Akita and Samoyed are two popular purebred dogs that will make great pets in your home.
Still, you might be wondering which dog is the right choice for you.
There are some similarities between the Akita and the Samoyed. Their look and lifespan are similar to one another.
But these dogs do have very different personalities and other attributes that set them apart.
This means that each breed will have different advantages and disadvantages depending on what you are looking for.
I will go over the major differences between these dogs.
Specifically, when talking about the Akita vs Samoyed I’ll discuss the most important info you need to know as a pet owner.
You’ll find out everything you need to know about Akita and Samoyed here.
| Attributes | Akita | Samoyed |
| Good For First Time Owners | No | Yes |
| Good Guard Dog | Yes | No |
| Apartment Friendly | Yes | With Enough Exercise |
| Good Family Dog | Yes (With Bigger Kids) | Yes |
| Shedding | Moderate | High |
| Barking And Howling | Low | High |
| Height | 24-28 inches (61-71 cm) | 18-24 inches (48-60 cm) |
| Average Life Expectancy | 10-14 Years | 12-14 Years |
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Akita – Dog Breed Information
The Akita is the first dog I will be talking about. These Japanese dogs are loyal, dependable, and highly sought after.
They are large dogs that need a lot of care and patience. So, make sure you are up to the task of training and taking care of your pet.
Dogs should not be bought on a whim, no matter what breed they are. Akita’s in particular will need proper training and a consistent routine.
Keep this in mind if you plan on getting this breed.
History
Before we talk about the specifics of this breed, let’s discuss the history of the Akita.
The Akita is seen as a positive symbol in Japanese history.
Over the centuries these dogs were used to hunt all sorts of animals, and they were seen as a good omen for health and prosperity.
You can see these dogs in myths and other cultural stories in Japan.
These dogs were so beloved that the Japanese royal family would use them as guards. Nobles and other high-ranking officials also used the Akita to guard their homes.
In short, this working dog has a long and rich history and continues to be popular in Japan and across the world.
Appearance
Again, this is a large dog breed. So, expect this dog to take up a lot of space.
Akita generally has a height of 24 to 28 inches. They also weigh anywhere from seventy to even one-hundred thirty pounds.
These are not small dogs at all. But in terms of their look, these dogs can be quite cute. Their faces are alert but can be humorous and even mischievous at times.
They come in a large number of colors like Ginger, red, brindle, or white. But they usually have a white undercoat, and especially Akita with reddish fur is very popular.
These dogs are also known for their pointy ears and curled-up tail.
Overall, this is a very nice-looking dog that has some variety in terms of the pattern of its fur and coloring.
You will have a lot of different options with this dog.
Temperament
The temperament of this dog should be considered though.
This is not an easy dog to train, and while these dogs are very loyal, they will only listen if you train them right.
Akita can be loving and even gentle, but this behavior is usually reserved for their family.
Around strangers and other dogs, this breed can get aggressive and even hostile. As I mentioned the Akita was a guard dog in the past. So this makes sense.
Overall these dogs are friendly and can even live with families. But they need to be socialized and trained early on.
Maintenance
The Akita will require some maintenance.
This breed has a total of two layers of fur. So you need to brush your dog a lot this way fur does not get all over your home.
Also, if you have allergies, this is not the dog for you, as they are not a hypoallergenic breed.
Other things to consider are training.
Again, you will need to spend some serious time training and bonding with your pet. They are loyal and steadfast but only if you spend time with them and care for them.
So, maintenance can be a little more intense with this dog.
Samoyed – Dog Breed Information
I talked about the Akita, but what about the Samoyed what are these dogs like?
To start, the Samoyed is a Russian dog that is also a working breed.
This type of dog is great for families and people that are newer to dogs. And while it does take a lot of work to keep this pet they are quite manageable.
History
The modern Samoyed was first seen around the 1800s.
This dog was used to hunt animals and even herd and haul supplies and people. But an older version of this dog has been around for over a thousand years.
In other words, this dog has a long history. Particularly in Russia where this dog was bred and used for labor.
In its more ancient history, the Samoyed helped the Siberian tribes take care of reindeer herds and even helped move tribes and goods on sleds.
Nowadays, this dog is mostly kept as a pet and not as a worker.
Appearance
These dogs are truly beautiful. People love them for their stark white fur that looks just like snow.
These dogs are also jolly-looking and have nice pointed ears and big fluffy tails.
They are large but not truly massive. Usually, they weigh around thirty to seventy pounds. And their height is around 18 to 24 inches.
Temperament
Samoyed dogs are one of the friendliest dogs around.
I highly recommend getting this dog if you have a family or you are new to dog ownership.
While this pet is bigger they are not too difficult to train and they love being around new people and other dogs.
They are especially good with kids and will be loyal to your family without being overly aggressive.
Maintenance
Samoyed dogs do have a lot of fur and will need to be brushed and groomed often.
But these dogs are hypoallergenic. So, if you have allergies there will be less maintenance.
Also, these dogs do not drool as much and they shed a little less than most big dogs. It’s a lot more easy to keep them around.
Training this dog isn’t too hard either you just have to stay consistent. But make sure that your pet gets plenty of exercise.
This is a high-energy dog that needs a physical outlet to stay happy and healthy!
Akita vs Samoyed – What ‘s The Difference?
| Akita | Samoyed |
 |  |
So, what exactly are the differences between these breeds. Both dogs have their own unique characteristics but what sets them apart?
I talked about the attributes of these dogs but I’ll tell you what separates them here in this final section.
Akita vs Samoyed Personality
These dogs have two very different personalities. This is one of the biggest differences that you need to look out for.
Samoyeds are more easy-going and super friendly with strangers and other animals. This makes them a great family dog or pet in any type of household.
On the other hand, Akita can be a little aggressive and protective. When they are around strangers they tend to be more paranoid and less friendly.
Akita is not unfriendly, but they tend to be nicer with their family. And they are not the best dogs for kids.
If you are looking for a guard dog Akita is the right breed. But if you want a family pet go with the Samoyed.
Akita vs Samoyed Care
Akita do require more care and more experience with dogs. Again, this breed is a lot more temperamental and requires more intense training.
They are not difficult dogs per se. But they need a lot of attention to thrive.
Really both dogs need to have plenty of time to exercise and bond with you. The Akita might need a little extra care though.
Keep this in mind for sure.
Akita vs Samoyed Physical Differences
Both dogs have different physical attributes as well.
They are both athletic and strong animals that were used for herding, hunting and other physical activities.
But the Akita is a much larger breed that can get over 100 pounds in weight.
While the Samoyed is a much smaller and more medium size dog and is usually only 65 pounds if not lighter.
However, while the Akita is big it can’t withstand extreme weather. Akita can only be in weather that is 30 to 75 degrees Fahrenheit.
The Samoyed, which is bred in Russia, can withstand extreme cold weather.
Samoyeds can be in temperatures below 30 degrees because of where they were bred. But don’t put them in weather above 70 degrees as they have a lot of fur.
Conclusion
When looking at the Akita vs Samoyed, there are many different things to consider. Both breeds are great, but you need to think about what you personally want in a pet.
Akita is better for people who are more experienced with dogs.
While the Samoyed has a friendly temperament and might be better for new dog owners and families.
Overall, both dogs are great. Just look over this post again if you can’t decide which pet to get and don’t know what to choose.
