Quick Links: Table of Contents
- Akita Versus American Hairless Terrier: Introduction
- Akita versus American Hairless Terrier: Overview
- Akita versus American Hairless Terrier: Comparison Table
- The Most Remarkable Differences Between the Akita and the American Hairless Terrier
- The Similarities Between the Akita and the American Hairless Terrier
- Size Comparison of Akita versus American Hairless Terrier
- Lifespan of Akita versus American Hairless Terrier
- Temperament of the American Hairless Terrier Versus the Akita
- Price of Akita versus Price of American Hairless Terrier
- Health Problems of Akita versus Health Problems of American Hairless Terrier
- Tolerates Being Alone: Akita versus American Hairless Terrier
- Do Akitas shed more than American Hairless Terriers?
- Which one drools more, the Akita or the American Hairless Terrier
- Which is Easier to Groom, the Akita or the American Hairless Terrier?
- Does the Akita Have a Higher Prey Drive than the American Hairless Terrier?
- Do Akitas Bark and Howl? What about American Hairless Terriers?
- Can Akitas Tolerate Cold Weather? And can American Hairless Terriers Tolerate Cold Weather?
- Wanderlust Potential: Akita vs. American Hairless Terrier
- Can Akitas Tolerate Hot Weather? Can American Hairless Terriers Tolerate Hot Weather?
- Which Dog Breed is more Dog-Friendly, the Akita or the American Hairless Terrier?
- Are Akitas good family dogs? What about American Hairless Terriers?
- How Kid-friendly are Akitas and American Hairless Terriers?
- Is the Akita Easier to Train than the American Hairless Terrier?
- Conclusion: Akita versus American Hairless Terrier. Which One is a Better Pet?
Akita Versus American Hairless Terrier: Introduction
Are you thinking of getting a new pet dog, and you have narrowed down your choices to the Akita and the American Hairless Terrier? Well, you have come to the right place. Because in this article, we will provide you with a detailed comparison of these two dog breeds to help you decide which of the Akita and the American Hairless Terrier better suits you.
We will provide you a detailed discussion and comparison of dog attributes such as intelligence, price, general health, friendliness, etc, for both the Akita and the American Hairless Terrier.
Furthermore, we will let you know which one of the Akita and the American Hairless Terrier is better suited for new dog owners, for owners with kids, for owners that live in apartments, for owners with dog allergies, etc.
Importantly, we did some analysis and calculation and we obtained a number that we call the Better-Pet Score™ for both the Akita and for the American Hairless Terrier. The dog breed with the higher Better-Pet score is the `better` pet. We hope that these Better-Pet Scores will provide you with more insight into deciding which pet to get between the Akita and the American Hairless Terrier.
Our only goal here is to help you make a well-thought-out decision on your next long-term companion, be it the Akita or the American Hairless Terrier.
Akita versus American Hairless Terrier: Overview
A very important difference between the Akita and the American Hairless Terrier is the size difference between the two dog breeds. The Akita is a large-sized dog while the American Hairless Terrier is a small-sized dog.
Furthermore, the Akita belongs to the Working Dogs group. Working Dogs were developed to assist humans in some capacity – including pulling sleds and carts, guarding flocks, guarding homes, and protecting their families. Breeds in the Working Group are known for their imposing stature, strength, intelligence, and fearless. Because of their size and strength, working dogs require a structured home life and firm, fair, consistent training by someone who can provide leadership without resorting to anger or physical force.
On the other hand, the American Hairless Terrier belongs to the Terrier Dogs group. Terrier Dogs were originally bred to go underground to hunt rodents and other small wild animals (vermin). Terriers come in a wide range of sizes and shapes, but all terriers are energetic, highly intelligent, and territorial. Terries also have the tendency to escape. They require a securely fenced yard.
Akita versus American Hairless Terrier: Comparison Table
The table below compares the Akita to the American Hairless Terrier based on different important factors such as Price, Health, Kid-friendliness, etc.
When a dog breed scores higher for a factor than the other dog breed, the box of the breed that scores higher is shaded green and the box of the breed that scores lower is shaded red. When there is no difference between the breeds for a particular factor then the box is shaded gray for both pets. Also, when the factor is not important in picking a pet, or when the factor cannot be compared between two pets, the box for the factor is shaded gray for both pets
Most of the factors in the table for each dog breed are ranked on a scale of 1 to 5. “1” means “worst”, and “5” means “best”.
However, some factors such as “Price”, “Average Lifespan”, etc. cannot be on a scale of 1 to 5, so they are not on a scale of 1 to 5 in the comparison table.
Later in this article, we will further explain each factor as it applies to the Akita and the American Hairless Terrier
| Factor | Akita | American Hairless Terrier |
|---|---|---|
| Tolerates Being Alone | 1/5 | 2/5 |
| Kid-Friendly | 1/5 | 4/5 |
| Dog Friendly | 1/5 | 3/5 |
| Easy To Groom | 1/5 | 5/5 |
| Life Span | 10 to 12 years | 13 to 16 years |
| Adapts Well To Apartment Living | 2/5 | 4/5 |
| Good For Novice Owners | 2/5 | 3/5 |
| Tolerates Hot Weather | 2/5 | 3/5 |
| Friendly Toward Strangers | 2/5 | 3/5 |
| Easy To Train | 2/5 | 3/5 |
| Height | 2 feet to 2 feet, 4 inches tall at the shoulder | 12 to 16 inches |
| Intelligence | 3/5 | 4/5 |
| Does NOT chew on things | 3/5 | 3/5 |
| Calmness/ Low Vigor | 3/5 | 3/5 |
| General Health | 4/5 | 4/5 |
| Potential NOT to Gain Weight | 2/5 | 2/5 |
| Low Prey Drive | 2/5 | 2/5 |
| Tendency NOT to Wander | 2/5 | 3/5 |
| NOT Rambunctious | 2/5 | 2/5 |
| Minimal Exercise Needs | 2/5 | 3/5 |
| Easygoing | 1/5 | 3/5 |
| Tolerates Cold Weather | 5/5 | 1/5 |
| Affectionate With Family | 5/5 | 4/5 |
| Does NOT Shed | 1/5 | 5/5 |
| Does NOT Drool | 1/5 | 5/5 |
| Does NOT Bark or Howl | 1/5 | 3/5 |
| Potential For Playfulness | 5/5 | 5/5 |
| Weight | 70 to 130 pounds | 10 to 16 pounds |
| Average Lifespan | 11.0 years | 14.5 years |
| Average Price | $1770 | $1840 |
| Price Range | $1100 – $2200 | $1625 – $2000 |
| Temperament Score | 77.8 percent | 83.3 percent |
| Common Health Problems and Recommended Health Tests |
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Next, we added the scores of the factors that can be added together for the Akita in the table (that is, `Ease of Grooming` score + `General Health` score + `Calmness` score + …etc) and we compared it to the corresponding total score for the American Hairless Terrier. We call these total scores the Better-Pet Scores, as we mentioned earlier. We called this score the Better-Pet score because the better dog breed will have a higher score. This is because the pet will the higher score will have minimal needs and be easier to have as a pet.
The Better-Pet score for the Akita is 56 out of 125 while the Better-Pet score for the American Hairless Terrier is 82 out of 125.
Based on their Better-Pet scores, the American Hairless Terrier is a better pet than the Akita. So, you should get the American Hairless Terrier!
Although we have done our best to analyze these two dog breeds in a very unbiased way, however, we will like to let you know that there are some dog attributes that cannot be assigned a number for comparison. We cannot put a number on how cute a dog breed is, for example. Beauty is in the eye of the beholder.
Also, the dog breed that best suits you will depend on your peculiar lifestyle, your taste, and your priorities, which we do not know. So, for you to decide on which breed is right for you, read through the rest of the article to further understand both the Akita and the American Hairless Terrier so that you can make your own well-informed decision on which pet to get.
The Most Remarkable Differences Between the Akita and the American Hairless Terrier
Below is a list of where the Akita and the American Hairless Terrier are most different:
- Akitas do not get along well with kids. They are not kid-friendly. However, American Hairless Terriers get along well with kids. They are kid-friendly.
- Akitas require a lot of grooming and are not very easy to groom. However, American Hairless Terriers are very easy to groom.
- Akitas can tolerate cold weather. However, American Hairless Terriers cannot tolerate cold weather. They are vulnerable to the cold.
- Akitas shed. They are not recommended for people with dog allergies. However, American Hairless Terriers do not shed a lot. They are good for people with dog allergies.
- Akitas have a very high tendency to drool. However, American Hairless Terriers do not have the tendency to drool.
The Similarities Between the Akita and the American Hairless Terrier
The Akita and the American Hairless Terrier are very similar in certain aspects. Below is the list of where the Akita and the American Hairless Terrier are most similar:
- Both the Akita and the American Hairless Terrier do not like to be left alone.
- Both the Akita and the American Hairless Terrier are not the best dogs for new dog owners.
- Both the Akita and the American Hairless Terrier cannot tolerate hot weather. They are not suited for hot environments.
- Both the Akita and the American Hairless Terrier are not very friendly towards strangers.
- Both the Akita and the American Hairless Terrier are not easy to train.
- Both the Akita and the American Hairless Terrier are very healthy. They do not suffer from a lot of health problems compared to other dog breeds
- Both the Akita and the American Hairless Terrier gain weight easily. You need to pay careful attention to what you feed them.
- Both the Akita and the American Hairless Terrier have a high prey drive. They do not get along well with other pets.
- Both the Akita and the American Hairless Terrier have a high tendency to wander. They are easily distracted by other animals or objects.
- Both the Akita and the American Hairless Terrier have very high energy levels. They need a lot of exercise time to release their high energy.
- Both the Akita and the American Hairless Terrier require a lot of exercise. They are good for owners who like to exercise.
- Both the Akita and the American Hairless Terrier are great family dogs. They are very affectionate with family.
- Both the Akita and the American Hairless Terrier are very playful.
Size Comparison of Akita versus American Hairless Terrier
Now, let us discuss the difference in size between the Akita and the American Hairless Terrier.
Akitas weigh 70 to 130 pounds when fully grown. Akitas are 2 feet to 2 feet, 4 inches tall at the shoulder when fully grown.
On the other hand, American Hairless Terriers weigh 10 to 16 pounds when fully grown. American Hairless Terriers are 12 to 16 inches when fully grown.
Lifespan of Akita versus American Hairless Terrier
The lifespan of Akitas is between 10 to 12 years. The average lifespan of Akitas is 11.0 years.
The lifespan of American Hairless Terriers is between 13 to 16 years. The average lifespan of American Hairless Terriers is 14.5 years.
American Hairless Terriers live longer than Akitas.
Temperament of the American Hairless Terrier Versus the Akita
The American Hairless Terrier has a better temperament than the Akita.
This is because the temperament score for the American Hairless Terrier is 83.3 percent while the temperament score for the Akita is 77.8 percent, according to the American Temperament Test Society (ATTS).
The American Temperament Test Society (ATTS) is a non-profit organization whose mission is to provide fair and objective evaluations of the temperaments of dog breeds.
Dog breeds with low temperament scores tend to show unprovoked aggression, they easily panic without quickly recovering from the panic, and they tend to avoid people. However, dog breeds with high temperament scores are not aggressive and are not shy. Also, these dogs are generally friendly and are protective of their owners.
The average temperament score across all dog breeds (over 250 breeds) is 83.7 percent.
With its temperament score of 77.8 percent, the Akita has a below-average temperament compared to other dog breeds.
With its temperament score of 83.3 percent, the American Hairless Terrier has a below-average temperament compared to other dog breeds.
The ATTS obtained the temperament scores of the Akita and the American Hairless Terrier by measuring the temperaments of 598 Akitas and 6 American Hairless Terriers.
Price of Akita versus Price of American Hairless Terrier
The average price of the Akita puppy is $1770. The price of the Akita typically ranges from $1100 – $2200. We obtained this price information by reviewing the prices of 342 Akita puppies listed for sale from various sources.
The average price of the American Hairless Terrier puppy is $1840. The price of the American Hairless Terrier typically ranges from $1625 – $2000. We obtained this price information by collecting and reviewing the prices of 6 American Hairless Terrier puppies listed for sale from various sources.
The American Hairless Terrier is more expensive than the Akita.
The charts below show the price distribution for the Akita and American Hairless Terrier. For different price points, the charts show how many Akita puppies or how many American Hairless Terrier puppies are listed for sale at those price points.
A breakdown of the prices of Akitas. The typical price range is shaded Green.
A breakdown of the prices of American Hairless Terriers
Note that a lot of factors determine how much you can expect to pay for the Akita puppy or the American Hairless Terrier puppy. This includes if health screening tests have been performed on the puppy, if the puppy is from a famous pedigree, the US State where the puppy is bred, etc.
Nevertheless, when looking to buy a puppy, look at buying a puppy only from well-established breeders that breed puppies primarily for the love of dogs, and secondarily for profit. Do not buy a puppy from a puppy mill. Puppy mills mass-produce puppies in bad living conditions for maximum profit.
You may also consider adopting a dog instead of buying a dog.
Health Problems of Akita versus Health Problems of American Hairless Terrier
Every dog breed has its own set of health problems that it has a tendency to develop. There is nothing like a perfect dog breed.
Both the Akita and the American Hairless Terrier are prone to certain genetic health conditions. The Orthopedic Foundation for Animals (OFA) is the organization that keeps track of health problems in dogs. Based on the extensive records that the OFA keeps, the OFA knows what health problems each dog breed is naturally prone to develop. Hence, the OFA recommends which health screening that breeders should perform on a dog breed to make sure that the breeders won`t breed `defective` dog parents that can pass down defective genes to their puppy offspring.
The more health problems a dog breed is prone to develop, the more health tests the OFA will recommend for that dog breed.
Based on our review of OFA records, we found that the American Hairless Terrier is prone to more genetic health problems than the Akita.
This is because the OFA recommends more screening health tests for the American Hairless Terrier than for the Akita.
5 health tests are recommended for Akita while 9 tests are recommended for the American Hairless Terrier.
Below is a detailed discussion of health problems in Akitas and in American Hairless Terriers.
Akita Health Problems
Akitas are genetically prone to certain health problems. However, breeders can reduce the chances of producing Akita puppies with genetic defects by making sure that a puppy`s parents are free from genetic health problems before allowing the parent to make puppies.
The OFA provides breeders recommendations on which genetic diseases that breeders should screen their dog parents and puppies for.
If you want a Akita puppy that will grow up to be healthy, make sure that your Akita breeder screens your puppy or your puppy`s parents for the health problems that the OFA recommends for your puppy`s breed. This will increase the chances that your puppy is free from genetic defects.
The following are the health tests that Orthopedic Foundation for Animals (OFA) recommends that breeders should screen Akitas for:
You can find out more about OFA`s recommended tests for Akitas here.
American Hairless Terrier Health Problems
American Hairless Terriers are genetically prone to certain health problems. However, breeders can reduce the chances of producing American Hairless Terrier puppies with genetic defects by making sure that a puppy`s parents are free from genetic health problems before allowing the parent to make puppies.
The OFA provides breeders recommendations on which genetic diseases that breeders should screen their dog parents and puppies for.
If you want a American Hairless Terrier puppy that will grow up to be healthy, make sure that your American Hairless Terrier breeder screens your puppy or your puppy`s parents for the health problems that the OFA recommends for your puppy`s breed. This will increase the chances that your puppy is free from genetic defects.
The following are the health tests that Orthopedic Foundation for Animals (OFA) recommends that breeders should screen American Hairless Terriers for:
You can find out more about OFA`s recommended tests for American Hairless Terriers here.
Tolerates Being Alone: Akita versus American Hairless Terrier
Akitas do not like to be left alone.
American Hairless Terriers do not like to be left alone.
Do Akitas shed more than American Hairless Terriers?
Akitas shed. They are not recommended for people with dog allergies.
American Hairless Terriers do not shed a lot. They are good for people with dog allergies.
Which one drools more, the Akita or the American Hairless Terrier
Akitas have a very high tendency to drool.
American Hairless Terriers do have a very low tendency to drool.
Which is Easier to Groom, the Akita or the American Hairless Terrier?
Akitas require a lot of grooming and they are not very easy to groom.
American Hairless Terriers are very easy to groom.
Does the Akita Have a Higher Prey Drive than the American Hairless Terrier?
Akitas have a high prey drive. They have the tendency to chase after smaller animals and pets. They do not get along well with other pets.
American Hairless Terriers have a high prey drive. They have the tendency to chase after smaller animals and pets. They do not get along well with other pets.
Do Akitas Bark and Howl? What about American Hairless Terriers?
Akitas are highly vocal. They have the tendency to bark and howl.
American Hairless Terriers bark and howl, but not very much.
Can Akitas Tolerate Cold Weather? And can American Hairless Terriers Tolerate Cold Weather?
Akitas can very well tolerate cold weather.
American Hairless Terriers cannot tolerate cold weather. They are vulnerable to the cold.
Wanderlust Potential: Akita vs. American Hairless Terrier
Akitas have a high tendency to wander. They are easily distracted by other animals or objects.
American Hairless Terriers have a moderate tendency to wander. This means that they sometimes get distracted by other animals or objects.
Can Akitas Tolerate Hot Weather? Can American Hairless Terriers Tolerate Hot Weather?
Akitas cannot tolerate hot weather. They are not suited for hot environments.
American Hairless Terriers can tolerate hot weather as long as the weather is not too hot.
Which Dog Breed is more Dog-Friendly, the Akita or the American Hairless Terrier?
Akitas do not get along well with other dogs.
American Hairless Terriers get along fairly well with other dogs.
Are Akitas good family dogs? What about American Hairless Terriers?
Akitas are great family dogs. They are very affectionate with family.
American Hairless Terriers are great family dogs. They are very affectionate with family.
How Kid-friendly are Akitas and American Hairless Terriers?
Akitas do not get along well with kids. They are not kid-friendly.
American Hairless Terriers get along well with kids. They are kid-friendly.
Is the Akita Easier to Train than the American Hairless Terrier?
Akitas are not easy to train.
American Hairless Terriers are fairly easy to train.
Is the Akita Better for Apartment Owners than the American Hairless Terrier?
Akitas do not adapt well to apartment living.
American Hairless Terriers adapt very well to apartment living.
Which is Better for New Dog Owners, the Akita or the American Hairless Terrier?
Akitas are not the best dogs for new dog owners.
American Hairless Terriers are OK for new dog owners.
Conclusion: Akita versus American Hairless Terrier. Which One is a Better Pet?
In summary, there is nothing like a better dog breed or a worse dog breed. The important question to ask is which dog breed better matches your interests and lifestyle. We hope our discussion above will help you in deciding which dog breed between the Akita and the American Hairless Terrier better suits you and your family.