How Much Does an Akita Cost? (2023 Price Guide)
How much does an Akita cost? For starters, Akitas are one of the higher-priced purebred dogs in the market today.
However, the price of an Akita puppy itself is only half of the story. In reality, there are other things that take part in the cost of owning one.
Fortunately, this guide is here to help you out. Here, you’ll learn all the important things you should know regarding the cost of owning an Akita. If that sounds interesting to you, then sit back and read along.
The Average Cost of an Akita Puppy
You can expect the Akita price to be about $800 to $2,000 when you purchase from a reputable breeder. However, if the puppy is from a champion bloodline, you should expect to pay up to quadruple the price.
Akitas are among the most expensive dogs out there. This purebred pup easily costs as much as designer dogs and rare dog breeds. Many believe that their high price tags are driven by the hype they get in the pet community.
Ever since Akitas were first bred in Asia, these dogs have acquired the reputation of a status symbol. Back then, only the rich could afford these pups.
Nowadays, owning an Akita Inu is more accessible than ever. Because of the popularity of Akitas, many local breeders are starting to dip their toes into breeding these dogs.
If this trend continues, we might get a significant price cut for these dogs soon.
Do you think the Akita is too expensive? This adorable video might change your mind:
AKITA INU – March Story | Birthday Episode | 秋田犬
Watch this video on YouTube
Factors Affecting the Cost of an Akita Puppy
Purchasing an Akita puppy is a serious financial move. The price of the dog alone will easily run you a few thousand bucks. But have you ever wondered what makes an Akita expensive?
For starters, many things affect the price of the Akita. These factors include age, breeder’s reputation, health guarantees, and many more.
Knowing these things gives you a better idea of where your money is going. This will also help you find the perfect Akita that fits within your budget.
Here are some of the major factors affecting the cost of an Akita puppy:
- Age: In general, Akita Inu puppies usually cost more than adult Akitas. If you want to save money, you may get an older or senior dog instead of a puppy. The disadvantage of this is that you will miss out on the joys and satisfaction of raising an Akita puppy.
- Appearance: The Akita comes in a handful of color variants such as black, fawn, red, white, and brindle. Some of these colors are harder to breed compared to others. As a result, rarer colors such as the silver fawn Akita are usually priced higher. Akitas with long hair are also marketed at a high price.
- Bloodline: The bloodline of an Akita puppy has a significant impact on its pricing. An Akita born from a champion lineage will often cost three to four times the price of the regular Akita. If you are not planning to join dog shows with your pooch, it’s better just to get a regular Akita.
- Breeder’s Reputation: Expect to pay a little more if you get an Akita from a reputable breeder. Breeders with years of solid track record often charge a premium for their puppies. However, their hefty pricing is frequently accompanied by health insurance and other assurances.
- Registration Papers: If kennel club registration matters to you, you should expect to pay a bit more for your Akita puppy. Akitas with complete registration papers under the American Kennel Club (AKC), United Kennel Club (UKC), and others are often priced higher.
- Health Screenings: Many breeders screen their puppies for health issues before selling them. If their puppy is found to be in perfect health, they usually sell them at a higher price. Despite that, it is still recommended to find an Akita puppy that comes with some sort of health guarantee.
- Training and Socialization: It is possible to buy an Akita puppy that is already house-trained. However, doing so will likely run you back a few hundred dollars more. This is recommended for people who do not have enough time to train and socialize their Akita puppy.
As you can see from the list above, there are quite a lot of things affecting the price of an Akita puppy.
However, this list is by no means complete. There are a few other things that can affect the price of Akita puppies such as their gender and size.
How Much Does It Cost to Adopt an Akita From a Rescue?
Adopting an Akita from animal shelters or rescue organizations is a fantastic way to acquire one. This will not only save you money but also save a dog’s life. Adoption fees for Akitas are quite low, ranging between $100 and $500.
Usually, adoption fees are fixed prices; however, it may sometimes depend on the dog’s age. If you want a more affordable Akita, pick a slightly older one as puppies are usually priced higher.
This is because rescues and shelters spend on vaccinations, neutering or spaying, or microchipping for younger dogs. On the flip side, they do not have to shoulder these expenses for older rescued dogs.
On rare occasions, the gender of an Akita may also play a role in adoption fees. This is due to a few gender differences.
That said, Akitas are usually a rare find in rescues and shelters. You might find Akita mixes, but purebred Akitas are quite scarce in these facilities. However, if you’re patient enough, you’ll surely find one.
Initial Cost of Akita Ownership
The price of an Akita puppy is just the tip of the iceberg. Before you get one, you should first understand how much budget you really need. One of the first things you should consider is the initial expenses for your Akita.
These expenses cover things such as food bowls, dog beds, grooming tools, dog food, and other knick-knacks. Also included in the initial costs are neutering or spaying, vet fees, and more.
The list below details the initial expenses for an Akita:
- Food and Treats: One of the first things you should buy for your Akita is some high-quality kibble and a few bags of treats. You may need to purchase a variety of these to test out which is best for your pup. This expense will run you between $100 and $120.
- Food and Water Bowls: When buying bowls for your Akita, choose stainless-steel ones. Not only are they sturdier than plastic, but they are also easier to clean. A pair of large food bowls will run you about $15 to $35.
- Bed: The Akita is a fairly large dog that needs the right kind of cushioning. When buying a dog bed for your pooch, make sure to invest in a high-quality one. A dog bed will set you back between $50 and $200.
- Crate: Even if you won’t cage your dog, a dog crate is still necessary. Crate training your Akita is one of the most important things in its early training. Aside from that, a crate will serve as your dog’s safe place when you’re not around. Large dog crates cost $60 to $500.
- Leashes and Collars: Leashes and collars are some of the first things you should get for your Akita. Make sure to pick one that is the right fit for your pooch. Also, if you are buying a collar with metal nameplates, pick one that doesn’t corrode. Expect to pay around $15 to $50 for a leash and collar.
- Toys: Akitas love to chew toys. These are their go-to time wasters whenever they’re feeling bored or anxious. When buying a chew toy for your pup, invest in high-quality ones. A set of chew toys will run you $30 and $50.
- Grooming Essentials: Akitas do not need a lot of grooming. Just comb your pooch’s hair once or twice a week, and you’re good to go. However, you will need the right kind of grooming essentials for this dog. Expect to pay $40 to $180 for a high-quality set of grooming tools.
- Deworming, Flea, and Tick Medications: If your Akita puppy is not yet dewormed or treated for fleas and ticks, you’ll need to factor these into your initial expenses. These medical procedures will set you back $50 to $200.
- Initial Vet Visits: Puppies need initial vet check-ups to make sure they are in good shape. While this is not required, it’s definitely nice to have. Initial vet visits will run you between $100 and $300.
- Initial Vaccine Shots: Usually, Akita puppies for sale or adoption already have the initial rounds of vaccines. However, if yours doesn’t, you’ll need to shoulder these fees. The cost of initial vaccine shots for the Akita is around $75 to $200.
- Neutering or Spaying: If you buy an Akita puppy, there’s a pretty good chance that it is still intact. This means you will likely spend on neutering and spaying later on. This surgery usually costs around $50 to $500.
- Dog License: A dog license is a must-have for an Akita puppy. This paperwork serves as written proof of your dog’s identity. This also makes it easier to reach you should your dog accidentally bite a stranger. Expect to pay $10 to $20 for a dog license.
- Microchip: For around $40 to $60, you can have your dog microchipped at your local vet clinic. A microchip is a small and harmless device implanted into your dog. This helps with your dog’s identification process in case it gets lost.
- Miscellaneous Supplies: There are other knick-knacks you need to buy for your Akita. This includes carpet cleaners, poop bags, poop scoopers, potty inducers, and a lot more. These supplies will run you between $15 and $30.
Here’s a checklist of all your initial expenses for your Akita puppy:
Type of ExpenseCostFood and Treats$100 – $120Food and Water Bowls$15 – $35Bed$50 – $200Crate$60 – $500Leashes and Collars$15 – $50Toys$30 – $50Grooming Essentials$40 – $180Deworming, Flea, and Tick Medications$50 – $200Initial Vet Visits$100 – $300Initial Vaccine Shots$75 – $200Neutering or Spaying$50 – $500Dog License$10 – $20Microchip$40 – $60Miscellaneous Supplies$15 – $30Total Initial Cost$650 – $2,445
As you can see, there are lots of things to pay for for your Akita puppy. From our estimate, you’ll need around $650 to $2,445 for this pup’s needs.
If you already have some of these items, you’re in luck because you’ll be able to save some cash. However, if you are a first-time pet owner, chances are, you’ll need to buy these things.
One way to save money is by looking for breeders that give out freebies. Some breeders bundle their Akita puppies with free sacks of dog food, toys, or other accessories.
Annual Cost of Owning an Akita
One of the most important parts of budgeting for an Akita is knowing if you can afford the yearly expenses. This recurring expense goes to dog food, grooming services, pet insurance, yearly vaccines, and the like.
Here’s a brief summary of the average yearly and monthly expenses for an Akita:
Type of ExpenseYearly Estimate Food and Treats$900 – $1,200Toys$30 – $150Bed and Crate$240 – $500Leashes and Collars$30 – $50Grooming$200 – $500Deworming, Flea and Tick Medications$150 – $250Routine Veterinary Care$200 – $400Pet Insurance$800 – $1,500Vaccinations$80 – $250Miscellaneous Supplies$30 – $50Yearly Total$2,660 – $4,850Average Monthly Cost$222 – $404
As you can see, the yearly expenses of owning an Akita are not so bad. In fact, its recurring expenses are on par with other large breed dogs.
That said, the Akita might need more frequent trips to the groomer than other dogs. Unless you know how to groom your Akita at home, you’ll surely go overboard with our grooming expense estimate of $200 to $500.
Your Akita will also need regular check-ups. A routine veterinary check-up at least once every eight weeks will cost you $200 to $400 annually.
While it might be tempting to skip out on this, regular check-ups will keep your dog in tip-top condition!
Aside from check-ups, pet insurance is another expense you might get tempted to skip. However, it is not recommended to do so. A pet insurance fee of $800 to $1,500 is far cheaper than medical emergency fees.
Keep in mind that the prices listed here will vary depending on your location. Moreover, you should also know that the life expectancy of the Akita is around 10 to 13 years. This means your dog will need your financial support for this long.
Other Potential Expenses
Up until this point, we’ve only discussed the expense of the basic needs of the Akita Inu. However, there are other costs you should also expect. Depending on your needs or wants, you may or may not need to spend on these.
Here’s a list of other potential expenses for an Akita Inu:
- Pet Daycare: If you’re constantly on business trips or you just need a vacation, you may leave your Akita Inu at a pet daycare. These facilities are pretty common nowadays. They have expert pet handlers that will take care of your pet. This will run you around $20 to $30 per day.
- Kennel Club Registration: For $80 to $200, you can have your Akita Inu registered with the American Kennel Club. This makes your pet eligible to join AKC-hosted dog shows and competitions. This will also ensure that your pup’s lineage is well-documented.
- Emergency Medical Treatments: We can’t deny the fact that medical emergencies are sometimes unavoidable. Of course, these emergencies usually entail a high cost. In fact, the usual cost of emergency treatment for an Akita Inu is between $1,000 and $5,000.
- Grooming Services: Taking your Akita Inu to the groomers once in a while is a good way for it to stay nice and clean. This is especially true for the rare long-haired Akitas, as this ensures that they get a thorough wash every now and then. Grooming services for an Akita will run you anywhere from $30 to $80.
All of these potential expenses are optional, except for emergency medical treatment. That said, it is recommended to put up an emergency fund for your Akita. You can do this by saving up little by little regularly.
Places to Find Akita Puppies for Sale and Adoption
After learning about how much it costs to own an Akita, it is now time to look at places to find one.
Luckily, Akitas are pretty easy to find nowadays. There are lots of reputable breeders and rescues where you can find this charming pooch.
Here’s a list of some reputable breeders where you can find an Akita Inu puppy for sale:
- Arctic Akitas – Arctic Akitas is a breeder based in Alaska. They are a home-based kennel with over four acres of land property. Puppies from this Akita breeder get to enjoy their spacious abode from the moment they are born. Needless to say, they have some of the healthiest Akitas out there.
- Tablerock Akitas – If you live near South Oregon, Tablerock Akitas is the breeder to check out. This family-owned kennel swears by the HEART (Health, Education, Accountability, Responsibility, Tradition) breeding program. This simply means their dogs are healthy and bred ethically.
- American Kennel Club (AKC) Marketplace – The AKC Marketplace is one of the best places to find Akita Inu breeders. The breeders listed on this site are well-trusted by AKC themselves and recognized for their excellence. Make sure to browse AKC Marketplace from time to time.
If you need more options, you can always check out our guide on the top places to find Akita puppies for sale. You’ll surely find it helpful.
If you fancy adoption over buying an Akita, here are a few rescues to check out:
- Midwest Akita Rescue Society (MARS) – MARS is a non-profit organization that aims to rescue and rehome unwanted Akitas and Akita mixes. This rescue serves the areas of Iowa, Michigan, Missouri, Ohio, Wisconsin, Kansan, and Kentucky. Give them a call if you are within their service areas.
- TikiHut Akita Rescue Association – Backed by hundreds of volunteers, this rescue is one of the best places to find healthy Akitas for adoption. They are the go-to place of aspiring Akita owners living near Northern California and the San Francisco Bay Area.
- Big East Akita Rescue (BEAR) – BEAR is a hands-on Akita rescue that services New York, New Jersey, and Pennsylvania. They prioritize fostering abused and abandoned Akitas from these states. Reach out to them to see if they have available Akitas for adoption.
Alternatively, you can also reach out to other Akita owners through social media groups.
Surely, there are many people who will be willing to help you out in your search. Try it out and you’ll be surprised to see how helpful online groups are!
Money-Saving Tips for Akita Owners
Owning an Akita is a financial commitment. Sure, this adorable Japanese guardian dog is worth every penny, but that doesn’t mean there’s no room for savings. There are always a few things you can do to be more cost-effective.
That being said, here are some money-saving tips for Akita Inu owners:
- Invest in high-quality essentials. Buying high-quality items for your Akita is one of the best ways to save money. Keep in mind that your Akita puppy will be with you for 10 to 12 years. This means its things should last just as long. Cheaping out on essentials will only cost you more in the long run.
- Make homemade dog food. Akitas can be picky eaters sometimes. While it may be tempting to give them tasty wet food every meal, it is not the most budget-friendly. Instead, you should cook homemade dog food for your pooch. Some white meat and vegetables will do best!
- Visit the vet regularly. Prevention is always better than cure. That said, always take your Akita puppy to the vet for regular check-ups. Doing so will help you spot common health issues early on. This will save you from potential emergency medical fees later on.
- Groom your dog at home. Going to the groomers is a good idea from time to time. However, if you want to save money, you can teach yourself how to groom your Akita instead. Luckily, there are tons of video tutorials on the internet.
Now that you know these four valuable tips, you are now on your way to saving some money. Just keep in mind that there are other ways you can be a cost-effective Akita Inu owner. However, that’s up for you to discover.
Final Thoughts
The Akita Inu is a pretty expensive dog upfront. This is a dog that will easily cost you thousands of dollars. However, the monthly expenses of owning this pooch are not too bad. In fact, their overall cost to own is pretty average.
If you want to own an Akita Inu, the best-case scenario is to find a healthy one from your local rescue or shelter.
Doing so will save you thousands of dollars from the upfront costs, all while giving you the satisfaction of owning this adorable pup. That said, this wraps up our guide on Akita price!
My name is John Carter and I absolutely love pets, especially cats and dogs. I’ve got a Bachelor of Science degree in Animal Behaviour and Welfare and have several years’ experience working in animal shelters and rescues. My passion for animals started at a very young age as I grow up on a farm with several horses, cows, cats, chickens, and dogs on our property.
