Are Akitas Good Running Dogs?

Akitas are an athletic breed but there are several factors to consider when deciding if jogging or distance running are suitable activities for these dogs.

Healthy adult Akitas do well with sprinting. Distance running is fine for most Akitas, as long as the dog is healthy and fit and it is not hot outside. It is important to keep in mind that proper socialization is crucial for this breed, to prevent issues for your dog and other dogs and people on the running trail.

POTENTIAL CHALLENGES SPECIFIC TO AKITAS

Akita’s Joints Are Prone To Problems

Akitas have a predisposition for hip dysplasia and are prone to developing arthritis and other issues with their joints.

Some Akitas are born with dysplasia. These dogs grow rapidly as puppies, so their hips can also develop incorrectly over time.

A grown Akita’s weight could reach 130 lbs (59 kgs), and the heavier the dog is, the heavier the impact on their joints during exercise.

Running and jumping are considered high-impact activities and could compromise the vulnerable hips and joints even further. Even if your Akita has good joints at the moment, frequent distance running puts the dog at risk for joint problems at a mature age.

Akitas Are Heat-Intolerant

Like any other animal, an Akita may adapt to a hot climate to some extent but hot weather will never be a comfortable environment for a dog of this breed.

Being active on a hot day further complicates the issue.

Running or hiking on a day warmer than about 70°F (21°C) is likely to be challenging for your pet and could be unsafe. Please read our post on Akitas and hot weather and the tips on keeping Akitas cool on a warm day.

Akitas Are Prone To Reactive Behaviors – It is Important To Train And Socialize The Dog

Akitas must be socialized and well-trained to be happy on the running trail and for everyone’s safety. To be fair, dogs of other breeds need good social skills for this activity, too.

Many Akitas are not easy to train when it comes to learning new commands and changing behaviors. So, early socialization and consistent training to develop good behaviors are essential.

It is a good idea to watch how your Akita reacts to various stimuli, including kids and people on bicycles. Observe your Akita’s behavior around dogs, too. If you notice that your pet gets excited around runners, bicycles, or other animals, then there might be a need for more training and desensitization.

HOW TO MAKE RUNNING SAFE FOR YOUR AKITA

Akitas are muscular and strong dogs and they do well with sprinting. As for distance running, a healthy and appropriately conditioned Akita should be able to build stamina to run at least 2-3 miles (3-5 km) in the right weather. The following recommendations could be helpful.

1. Screen For Hip Dysplasia

Ideally, the screening for hip dysplasia should take place when the dog is about two years old. At that point presence of dysplasia would be apparent, but it would still be early enough for a veterinarian to devise a treatment plan for your pet, which could include modifying physical activity.

Timely interventions help to preserve the animal’s mobility, although many dogs end up needing medications to ease the pain in affected hips.

2. Help The Dog Maintain A Healthy Weight

Akitas like their food and are prone to gaining excess weight, although this problem is common for household dogs in general.

If your dog is overweight, help him/her lose some weight by engaging in lighter activities before the animal can tolerate running. Any animal benefits from some exercise, but it is important to increase the intensity gradually.

Being heavy is also hard on the joints, which is another reason to keep weight within the normal range.

3. Puppies And Old Dogs Should Not Run

Distance running as an activity is not recommended for very young dogs. The reason for that is the vulnerability of growing joints, as well as reduced tolerance of activity and temperature extremes in general. Puppies are naturally active and mobile, so they get enough exercise. When the dog is over a year old, running is generally safer at that point.

Naturally, older dogs also struggle with intense activities. They are frailer and are more likely to have accumulated some health issues, including joint problems. There is no absolute age limit beyond which a dog should not run. It depends on how well your furry friend maintains his or her youthfulness over the years.

4. Condition Your Dog

Avoid starting with an arduous running adventure. Start with a light jogging exercise or some sprinting. Help your dog build up stamina and increase the intensity depending on how well he/she tolerates it.

Long walks and moderate hikes are a great way to introduce your pup to an athletic way of living. If your Akita does fine with those, your pet will probably enjoy some jogging and will tolerate a gradual increase in the intensity of exercise.

5. Choose The Right Surface For Running

Compared to asphalt running trails, grass, and ground surfaces are much more comfortable for dogs to run on for a couple of reasons:

Those surfaces absorb shock and are easier on the runner’s joints.

On very hot or cold days your dog’s paws will be more comfortable on grass or ground than on asphalt. Those surfaces prevent burns and frostbite and reduce fatigue.

If you are an avid runner and your Akita joins you frequently, consider getting protective boots for your dog’s paws on very warm or very cold days. Any active dog’s paws are vulnerable to injury, even if the weather is not extreme. Paw wax is also a good option.

6. Teach Basic Commands

Knowing basic commands and responding to them reliably is important for any dog on a running trail. Akitas are imposing and strong, so they need to be obedient and disciplined when there are other dogs and people around them.

Make sure your pet is comfortable with several commands, so he/she stays beside you at all times and does not vocalize or get too excited when seeing another dog or a bicycle. Knowing commands also helps a dog stay calm if a non-standard situation occurs because the animal knows to obey the owner and there is no need to wonder how to behave.

If your Akita is too excited about other runners or something else on the trail, one of the most helpful interventions is to have your dog his gaze focus on you.

7. Teach The Dog To Run Beside You

The dog should not pull on the leash while running – for safety and for your comfort, too.

Practice some running in a familiar environment and see if your pup does well with the task before venturing out to new and exciting (for the dog) trails.

8. Avoid Running In Hot Weather

A major factor and safety concern for these dogs is their relatively poor tolerance to warm weather. Even on an idle hot day you should watch your Akita’s comfort and try to keep the dog as cool as possible.

Ideally, the temperature should not exceed 70°F (21°C) on a day you take your dog for a jog or a hike. A shaded trail is also great.

Avoid shaving the dog’s fur. The fur may not grow back of the same quality or take a very long time to restore itself. Akita’s fur also has the function of insulating the dog from hot and cold air. It is, however, helpful to brush the dog’s coat regularly. Brushing helps shed old loose hair and promotes better air circulation.

9. Provide Plenty Of Water

Keep in mind that dogs become dehydrated very quickly, which puts them at risk for overheating, too. Dogs also may not show dehydration or fatigue until they pretty much collapse.

Bring along a water bottle for your dog and remind him/her to drink frequently.

10. Read Your Akita’s Cues

Many dogs try so hard to please the owner and they keep running despite being exhausted. A dog can be dehydrated and very tired and yet could just keep going.

Let your furry friend rest frequently, give him/her water, and use your assessment skills and intuition. If your Akita looks fatigued, especially if the dog has some gait instability and pants heavily, the animal probably needs rest.

It is also important to watch how your dog does after intense exercise. Some dogs that are developing arthritis, for example, are reluctant to move much for a couple of days after running, because they are in pain.

Evaluate any new behaviors, especially if they coincide with exercise.