What do you get when you cross-breed a majestic Siberian Husky with an ever-loyal Akita? Well, a Husky Akita hybrid dog, or a “Huskita,” is the result!
This popular designer dog breed has boundless energy and athletic abilities that are ideal for outdoor activities and service work. Huskitas are also loving and protective enough to be the perfect family companions.
If you’re interested in getting your own Husky mix with Akita, or if you already have one at home, you’ve come to the right place!
Learn more about Huskitas’ history, parent breeds, appearance, and behavior in this handy and detailed guide. We’ll also tackle how to take care of your Huskita, as well as the price and expenses involved in getting one, so keep scrolling!
History of the Husky Akita Mix
In the late 1990s, the Husky Akita mix started gaining popularity as a designer mixed breed. The original breeders of Huskitas wanted to create a strong and healthy mix of dogs that have agreeable temperaments and magnificent physical features.
Huskitas inherited the energetic personalities and physical stamina of their parent breeds, who are both classified under the working group of dogs. These types of dogs are specifically bred for the purpose of assisting humans in hunting animals, retrieving items, or guarding property.
Over the years, the market demand for Huskitas steadily increased in the United States. This prompted breeders from Canada, Europe, and other locations to breed them as well.
At present, Huskitas are one of the most well-known designer breeds all over the world. However, the Husky Akita breed is not yet recognized by the American Kennel Club, and they have no officially published breed standards for Huskitas.
Parent Breeds of the Husky Akita Mix
Huskitas are a cross-breed between two purebred parents, the Siberian Husky of Russia and the Akita of ancient Japan. To further understand the Huskita’s origins, let’s get to know the backgrounds of its parent breeds.
Siberian Husky
Siberian Huskies are famous for being sled dogs, hauling loads over long distances in freezing temperatures. This parent breed has a sturdy body, a thick and majestic coat, and brown or blue almond-shaped eyes.
These dogs have friendly and oftentimes mischievous personalities, making them entertaining companions. Their intelligence and trainability make them ideal family dogs or service dogs.
Akita
Akitas are large and muscular guard dogs who have ancient Japanese lineage. They have broad heads and dense coats that come in black, brown, or white colors. These dogs are highly skilled at hunting and can work in packs to take on boars, deer, and bears.
In the past, only the imperial family of Japan and their court officials were allowed to own Akitas. These dogs remain an essential part of Japanese culture as symbols of health, longevity, and happiness.
Husky Akita Mix Appearance
In terms of looks, Huskitas inherited their parents’ fur colors, markings, and body figures. They have medium to large body frames, muscular builds, and lengthy bodies. Their average-sized oval feet are heavily padded and well-equipped for outdoor activities.
At first glance, Huskitas might look intimidating with their arched necks, broad chests, and sturdy forequarters and hindquarters. The average weight for this breed is 50–75 pounds, with an average height of 22–25 inches. With proper care, your Huskita can live for up to 13 years.
Let’s take a look at the Husky Akita mix’s other prominent characteristics:
Facial Features
Huskitas generally have friendly and welcoming facial expressions. Their triangle-shaped ears sit high and erect on top of their heads. They also have thick eyebrows, short muzzles, and round black noses. Huskitas’ wedge-shaped eyes are often brown.
Coats
Huskitas have thick, straight, and medium-length hair with a rough texture. Their undercoats keep them warm and dry in the winter but require lots of grooming in the summer. Huskitas’ coats aren’t hypoallergenic and can cause problems for owners with allergies.
These dogs can have solid variations or multiple colors on their coats. Here are several common coat colors for Huskitas:
- White
- Red
- Silver
- Brown
- Sable
- Gray
- Black
Huskitas can also have black or white masks and markings all over their bodies.
Husky Akita Mix Behavior and Temperament
When it comes to temperament, Huskitas are usually calm and affectionate.
They’re incredibly loyal to their owners, but they can be a bit wary when it comes to strangers and other pets. In unfamiliar environments or uncomfortable situations, Huskitas can become aggressive.
The following are some common behaviors of the Husky Akita mix:
High Energy Levels
Similar to huskies, Huskitas are alert, energetic, and enthusiastic pets! They’re almost always on their feet and ready to go out and about. For these reasons, Huskitas are a perfect fit for owners with active lifestyles.
Take this dog with you on long walks, fishing, hunting, or while playing sports. You’ll be surprised by your Huskita’s unparalleled endurance and agility.
Intelligence
In addition to constant physical activity, Huskitas need continuous mental stimulation as well. These dogs are highly intelligent companions that get bored or frustrated with repetition or a lack of stimulation.
To keep their minds busy, teach your Huskita some new tricks, or bond over challenging games, obstacle courses, and activities. Under-exercised and unstimulated Huskitas may resort to destructive behavior, such as barking or howling to gain attention.
Protectiveness
Huskitas are fiercely loyal dogs, which means that they’re highly protective of their family and home territory. These dogs are sensitive to potential threats in the environment, whether it’s new faces or other animals.
They can also be trained to alert you when there are strangers approaching your house.
Dominance
Independence is another one of Huskitas’ admirable traits. However, this can manifest in competitiveness and aggressiveness with other dogs in your home. To show dominance, Huskitas may even bully smaller pets.
Hypersensitivity
As alert watchdogs, Huskitas can also be hypersensitive to their environment. Too many changes, distractions, and unfamiliar sights and sounds can cause these dogs to be overwhelmed and anxious.
When this happens, Huskitas can display their aggressiveness in different ways. Some Huskitas chew on shoes, furniture, or whatever item they can find in the area. Others tend to drool, urinate, defecate, or bark excessively.
Is the Husky Akita Mix a Good Family Dog?
Because of their trainability and eagerness to please, Huskitas are ideal family pets. They have no problems in being submissive to adults and obeying commands. Meanwhile, these dogs are playful and affectionate playmates around kids.
Additionally, Huskitas’ protective instincts allow them to serve as guardians of the family home. Just remember to exercise caution when inviting guests or bringing a new pet home. Huskitas can be aloof with strangers at first, so it’s important to introduce them slowly.
What’s more, Huskitas need supervision when they’re around small pets and little kids. Due to their large size and strength, overly excited Huskitas can unintentionally cause harm to other pets or knock over kids.
How to Take Care of Your Husky Akita Mix
You’ll need a considerable amount of time, effort, and resources to keep your Huskita fit, happy, and healthy. Check out the following steps on how you can take care of your furry friend:
1. Proper Diet
Three cups of good quality dry dog food per day are sufficient for an adult Huskita. Puppies need around one to two cups per day, depending on their weight and activity levels.
Larger and more active Huskitas tend to have heartier appetites, so be sure to adjust their meals accordingly.
Huskitas that consume the right commercial dog food diet don’t require supplements unless advised by a veterinarian. On the other hand, Huskitas fed with homemade dog food might need vitamin supplements in combination with their meals.
Don’t forget to give your dog a healthy treat, once in a while. Go for treats that have fresh meat and vegetable ingredients, rather than treats that have a huge fat, sugar, or dairy content.
2. Sufficient Exercise
How much exercise do Huskitas need? Well, Huskitas have spectacular energy levels. This means that they need about 45–90 minutes of exercise each day.
In addition to playtime in your backyard, take your Huskita with you on long runs and mountain hikes. Meeting your dog’s exercise requirements might seem like a challenge, but in the long run, it’ll benefit your own health too, studies say.
3. Regular Vet Visits
Annual vaccinations and regular check-ups are a must in keeping your Huskita in tip-top shape. Health tests are also important for mixed-breed dogs like Huskitas, to check for indicators of diseases and other medical concerns.
Vision tests, hearing tests, and dental exams are some examples of health evaluations performed by a veterinarian. To prepare for unexpected vet visits and medication costs, you can also consider getting your Huskita his own pet insurance policy.
4. Good Grooming
Huskitas do a lot of shedding, especially during warmer seasons. In the summer, try to brush your Huskita’s double coat at least twice a week. You can use a firm but gentle bristle brush or a comb to get the job done.
Additionally, don’t forget to clip your dog’s nails one or two times per month. As for baths, Huskitas don’t require them frequently, about one bath every few months will do. On the other hand, Huskitas’ teeth need to be brushed daily, or at least two to three times a week.
Studies show that the simple act of grooming leads to better health and well-being for your pet.
5. Adequate Training
To serve as a companion dog, it’s necessary for your Huskita to learn proper behavior around different people, environments, and other pets.
Early socialization training guides your puppy into becoming a well-adjusted adult and prevents behavioral problems from developing.
Additionally, you can also train your Huskita for service! Their enthusiasm and sensitivity make them great therapy dogs. They can also provide mobility assistance or protection services.
How Do You Buy a Husky Akita Mix?
You can get your very own Huskita from a reputable breeder in your area. You can also adopt one from your local animal shelter.
If you can, try to meet the puppy’s parents beforehand. This will help you get an idea of what to expect from your Huskita. Ask the breeder or shelter about their health guarantees and policies for dogs that turn out to have serious health conditions.
After contacting and visiting your breeder or shelter to choose your Huskita, you’ll likely be asked to sign a contract or fill out some necessary paperwork. You’ll also discuss payment arrangements for your dog’s purchase price or adoption fees.
Husky Akita Mix Price
When purchasing from a reputable breeder, the average price for a Huskita is between $500 to $1,200. Adopting a Huskita costs less, around $300 to cover the shelter’s expenses in caring for your dog.
You might also have to shoulder your dog’s initial vaccinations, which cost around $100. Additionally, spaying or neutering procedures can cost $75 to $200, depending on your area and the veterinary clinic you choose.
Other common costs of owning a Huskita are as follows:
- Dog bed and crate: $20 to $100
- Food and water bowls: $10 to $30
- Leash, collar, and dog tag: $30 to $100
- Dog food expenses: $40 to $100 per month
- Grooming costs: $50 to $75 per session
- Vet visits and pet insurance: $700 to $1,000 per year
- Training fees: $30 to $50 per class
Wrapping Up
If you’re looking for a loyal, intelligent, and athletic companion, a Husky mix with Akita is surely worth considering! In addition to having a gorgeous coat and striking physical features, this magnificent mixed dog breed has an affectionate temperament that’s perfect for families.
In terms of care, Huskitas need a healthy diet, sufficient exercise, and regular vet visits to stay in good shape. Remember to follow the tips we mentioned on proper grooming and socialization training for your furry friend!
Lastly, don’t forget to bond with your Huskita, and observe your pet’s behavior and well-being. Huskitas tend to be hyper-sensitive or aggressive when their needs aren’t being met, so be sure to give your pet all the TLC that he needs!