Are you excited to buy an Akita? Loyal, protective, and courageous, the Akita dog breed, which originates from Japan, makes a wonderful addition to the family. These large, muscular dogs are built to hunt, guard, and herd livestock, but they’re also beautiful pets—their soft, fluffy coat certainly makes them look gorgeous too! However, before you buy an Akita, you need to count the cost, and we’re not only talking about the upfront buying fees for the unique dog breed. In addition to the purchase fee, you’ll also need to consider the ongoing costs of owning an Akita. Below, we’ve listed the average Akita prices in Australia so you know what you’re in for if you buy one.
How much Akita puppies cost certainly depends on where you buy the Akita from. In general, Akita puppies cost between $1,000 and $3,000 in Australia, but some pedigree Akita have gone for prices over $6,000. These prices usually depend on whether the Akita comes from a registered breeder, an unregistered breeder, or an adoption shelter.
Ideally, the best place to purchase an Akita would be from a registered breeder or to adopt one from your local adoption shelter if you’re lucky enough to find one. Akitas are rare and sought-after dogs. You may find that some registered breeders would try to capitalise on this fact through unethical breeding practices. Likewise, with registered breeders, you also have more assurances.
When you purchase an Akita from a registered breeder, you can expect to pay anywhere between $1,000 to $3000, sometimes more if the dog comes from an exceptional bloodline. Generally, the prices of an Akita with registered breeders vary based on the reputation of the breeder, the lineage and pedigree of the Akita, and their availability.
There might be a slim chance of finding an Akita at your local adoption shelter or in one around the country. If you do happen to come across an Akita at an adoption shelter, this is probably your best chance to get one at a lower price and simultaneously give back to your community.
Akitas costs up to $800 to be adopted at an adoption shelter. This fee usually covers things like vaccinations, microchipping, spaying or neutering, and the registration of the dog.
As you can see above, numerous factors influence the overall cost of an Akita. Here is a breakdown of these factors to give you a better understanding of how they impact the cost:
For Akita breeders in Australia to become registered, they must meet a series of requirements that ensure they meet the expected standards of a dog breeder in Australia. These regulations ensure that they practise ethical breeding practices and are breeding quality dogs.
Likewise, a breeder’s reputation also significantly affects how much they price their pups. For example, a breeder with a reputation for producing champion show Akitas will generally cost much more than your standard Akita breeder.
When it comes to the pricing of Akitas, bloodline and pedigree play a huge role. Pedigree means that the Akita puppies being sold are pure-bred Akitas. The bloodline refers to the genes. Do they come from a good bloodline of Akitas with good features and characteristics? Akitas that tick both boxes usually fetch higher prices, between $2,500 and $5,000.
Coat quality and colour also impact the price. Akitas with good quality, consistent furr will normally go for higher prices as this is an indication of good genes. Likewise, certain colour Akitas are also in higher demand, which makes these Akitas more expensive. Some of the colour variants for Akitas are red fawn, brindle, sesame, white, and black.
Finally, when it comes to availability in Australia, Akita breeders are few and far between. Because these dogs are considered a strong and functional working breed, they are often in high demand. However, with limited availability in Australia, it’s only natural for their prices to be more expensive.
Buying an Akita is going to be your first step. But that isn’t where your expenses stop. When you first bring your Akita home, there are a few essentials that you’ll need, some of which are simply beneficial. Here’s a list of what we consider to be essentials and their costs:
Dog crate: $75 to $200 for a large, good-quality dog crate suitable for the Akita breed
Dog bed: $30 to $120, depending on the brand and quality of the bed. You’ll need a large dog bed for your Akita to ensure they’re comfortable and well-supported. We also recommend getting an orthopaedic bed, which can be higher up on the pricing scale, to help prevent joint issues when they get older
Dog collar/lead: $20 to $70 for a large adjustable dog collar and lead set suitable for large breeds like the Akita
Feeding bowl: $10 to $60 for a ceramic or steel bowl that is suitable for an Akita and won’t topple or break while your dog is eating
Dog toothbrush: $10 to $30, depending on the brand and whether you choose to buy an electric or manual toothbrush
Dog car harness: $50 to over $100 for a good-quality, adjustable car harness. You will need to get a large one for your Akita
Puppy treats: $10 to $60, depending on the brand and quantity you prefer, but these are essential for when you’re training your Akita puppy
Puppy training pads: $15 to $50 for a set of training pads, depending on the brand and quantity you go for
Dog shampoo & conditioner: $10 to $50, depending on the brand and quantity of shampoo and conditioner you choose and whether or not it is specialised for certain conditions
Dog nail clippers, brushes & combs: $5 to $80, depending on how many grooming tools you need. Considering the Akita requires a considerable amount of grooming, you will need to invest in good-quality brushes, combs and nail clippers
Aside from buying the essentials and the initial cost of your Akita, there are some ongoing costs that you should factor in and prepare yourself for, like the feeding, veterinary, grooming, and training costs for your Akita. Here are some estimates regarding the costs we’ve just mentioned:
Akitas are known as large, strong, and muscular dogs, although you don’t always get that perspective from their appearance. Because of this, they require a reasonable amount of food every day to keep them healthy and active. Considering their average weight is between 25 and 30 kg, an Akita would need to eat roughly 400 to 600 grams of food per day. This could be through a dry, wet, or raw food diet. Here is what you can expect to pay for an Akita’s diet:
While Akitas are known for being strong, hardy dogs, they also need regular vet checkups, vaccinations, deworming, and pet insurance for accidents and emergencies. Here are some costs associated with routine preventive care for your Akita:
Akita’s have a thick double coat. This means they would need regular grooming to keep their coat neat. While you can do this yourself, it will be quite time-consuming. If time isn’t something you have much of, then you would need to factor in the cost of taking your Akita to a professional groomer at least twice a month. Here is what this might cost you per grooming session:
The general consensus is that Akitas are not the easiest dogs to train. Based on this information, don’t hesitate to get one. This doesn’t mean that they are disobedient and troublesome dogs. They are just very independent, which makes training them slightly more challenging, not impossible. Hiring a professional dog trainer should make training your Akita easier. Here are some of the costs of attending training sessions:
Puppy training: $150 to $300
Obedience training: $200 to $400
Advanced Training: $500 to over $1,000
The Akita dog breed is truly a remarkable breed to have in your home. Before you decide whether or not getting an Akita is a good idea, we encourage you to take a look over these expenses again to ensure you have a full picture of the financial implications of your decision. In the end, if you do decide to get an Akita, you’re making a worthwhile investment into your family. At least by considering the cost beforehand, you would also be better prepared!
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