Last Updated: Nov 22, 2022
Quick Links: Table of Contents
- Are Akitas Aggressive Towards Strangers?
- Are Akitas Aggressive Towards their Owners?
- Are Akitas Aggressive Towards other Dogs?
- Are Akitas Afraid of Strangers?
- Are Akitas Afraid of Other Dogs?
- Do Akitas Have Non-Social Fears?
- Do Akitas Get Along Well With Other Dogs?
- Are Akitas Easy to Train?
- Do Akitas Get Along Well with Cats? Do They Get Along Well with Other Pets?
- Do Akitas Like Attention? Are they Clingy or Aloof?
- Do Akitas have Separation Anxiety? Do They Like to be Left Alone?
- Are Akitas Touch Sensitive? Do They Like to be Groomed?
- Are Akitas Hyper? Are they Highly Excitable?
- Are Akitas Playful? What is the Energy Level of Akitas
- Conclusion on Akita Temperament
Introduction to the Temperament of the Akita
The are many descriptions of the temperament of the Akita out there. However, most of these descriptions are difficult to verify or prove. They are based on mere speculations.
In this article, we will provide a factual description of the temperament of the Akita based on solid scientific research. This will give you a better understanding of what you can expect from the Akita breed.
We obtained our description of the temperament of Akita by analyzing raw scientific data from The Canine Behavioral Assessment & Research Questionnaire (C-BARQ) database.
The C-BARQ dog temperament standard was developed by researchers from the University of Pennsylvania. It is considered the gold standard for measuring the behavior of dogs.
Over the years, the C-BARQ study has collected data on the temperament of thousands of dogs of different breeds including the Akita.
The C-BARQ study obtains its data by asking dog owners to score the behavior of their dogs on different behavior patterns.
The idea behind the C-BARQ study is that if it collects thousands of scores from thousands of dog owners on different aspects of dog behavior, a clear pattern will emerge on the temperament of different dog breeds.
The C-BARQ questionnaire measures 14 behavior aspects of dogs:
- Aggression towards stranger
- Aggression towards its owner
- Aggression towards other dogs
- How well they get along with other dogs
- Fear of strangers
- Fear of new things (new objects, unfamiliar loud sounds, etc)
- Fear of other dogs
- Separation anxiety
- Clinginess
- Trainability/ Stubbornness
- Prey drive
- Excitability
- Touch sensitivity
- Energy level
In this article, we will discuss the score of the Akita for each of these 14 characteristics. This will let you know the real temperament of the Akita.
The summary table below shows the score of the Akita for the different behavioral characteristics.
High percentage scores close to 100 are bad. Low percentage scores close to 0 are good.
| Behavior | Score |
|---|---|
| Dog Directed Aggression | 80.9 percent |
| Prey Drive | 69.5 percent |
| Stubbornness | 37.5 percent |
| Dog Rivalry | 36.9 percent |
| Energy Level | 34.1 percent |
| Stranger Directed Aggression | 33.6 percent |
| Attachment Attention Seeking | 27.8 percent |
| Excitability | 27.8 percent |
| Separation Related Behavior | 26.1 percent |
| Dog Directed Fear | 23.4 percent |
| Nonsocial Fear | 22.9 percent |
| Owner Directed Aggression | 16.4 percent |
| Touch Sensitivity | 16.4 percent |
| Stranger Directed Fear | 15.8 percent |
Note that with proper training, you can better your Akita`s temperament. To learn how to properly train your Akita, I highly recommend that you go through Dr. Ian Dunbar`s online dog training classes, which you can find here.
I learned most of the things that I know about training dogs by reading Dr. Dunbar`s books and watching his training videos. Dr. Dunbar`s dog training methods are for people expecting to own a puppy soon, new dog owners, and experienced dog owners.
Another helpful online dog training class that I recommend is this one. The class will teach you how to properly train your Akita.
See also our complete ranking of dog breeds from the `best` to the `worst` based on temperament.
Are Akitas Aggressive Towards Strangers?
Dog breeds that are aggressive to strangers show hostile responses to strangers approaching or invading the dog`s or the dog owner`s personal space, territory, or home range.
Stranger-aggressive dog breeds are quick to show aggression to unfamiliar people.
Typical signs of moderate aggression in dogs include barking, growling, and baring of teeth. More serious display of aggression generally includes snapping, lunging, biting, or attempting to bite.
Akitas are somewhat aggressive towards strangers.
This is because the Akita ranks average for aggression towards strangers.
The Akita ranks number 55 out of 124 dog breeds for aggression towards strangers.
This information is based on what 142 Akita owners reported on the temperament of their Akita in a research survey.
Based on our further analysis of the survey, we found that the Akita has a stranger-directed-aggression score of 33.6 %.
Other dog breeds that are somewhat aggressive towards strangers just like the Akita are listed in the table below
| Stranger-Directed-Aggression Rank | Breed | Stranger-Directed-Aggression Score |
|---|---|---|
| 52 | Great Pyrenees | 36.0 % |
| 53 | Border Collie | 35.2 % |
| 54 | Great Dane | 34.8 % |
| 55 | Akita | 33.6 % |
| 56 | Mastiff (English) | 33.1 % |
| 57 | Beagle | 32.4 % |
| 58 | Italian Greyhound | 32.4 % |
The dog breeds that are most aggressive towards strangers are the:
The dog breeds that are least aggressive towards strangers are the:
Usually, small dog breeds display aggression not because they are mean but because they are afraid and feel insecure due to their small size.
Are Akitas Aggressive Towards their Owners?
Due to human effort over the course of many centuries, the dog has become a very domestic animal. Dogs have learned to live well with humans. As a result, dogs respect and love their owners. Nevertheless, some dog breeds are less respectful to their owners than some other dog breeds.
Owner-aggressive dog breeds show threatening or hostile responses to their owner or other members of the household when challenged, manhandled, stared at, stepped over, or when approached while in possession of food, objects, or toys.
A dog that is owner-aggressive shows its aggression by barking, growling, and baring of teeth. In extreme cases, these dogs can snap, lunge, bite, or attempt to bite their owners.
Akitas are somewhat aggressive towards their owners.
This is because the Akita ranks average for aggression towards its owner.
The Akita ranks number 57 out of 124 dog breeds for aggression towards their owners.
This information is based on what 142 Akita owners reported on the temperament of their Akita in a research survey.
Based on our further analysis of the survey, we found that the Akita has an owner-directed-aggression score of 16.4 %.
Other dog breeds that are somewhat owner-aggressive just like the Akita are listed in the table below
| Owner-Directed-Aggression Rank | Breed | Owner-Directed-Aggression Score |
|---|---|---|
| 54 | Soft Coated Wheaten Terrier | 17.1 % |
| 55 | Black and Tan Coonhound | 16.8 % |
| 56 | Siberian Husky | 16.5 % |
| 57 | Akita | 16.4 % |
| 58 | Rat Terrier | 16.4 % |
| 59 | Anatolian Shepherd | 16.3 % |
| 60 | Pug | 15.4 % |
The dog breeds that show the most aggression towards their owners are the:
The dog breeds that are least aggressive towards their owners are the:
Usually, small dog breeds display aggression not because they are mean but because they are afraid and feel insecure due to their small size.
Are Akitas Aggressive Towards other Dogs?
Dogs that are aggressive towards other dogs will direct aggressive threats or actions toward unknown or unfamiliar dogs.
A dog-aggressive dog will threaten or show hostile responses when approached by unfamiliar dogs
A dog that is dog-aggressive shows its aggression by barking, growling, and baring of teeth. In extreme cases, these dogs can snap, lunge, bite, or attempt to bite other dogs.
Akitas are very much aggressive towards other dogs.
This is because the Akita ranks very high for aggression towards other dogs.
The Akita ranks number 6 out of 124 dog breeds for aggression towards other dogs.
This information is based on what 142 Akita owners reported on the temperament of their Akita in a research survey.
Based on our further analysis of the survey, we found that the Akita has a dog-directed aggression score of 80.9 %.
Other dog breeds that are very much dog-aggressive just like the Akita are listed in the table below
| Dog-Directed-Aggression Rank | Breed | Dog-Directed-Aggression Score |
|---|---|---|
| 3 | Chinese Crested | 87.0 % |
| 4 | Pit Bull mix | 83.4 % |
| 5 | Dachshund | 81.3 % |
| 6 | Akita | 80.9 % |
| 7 | Alaskan Malamute | 76.1 % |
| 8 | Bull Terrier | 75.2 % |
| 9 | Miniature Schnauzer | 75.1 % |
The dog breeds that show the most aggression towards other dogs are the:
The dog breeds that are least aggressive towards other dogs are the:
Usually, small dog breeds display aggression not because they are mean but because they are afraid and feel insecure due to their small size.
Are Akitas Afraid of Strangers?
Some dogs breeds tend to be fearful of strangers.
Dogs that are fearful of strangers will avoid strangers. These dogs will crouch, cringe, or tremble when approached by strangers.
Extreme fear in dogs is characterized by serious attempts to escape or hide from the feared stranger.
Akitas are a little bit fearful of strangers.
This is because the Akita ranks low for fear of strangers.
The Akita ranks number 91 out of 124 dog breeds for fear of strangers.
This information is based on what 142 Akita owners reported on the temperament of their Akita in a research survey.
Based on our further analysis of the survey, we found that the Akita has a stranger-directed-fear score of 15.8 %.
Other dog breeds that are a little bit stranger-fearful just like the Akita are listed in the table below
| Stranger-Directed-Fear Rank | Breed | Stranger-Directed-Fear Score |
|---|---|---|
| 88 | German Shorthaired Pointer | 16.6 % |
| 89 | Rhodesian Ridgeback | 16.6 % |
| 90 | Bouvier des Flandres | 16.4 % |
| 91 | Akita | 15.8 % |
| 92 | Gordon Setter | 15.7 % |
| 93 | Bulldog | 15.3 % |
| 94 | Brittany | 15.3 % |
The dog breeds that show the most fear of strangers are the:
The dog breeds that are least fearful of strangers are the:
Are Akitas Afraid of Other Dogs?
Some dogs breeds tend to show fear when an unfamiliar dog approaches them.
A dog that is fearful of other dogs will try to avoid meeting other dogs.
Akitas are a little bit fearful of other dogs.
This is because the Akita ranks low for fear of other dogs.
The Akita ranks number 96 out of 124 dog breeds for fear of other dogs.
This information is based on what 142 Akita owners reported on the temperament of their Akita in a research survey.
Based on our further analysis of the survey, we found that the Akita has a dog-directed-fear score of 23.4 %.
Other dog breeds that are a little bit other-dog-fearful just like the Akita are listed in the table below
| Dog-Directed-Fear Rank | Breed | Dog-Directed-Fear Score |
|---|---|---|
| 93 | Newfoundland | 24.9 % |
| 94 | Schipperke | 24.3 % |
| 95 | Alaskan Malamute | 23.7 % |
| 96 | Akita | 23.4 % |
| 97 | English Bulldog | 23.0 % |
| 98 | Chinook | 22.8 % |
| 99 | Bernese Mountain Dog | 22.7 % |
The dog breeds that are most fearful of other dogs are the:
The dog breeds that are least fearful of other dogs are the:
Do Akitas Have Non-Social Fears?
Dogs that are fearful of sudden or loud noises, traffic, and unfamiliar objects and situations are said to exhibit nonsocial fear.
Akitas are a little bit fearful of unfamiliar sounds, situations, and objects.
This is because the Akita ranks low for non-social fear.
The Akita ranks number 78 out of 124 dog breeds for being fearful of unfamiliar things and situations.
This information is based on what 142 Akita owners reported on the temperament of their Akita in a research survey.
Based on our further analysis of the survey, we found that the Akita has a nonsocial-fear score of 22.9 %.
Other dog breeds that are a little bit nonsocial-fearful just like the Akita are listed in the table below
| Nonsocial-Fear Rank | Breed | Nonsocial-Fear Score |
|---|---|---|
| 75 | Belgian Sheepdog | 24.4 % |
| 76 | Papillon | 24.4 % |
| 77 | Pug | 24.1 % |
| 78 | Akita | 22.9 % |
| 79 | Keeshond | 22.3 % |
| 80 | German Shepherd | 22.3 % |
| 81 | Border Terrier | 21.6 % |
The dog breeds that are most fearful of unfamiliar situations and objects are the:
The dog breeds that are least fearful of unfamiliar situations and objects are the:
Do Akitas Get Along Well With Other Dogs?
Some dog breeds display high dog rivalry. These dog breeds will threaten or act hostile to other familiar dogs in the same household.
These dog breeds will compete with other dogs. Also, these dog breeds do not get along well with other dogs.
Akitas are somewhat competitive when dealing with other dogs.
This is because the Akita ranks average on dog rivalry.
The Akita ranks number 66 out of 124 dog breeds for displaying dog rivalry when dealing with familiar dogs.
This information is based on what 142 Akita owners reported on the temperament of their Akita in a research survey.
Based on our further analysis of the survey, we found that the Akita has a dog-rivalry score of 36.9 %.
Other dog breeds that are somewhat competition-driven just like the Akita are listed in the table below
| Dog-Rivalry Rank | Breed | Dog-Rivalry Score |
|---|---|---|
| 63 | Pit Bull | 38.3 % |
| 64 | Rottweiler | 38.2 % |
| 65 | Shetland Sheepdog | 38.0 % |
| 66 | Akita | 36.9 % |
| 67 | Shih Tzu | 36.4 % |
| 68 | Maltese | 35.4 % |
| 69 | Australian Shepherd | 34.5 % |
The dog breeds that do not get along well with other dogs are the:
The dog breeds that get along well with other dogs are the:
See our complete ranking of dog breeds based on how well they get along with other dog breeds.
Are Akitas Easy to Train?
Dogs have high trainability have the willingness to listen to their owner. These dogs are not stubborn. These dogs obey simple commands, and they learn very quickly.
Highly trainable dogs excel at fetching objects. They also respond positively to correction and ignore distraction.
Akitas are somewhat easy to train.
This is because the Akita ranks average for trainability.
The Akita ranks number 69 out of 124 dog breeds for easiness to train.
This information is based on what 142 Akita owners reported on the trainability of their Akita in a research survey.
Based on our further analysis of the survey, we found that the Akita has a trainability score of 62.5 %.
Other dog breeds that are somewhat easy to train just like the Akita are listed in the table below
| Trainability Rank | Breed | Trainability Score |
|---|---|---|
| 66 | West Highland White Terrier | 63.9 % |
| 67 | American Bulldog | 63.1 % |
| 68 | Chinese Crested | 62.7 % |
| 69 | Akita | 62.5 % |
| 70 | Kuvasz | 62.4 % |
| 71 | Boston Terrier | 62.1 % |
| 72 | Chinese Shar-Pei | 61.9 % |
The dog breeds that are most easy to train are the:
The dog breeds that are difficult to train are the:
Learn more about how intelligent the Akita is and how the intelligence of the Akita affects its trainability in this article on how smart the Akita is.
Do Akitas Get Along Well with Cats? Do They Get Along Well with Other Pets?
Dog breeds that have high chase-drive will run after (chase) cats, birds, and/or other small animals, given the opportunity.
Akitas are very much into chasing after other smaller pets like cats, squirrels, chickens, and birds.
This is because the Akita ranks very high for small-pet-chasing.
The Akita ranks number 21 out of 124 dog breeds for chasing after smaller pets.
This information is based on what 142 Akita owners reported on the temperament of their Akita in a research survey.
Based on our further analysis of the survey, we found that the Akita has a chasing score of 69.5 %.
Other dog breeds that are very much into chasing after smaller pets just like the Akita are listed in the table below
| Chasing Rank | Breed | Chasing Score |
|---|---|---|
| 18 | Fox Terrier (Smooth) | 72.2 % |
| 19 | Siberian Husky | 71.3 % |
| 20 | Australian Cattle Dog | 69.7 % |
| 21 | Akita | 69.5 % |
| 22 | Miniature Schnauzer | 69.1 % |
| 23 | Schipperke | 69.0 % |
| 24 | Rhodesian Ridgeback | 67.1 % |
The dog breeds that like chasing after cats and other smaller pets are the:
The dog breeds that will not chase after cats and other smaller pets are the:
See our complete ranking of dog breeds based on their prey drive.
Do Akitas Like Attention? Are they Clingy or Aloof?
Some dog breeds like to stay close to their owners all the time. These dogs like attention, and they like to receive the affection of their owners.
These dogs get jealous when their owners give attention to other dogs or other people instead of them.
Dogs with these traits are described as attachment/attention-seeking.
Akitas are not attachment/attention-seeking.
This is because the Akita ranks very low for attachment/attention-seeking behavior.
The Akita ranks number 108 out of 124 dog breeds for attachment/attention-seeking behavior.
This information is based on what 142 Akita owners reported on the temperament of their Akita in a research survey.
Based on our further analysis of the survey, we found that the Akita has an attachment/attention-seeking score of 27.8 %.
Other dog breeds that are not attachment/attention-seeking just like the Akita are listed in the table below
| Attachment-Attention-Seeking Rank | Breed | Attachment-Attention-Seeking Score |
|---|---|---|
| 105 | Airedale Terrier | 28.8 % |
| 106 | Tibetan Terrier | 28.3 % |
| 107 | Black and Tan Coonhound | 27.9 % |
| 108 | Akita | 27.8 % |
| 109 | Nova Scotia Duck Tolling Retriever | 26.2 % |
| 110 | Samoyed | 24.7 % |
| 111 | Bull Terrier | 23.3 % |
The dog breeds that are always seeking the attention of their owners are the:
The dog breeds that are aloof are the:
See our complete ranking of dog breeds based on their clinginess.
Do Akitas have Separation Anxiety? Do They Like to be Left Alone?
Dog breeds that have separation anxiety do not like to be left alone.
These dog breeds tend to bark and destroy things when separated from their owners.
They become restless or lose their appetite when left alone.
Akitas are a little bit prone to developing separation anxiety.
This is because the Akita ranks low for separation anxiety relative to other dog breeds.
The Akita ranks number 91 out of 124 dog breeds for separation anxiety.
This information is based on what 142 Akita owners reported on the temperament of their Akita in a research survey.
Based on our further analysis of the survey, we found that the Akita has a separation anxiety score of 26.1 %.
Other dog breeds that are a little bit prone to develop separation anxiety just like the Akita are listed in the table below
| Separation-Related-Behavior Rank | Breed | Separation-Related-Behavior Score |
|---|---|---|
| 88 | Border Terrier | 27.3 % |
| 89 | Chinook | 26.9 % |
| 90 | Pembroke Welsh Corgi | 26.2 % |
| 91 | Akita | 26.1 % |
| 92 | Saint Bernard | 26.1 % |
| 93 | Labrador Retriever | 26.0 % |
| 94 | Chesapeake Bay Retriever | 26.0 % |
The dog breeds that are most prone to develop separation anxiety are listed below. These dog breeds do not like to be left alone. These dog breeds are the:
- Treeing Walker Coonhound
- Fox Terrier (Smooth)
- Chinese Crested
- Miniature Pinscher
- Australian Silky Terrier
The dog breeds that are least prone to develop separation anxiety are the:
See our complete ranking of dog breeds based on their tendency to develop separation anxiety.
Are Akitas Touch Sensitive? Do They Like to be Groomed?
Dogs that are touch-sensitive are fearful of `painful` procedures such as bathing, grooming, nail clipping, and veterinary examinations.
These dogs do not like going through these `painful` procedures, and they will react to show they do not like the procedure.
Akitas are not touch-sensitive.
This is because the Akita ranks very low for touch sensitivity.
The Akita ranks number 109 out of 124 dog breeds for touch sensitivity.
This information is based on what 142 Akita owners reported on the temperament of their Akita in a research survey.
Based on our further analysis of the survey, we found that the Akita has a touch-sensitivity score of 16.4 %.
Other dog breeds that are not touch-sensitive just like the Akita are listed in the table below
| Touch-Sensitivity Rank | Breed | Touch-Sensitivity Score |
|---|---|---|
| 106 | Cavalier King Charles Spaniel | 17.0 % |
| 107 | Rottweiler | 16.8 % |
| 108 | Irish Wolfhound | 16.6 % |
| 109 | Akita | 16.4 % |
| 110 | Airedale Terrier | 16.2 % |
| 111 | Chinook | 15.8 % |
| 112 | Boxer | 15.4 % |
The dog breeds that are most touch-sensitive are the:
The dog breeds that are least touch-sensitive are the:
See our complete ranking of dog breeds based on their sensitivity to touch.
Are Akitas Hyper? Are they Highly Excitable?
Excitable dog or hyper dog breeds display strong reactions to potentially exciting or arousing events, such as:
- going for walks
- car trips
- sound of the doorbell
- arrival of visitors, and
- the owner arriving home
Highly excitable dog breeds have difficulty settling down after arousal.
Akitas are not hyper (excitable).
This is because the Akita ranks very low for excitability.
The Akita ranks number 105 out of 124 dog breeds for excitability.
This information is based on what 142 Akita owners reported on the temperament of their Akita in a research survey.
Based on our further analysis of the survey, we found that the Akita has an excitability score of 27.8 %.
Other dog breeds that are not excitable just like the Akita are listed in the table below
| Excitability Rank | Breed | Excitability Score |
|---|---|---|
| 102 | Shiba Inu | 29.5 % |
| 103 | Bull Terrier | 29.1 % |
| 104 | Mastiff (English) | 28.9 % |
| 105 | Akita | 27.8 % |
| 106 | Lhasa Apso | 27.4 % |
| 107 | Siberian Husky | 26.3 % |
| 108 | Irish Wolfhound | 26.0 % |
The dog breeds that are most hyper (excitable) are the:
- Australian Silky Terrier
- Fox Terrier (Smooth)
- American Eskimo Dog
- Parson Russell Terrier
- Miniature Schnauzer
The dog breeds that are least hyper (excitable) are the:
See our complete ranking of dog breeds based on how hyper they are.
Are Akitas Playful? What is the Energy Level of Akitas
Energetic dog breeds are very playful dog breeds. These are the dog breeds that do not get tired easily.
Akitas are not energetic.
This is because the Akita ranks very low for energy level.
The Akita ranks number 101 out of 124 dog breeds for energy level.
This information is based on what 142 Akita owners reported on the temperament of their Akita in a research survey.
Based on our further analysis of the survey, we found that the Akita has an energy-level score of 34.1 %.
Other dog breeds that are not energetic just like the Akita are listed in the table below
| Energy-Level Rank | Breed | Energy-Level Score |
|---|---|---|
| 98 | Keeshond | 37.4 % |
| 99 | English Setter | 37.0 % |
| 100 | Great Dane | 36.5 % |
| 101 | Akita | 34.1 % |
| 102 | Rhodesian Ridgeback | 33.8 % |
| 103 | Alaskan Malamute | 32.9 % |
| 104 | Basenji | 32.4 % |
The dog breeds that are most playful and most energetic are the:
The dog breeds that are laziest are the:
See our complete ranking of dog breeds from the most energetic to the least energetic.
Conclusion on Akita Temperament
The temperament of your Akita comes from a combination of its genetics and what environment your Akita is exposed to.
You cannot change your Akita`s gene but you can change the things you expose your Akita to.
Exposing your Akita to dog training sessions early in its life can help you mold the temperament of your Akita to what you desire.
Again, with proper training, you can better your Akita`s temperament. To learn how to properly train a dog, I highly recommend Dr. Ian Dunbar`s online dog training classes, which you can find here.
I learned most of the things I know about training dogs by reading Dr. Dunbar`s books and watching his training videos. Dr. Dunbar`s dog training methods are for people expecting to own a puppy soon, new dog owners, and experienced dog owners.
Another helpful online dog training class that I recommend is this one. The class will teach you how to properly train your Akita.
If you think the Akita is the right dog breed for you, see our article on how much Akitas cost and Akita puppy buying guide.
Also, see our list of reputable Akita breeders in the United States and the prices of their Akita puppies.