Is the Akita Better than the Kishu Ken as a Pet? Our Answer.

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Akita Versus Kishu Ken: Introduction

Are you thinking of getting a new pet dog, and you have narrowed down your choices to the Akita and the Kishu Ken? 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 Kishu Ken 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 Kishu Ken.

Furthermore, we will let you know which one of the Akita and the Kishu Ken 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 Kishu Ken. 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 Kishu Ken.

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 Kishu Ken.

Akita versus Kishu Ken: Overview

A very important difference between the Akita and the Kishu Ken is the size difference between the two dog breeds. The Akita is a large-sized dog while the Kishu Ken is a medium-sized dog.

Furthermore, both the Akita and the Kishu Ken are Working Dogs. This means both the Akita and the Kishu Ken 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.

Akita versus Kishu Ken: Comparison Table

The table below compares the Akita to the Kishu Ken 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 Kishu Ken

Factor Akita Kishu Ken
Tolerates Being Alone 1/5 3/5
Kid-Friendly 1/5 3/5
Dog Friendly 1/5 2/5
Easy To Groom 1/5 3/5
Life Span 10 to 12 years 9 to 13 years
Adapts Well To Apartment Living 2/5 3/5
Good For Novice Owners 2/5 2/5
Tolerates Hot Weather 2/5 3/5
Friendly Toward Strangers 2/5 2/5
Easy To Train 2/5 4/5
Height 2 feet to 2 feet, 4 inches tall at the shoulder 17 to 22 inches
Intelligence 3/5 5/5
Does NOT chew on things 3/5 4/5
Calmness/ Low Vigor 3/5 3/5
General Health 4/5 4/5
Potential NOT to Gain Weight 2/5 3/5
Low Prey Drive 2/5 2/5
Tendency NOT to Wander 2/5 4/5
NOT Rambunctious 2/5 3/5
Minimal Exercise Needs 2/5 2/5
Easygoing 1/5 3/5
Tolerates Cold Weather 5/5 5/5
Affectionate With Family 5/5 3/5
Does NOT Shed 1/5 2/5
Does NOT Drool 1/5 4/5
Does NOT Bark or Howl 1/5 5/5
Potential For Playfulness 5/5 2/5
Weight 70 to 130 pounds 30 to 60 pounds
Average Lifespan 11.0 years 11.0 years
Average Price $1770 No Data
Price Range $1100 – $2200 No Data
Common Health Problems and Recommended Health Tests
  • Autoimmune thyroiditis
  • Elbow Dysplasia
  • Eye Examination each year until 6, thereafter every 2 years
  • Hip Dysplasia
  • Patellar Luxation
    		•  No Data

    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 Kishu Ken. 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 Kishu Ken is 79 out of 125.

    Based on their Better-Pet scores, the Kishu Ken is a better pet than the Akita. So, you should get the Kishu Ken!

    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 Kishu Ken so that you can make your own well-informed decision on which pet to get.

    The Most Remarkable Differences Between the Akita and the Kishu Ken

    Below is a list of where the Akita and the Kishu Ken are most different:

    • Akitas have a very high tendency to drool. However, Kishu Kens do not have the tendency to drool.
    • Akitas are highly vocal. They have the tendency to bark and howl. However, Kishu Kens are not very vocal. They have very low tendency to bark and howl.
    • Akitas are very playful. However, Kishu Kens not very playful.

    The Similarities Between the Akita and the Kishu Ken

    The Akita and the Kishu Ken are very similar in certain aspects. Below is the list of where the Akita and the Kishu Ken are most similar:

    • Both the Akita and the Kishu Ken do not get along well with other dogs.
    • Both the Akita and the Kishu Ken do not adapt well to apartment living.
    • Both the Akita and the Kishu Ken are not the best dogs for new dog owners.
    • Both the Akita and the Kishu Ken cannot tolerate hot weather. They are not suited for hot environments.
    • Both the Akita and the Kishu Ken are not very friendly towards strangers.
    • Both the Akita and the Kishu Ken are very healthy. They do not suffer from a lot of health problems compared to other dog breeds
    • Both the Akita and the Kishu Ken gain weight easily. You need to pay careful attention to what you feed them.
    • Both the Akita and the Kishu Ken have a high prey drive. They do not get along well with other pets.
    • Both the Akita and the Kishu Ken have very high energy levels. They need a lot of exercise time to release their high energy.
    • Both the Akita and the Kishu Ken require a lot of exercise. They are good for owners who like to exercise.
    • Both the Akita and the Kishu Ken can tolerate cold weather.
    • Both the Akita and the Kishu Ken shed. They are not recommended for people with dog allergies.

    Size Comparison of Akita versus Kishu Ken

    Now, let us discuss the difference in size between the Akita and the Kishu Ken.

    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, Kishu Kens weigh 30 to 60 pounds when fully grown. Kishu Kens are 17 to 22 inches when fully grown.

    Lifespan of Akita versus Kishu Ken

    The lifespan of Akitas is between 10 to 12 years. The average lifespan of Akitas is 11.0 years.

    The lifespan of Kishu Kens is between 9 to 13 years. The average lifespan of Kishu Kens is 11.0 years.

    Tolerates Being Alone: Akita versus Kishu Ken

    Akitas do not like to be left alone.

    Kishu Kens can be left alone only for a short time.

    Do Akitas shed more than Kishu Kens?

    Akitas shed. They are not recommended for people with dog allergies.

    Kishu Kens shed. They are not recommended for people with dog allergies.

    Which one drools more, the Akita or the Kishu Ken

    Akitas have a very high tendency to drool.

    Kishu Kens do have a very low tendency to drool.

    Which is Easier to Groom, the Akita or the Kishu Ken?

    Akitas require a lot of grooming and they are not very easy to groom.

    Kishu Kens are moderately easy to groom.

    Does the Akita Have a Higher Prey Drive than the Kishu Ken?

    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.

    Kishu Kens 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 Kishu Kens?

    Akitas are highly vocal. They have the tendency to bark and howl.

    Kishu Kens are not very vocal. They do not tend to bark and howl.

    Can Akitas Tolerate Cold Weather? And can Kishu Kens Tolerate Cold Weather?

    Akitas can very well tolerate cold weather.

    Kishu Kens can very well tolerate cold weather.

    Wanderlust Potential: Akita vs. Kishu Ken

    Akitas have a high tendency to wander. They are easily distracted by other animals or objects.

    Kishu Kens do not have the potential to wander after things that capture their attention. They tend to stay around where you leave them.

    Can Akitas Tolerate Hot Weather? Can Kishu Kens Tolerate Hot Weather?

    Akitas cannot tolerate hot weather. They are not suited for hot environments.

    Kishu Kens can tolerate hot weather as long as the weather is not too hot.

    Which Dog Breed is more Dog-Friendly, the Akita or the Kishu Ken?

    Akitas do not get along well with other dogs.

    Kishu Kens do not get along well with other dogs.

    Are Akitas good family dogs? What about Kishu Kens?

    Akitas are great family dogs. They are very affectionate with family.

    Kishu Kens are good family dogs. They are affectionate with family.

    How Kid-friendly are Akitas and Kishu Kens?

    Akitas do not get along well with kids. They are not kid-friendly.

    Kishu Kens get along fairly well with kids. They are quite kid-friendly.

    Is the Akita Easier to Train than the Kishu Ken?

    Akitas are not easy to train.

    Kishu Kens are very easy to train.

    Is the Akita Better for Apartment Owners than the Kishu Ken?

    Akitas do not adapt well to apartment living.

    Kishu Kens adapt moderately well to apartment living.

    Which is Better for New Dog Owners, the Akita or the Kishu Ken?

    Akitas are not the best dogs for new dog owners.

    Kishu Kens are not the best dogs for new dog owners.

    Conclusion: Akita versus Kishu Ken. 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 Kishu Ken better suits you and your family.