you are doing and why. Most breeders do not do it because it takes time and it does not show up in photos.

Daily handling from the first days of life. This is not a special event. This is what every litter we produce receives.

By the time our puppies go home, they have been handled hundreds of times, exposed to varied sounds, surfaces, and people, and have already learned that the world is not a threatening place. That foundation cannot be purchased at week eight from a breeder who did not build it in weeks one through seven.

Apexx Akitas dam with her litter , champion bloodline American Akita puppies, New Jersey

The dam with her litter. Her temperament, her comfort in the whelping environment, and her relationship with us all shape how her puppies experience their first weeks.

What a Well-Bred Akita
Actually Looks Like

The American Akita is not a dog for every household. I say that plainly because it is true and because families deserve to hear it before they commit, not after. This dog is dominant, independent, and deeply bonded to its people. It requires confident ownership and an owner who has done their research.

When those conditions exist , and when the breeding behind the dog was done correctly , what you get is something most breeds cannot match. Calm in the home. Alert outside it. Loyal without being anxious. Stable around children it was raised with. Not looking for a fight, but not backing down from one either.

That dog is entirely achievable with the right dog from the right program. What it is not is something you can purchase from a breeder who did not do the work. There is no training program that fixes the wrong pairing. There is no socialization protocol that compensates for a dam in pain or a sire with an unstable threshold. The ceiling was set before that puppy was born , and set low.

American Akita with family , calm, stable temperament, Apexx Akitas puppy in home environment

A well-bred Akita in a family environment. Calm, present, stable. This is what the breed looks like when the breeding decisions were right.

Questions to Ask
Every Breeder You Consider

Before you commit to any breeder , including us , ask these questions and pay attention to how they answer.

Can you provide the OFA certification numbers for both parents? Not a certificate image , the actual numbers, so you can look them up yourself at ofa.org. A breeder who hesitates here is telling you something important.

How many litters do you produce per year? Limited, intentional litters are a feature. A breeder with puppies always available is making different decisions than we are.

What specifically happens with the puppies between birth and eight weeks? If the answer is vague, the answer is nothing.

What would disqualify a buyer? A breeder who approves every applicant is not evaluating applicants. We turn people away. That is part of the job.

What happens if the placement does not work out? Every dog we produce has a home with us for life if it does. That commitment is in writing before any puppy leaves.

Common Questions
Is Akita temperament genetic or shaped by training?

Both matter, but genetics set the ceiling. Training refines what breeding built , it cannot replace it. A puppy from parents with unstable temperament cannot be trained into the calm, confident dog the American Akita is meant to be.

Why does OFA certification matter for temperament?

A dog in chronic pain from undiagnosed structural problems cannot be stable. OFA certification confirms the breeding stock is structurally sound. Health and temperament are inseparable in this breed , you cannot evaluate one without the other.

What should I look for in a reputable American Akita breeder?

Verifiable OFA certification numbers for both parents, a clear temperament evaluation process, limited and intentional litters, and a breeder who interviews you as thoroughly as you interview them. Walk away from anyone who always has puppies available or gets defensive when you ask about health records.

At what age does Akita temperament development begin?

Neurological development begins within the first days of life. The critical socialization window opens around three weeks and closes around twelve to fourteen weeks. What happens , or does not happen , in that window has a permanent effect on how the dog processes the world for the rest of its life.

Ron Durant
Founder, Apexx Akitas  ·  Sussex County, New Jersey

Breeder, handler, and lifelong student of the American Akita since 1998. Over twenty years placing champion bloodline, OFA health tested Akitas with approved families across the United States. Every application reviewed personally.

If You Are Serious About an American Akita

Start With the Application

We produce limited litters from health-tested, champion-bloodline parents. Every placement goes through an evaluation process because every dog we produce matters to us long after it leaves.

Apply for a Puppy
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OFA Health Testing for American Akitas: What Every Buyer Must Know

OFA Health Testing for American Akitas: What Every Buyer Must Know

Health Testing Guide · Apexx Akitas

OFA Health Testing for American Akitas: What Every Buyer Must Know

A complete guide to what OFA clearances mean, how to read the ratings, how to verify results yourself, and what to ask any breeder before committing.

By Ron Durant  |  Apexx Akitas, Sussex County, New Jersey  |  20-plus years breeding champion American Akitas  |  March 2026

OFA hip radiograph of Durant Apexx The Whole Constellation, American Akita breeding dog at Apexx Akitas, showing structurally sound hip joints evaluated January 2026

OFA hip radiograph: Durant Apexx The Whole Constellation (“Ash”), male, DOB 2019-02-21. Evaluated January 15, 2026 at Steinbach Veterinary Hospital. This is what verified OFA documentation looks like.

If you are researching American Akita breeders, you have almost certainly seen the phrase “OFA health tested” in a breeder’s marketing. But what does it actually mean? How do you verify it? And what should you do if a breeder cannot or will not show you the documentation?

This guide answers every one of those questions in plain language. After more than 20 years breeding American Akitas, completing OFA clearances on every breeding dog in my program, and watching the long-term health outcomes of over 150 placed dogs, I can tell you that OFA testing is not a formality. It is the single most reliable predictor of whether your future Akita will live a long, comfortable, mobile life.

Read this before you talk to any breeder.

What Is OFA and Why Does It Matter for American Akitas

The Orthopedic Foundation for Animals (OFA) is a nonprofit organization founded in 1966 with a specific mission: to reduce the prevalence of inherited disease in companion animals through research, education, and open health databases. Their registry is the gold standard for canine health evaluation in the United States.

For American Akitas specifically, OFA testing matters more than it does for many other breeds. American Akitas are a large, heavy-boned working breed that grows rapidly and carries significant weight on their joints throughout their lives. According to OFA data, nearly one in four Akitas evaluated for hip dysplasia show evidence of the condition. That is a 24-plus percent rate in a breed where hip replacement surgery runs between $5,000 and $7,000 per hip. Elbow dysplasia affects roughly 15 percent of evaluated dogs. Autoimmune thyroid disease is common. Inherited eye conditions occur with enough frequency that annual ophthalmology screening is considered essential by responsible breeders.

None of these conditions are visible to the naked eye in a healthy-looking puppy. A dog can look and move perfectly normally at 8 weeks old and develop debilitating hip dysplasia by age two. The only way to know whether a puppy’s parents carry these risks is through documented, third-party health evaluations completed before those breeding dogs are ever paired.

A vet check is not the same as OFA clearance. A vet can confirm a dog appears healthy today. OFA clearances evaluate genetic structural soundness and inherited disease risk across generations.

The Five Core OFA Tests for American Akita Breeders

Responsible American Akita breeding programs complete the following evaluations before pairing any two dogs. Each test addresses a specific inherited vulnerability in the breed.

1. Hip Dysplasia Evaluation (OFA or PennHIP)

Hip dysplasia is the most prevalent and costly inherited condition in American Akitas. The hip joint is a ball-and-socket joint, and dysplasia occurs when the ball does not fit correctly into the socket, causing abnormal wear, progressive arthritis, pain, and reduced mobility over time.

The x-ray at the top of this page is Ash’s actual OFA hip radiograph taken January 15, 2026. The clear, well-seated ball-and-socket joint visible on both sides is what a structurally sound Akita hip looks like. This is the standard every Apexx Akitas breeding dog is evaluated against.

OFA hip evaluations work as follows. Radiographs are taken by the dog’s veterinarian and submitted to OFA, where three independently selected radiologists evaluate them. The dog must be at least 24 months old for a permanent certification.

OFA Hip Rating What It Means Breeding Suitability
ExcellentTight joint conformation, no evidence of dysplasiaIdeal. Actively sought in responsible programs.
GoodSlightly less than perfect but within normal rangeAcceptable for breeding when paired thoughtfully.
FairMinor irregularities, borderline normal rangeAcceptable only if paired with Excellent or Good.
BorderlineCannot classify as normal or dysplasticRetest at a later date recommended.
Mild DysplasiaEvidence of disease present but not severeShould not be bred.
Moderate DysplasiaSignificant evidence of diseaseShould not be bred.
Severe DysplasiaExtensive joint abnormalityShould not be bred.

Important: Preliminary hip evaluations taken before 24 months do not count as OFA clearances and are not assigned a number. Always verify the dog has a permanent OFA number, meaning the dog was at least 24 months old at evaluation.

PennHIP is an alternative hip evaluation method developed at the University of Pennsylvania. It measures hip laxity and can be performed as early as 16 weeks. PennHIP results are expressed as a Distraction Index score compared against the breed median.

Durant Apexx The Whole Constellation, OFA-evaluated American Akita breeding dog at Apexx Akitas, demonstrating correct structure and athletic movement in snow

Ash at Apexx Akitas. The same dog whose OFA hip radiograph appears above. Correct structure produces correct movement.

2. Elbow Dysplasia Evaluation

Elbow dysplasia covers several inherited conditions affecting the elbow joint. In Akitas, elbow dysplasia is the most common cause of front limb lameness and affects approximately 15 percent of evaluated dogs.

OFA Elbow Rating What It Means
Normal (Grade 0)No evidence of elbow dysplasia. Required for responsible breeding.
Grade IMinimal bone change. Dog should not be bred.
Grade IIModerate bone change or defined bone defect. Dog should not be bred.
Grade IIIWell-developed bone change. Dog should not be bred.

Because hip and elbow radiographs are almost always taken at the same veterinary appointment, both results should carry the same test date. If a breeder shows you hip results but cannot explain why elbow results are absent from the same date, ask directly.

3. Thyroid Panel (Autoimmune Thyroiditis)

Autoimmune thyroiditis is one of the most common inherited conditions in American Akitas. The disease causes the immune system to attack the thyroid gland, leading to progressive destruction of thyroid tissue and eventually hypothyroidism. It tends to appear between 2 and 5 years of age, long after most puppies have been placed.

OFA thyroid testing evaluates T3, T4, Free T4, and thyroglobulin antibody (TgAA). Positive TgAA results indicate active autoimmune disease. Dogs with positive TgAA should not be bred.

A dog can have normal T3 and T4 values while still being TgAA positive, meaning the autoimmune disease is active but has not yet destroyed enough thyroid tissue to affect hormone levels. This is why a full thyroid panel, not just a routine hormone check, is required.

Thyroid evaluations are time-sensitive. OFA recommends annual testing for breeding dogs. A thyroid clearance from three years ago is not current documentation.

4. CAER Eye Examination (Companion Animal Eye Registry)

OFA’s Companion Animal Eye Registry (CAER) replaced the older CERF certification system. Eye examinations are performed by board-certified veterinary ophthalmologists and screen for inherited eye diseases including progressive retinal atrophy, juvenile cataracts, iris coloboma, and other heritable conditions.

CAER certifications are valid for 12 months only. Responsible breeders obtain annual eye clearances for all active breeding dogs. A certification from two years ago is not current eye clearance.

5. Cardiac Evaluation

Cardiac evaluations screen breeding dogs for inherited heart conditions. There are two levels of OFA cardiac evaluation:

  • Basic cardiac exam: Performed by a general practitioner or specialist through auscultation. Available from 12 months of age.
  • Advanced cardiac exam: Performed by a board-certified veterinary cardiologist using echocardiography. Preferred in serious breeding programs.

The OFA cardiac number suffix tells you who performed the exam. P indicates a general practitioner, S indicates a specialist, and C indicates a board-certified cardiologist.

How to Read an OFA Number

Every dog that receives a normal OFA evaluation is assigned a registration number. Learning to read these numbers protects you from misrepresentation.

Example OFA number:  AKIT-1234G24F-VPI
Segment What It Means
AKITBreed abbreviation. AKIT = Akita.
1234Sequential number. The 1,234th Akita to receive this rating.
GHip rating. E = Excellent, G = Good, F = Fair.
24Age in months when tested. 24 means 2 years old, the minimum for permanent certification.
FSex. M = Male, F = Female.
VPIPermanent identification verified. The dog has a microchip or tattoo confirmed by the examining vet.

The age segment is the most important number to check. If you see a 16 or 18 in that position on a hip clearance, the dog was not yet two years old when evaluated. That is a preliminary result, not a certification.

How to Verify OFA Results Yourself on ofa.org

This is the most important skill in this entire guide. You do not have to take a breeder’s word for their health clearances. Every normal OFA result is posted to a public database at ofa.org, and you can search it in under two minutes.

  1. Go to ofa.org and click Search in the top navigation.
  2. Enter the dog’s registered name or AKC registration number. Get this from the breeder before you search.
  3. Review the results. You will see all evaluations on file for that dog including the test type, date, rating, and OFA number.
  4. Check the dates. Thyroid and eye clearances expire. Confirm they are current for the breeding you are considering.
  5. Verify both parents. Not just one. Responsible breeders test every breeding dog on both sides of every pairing.
If a breeder’s dogs do not appear in the OFA database, there are only two explanations: the testing has not been done, or the results were abnormal. OFA policy requires all normal results from dogs 24 months and older to be posted publicly. There are no exceptions.

What to Ask a Breeder About Their OFA Clearances

Once you understand OFA testing, asking the right questions becomes straightforward.

Can you give me the OFA registration numbers for both parents so I can verify them on ofa.org?

A transparent breeder will hand you these numbers without hesitation. Any reluctance or redirection is a red flag.

How old were the parents when their hips and elbows were evaluated?

The answer should be 24 months or older for a permanent certification. Earlier evaluations are preliminary results only.

When was the thyroid panel last run?

Thyroid clearances should be current, meaning within the past 12 months for actively breeding dogs.

When was the most recent CAER eye examination for each parent?

Eye certifications are valid for 12 months. Responsible breeders complete them annually for every dog they breed.

Who performed the cardiac evaluation, and can I see the OFA documentation?

Ideally a board-certified cardiologist. The documentation should include the OFA number.

Do you track health outcomes in your placed dogs long-term?

Breeders who follow up with families and track real-world health outcomes know things that no database captures.

Red Flags That Should End the Conversation

“My vet checked them and they are healthy.”

A routine veterinary examination is not OFA testing. This response means the testing has not been done.

“We have done preliminary testing.”

Preliminaries are not certifications. Ask for the permanent OFA numbers. If they do not exist, the dogs do not have clearances.

“DNA testing covers everything.”

DNA panels test for specific gene variants but cannot evaluate hip structure, elbow development, thyroid function, cardiac anatomy, or eye health. Neither replaces the other.

“I can tell by looking at them that they are healthy.”

No one can see hip dysplasia, autoimmune thyroid disease, or inherited eye conditions in a dog that has not yet developed symptoms.

“My bloodlines are naturally healthy.”

Champion bloodlines can and do produce heritable conditions. Bloodline reputation is not documentation. OFA numbers are documentation.

Inability or unwillingness to provide OFA numbers for verification.

If a breeder claims to health test but cannot provide registration numbers you can verify on ofa.org, the testing either has not been done or produced abnormal results.

How Apexx Akitas Approaches OFA Testing

At Apexx Akitas, every breeding dog in our program has completed OFA hip and elbow evaluations, thyroid panels, CAER eye examinations, and cardiac evaluation before being considered for any breeding. This is not a minimum standard for us. It is a floor we have maintained without exception for over 20 years.

We verify OFA clearances on both sides of every pairing and we do not breed dogs whose results fall outside acceptable ranges, regardless of other qualities they may possess. A structurally impressive dog with Fair hips does not improve the breed.

This level of testing is also one of the biggest reasons a responsibly bred Akita is priced the way it is. If you want to understand the full picture, here is what a health-tested American Akita actually costs and why.

We also maintain long-term contact with our placed families and track health outcomes across our dogs’ lifetimes. If you are considering a puppy from Apexx Akitas, every parent’s OFA registration numbers are available for your verification. We expect you to check.

Summary: OFA Testing Checklist for American Akita Buyers

Test Minimum Acceptable Verify at ofa.org
Hip evaluation (OFA or PennHIP)Fair or better. Dog 24 months or older.✓ Yes
Elbow evaluationNormal (Grade 0)✓ Yes
Thyroid panel (with TgAA)Normal. Within past 12 months.✓ Yes
CAER eye examinationNormal. Within past 12 months.✓ Yes
Cardiac evaluationNormal. Cardiologist preferred.✓ Yes

If any of these evaluations are missing, outdated, or cannot be verified on ofa.org, you are not looking at a fully health-tested litter. That gap in testing is a financial and emotional risk that follows you for the full lifetime of the dog.

The Bottom Line

OFA health testing is not complicated once you understand what each evaluation covers, what the ratings mean, and how to verify them. The breeders who resist explaining their testing in detail are the ones you should walk away from. The breeders who hand you OFA numbers, encourage you to verify them, and can walk you through every evaluation are the ones worth your trust.

The American Akita is a magnificent, powerful, deeply loyal breed. When bred responsibly, they can be extraordinary lifelong companions. When bred carelessly, the health consequences fall entirely on the families who love them.

Know what you are buying. Verify what you are told. And choose a breeder who expects you to do both.

American Akita placed by Apexx Akitas with happy family, parents OFA health tested for hips, elbows, thyroid, eyes and cardiac

An Apexx Akitas family. Behind this moment: OFA-cleared hips, elbows, thyroid, eyes, and cardiac on both parents. Health testing is what makes moments like this possible for a lifetime.

Frequently Asked Questions: OFA Health Testing for American Akitas

What OFA tests should an American Akita breeder have?

A responsible American Akita breeder should have OFA clearances for hips, elbows, thyroid including TgAA, CAER eye examination, and cardiac evaluation on every breeding dog before any pairing.

How do I verify OFA health results for an Akita breeder?

Go to ofa.org, click Search, and enter the dog’s registered name or AKC registration number. All normal OFA results from dogs 24 months and older are posted publicly. If results do not appear, they either do not exist or were abnormal.

What is a passing OFA hip score for an American Akita?

OFA hip ratings of Excellent, Good, or Fair are considered passing and acceptable for breeding. The dog must also be at least 24 months old for a permanent certification. Borderline, Mild, Moderate, and Severe Dysplasia ratings are not acceptable for breeding.

How often should Akita breeders test for thyroid disease?

OFA recommends annual thyroid testing for breeding dogs. A thyroid clearance older than 12 months is not current documentation. The panel must include thyroglobulin antibody testing, not just T3 and T4 values.

What does an OFA number mean on an Akita health certificate?

An OFA number like AKIT-1234G24F-VPI breaks down as: AKIT is the breed abbreviation, 1234 is the sequential number, G is the hip rating (E for Excellent, G for Good, F for Fair), 24 is the age in months when tested, F is the sex, and VPI confirms permanent identification was verified.

Ready to meet an OFA-tested litter?

Every Apexx Akitas breeding dog carries full verifiable health clearances. Apply today and we will walk you through every number.

Apply for a Puppy
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7 Critical Health Problems in American Akitas: What Every Buyer Must Know Before Choosing a Puppy

Health Guide  ·  Apexx Akitas

7 Critical Health Problems in American Akitas: What Every Buyer Must Know

At 8 weeks, every puppy looks healthy. The difference lies in what happened before you ever met them: OFA testing, health tracking, and breeder transparency.

Ron Durant Founder, Apexx Akitas Sussex County, New Jersey February 2026
Healthy American Akita puppy from Apexx Akitas with parents tested for common American Akita health problems including hip dysplasia
24.8%
Akitas with
Hip Dysplasia (OFA)
15.3%
Akitas with
Elbow Dysplasia
7
Critical Health
Conditions Covered
$14K+
Avg Cost of
Untreated Hip Dysplasia

If you are researching American Akita health problems, you have likely read that they are “generally healthy” or heard breeders claim their puppies are “100% healthy.”

Here is what those statements do not tell you: American Akitas are predisposed to several serious genetic health conditions that can cost tens of thousands of dollars and cause immeasurable heartbreak when breeding decisions are made carelessly.

I am Ron Durant from Apexx Akitas, and over 20 years of breeding champion American Akitas with full OFA health testing, I have learned this critical truth: The health of your future Akita was determined long before you ever met the puppy. Our OFA Health Testing Guide explains exactly what each clearance means and how to verify them yourself. It was determined by the breeder’s commitment to genetic testing, structural evaluation, and multi-generational health tracking.

American Akitas are extraordinary dogs. When bred responsibly, they are stable, loyal, and physically impressive companions. But when bred carelessly, they become medical nightmares that break families financially and emotionally. The difference lies entirely in the breeder. See our complete guide on how to find a reputable American Akita breeder, and our 15 Questions to Ask an American Akita Breeder.

Quick Reference: American Akita Health Problems at a Glance

Health Condition Prevalence Age of Onset Testing Available Preventability
Hip Dysplasia24.8% (OFA data)6 to 18 monthsOFA radiographsHigh (with testing)
Elbow Dysplasia15.3% (OFA data)4 to 12 monthsOFA radiographsHigh (with testing)
Autoimmune Disorders8 to 12% estimated1 to 7 yearsTracking programsModerate (with pedigree analysis)
Eye ConditionsVariableVariesAnnual CAER examsModerate to High
Hypothyroidism7 to 10% estimated2 to 6 yearsThyroid panelModerate (with testing)
Skin and Coat IssuesCommonVariesNone (symptom-based)Low to Moderate
VKH SyndromeRare but serious1 to 4 yearsClinical diagnosisLow (genetic tracking)
01

Hip Dysplasia: The Most Common and Costly American Akita Health Problem

Hip dysplasia is the single most devastating condition in American Akitas, affecting nearly 1 in 4 dogs according to OFA data.

What It Is

Hip dysplasia is a structural malformation where the femoral head (ball) does not fit properly into the acetabulum (socket). This creates abnormal joint wear, progressive arthritis, chronic pain, reduced mobility, and diminished quality of life.

The financial reality: Hip replacement surgery costs $5,000 to $7,000 per hip. Conservative management costs $1,200 to $2,400 annually for life.

Why American Akitas Are Particularly Susceptible

  • Rapid growth rate: American Akitas grow quickly, putting stress on developing joints during the critical 4 to 12 month period
  • Large frame: Adult males typically weigh 100 to 140-plus pounds, placing significant load on hip joints
  • Genetic predisposition: Hip dysplasia is highly heritable with a heritability estimate of approximately 60 percent
  • Poor breeding selections: Many breeders prioritize head size and coat color over joint health

What Responsible Breeders Do

  • OFA radiographs at 24 months minimum
  • Breed only dogs with Fair, Good, or Excellent ratings
  • Review pedigree hip data across 3 to 5 generations
  • Avoid pairing dogs with borderline results even if they technically pass
Critical buyer question: “Can you provide me with the OFA hip certification numbers for both parents so I can verify them on the OFA website?” If the breeder says the dog “has good hips” but cannot provide OFA numbers, walk away.

Real-World Impact

Families I have spoken with who purchased Akitas from untested breeders have faced: a 14-month-old requiring bilateral hip surgery, $18,000 in surgeries and rehabilitation before age 3, dogs too painful to walk by age 5, and euthanasia decisions at 6 to 7 years old due to unmanageable pain. Every single case traced back to breeders who did not OFA test.

02

Elbow Dysplasia: The Earlier-Onset Joint Disorder

Elbow dysplasia often manifests between 4 and 12 months of age, making it particularly devastating for families bonding with their young Akita.

Warning Signs in Young American Akitas

  • Limping or favoring a front leg, especially after rest
  • Stiffness when getting up
  • Reluctance to exercise or play
  • Rotating the affected leg outward while walking
  • Swelling around the elbow joint

The Genetic Component

Elbow dysplasia is highly heritable and manifests as several related conditions: ununited anconeal process (UAP), fragmented medial coronoid process (FCP), and osteochondritis dissecans (OCD). Unlike hip dysplasia, elbow problems cannot be effectively managed with exercise restriction alone. Surgery is often the only option, and outcomes are less predictable.

OFA data shows only 84.7 percent of American Akitas submitted for elbow evaluation receive passing grades. This means 15.3 percent fail. Breeders who test hips but not elbows are taking shortcuts. Joint health is not optional in large breeds.
03

Autoimmune Disorders: The Silent Threat in American Akitas

American Akitas have a genetic predisposition to autoimmune diseases that often do not appear until well after puppyhood.

Vogt-Koyanagi-Harada (VKH) Syndrome

Also called uveodermatologic syndrome. Affects eyes and skin pigmentation. Can cause blindness if untreated. Requires lifelong medication. Often appears between 1 and 4 years old.

Hypothyroidism

Thyroid gland dysfunction causing weight gain, lethargy, behavioral changes, and coat deterioration. Requires daily medication for life and may affect temperament and trainability.

Immune-Mediated Skin Disorders

Including sebaceous adenitis, pemphigus foliaceus, and chronic inflammation and infection.

The Late-Onset Challenge

Your dog may be completely healthy at 8 weeks and at 1 year, then show first symptoms at 2, 3, or 4 years old. This is why health testing the parents is not enough. Responsible breeders must track multi-generational health outcomes, maintain contact with puppy families, and remove dogs from breeding programs when patterns emerge.

Ask your breeder: “Have any autoimmune conditions appeared in dogs from your breeding program? If so, which ones, and what did you do in response?” A response of “Never had any problems” means the breeder is either not tracking outcomes or not being honest. Both are unacceptable.
04

Eye Conditions: What You Cannot See at 8 Weeks

Common Eye Issues in the Breed

  • Progressive Retinal Atrophy (PRA): Gradual degeneration of the retina leading to blindness. No cure. Genetic testing available for some forms.
  • Entropion: Eyelids roll inward, lashes irritate the cornea. Causes pain, tearing, and potential scarring. Requires surgical correction.
  • Uveitis: Inflammation of the eye’s middle layer, can be a component of VKH syndrome, and may lead to glaucoma and blindness.

Why Annual Eye Exams Matter

Some conditions develop with age. Early detection prevents progression. Breeding dogs should be examined regularly, not just once. CAER certifications are valid for 12 months only.

Ask your breeder: “When was the last CAER eye exam performed on each parent, and can I see the results?” A routine vet check is not the same as an examination by a board-certified veterinary ophthalmologist.
05

Skin and Coat Problems: Usually Genetic, Not Environmental

When an American Akita has chronic skin issues, owners often blame food allergies, environmental allergies, or grooming products. While these factors can contribute, most persistent skin problems in American Akitas have genetic or autoimmune origins.

Common Skin Issues in the Breed

  • Sebaceous adenitis: Destruction of sebaceous glands leading to dry, scaly skin and hair loss. Genetic condition.
  • Persistent hot spots: Recurring moist dermatitis often linked to immune system function with frequent secondary infections.
  • Zinc-responsive dermatosis: Particularly in heavily marked or dilute-colored Akitas. Requires lifelong zinc supplementation.
  • Coat quality degradation: Brittle, thin coat often linked to thyroid or immune issues.

Dogs with chronic skin conditions should never be bred, even if they are visually impressive. Yet many breeders overlook skin issues to preserve certain head types, colors, or body structures. At Apexx Akitas, we maintain contact with families specifically to track these issues. Find all our health and buyer guides on the American Akita Resources page. and adjust breeding decisions accordingly.

06

Thyroid Disorders: The Hidden Impact on Temperament and Health

Hypothyroidism affects an estimated 7 to 10 percent of American Akitas and often goes undiagnosed for years.

How Hypothyroidism Affects American Akitas

  • Physical symptoms: Unexplained weight gain, lethargy, coat deterioration, skin problems, cold intolerance
  • Behavioral symptoms: Increased reactivity or aggression, anxiety or fearfulness, cognitive changes, reduced trainability

The behavioral component is particularly significant in American Akitas, a breed that requires stable temperament and clear thinking. Many owners attribute symptoms to the dog getting older or being less active, while the dog is actually suffering from a treatable medical condition.

A dog can be visually stunning, move beautifully, and have perfect structure but if thyroid levels are off, breeding that dog passes on metabolic dysfunction and potential temperament instability.
07

Why “Healthy American Akita Puppies” Is a Meaningless Marketing Phrase

Every breeder claims their puppies are healthy. Every single one. That statement alone means absolutely nothing.

An 8-week-old puppy can look perfectly healthy while carrying hip dysplasia genes, elbow abnormalities that will not manifest for months, predisposition to autoimmune disease, eye conditions that develop later, and thyroid dysfunction that appears at 2 to 3 years old.

What Actually Matters

  • OFA hip and elbow certification numbers verifiable at ofa.org
  • Current CAER eye exam results within the past 12 months
  • Thyroid panel including TgAA antibody testing
  • Cardiac evaluation
  • Long-term outcome tracking across placed dogs
  • Written health guarantee with specific terms
  • Lifetime return-to-breeder policy

How Reputable American Akita Breeders Actually Reduce Health Risks

The difference between a responsible American Akita breeding program and a negligent one comes down to systems, transparency, and accountability.

  1. Test before breeding, not after problems appear. Every breeding dog at Apexx Akitas undergoes OFA hip and elbow radiographs, annual CAER eye examinations, complete thyroid panels, and cardiac evaluation. These are ongoing evaluations throughout a dog’s breeding career, not done once and forgotten.
  2. Breed selectively, not frequently. Responsible breeders do not breed every heat cycle, do not breed dogs just because they have champion titles, wait until dogs are fully mature at 2-plus years, and limit the number of litters per dog. Volume breeding and quality breeding are mutually exclusive.
  3. Track puppies for life. The only way to truly evaluate breeding decisions is to see long-term outcomes. At Apexx Akitas, we maintain contact with approximately 80 percent of placed families, tracking health outcomes through senior years. This data informs every breeding decision.
  4. Require return-to-breeder contracts. Every Apexx Akitas puppy contract includes a lifetime return policy. If a family cannot keep their dog at any point, for any reason, the dog comes back to us. If a breeder does not want their dogs back, they do not care about the dogs.
  5. Invest in continuous education. The world of canine genetics and health screening is constantly evolving. Responsible breeders stay current with research, attend seminars, and collaborate with veterinary specialists. See our complete health testing and breeding standards.

The Cost Comparison: Responsible Breeding vs Health Problems

Breeder Investment in Health Testing

  • OFA hip radiographs: $200 to $400
  • OFA elbow radiographs: $200 to $400
  • Annual CAER eye exam: $50 to $150
  • Complete thyroid panel: $150 to $250
  • Cardiac evaluation: $100 to $300

Total per dog: $700 to $1,500 annually

Owner Cost When Testing Is Skipped

  • Hip replacement (bilateral): $10,000 to $14,000
  • Elbow surgery per elbow: $3,000 to $5,000
  • Autoimmune disease (lifetime): $2,000 to $5,000 per year
  • Eye surgery (severe): $3,000 to $5,000 per eye
  • Conservative hip management: $1,200 to $2,400 per year

Potential total: $20,000 to $50,000-plus

A puppy from a health-tested, responsibly bred American Akita has a higher initial cost but dramatically lower lifetime health costs. The cheapest puppy is often the most expensive dog. See How Much Does an Akita Puppy Cost? for a full breakdown.

The Questions You Must Ask Before Choosing an American Akita Puppy

Health Testing Questions

Good answer to “Can I verify the OFA hip and elbow certification numbers for both parents?”

Provides OFA numbers immediately without hesitation.

Red flag response

“The vet said their hips are good” or “We’re getting that done soon” or “We do our own X-rays.”

Good answer to “When was the last CAER eye exam performed on each parent?”

Within the past 12 months, provides documentation.

Red flag response

“The vet checked their eyes” or “Never had any problems.”

Good answer to “Have you run complete thyroid panels on the parents?”

Yes, provides results including TgAA antibody values.

Red flag response

“They have lots of energy, so thyroid must be fine.”

Red Flags and Green Flags: How to Read Any Breeder

Red Flags That Signal an Irresponsible Breeder

Cannot provide OFA certification numbers

Every normal OFA result is publicly verifiable at ofa.org. No numbers means no clearances.

Claims “the vet checked them”

A wellness exam is not OFA testing. These are completely different things.

Tests hips but not elbows, or only one parent

Incomplete testing is not responsible testing.

Always has puppies available

Volume production and quality breeding are incompatible.

Claims “never had a single health problem”

Either not tracking outcomes or not telling the truth.

Focuses on rare colors or markings

Color-focused breeding almost always involves compromises elsewhere.

Green Flags That Signal a Responsible Breeder

Readily provides OFA certification numbers and encourages verification

Transparent breeders have nothing to hide.

Discusses past health issues honestly

Transparency about health issues is a sign of responsibility, not a weakness.

Provides references from families with adult dogs

Long-term relationships indicate a breeder who tracks outcomes.

Has a lifetime return-to-breeder policy

The strongest possible signal of genuine accountability.

Requires application and interviews prospective buyers

Responsible breeders interview you as carefully as you interview them.

Frequently Asked Questions About American Akita Health

Are American Akitas generally healthy dogs?

When bred responsibly with proper health testing, American Akitas can be healthy, long-lived companions. However, the breed is predisposed to several significant genetic health conditions. The health of your American Akita is primarily determined by your breeder’s testing protocols and breeding decisions.

Is it worth paying more for a puppy from health-tested parents?

Absolutely. The price difference between an irresponsibly bred and responsibly bred American Akita is minimal compared to potential health costs. More importantly, health testing dramatically increases your chances of enjoying 10 to 13 years with a stable, sound companion.

Can good nutrition and exercise prevent genetic health problems?

No. While proper nutrition and exercise support overall health, they cannot prevent genetic conditions like hip dysplasia, elbow dysplasia, or autoimmune disease. These conditions are inherited and determined at conception. Prevention requires responsible breeding selection.

At what age do most health problems appear in American Akitas?

Joint problems typically manifest between 6 and 18 months. Autoimmune conditions often appear between 1 and 7 years. Thyroid disorders commonly develop between 2 and 6 years. This is why long-term health tracking by breeders is essential.

How can I verify that a breeder’s health testing claims are legitimate?

Visit ofa.org and search for the dog’s registered name or registration number. You will see all submitted health clearances with dates. If a breeder claims testing but results are not publicly available, they are either not testing or have poor results they are hiding.

Can a puppy from champion parents still have health problems?

Absolutely. Championships are awarded for conformation, not health. A dog can have a gorgeous head, perfect proportions, and beautiful movement while carrying genes for hip dysplasia, autoimmune disease, or other conditions. Health testing is separate from and more important than titles.

The Apexx Akitas Health Commitment

At Apexx Akitas, we do not view health testing as a checklist to complete. We view it as the foundation of every breeding decision.

Before a dog enters our breeding program, every dog undergoes OFA hip evaluation (minimum Good rating), OFA elbow evaluation (Normal rating), annual CAER eye examinations, complete thyroid panel including Free T4, Total T4, T3, and thyroid antibodies, and cardiac evaluation.

Throughout the breeding career, we conduct annual eye exams, periodic thyroid monitoring, physical evaluations before each breeding, and track offspring health outcomes. After breeding, we maintain lifetime tracking of offspring health, provide immediate notification to families if patterns emerge, and remove dogs from the breeding program if concerns develop.

Every puppy from Apexx Akitas comes with a hips and elbows health guarantee, lifetime return-to-breeder policy, and direct access to health records. Learn more about life with an American Akita as a family dog. View our complete health testing protocols.

Read verified reviews from placed families on our Apexx Akitas testimonials page to see long-term health and temperament outcomes.

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Ready for an Apexx Akitas Puppy?

Every breeding dog carries full verifiable OFA clearances. Every puppy is placed with lifetime support. Applications are reviewed personally by Ron Durant.

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