American Akita Resources
The American Akita Resources library is a curated collection of in-depth guides on the American Akita breed, written by Ron Durant, founder of Apexx Akitas in Sussex County, New Jersey, with over twenty years of experience breeding, health testing, and placing champion American Akitas nationwide. The library covers OFA health testing and known health problems, breed history and temperament, family fit and children, shedding and coat care, ownership expectations, first-month puppy care, and how to identify and vet a reputable American Akita breeder. Every guide is written from direct, hands-on experience with the breed.
Also see our Breeding Program, Health Testing Standards, and Testimonials.
American Akitas
Placements
Guides Published
Clearance Types
The Complete American Akita FAQ
40 comprehensive questions covering everything a serious buyer needs to know about American Akita ownership and Apexx Akitas placement. Organized into seven topical sections with detailed answers from Ron Durant, drawn from 20+ years of hands-on breeding, health testing, and family placement experience.
- 01About Apexx Akitas
- 02Breed Information
- 03Health Testing & OFA
- 04Cost & Pricing
- 05Application Process
- 06Shipping & Delivery
- 07Living With an Akita
American Akita Health: What the Data Shows
OFA Health Testing for American Akitas: What Every Buyer Must Know
What OFA clearances actually mean, how to read the ratings, how to verify results on ofa.org, and the red flags that should end any breeder conversation.
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7 Critical Health Problems in American Akitas: What Every Buyer Must Know Before Choosing a Puppy
Hip dysplasia, autoimmune disorders, bloat, VKH syndrome, and three more inherited conditions that define what responsible breeding must prevent.
Read GuideUnderstanding the American Akita: Breed, History & Temperament
American Akita vs Japanese Akita: Key Differences Every Buyer Must Understand
Two breeds, one name. History, appearance, temperament, health, and registry standards compared in full.
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Are Akitas Aggressive? An Honest Answer From a 20 Year Breeder
The direct answer from 20 years in the breed. What people mistake for aggression, where real reactivity actually comes from.
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The Truth About American Akita Temperament: What the Internet Gets Wrong
Ron Durant corrects the biggest myths about American Akita aggression, children, training, and temperament, with real video proof.
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Are American Akitas Good With Children? A Breeder's Honest Answer
Yes, with conditions. Twenty years of breeding experience on what makes a well-bred American Akita extraordinary with children.
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Why Temperament Starts Before the Puppy
The breeding decision is the temperament decision. Why genetics, health testing, and early development matter more than any training program.
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How Long Do American Akitas Live? A 20-Year Breeder's Honest Answer
Most breed charts say 10 to 13 years. Sheba, from the Apexx bloodline, lived 15 years and 8 months. Four generations of documented longevity.
Read GuideLife With an American Akita: What Every Owner Must Know
Is an American Akita Right for You? The Honest Owner's Guide
Six owner profiles, honest challenges, and what makes this breed worth every bit of it. Read this before speaking to any breeder.
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First 30 Days With an American Akita Puppy: The Complete Owner's Guide
Everything you need for your puppy's first month at home. Feeding, crating, leash training, socialization, grooming, and vet care.
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Are Akitas Good Family Dogs? What 20 Years of Family Placements Has Taught Me
Beyond the children question. Multi-dog households, cats and prey drive, multi-generational homes, and what separates an excellent family Akita from a difficult one.
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American Akita Shedding: What 20 Years of Living With This Breed Has Taught Me About Coat Care
How bad is the shedding really? What is blow coat? The right tools, the ten-minute routine, and the mistakes to avoid.
Read GuideChoosing the Right Breeder: What Separates Ethical From Everyone Else
How Much Does an Akita Puppy Cost? What the Price Really Tells You About the Breeder
The real cost of responsible breeding broken down clearly. Why health-tested Akitas carry a higher price, and what low-cost listings tell you about what was skipped.
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How to Find a Reputable American Akita Breeder: The Complete Buyer's Guide
A complete checklist covering OFA health testing verification, red flags, questions to ask, and exactly how to tell a responsible breeder from everyone else.
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15 Questions to Ask an American Akita Breeder Before You Buy
The exact questions to ask any breeder, what good answers look like, which responses are red flags, and how to verify every claim a breeder makes.
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How to Buy an American Akita Online Safely: Scams, Fake Reviews and Red Flags
Real scams, manipulated reviews, and the exact verification steps serious buyers use before spending a dollar.
Read GuideAmerican Akita FAQ
What is the difference between an American Akita and a Japanese Akita?
The American Akita and the Japanese Akita (Akita Inu) are recognized as two separate breeds by the FCI and by many national kennel clubs, though the AKC groups them together. The American Akita is larger, heavier boned, and accepts all colors including brindle, pinto, and black masks. The Japanese Akita is smaller, more refined, and only accepts red, white, and brindle without a black mask.
What health tests should an American Akita breeder perform?
A responsible American Akita breeder performs OFA hip and elbow evaluations, annual CERF or OFA eye examinations by a board-certified veterinary ophthalmologist, thyroid function testing, and cardiac evaluation on all breeding stock. Results should be publicly verifiable through the OFA database at ofa.org.
Are American Akitas good family dogs?
Yes, well-bred American Akitas are excellent family dogs. They are calm indoors, deeply bonded to their immediate family, gentle with children they grow up with, capable of coexisting with other pets when matched and introduced correctly, and remarkably respectful with elderly family members.
How much does an American Akita puppy cost?
A reputable American Akita puppy typically costs between $3,500 and $5,000. That price reflects OFA health-tested parents, champion bloodlines, structured early socialization, and full veterinary care before the puppy goes home.
How long do American Akitas live?
Breed charts typically cite 10 to 13 years for the American Akita, but well-bred, health-tested dogs from responsible programs regularly exceed that range. At Apexx Akitas, Sheba lived 15 years and 8 months, and her daughter Sadie is currently 10 years old and still watching over children in the garden.
Are American Akitas aggressive?
A well-bred American Akita is not aggressive. They are a discerning guardian breed, meaning they are naturally reserved with strangers and deeply loyal to their family, but stable temperament is the standard in responsible breeding programs.
Do American Akitas shed a lot?
Yes, American Akitas shed. Daily year-round, with two heavier shedding periods per year called blow coat, when the entire undercoat sheds out over two to three weeks. A ten-minute daily brushing routine keeps the shedding manageable.
Who writes the American Akita guides at Apexx Akitas?
Every guide in the American Akita Resources library is written by Ron Durant, founder and head breeder of Apexx Akitas in Sussex County, New Jersey. Ron has been breeding, health testing, and placing champion American Akitas since 2003, with over 150 nationwide placements.
The Bottom Line
The American Akita Resources library at Apexx Akitas is written from over 20 years of breeding, health testing, and placing champion American Akitas across the United States and Canada. Every guide is authored by breeder Ron Durant and reflects real, verifiable experience rather than repackaged internet content.
If you are researching the breed, start with the Health Guides for verifiable OFA information, move to Breed Knowledge for temperament and history, review the Ownership guides to honestly assess whether the breed fits your household, and finish with the Buying Guides before contacting any breeder.
Ready for an Apexx Akitas Puppy?
Every breeding dog carries full OFA clearances. Every puppy is placed with lifetime support. Applications are reviewed personally by Ron Durant.
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