If loyalty, strength, and the ability to protect are among your top priorities when looking for a dog, then Akita and Rottweiler should certainly be near the top of your list.
Despite coming from contrasting backgrounds, there’s still plenty that connects these two breeds.
Besides being fearless protectors with strong character, they both also make loving family pets and faithful companions.
Of course, the different history and origins mean that there are some notable distinctions between them.
I’ll dig a bit deeper into those and compare Akita vs Rottweiler to see what separates them and which one is a better fit for certain owners.
| Attributes | Akita | Rottweiler |
| Good For First Time Owners | No | No |
| Good Guard Dog | Yes | Yes |
| Apartment Friendly | Yes | Yes |
| Good Family Dog | Yes (With Bigger Kids) | Yes |
| Shedding | Moderate | Moderate |
| Barking And Howling | Low | Low |
| Height | 24-28 inches (61-71 cm) | 22-27 inches (56-69cm) |
| Average Life Expectancy | 10-14 Years | 8-10 Years |
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Akita – Dog Breed Information
The Akita breed has been around for hundreds of years.
Their lineage goes back to the 1600s and Japan where they served as protection and hunting dogs for the members of the local royalty.
They were admired for their bravery, especially when faced with wild beasts such as bears, wild boars, or deer.
The traits of fearlessness and loyalty survived to this day which is why they’re still very popular as family guardians.
Appearance
Akitas are large and powerful dogs with the strong and heavy-boned build.
Still, despite their massive bodies and intimidating presence, they look rather elegant and dignified.
The body of Akita is covered with a thick double coat, protecting them from cold weather and providing insulation when it’s warm.
The topcoat is short and harsh while the undercoat is more dense and plush.
Akita’s coat comes in various colors and color patterns, including white, black, red, fawn, brown brindle, or their different combinations.
Their heads are massive and broad, with erect, but fairly small, triangular ears on top. The eyes are triangular in shape, deep-set, and dark.
The tail is curled over and carried over the top of the back.
Male Akitas grow up to 26-28 inches (66-71 cm) and weigh 75-120 pounds (34-54 kg).
The females are 24-26 inches (61-66 cm) high and weigh 75-110 pounds (34-50 kg).
Temperament
Akitas are not only physically strong but also have a very strong character.
They’re willful and often even stubborn, which can be an issue for owners with no previous experience.
On the plus side, this means that they don’t back down from a challenge and are extremely courageous, especially when it comes to protecting their family.
They’re respected worldwide for their unwavering loyalty and can be very sweet and affectionate towards the people in their surroundings.
Plus, Akitas enjoy being a part of daily activities.
However, they’re rather aloof and reserved with strangers and can be aggressive towards other dogs.
Also, they don’t do too well around children as they are often too mouthy and have nipping tendencies.
The key to making Akita a good family dog is an early socialization.
They also need to be constantly challenged and engaged and tend to get behave badly when bored.
Rottweiler – Dog Breed Information
Rottweilers have a long history, with origins back in ancient Rome. For centuries, they’ve been known as great protectors, hunters, and livestock guardians.
Nowadays, they are a fantastic working breed and awesome family dogs.
Appearance
The imposing appearance of Rottweilers makes them one of the most scary-looking breeds out there.
They have muscular bodies, slightly longer than tall. Despite their heavy build, they still move with ease and elegance.
Rottweilers have double coats protecting their bodies, although dogs that live in hot climate areas could be without the undercoat.
The medium-long topcoat is dense, harsh, and requires minimal grooming.
Every rottweiler has a predominately black coat, but it may feature tan, rust, or mahogany patches.
The massive and broad head is probably the most recognizable physical trait of the Rottweiler breed.
Ears are medium-sized, triangular, and hang down, close to the head. The dark brown eyes are deep-set and almond-shaped.
Male Rottweilers are 24-27 inches (61-69 cm) high and weigh 110-133 pounds (50-60 kg).
Adult females grow around 22-25 inches (56-63 cm) and their weight is in the 77-106 pounds (35-48 kg) range.
Temperament
Mainly because of their menacing looks, Rottweilers have a reputation for being aggressive and often dangerous.
However, the truth is that they are fearless and confident, expressing some aggressiveness only when it comes to protecting their owners.
Of course, irresponsible owners can make any dog look bad.
When they go through early socialization and proper training, Rottweilers can become wonderful family dogs.
They’re affectionate, playful, and love spending time with kids.
As one of the hard-working breeds, Rottweilers are the happiest when they have a job to do.
You can train them to answer a variety of different tasks, which is why they are often used in police and military.
They also excel as watchdogs, due to their alertness and natural aloofness towards new people.
Rottweilers don’t like to sit still and need plenty of exercise, so be prepared to dedicate a fair share of your time to them.
Akita vs Rottweiler – Which One is Stronger?
These are both very strong and powerful breeds. In addition, they share about the same size and weight.
Still, they’re built a bit differently.
Rottweilers are more sturdy, muscular, and athletic. Still, in terms of sheer strength, the advantage is likely on the Akita’s side.
Akitas also have more strength in their bite. Their bite force has been measured at 400 PSI.
On the other hand, Rottweiler’s bite is not that powerful but still measures at a more than respectable 328 PSI.
Akita vs Rottweiler – What’s the Difference?
| Akita | Rottweiler |
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The differences between Akitas and Rottweilers begin with their appearance.
They are both spitz-type dogs and have a similar build, but Akitas have slightly longer coats and feature a variety of colors, while Rottweilers are always predominately black.
Talking about coats, neither of these breeds is particularly high maintenance, but Akitas will shed more and require slightly more grooming.
While both breeds are rather strong-willed, Akitas are particularly stubborn and difficult to train.
They’re also less friendly especially when it comes to strangers and won’t bond with as many people as Rottweilers.
If you have kids, Rottweilers are definitely the better option.
On the other hand, Akitas are more adaptable and handle the changes in the environment better.
Still, neither Akita nor Rottweiler is well-suited for apartment living.
When it comes to health, both breeds have a fair share of potential issues, but Akitas have a longer average lifespan.
