Akita Genetics

Author: ACA Member Madison Schaeffer

Genetics are responsible for the differences between wolves and dogs as well as the differences between breeds of dogs. Akitas are closely related to other Japanese breeds, including Shiba Inu, Kishu Ken, and Kai Ken. These breeds share family characteristics because of their shared genes, just like members of a family might look alike. Genes control everything that defines the Akita breed, from appearance to behavior to health.

If you close your eyes and picture an Akita, you probably imagine a particular dog with classic, curled tail, upright ears, and a beautiful coat. Genes are responsible for the way Akitas look. Akitas come in a wide variety of colors, from brindle to white and everything in between, and genes are responsible for the differences. The beautiful coats of long coated Akitas are the result of a change to just one gene. Many of the genes that change colors in Akitas are “recessive,” meaning that parents can carry for a particular color or coat type which they don’t have themselves. This means that a litter of puppies may look very different from their parents!

Just like you might think of a particular image when considering an Akita, you might also imagine a protective, loyal working dog. If you look at the history of the Akita breed, you can see how genes that served Akitas well in the past are still impacting Akita behaviors today. Many purebred dogs were created for a particular purpose. Border collies were bred to herd sheep, and golden retrievers were created to bring back waterfowl for hunters. Akitas were guardians who defended the home and helped with hunting wild animals. Just like golden retrievers still love to “retrieve” tennis balls, Akitas are still known for their loyalty and love of their families. Their defensive instincts make them fiercely protective of their loved ones and homes. They may, however, be aloof or standoffish with strangers. The genes that helped them succeed as hunters are also still around today – even modern Akitas love to chase rabbits and squirrels and often have strong prey drive! Many Akitas are exceptionally intelligent and enjoy using their analytical skills in dog sports or while working alongside their owners. It is important to realize that the traits that define Akita behaviors have existed for centuries. If you are considering an Akita, you will want to fully educate yourself about the breed before getting a puppy.

Genetics also play an important role in an Akita’s health. If an Akita puppy’s parents have health conditions, the puppy can be more susceptible. This is why selecting an ethical breeder with a long history of health testing their dogs is important. Hip dysplasia was once a common degenerative disease in purebred dogs. Dogs impacted by the disease had a loss of mobility, impaired gait, and painful hips. Programs were implemented in the 1950s to allow ethical breeders to screen parent dogs for hip dysplasia. Qualified veterinarians took radiographs of the dogs’ hips, allowing breeders to choose the dogs with the healthiest hips to breed. Any dogs with evidence of hip dysplasia were not bred. As a consequence, the incidence of hip dysplasia has decreased significantly in most purebred dog breeds, including Akitas.

In Akitas, standard tests for genetic illnesses include radiographs of hips and elbows, thyroid screening, and a full eye exam to ensure that dogs are free of any genetic diseases before they are bred. Ethical breeders consider these test results to make the best possible breeding decisions for health. There are other genetic tests available in Akitas, including one for amelogenesis imperfecta and another for degenerative myelopathy, as well as patella luxation examinations. Although these diseases are uncommon, genetic screening can help eliminate them from the gene pool.

The Akita Club of America is working hard with genetics researchers to develop genetic tests for other diseases that impact Akitas, particularly autoimmune problems such as sebacious adenitis and Vogt-Koyanagi-Harada (VKH) syndrome. Researchers with the UC Davis genetics laboratory are currently collecting samples from Akitas who are sick with these diseases. By comparing these samples to those from healthy Akitas, they can determine whether there are genetic variations that the sick Akitas share. If these variations are different from the genes in healthy Akitas, researchers may be able to develop a test that allows breeders to screen any parent dogs for these diseases, eliminating any at-risk dogs from the gene pool. Knowing that a dog was at risk might also allow veterinarians to begin treatment before the dog developed any symptoms of the disease. Advancements in health testing like these help ensure that future Akitas are healthy and can continue to grace our homes (and couches) for generations to come.