Akipoo – Akita Poodle Mix

About its parents 📚

No one is too sure when the Akipoo first came into existence or why. However, rumors suggest it first did around the 1980s to further both parents’ bloodline and create a hypoallergenic version. 

Speaking of hypoallergenic, its Poodle parent has a single curly coat and does not shed. The Poodle comes from Germany and is also the national dog of France. It first came into existence to be a dog that hunted waterfowl. These are three forms the Standard, Miniature, and Toy Poodle. This breed is highly intelligent and a quick learner when it comes to training.

The Akitainu parent comes from the mountain areas of Japan and looks like a teddy bear. They were originally dogs of noblemen and help guard royals in Japan. This breed also commonly hunted bears, wild boars, and deer. The Akitainu is also intelligent, courageous, stubborn, and extremely loyal.

📢 Another doodle from Japan I've written about is the Poo-Shi, a Shiba Inu Poodle mix, and Asian cousin, the Afgan Poodle mix, so make sure you check them out as well.

Now, with both breeds being hunters, can you start to envision what the Akita Poodle mix is like?

Akipoo Appearance 🐩

An Akipoo has a lot of similarities between both parents. They are a fairly big-sized dog growing up to 18-27inches/45-68cm in height and can weigh up to 120lbs/54kg once they’ve developed into an adult. While these are tall and heavyweights, they don’t look fat. The Akipoo has a muscular and stocky body which makes them a good breed to participate in sporting activities.

They tend to have either two types of ears, one of which is triangular and upright. The other type this hybrid can get is floppy. An Akipoo has a cute small almond-shaped face and dark eyes. As well as a dark black or brown nose with a wide muzzle. It also tends to have a shaggy and fluffy tail, much like their Akita Inu parent.

Regarding their coats, they come in a range of colors which are often solid such as brown, beige, brindle, and black. Their density and thickness tend to be the same as both parents, which are short and thick. However, their coat texture can change, ranging from being either tough or wiry. 

Akipoo Temperament ✨

This dog inherits the best of both from its parents, making it an incredibly intelligent and alert dog. If socialized and trained early, they will be great playmates for children in homes and adapt well with other pets. 

Similarly, they love being around humans, which means they love to show their affection to others and cuddle up with family members. However, if you plan on bringing this crossbreed into your home with children, you should always supervise their playtime; their size could knock them over!

Do note that this dog is highly protective, which takes off their Akita Inu guard dog instinct. This means they could be vocal and bark around strangers or other animals, but not too aggressively. Sometimes they can display stubborn tendencies, which can make it be difficult to train; however, if you raise them in a caring, loving, and comfortable environment, they will overcome this. Remember, persistence is key!

Exercise requirements 🥎

This is a moderately large-sized dog with lots of energy that needs around 30-40 minute walks every day. Because they’re a big breed, you should aim to have a backyard or space in your house where they can also run around in. You may opt to mix up their routine and take them for exercise in a dog park or beach and play games of fetch or tug of war. 

If you don’t provide them with enough exercise, they could easily become overweight and gain health issues. Equally as important is its mental exercise as the Akita Inu and Poodle was designed to be a herder and hunter, so it has an innate tendency that needs to be addressed.

One great way is playing mental games like puzzles and obstacle courses to keep them stimulated. 

Do they shed? ✂️

The Akita Poodle mix tends to shed very little like a Poodle and does not give off much dander. This can make them a hypoallergenic hybrid which is excellent if you suffer from many allergies as you can easily live with them. Still, to maintain their coat, you should brush them 2-3 times a week to stop their fur from matting. You should take it to a professional groomer every 6 weeks to ensure it gets a proper trim.

 Similarly, you should brush their teeth a few times a week to maintain good dental health and limit gum disease. Plus, you should also trim their nails every so often; a good sign they’ve become too long is them scratching on the floor. You can trim their nails yourself or get them done by a professional. 

Training requirements 🐕‍🦺

If you plan on owning this dog, you should start training them from a young age as early as 6-12 weeks. Ideally, you will want to teach it basic commands and socialization, so they don’t become bitter or hostile to other dogs or humans as they become older. 

Sometimes you might have to keep repeating the request till they learn the trick, and you have to be patient. The best way to do this is through positive reinforcement, where you can provide them a treat or reward when they’ve done good behavior.

Due to their large size, this breed needs a high-quality diet and to be fed a mixture of nutrient-rich kibble, which is grain and filler-free. It’s often a good idea to speak to your vet as they will provide you with advice on what food to eat according to their age, weight, and energy levels. 

As this dog breed is prone to bloat and joint issues, it’s important to watch their portions and make sure they exercise for 1 hour afterward. 

Health problems 💊

As this breed is a designer breed, it’s not uncommon for them to experience some health problems. The typical health problems they might face are the following: 

• Cataracts: This is when their eye lens becomes cloudy and causes a lack of balance of water in their eye, causing vision problems. 

• Hip Dysplasia: This is when their hip joint deteriorates, causing mobility issues and lots of joint pain.

• Bloat: This condition is also known as Gastric Dilation Volvulus in dogs; it’s where their stomach fills with glass and fluid, then twisting over. It can be dangerous, causing pain and making them vomit.

• Von Willebrand’s disease: This disorder can be inherited from either parent and can cause internal bleeding. It happens by a lack of a clotting protein known as the Von Willebrand factor. It’s a rare disease, but those hybrid breeds that do have can prove fatal. 

• Entropion: A condition where their eyelid turns inwards and causes their eyes to spasm.

• Pemphigus: A group of autoimmune diseases that can cause the skin to blister.

Cost of Aki Poo Puppies 💲

If you’re looking to buy Akipoo puppies, it may take you some time to do so. These are a new breed which means they can be a bit difficult to find on the marketplace. On average, in the USA, you could expect to pay up to $450 or upwards. However, that’s just in the USA; it may vary in other countries. You should also anticipate additional costs such as their medical bills, toys, vaccinations, and more. If you’re looking to buy, you must factor in the other costs so you can give this dog a good life.

Conclusion ✔️

The Akita Poodle mix is an intelligent hybrid breed that takes after both parents, they can be a bit protective, and due to their large size, they should always be supervised around children. You must provide them with adequate training and socialization from an early age. 

Unlike some Doodle breeds, they don’t require much exercise, only around 30-40 minutes a day. They are also quite healthy but can be prone to some conditions like hip dysplasia or bloat. They also tend to inherit their Poodle parent’s hypoallergenic coat, which means they’re a great companion to live with if you suffer from many allergies!