How Much Does an Akita Pit Cost?

The Akita Pit mix dog breed is a strong, loyal cross of two ancient dog breeds: the Akita Inu (of loyal Hachiko fame) and the American Pitbull.

 People often believe that Akita Pit mixes are very aggressive and that they have vicious and wild temperaments. However, that is not the case – with good training and socialization, Akita Pit hybrids can be loyal loving dogs that are highly capable of forming strong companionship bonds with their families.

In short: once you have an Akita Pit at home, you can rest assured that you will have a fiercely loyal guard dog on hand.

If you are wondering about the cost of this great dog breed, then this guide is for you.

Whether you’re looking for information about the cost of an Akita Pit puppy followed by the monthly/yearly cost of raising it, we have all the information you need.

In this guide, we’ll cover Akita Pit purchase price, the cost of basic supplies your pet will need, medical or veterinary costs, cost of dog food, training, pet insurance, and other miscellaneous costs.

 An Akita pitbull mix puppy is generally more expensive than the average dog breed. This is because of the fact that both parent breeds – Akitas and Pitbull terrier- are considered aggressive and are even banned in many states. Resultantly, the designer Akita Pit hybrid dog is quite rare and its price is higher as there are very few breeders raising them.

The initial cost of buying the designer Akita Pit puppy will be about $1000 but this is just an estimate and it can vary from breeder to breeder.

Over your pet’s lifetime (which is between 10-14 years), you will have to factor in the cost of high-quality food and veterinary costs. Having an idea about these numbers can help you budget and also answer the question if the Akita Pit is right for your family.

Just in case you are in a hurry, here is a summary of an Akita Pit cost:

Akita Pit Puppy Price

Factors Affecting Akita Pit’s Price

The following factors can cause your Akita Pit mix’s price to go up:

The Akita parent

If your breeder imports his/her Akitas from Japan, then the price of your potential Akita Pit puppy will be higher. If, on the other hand, the breeder uses American Akita for crossbreeding, then you can expect to pay slightly less. American Akitas are larger and heavier and they have a black face mask. The resulting Pit Akita mix pup will also have a mask. Japanese Akitas are a lot smaller in size and they come in various colors, typically without a mask.

The Pitbull parent

It is very difficult to predict the color of Akita Pitbull mixes since Pitbulls come in nearly 23 coat colors. The most in-demand coat color in Pits is the merle coat with grey-blue eyes. If such a pitbull is used for mating, and the resultant puppy develops a merle coat with blue eyes, then the price of the Akita Pit puppy can be significantly higher.

Breeders

As mentioned earlier, this is a rare designer dog breed and you won’t find too many breeders for it. In case you do find one out of the country or from another state then you have to spend on shipping charges for flying your puppy home.

Mating of Akita and Pitbull can be tricky since Akitas tend to get aggressive and could even crush a Pitbull. Similarly, a Pitbull could get inflict a bite pressure of 235 psi which can grievously injure a dog that is smaller than it. To avoid these issues, some breeders use artificial insemination which can be very expensive. This could also factor into your pup’s cost.

When you do find Akita Pit designer dog breeders, ask them many questions about their breeding practices. Good breeders will only breed healthy Akitas and Pitbull. Even before the breeding process, they will take their dogs to the vet to ensure they are free from common genetic issues like hip dysplasia and show health certificates upon request.

Where to Buy your Akita Pit From

There are very few breeders specializing in Akita mixes. One such breeder is the GreenField Puppies. They are not a puppy mill and their dogs are well taken care of. You can also call individual Akita or Pitbull breeders and ask if they carry Akita Mixes. The top Akita breeders in the USA are:

•     Country Akitas
•     Arctic Akitas

Here is a table showing you different options for buying or adopting an Akita Pit mix:

Akita Pit Basic Supplies Cost

While you are waiting for your Akita Pit to come home, you can gather the following basic supplies to make it more comfortable:

Crate

Confining your Akita Pit is not a punishment; rather it will teach your dog to go potty in the right place and also learn to enjoy its own company. It will also reduce the mistakes it makes around the house. A crate for this large dog will cost about $100.

Kong toys and other toys

To prevent boredom in this intelligent dog, provide it with plenty of Kong toys. You can add them to your pup’s crate so it can chew on the Kong toy and entertain and soothe itself. Small-sized Kong toys cost about $10. If you choose to buy other dog toys like rope toys, balls, frisbees, etc. then those can cost about $20.

Grooming supplies

Akita Pits can have single coats like their Pitbull parent or a short double coat like their Akita parent. You will need to choose grooming supplies accordingly. For double coats, you need an undercoat rake to catch the shed hair and a comb. For dogs with a single coat, a simple slicker brush will do. Also, invest in nail clippers, ear cleaners, dog shampoo, and eye wipes. Basic grooming supplies can cost up to $50.

Feeding bowls & water dishes

Dog bowls for food and water are available in various materials. Select stainless steel or ceramic bowls but not plastic. These cost about $10.

Collars and leashes

A sturdy collar and leashes are necessary for taking your pet on walks after all its core vaccinations are completed. Look for high-quality, chew-proof ones – costing about $50.

Odor neutralizer

Until you train your puppy completely to only go potty in the designated area, you can expect indoor soiling. Use odor neutralizers to deter your Pit Akita puppy from voiding in the same spot again and again.

Akita Pit Training Cost

You can handle most of your Akita Pit’s training on your own or get professionally qualified trainers for the job. It is surprising how much you can achieve with professionals’ help. Your Akita Pit will become a superstar!

Training is very important for this dog breed as, without it, it could end up misbehaving. Training classes are particularly important for your Akita Pit’s socialization. In fact; group classes can be very beneficial to all dogs since they learn to behave and obey even when other dogs and people are around. Group classes can also teach your Akita Pit another form of socialization.

Many recreation parks offer free dog training classes. You can also sign up for group classes at training schools which are quite affordable. Alternatively, you can choose individual lessons with private trainers – but these are expensive. Private lessons defeat the distraction and socialization aspects of group classes.

Akita Pit Food Costs

When selecting your Akita Pit’s food, always consider your dog’s age, health, and activity levels. In your pup’s early days, you can feed it some of the same puppy food that the breeder was feeding. Since this is a designer dog breed, it is difficult to estimate your pet’s height and weight in adulthood. These will be entirely dependent upon the dog’s genetics.

That is why you must evaluate your pet’s height and weight from time to time. Seek your vet’s advice so you can tweak the food portions and also the brand of food you feed.

By adulthood, your Akita Pit could weigh between 30 to 70 lb. with a height of 16 to 23 inches.

•       For a large adult Akita Pit, feed about 2 3/4th to 3 cups of dry dog food divided into 2-3 meals per day.
•       If your dog weighs over 70 lb., you can feed about 4 cups of food divided into 2-3 meals per day.

Most vets advise feeding dry dog food or kibble as it is better for the dog’s teeth and eliminates plaque and tartar. In case your Pit Akita needs wet food, you will need to feed 150 oz. of wet food per day to a 50 lb. Akita Pit (divided into 2-3 meals).

Freeze-dried dog food is also popular these days. Beef-based freeze-dried foods cost around $35 for a 3-lb bag. Your Akita Pit weighing around 50 lb. and having a moderate activity level will need 120 nuggets per day. This is equivalent to 7.5 ounces of freeze-dried food per day.

Raw food is also a good choice for Akita Pits.  50 lb. dog would need ½ to ¾ lb. raw dog food per meal. In a month, you will need at least 30 lb. of raw food.

Akita Pit Dog Food Comparison

Your Akita Pit’s food should contain a balanced mix of proteins, fat, soluble carbohydrates, and fiber. You can also choose to feed grain-free food if your vet advises it.

When shopping for your Akita Pit’s food, always read the labels. Make sure it has meat or fish listed at the top of the list. Also, account for your pet’s life stage, age, and health issues like obesity or allergies.

Avoid foods containing questionable ingredients like fillers, preservatives, by-products, flavors, and dyes. As stated earlier, evaluate your pet’s weight from time to time and make dietary changes as advised by the vet.

You can also choose to feed your Pit Akita homemade meals. There are many recipes available online. Some dog owners mix oats, rice, chicken, vegetables, fruits, and fish oil, etc. for a healthy and wholesome meal for their Akita Pits.

Here are some pet food brands suitable for Akita Pits:

Akita Pit Medical Costs

According to a recent report, pet medical costs can sometimes even top the medical costs for humans. You must prepare for various types of doggy diseases such as eye problems, skin issues, digestive troubles, and even accidents.

In your puppy’s first year, your Akita Pit will need core and non-core vaccinations. These are very important for preventing various canine diseases. You must remember that spending on vaccinations will be a lot cheaper than spending on hospitalization for treating these deadly diseases, not to mention the heartache it can cause.

It is also a good idea to have your pet neutered or spayed before the age of 12 months. This surgery can cost up to $200 depending on the vet.

Make sure to prevent your Akita Pit from eating human food. The majority of dog hospitalizations occur when dogs eat toxic foods like chocolates. These have even led vet bills to be as high as $6000.

In senior Akita Pits, problems like lumps and bumps can cost thousands of dollars for diagnosis and treatment. Ear infections may seem trivial but can cost about $250 to treat. It is worthwhile mentioning here that you must buy your Akita Pit from a reputed breeder. These breed healthy dogs and ensure there are no genetic diseases in the Akita and Pitbulls being mated.

In the subsequent sections, we have presented different medical costs dog owners incur over their pet’s lifetime.

Vaccination

All core vaccines cost between $75 and $100. This will vary based on your location and the veterinarian’s practice. Rabies vaccine can cost about $15 to $20. Leptospirosis vaccine alone costs about $15 to $35. Not all dogs need non-core vaccines, so always check with your vet.

Flea and tick prevention

This is extremely important as fleas and ticks can cause deadly diseases which could sometimes be fatal. Most flea and tick prevention oral treatments cost about $50 for a three-month supply and you also need to use collars, sprays, spot treatment, and shampoos for additional protection.

Deworming

Many low-cost vet clinics offer deworming medicine and vaccinations for a small fee of about $15 to $45. You can also buy deworming pills over-the-counter once in 4 months or as advised by the vet. This can cost between $8 and $55 on average.

Canine Routine Medical Test Costs

Special test costs

Akita Pit Inherited Diseases

Most designer dogs from reputed breeders have few health issues as long as the parent dogs are healthy. Therefore, you must avoid breeders that do not give a health guarantee.

Akita common health problems

Akita are generally hardy dogs but could suffer from issues like hip and elbow dysplasia, progressive retinal atrophy, and autoimmune hypothyroidism. A good breeder will get their Akita certified from the Orthopedic Foundation for Animals to ensure it has a good/fair score. There is also a certification regarding Ophthalmic Health.

Pitbull common health issues

According to PetMD, pit bulls are generally healthy dogs but can suffer from bone diseases like hip/elbow dysplasia. Other common health problems include patella luxation, heart disease, skin allergies, cataracts, and degenerative myelopathy. Good breeders will not breed such Pitbulls. They will also be forthcoming about the health problems in their dogs.

Pet Insurance for Akita Pits

Your Akita Pit deserves proper medical care at all ages to ensure a happy and healthy life. Being a designer or a hybrid dog breed, the Pit Akita mix is less likely to suffer from health issues as long as the breeder has taken care not to inbreed dogs or use dogs having health issues mentioned above.

If you are wondering whether health insurance is worth it for your Akita Pit, always consider if you can afford to shell out $5000 should your pet require hospitalization or diagnostic tests.

Like any insurance, pet insurance is something you must keep handy and hope never to use it. Always remember that good insurance plans can cover nearly 80% of your pet’s bills. It can also ensure a longer, healthier life for your Akita Pit.

By buying health insurance for your Akita Pit, you can make sure that you get the right treatment for your dog and not be restricted by the costs. You can also reduce out-of-pocket costs should your buddy need hospitalization or expensive medical treatment.

Here is a table showing some of the top dog insurance companies and their benefits.

Additional Costs of Raising an Akita Pit

Grooming

Dog grooming at a professional groomer or pet salon can cost between $45 to $75 for your medium-large dog. Full-service cost is about $75 and consists of nail care, bath, teeth care, brushing, gland expression, trim, and other basics. You can also opt for half-service for about $30.

License and registration

License and registration costs vary from state to state. For example, in California, you can expect to pay $12 for neutered/spayed dogs that have received their rabies shot. This cost increases to nearly $50 if your Akita Pit is not fixed.

Dog walking

Many factors can affect the cost of dog walking: the time or duration of the walk, your dog’s size, location, extra fees, and the number of dogs you own. On average, the price of dog walking is about $10-$30 per session of 30 minutes to 1-hour. To save money, ask the dog-walker company for bundled services or loyalty discount packages.

Pet sitting/pet boarding

If you have to leave your Akita Pit for a business/pleasure trip, you can choose to hire a pet-sitter or board your dog at a pet boarding facility. This can set you back by nearly $30 to $50 per night (for boarding). If you hire a pet-sitter, then the cost is around $30-$45 per day. Dog sitters also perform other tasks like feeding and walking your dog, cleaning its water bowls, watering your plants, picking up your mail, etc.

Akita Pit Cost in 2021 – Key Takeaways

As can be seen, you need to be aware of strict financial commitment once you decide to buy or adopt an Akita pit mix.

First-year cost

In the first year, you will spend on buying your dog. Depending on the breeder, you might have to pay between $600 to $2000 for buying your pet. Adoption costs are much lower and you can also get several vaccines and spaying/neutering done for less if you adopt your Akita pit.

The first-year costs also include some basic supplies like food-water bowls, beds, blankets, toys, crates, leashes, and collars, etc. You will also spend on grooming supplies like shampoos, grooming brushes, and so on. These combined with training costs, vaccination and routine checks, spaying/neutering, flea and tick prevention, and deworming costs can set you back by almost $1800 in the first year.

Monthly cost

The monthly costs of owning your Akita Pit mainly include food and grooming costs, flea and tick prevention, pet insurance, and routine checkup costs. High-quality dog food can cost about $50. Emergency medical or dental costs can set you back by $200. For a healthy Akita Pit, the monthly cost is approximately $200.

Annual cost

The annual cost of raising your Akita Pit is around $1400. This is mainly for food, medical costs, deworming, and flea and tick treatments. If you travel, you need to board your pet and that can increase the costs significantly.

Lifetime cost

This medium-large dog lives for 10-14 years, so expect to pay almost $15,000 over its lifetime. If your pet develops some health issue, this can increase the cost even more. These are just approximate values and the real prices can vary significantly due to your location and style of dog-parenting as well.