St. Bernard vs Akita - Breed Comparison | MyDogBreeds

St. Bernard vs Akita - Breed ComparisonSt. Bernard is originated from Switzerland but Akita is originated from Japan. Both St. Bernard and Akita are having almost same height. St. Bernard may weigh 36 kg / 80 pounds more than Akita. St. Bernard may live 5 years less than Akita. Both St. Bernard and Akita has almost same litter size. St. Bernard requires High maintenance. But Akita requires Low maintenance

History

st bernard - historyThe St Bernard breed was once called the Alpine Cattle Dogs or the Alpine Mountain Dogs. They have always been farm dogs and mountain dogs in the French and Swiss Alps. They come from the border land of Switzerland and France. They were herding dogs, hunting, search and rescue, watchdogs and draft dogs.

Their ancestors are considered to include the Sennenhunds and molosser breeds that came to the Alps with the ancient Romans. There are four Sennenhund breeds that are believed to have contributed to the original St. Bernard. These included the Greater Swiss Mountain Dog (Grosser Schweizer Sennenhund), the Appenzeller (Appenzeller Sennenhund), the Bernese Mountain Dog (Berner Sennenhund) and the Entlebucher Mountain Dog (Entlebucher Sennenhund) Today the St. Bernard is considered a Molossoid breed.

The first we know of the St. Bernard in any written records was in 1707 at the Great St. Bernard Pass and Great St. Bernard Hospice run by monks. There were found paintings of the dogs dating back into the late 1600’s. It is told that Barry saved upward of 100 people in the St. Bernard pass, and it is from these stories that the dogs gained their snow rescue reputation.

The St. Bernard of that time did not look like the St. Bernard does today as there was much crossbreeding. Many dogs dies during rescues in the avalanches of the mid 1800’s and so they Saint was crossed with the Newfoundland to preserve the breed. You can today see the resemblance in the build and looks of the two breeds. This cross brought about the long haired St. Bernard whose fur was too heavy for rescues.

The St. Bernards of mountain rescue fame were only about the size of a German Shepherd dog and were short haired. After crossing with the Newfoundland and moving into clubs and dogs shows, they have been bred to be much larger. Before the stud book was closed, it is thought that many larger breeds such as the Greater Swiss Mountain Dog, the English Mastiff, the Tibetan Mastiff, the Rottweiler, the Great Pyrenees, the English Bulldog, the Great Dane, the Bernese Mountain Dog, the Boxer and the Caucasian Oycharka all contributed to today’s St. Bernard.

In 1884 The Swiss St. Bernard Club was founded and the breed entered the Swiss Stud book as its first entry in 1884. It was 1888 when the standard was approved and the breed became the national dog of Switzerland. Before the name St. Bernard came to be common, these dogs might be called, Barry Dogs, Alepnmastiff, Noble Steeds or Saint Dogs.

The dogs came to England in the early 1800s and to the United States soon after. They were recognized by the European kennel clubs first and by the early 1900’s they were the most popular breed in the AKC.

akita - historyAkita is a very old breed. The first information originates back in the 1600s. Akita was a royalty guard and a hunting dog. They were popular because of their bravery. Akita even attacked bears. Helen Keller brought the first Akita to America. She admired the breed because of the famous Hachiko, a dog that was known for his loyalty. Today, Akita is a popular dog in the whole world. They are lovely family pets, and if train properly they will be adorable part of any family.

Basic Information

Group:
Working dog
Working dog
Origin:
Switzerland
Japan
Height Male:
63 - 71 cm
24 - 28 inches
64 - 70 cm
25 - 28 inches
Height Female:
60 - 69 cm
23 - 28 inches
58 - 64 cm
22 - 26 inches
Weight Male:
54 - 90 kg
119 - 199 pounds
34 - 54 kg
74 - 120 pounds
Weight Female:
52 - 85 kg
114 - 188 pounds
34 - 50 kg
74 - 111 pounds
Life Span:
8 - 10 Years
11 - 15 Years
Litter Size:
4 - 9
7 - 8
Size:
Giant dog
Large dog
Other Names:
St. Bernhardshund Bernhardiner Alpine Mastiff (archaic)
Akita-Inu, Japanese Akita
Colors Available:
redish- Brown and white with a black mask to blond and white with black mask
Brindle, Fawn, White, Red Fawn, Red, Pinto and Sesame
Coat:
rough or smooth
Harsh and Rough, Dense, Water-Repellent, Short and Thick
Shedding:
Constant
Constant
Temperament:
Affectionate, Friendly, Independent, Intelligent, Loving, Loyal, Outgoing, Protective, Social, Stubborn, Sweet
Affectionate, Alert, Courageous, Friendly, Independent, Loyal, Protective, Responsive
Grooming:
High maintenance
Low maintenance
Trainability:
Moderate
Moderate
Hypoallergenic:
No
No
Kids Friendly:
Yes
Yes
New Owners Friendly:
Yes
No

Description

st bernard puppy - descriptionToday’s St. Bernard is not a large dog, he is a giant dog. Weighing in at 140-200 pounds and standing 28 to 35 inches tall, he is a lot of dog. Bred with mastiffs and large mountain dogs, they have proportional and powerful build. They are strong, sturdy and well muscled. They have either a smooth or rough (short or long) coat. Their eyes are brown or occasionally blue. They have tight lids, and square heads and muzzles.

There are two coat types called smooth and rough, or short and long. The smooth shorter coat is tough, flat and close against the body and the long, rough coat is dense, wavy and heavy around the legs, neck and ruff. Both types have long tails that hang low and are heavy. Saints are known to slobber, drool and snore.

akita puppy - descriptionAkita’s average weight is 34-54kg, while their height is 58-66cm. Females are smaller than males. Lifespan variates from dog to dog but an average lifespan of Akita is 11-15 years. However, if you take care of your dog with a proper diet and regular vet checks they can live longer than average. Litter Size of Akita is 7-8 puppies, but again, litter size variates because of dog’s genetics. Other Names for Akita are Akita-Inu and Japanese Akita.

Characteristics

1Children friendliness excellent

2.Special talents tracking

st bernard dog - characteristics3.Adaptability no - these are giant dogs that need a lot of room. A large fenced yard or farm is best. They won’t do well in an apartment. They need exercise every day and loping around a yard is very good for them. They love to play in the snow, carry a backpack or pull a cart. They love to have a “job”

4.Learning ability – They are smart and highly trainable if motivated. They may appear lazy but they are just laid back and need a motivation.

akita dog - characteristics Akita is a very elegant breed. They are very strong and fast, so they had been excellent guards. They sometimes can be stubborn, but they are very loyal to the family. Akita has tendencies to be aggressive to other dogs. Because of their dominant character, they can be especially aggressive towards the same sex. They are the best for one-dog houses. With family, they are very loving and gentle. The best way to train Akita is by positive training with awards. The old-fashioned way like punishing is not recommendable. Constant and firm training is important, so if you are first time owner, it might be a big challenge. If you are first time owner, consider advising with a trainer who knows the breed.

Akita loves to be around family and to be included in family activities. They do not need a lot of activity, but daily routines of one-hour walks or jogging would be ideal for Akita. Visiting parks for dogs is not a good idea because of aggressive attitude towards other animals. If Akita does not have activities they can get bored, and you do not want bored Akita. When bored they start barking, digging, chewing, and sometimes even aggressive. Overall, they are very loving and gentle dogs who love to be around family and enjoy activities. But, they also need proper care and attention which require time and patience.

Health Problems

st bernard puppies - health problemsThe first problem this breed faces is how fast they grow and gain weight. This can lead to serious health issues if not controlled. Their bones can be damaged by this excessively fast rate of growth. Other issues facing the breed include:

  • Hip and elbow dysplasia – can cause arthritis and lameness.
  • Bloat – can be fatal if not treated immediately.
  • Bone Cancer or Osteosarcoma – tends to be fatal.
  • Entropion and Ectropion – eyelids turn in or out and can be corrected.
  • Epilepsy – controlled by medication
  • Dilated Cardiomyopathy – can be fatal.
  • Eczema – skin disease can be treated.
  • Be careful of extreme heat.

akita puppies - health problemsAkita is a very healthy breed in general. Nevertheless, almost as every breed, Akita can develop health issues. Hip dysplasia, hypothyroidism, Progressive retinal atrophy are some of the issues Akita might have. Although, if you give your puppy Akita necessary vitamins, with a healthy diet and regular vet checks, it will a very happy and healthy dog. It is also important to know the genetics of your dog, so carefully choosing a puppy is very important.

Caring The Pet

st bernard dogs - caring1.Feeding the puppy – You want to control their growth. Do not overfeed, and make sure they exercise but not too much. Feed a high quality large breed puppy food 3-4 X a day in small amounts.

2.Feeding the adult – The problem you face with he adult St. Bernard is the potential for Bloat. Don’t over feed. Don’t feed before or after strenuous exercise. Feed 2-3 X a day in smaller amounts to prevent Bloat. Feed a high quality breed specific food if possible or an extra large breed formula.

3.Points for Good Health stamina and strength in cooler weather.

4. Games and Exercises They need exercise but not as much as you might think. The St. Bernard is a laid back lumbering character so don’t over exercise her. They enjoy weight and cart pulling but they are not athletes who enjoy frisbee or agility. Search and rescue trials and tracking trials are perfect athletic endeavors for them.

Feeding Akita

akita dogs - caringIt is always important to adjust feeding to size, activity age and built. Dogs who are bigger and have more activity will need more food. For an average Akita 3-5 cups of dry high-quality food, divided into 2 meals will be enough. They also love to eat vegetables like carrots, broccoli, and fruits like apples, oranges, watermelon, etc.

Feeding Akita puppy

Akita puppy should have more meals per day plus additional calcium and vitamins. 3-5 meals per day would be an ideal for a puppy. It is a perfect way to develop your puppy into a healthy adult dog.

Grooming Akita

Grooming Akita is not the worst, but it will require some work. They have a double coat, but they are shedding a lot. Occasional vacuuming will be a new habit that every Akita owner needs. They shed 2-3 times per year, so it is not very bad. When it not shedding, everyday brushing would be a perfect way to groom your Akita.

Comparison with other breeds

  1. St. Bernard vs Bernese Mountain Dog - Breed Comparison
  2. St. Bernard vs Newfoundland Dog - Breed Comparison
  3. St. Bernard vs Anatolian Shepherd - Breed Comparison
  4. St. Bernard vs Leonberger - Breed Comparison
  5. St. Bernard vs Alaunt - Breed Comparison
  6. St. Bernard vs Alangu Mastiff - Breed Comparison
  7. St. Bernard vs Pyrenean Mastiff - Breed Comparison
  8. St. Bernard vs Bisben - Breed Comparison
  9. St. Bernard vs Moscow Watchdog - Breed Comparison
  10. St. Bernard vs Spanish Mastiff - Breed Comparison
  11. St. Bernard vs Kars Dog - Breed Comparison
  12. St. Bernard vs Moscow Water Dog - Breed Comparison
  13. St. Bernard vs Ciobanesc de Bucovina - Breed Comparison
  14. St. Bernard vs Great Dane - Breed Comparison
  15. St. Bernard vs English Mastiff - Breed Comparison
  16. St. Bernard vs Neapolitan Mastiff - Breed Comparison
  17. St. Bernard vs American Mastiff - Breed Comparison
  18. St. Bernard vs Bully Kutta - Breed Comparison
  19. St. Bernard vs Irish Wolfhound - Breed Comparison
  20. Akita vs Siberian Husky - Breed Comparison
  21. Akita vs Rottweiler - Breed Comparison
  22. Akita vs Boxer - Breed Comparison
  23. Akita vs Doberman Pinscher - Breed Comparison
  24. Samoyed vs Akita - Breed Comparison
  25. Alaskan Malamute vs Akita - Breed Comparison
  26. Bullmastiff vs Akita - Breed Comparison
  27. Great Pyrenees vs Akita - Breed Comparison
  28. Boerboel vs Akita - Breed Comparison
  29. Presa Canario vs Akita - Breed Comparison
  30. Alapaha Blue Blood Bulldog vs Akita - Breed Comparison
  31. Labrador Husky vs Akita - Breed Comparison
  32. Argentine Dogo vs Akita - Breed Comparison
  33. Giant Schnauzer vs Akita - Breed Comparison
  34. Africanis vs Akita - Breed Comparison
  35. Belgian Shepherd vs Akita - Breed Comparison
  36. Goldador vs Akita - Breed Comparison
  37. Bandog vs Akita - Breed Comparison
  38. Belgian Shepherd Dog (Groenendael) vs Akita - Breed Comparison
  39. Dogo Cubano vs Akita - Breed Comparison
  40. Dogo Sardesco vs Akita - Breed Comparison
  41. Beauceron vs Akita - Breed Comparison
  42. Central Asian Shepherd vs Akita - Breed Comparison
  43. Mackenzie River Husky vs Akita - Breed Comparison
  44. Black Russian Terrier vs Akita - Breed Comparison

View/Compare Breeds

Popular Dog Breeds