Labrakita, Everything About the Akita Labrador Mix

A Labrador greets a stranger at the door like a long-lost cousin. An Akita looks at the same stranger, decides whether they’re allowed in, and keeps watching. A Labrakita can land anywhere between those two dogs, and that’s the most important thing I can tell you about it.

The Labrakita is a cross between an Akita and a Labrador Retriever. Most are large, sturdy dogs of about 55 to 130 lbs with a thick double coat and a loyal, protective personality. I’d only recommend one to experienced owners who will socialize and train from day one, because the Akita side brings real guarding instincts and a wariness of other dogs.

What is a Labrakita?

A Labrakita is a first-generation mix of the Akita and the Labrador Retriever. It’s a designer mix, not a recognized breed, and it’s still fairly rare.

Most Labrakitas are big-boned dogs with a broad head and a thick neck. The tail may curl over the back like an Akita’s or hang straight like a Lab’s otter tail. Ears can be the Lab’s folded drop ears, the Akita’s small upright triangles, or something in between. Many have lighter markings on the muzzle and chest.

Here are the quick facts:

These ranges are my estimates, based on the AKC figures for both parents. With a big size gap between the parents, littermates can end up very different.

Where the Labrakita comes from

The Labrakita has no documented history of its own. It probably came from accidental litters first, then from breeders during the designer-dog trend. The parents, though, both have long stories.

The Labrador side

The Labrador’s history starts in Newfoundland, where its ancestors helped fishermen retrieve nets and fish. British breeders turned it into a gun dog, and the AKC recognized it in 1917.

Labs are famously affectionate with their families and easy to live with.

I’m convinced that’s a big part of why they became America’s most popular dogs for decades.

The Akita side

The Akita comes from the mountains of northern Japan, in the Akita region of Honshu. It was bred to hunt big game such as boar, deer and bear, and to guard property. The breed was later declared a national monument in Japan.

Most people know the Akita through Hachikō, the dog who waited at Shibuya Station for his owner every day for nearly 10 years after the man died. According to the AKC Akita profile, Helen Keller brought the first Akita to the United States in 1937, and American servicemen brought more home after World War II. Today the American Akita and the Japanese Akita Inu are treated as separate breeds in many countries. Most US Labrakitas come from the larger American type.

I’d sum it up this way: one parent wants to please you, the other wants to protect you. A Labrakita often wants both.

Size and appearance

This is a big mix, and it can be very big. Don’t let a 20 lb puppy fool you. Here’s how the parents compare, using AKC figures:

Image credit: raiden_the_labrakita / Instagram

Males are usually larger. As a rough guide, I’d expect these ranges by sex:

Big dogs grow slowly, and most Labrakitas don’t fill out until about 2 years old.

Colors and coat

The Labrakita can inherit the Lab’s three classic colors, black, yellow and chocolate, or one of the Akita’s many shades. Akita colors I’d expect to see:

• Red, fawn or white
• Brindle
• Black, sometimes with a white chest
• Pinto (white with large patches)
• Shades with a black overlay or a black facial mask

The coat is usually a thick, plush double coat. It can be short like a Lab’s or medium-length like an Akita’s, and it often fluffs out more as the puppy grows up.

Grooming and shedding

Prepare for hair. I’m not exaggerating. Akitas “blow” their undercoat once or twice a year, and Labs shed heavily in spring and fall. A Labrakita with the Akita’s plush coat can drop an astonishing amount in a few weeks.

What I’d do:

• Brush two or three times a week with a slicker brush or undercoat rake
• Brush daily during a coat blow
• Bathe every month or two, or when the dog’s dirty
• Trim nails about once a month
• Check ears weekly

Buck’s spring shed fills about two grocery bags of undercoat in one afternoon when I use a rubber curry brush in the bath and a high-velocity dryer after. A Labrakita with a full Akita coat can easily match that. The Labrakita isn’t hypoallergenic, so it’s not a good pick for allergy sufferers.

Labrakita temperament and personality

Image credit: labrakita / Instagram

Most Labrakitas are deeply loyal, affectionate with their family and calm at home. Many are also reserved or wary with strangers, protective of their people, and selective about other dogs. That mix of traits can make a wonderful family guardian, or a handful, depending on training.

This is how the parents compare:

The two rows I’d think hardest about are protectiveness and other dogs. Akitas are known for being intolerant of other dogs, especially dogs of the same sex, and some Labrakitas inherit that. A Lab-leaning Labrakita may love the dog park. An Akita-leaning one may never be safe there.

Most Labrakitas don’t like being alone for long. The Lab side brings a need for company, and a bored, lonely Labrakita may chew, dig or howl. Crate training and slow, gradual alone-time practice from puppyhood help a lot.

Prey drive’s another thing to watch. Akitas were bred to hunt, and Labs love to chase. I’d keep a Labrakita on a leash outside a fenced area.

Training a Labrakita

Image credit: beni_labrakita / Instagram

Labrakitas are smart, there’s no doubt about it. The challenge is the Akita’s independence: Akitas tend to ask “why?” before they do what you ask. From my experience with big retrievers, short sessions and great rewards beat long, repetitive drills every time, and that’s even more true with a headstrong mix.

I’d train in this order:

1. Socialization from 8 weeks: calm adults, gentle kids, vet visits, car rides, new places.
2. Crate training and short periods alone.
3. Loose-leash walking with a front-clip harness, before the puppy gets strong.
4. “Leave it”, “drop it” and trading games, to prevent resource guarding.
5. Calm greetings with visitors, using a “place” mat.
6. Recall on a long line, practiced for months.

Socialization is the part I wouldn’t skimp on. Keep experiences positive and short, and don’t force a nervous puppy to greet anyone. With other dogs, choose calm, friendly adults and keep play supervised.

Use positive reinforcement. Akitas and Akita mixes often respond badly to harsh corrections, which can make guarding behavior worse. If you see growling, snapping or stiff guarding, bring in a certified trainer or veterinary behaviorist early, before habits set in.

Exercise needs

I’d plan on 60 to 90 minutes of exercise a day for a healthy adult Labrakita, split into two or three sessions. Good options include brisk walks, hikes, swimming, fetch in a fenced yard and scent games. Busy brains need work too, so add puzzle feeders and short training sessions.

That thick coat makes heat a real risk. On warm days, exercise in the morning or evening and carry water. Cold, on the other hand, rarely bothers them. A Labrakita would be happy on our wet Oregon trails in January.

Without enough exercise, Labrakitas can gain weight, get bored and turn destructive. Buck, at 10 months old, chewed through a heavy-duty nylon leash and half a wooden patio chair leg in under 20 minutes when he was left alone in the yard. I’d assume a bored Labrakita can do worse.

Labrakita health and lifespan

Image credit: milo_the_labrakita / Instagram

Most Labrakitas live about 10 to 13 years. The AKC lists 11 to 13 years for the Lab and 10 to 14 for the Akita. My guide to how long Labradors live covers the Lab side in detail.

These are the conditions I’d watch for:

A few notes. Progressive retinal atrophy slowly destroys the retina and can end in blindness, and both parents can carry it. Akitas are also prone to autoimmune problems, including thyroid disease and some skin and eye conditions.

Two rarer problems are worth a question to any breeder. Hereditary deafness shows up in some large breeds, and epilepsy can run in Akita lines. Neither is common, but a good breeder won’t mind you asking, and they’ll tell you what they’ve seen in their dogs.

Bloat needs its own warning. Deep-chested large dogs are at higher risk, and a swollen belly with unproductive retching means go to an emergency vet now. Feed two or three smaller meals a day and avoid hard exercise for about an hour after eating.

I’m not a vet. Ask any breeder for OFA or PennHIP hip and elbow results, an eye exam, a thyroid test on the Akita parent and a PRA DNA test.

Feeding a Labrakita

A large-breed puppy formula is the right start. It controls calcium and calories so the puppy grows steadily, which protects developing joints. For adults, I’d choose a complete food with a named meat protein first, and adjust portions by body condition.

Things I’d keep in mind:

• Split food into two or three meals to lower bloat risk
• Use a slow feeder for fast eaters
• Count treats, especially during training
• Keep the ribs easy to feel

Many Labs carry a gene variant linked to bigger appetites, and Lab mixes can inherit it. Buck started gaining weight around age six on the same portions. A higher-protein, lower-calorie food split into three small meals got him back to 78 lbs in about four months.

For joints and coat, many owners ask their vet about glucosamine, chondroitin or fish oil for dogs. Buck’s daily joint supplement helped his stiff elbow within about three weeks, but your vet should decide what’s right for your dog.

Living with a Labrakita

Image credit: milo_the_labrakita / Instagram

A Labrakita does best in a house with a large, securely fenced yard. It isn’t a city-apartment dog. Apartment life is hard for a dog this big and watchful, especially with neighbors and other dogs in shared hallways.

With children, most Labrakitas are loving and gentle with their own family’s kids. I’d still supervise every interaction, teach kids to respect the dog’s space, and be careful when visiting children play rough, because a protective dog may misread the game. Households with older kids are usually the easiest fit.

With other pets, early socialization helps a lot, but some Labrakitas never accept small animals or same-sex dogs. Introduce slowly and watch body language.

Is a Labrakita right for you?

Based on my research, the Labrakitas that do best live with calm, experienced owners who treat training as a lifelong habit. Here’s my honest checklist.

A Labrakita is a good fit if:

• You’ve owned large or strong-willed dogs before, ideally a guardian breed
• A loyal dog that’s wary of strangers suits you
• Your yard is big and securely fenced
• Training and socialization are things you’ll keep up for years

Skip it if:

• You’d like a dog-park dog
• Visitors, playdates and parties fill your house every week
• You live in a small apartment
• Heavy shedding would drive you mad

Adopting or buying a Labrakita

Image credit: scoutthelabrakita / Instagram

I’d start with Akita and Lab rescues. Many Labrakitas end up there when owners underestimate the size or the guarding instinct, and an adult dog’s temperament is already clear. It’s the same advice I give for every mix on LabraJoy: look at adoption first.

Breeder puppies have often cost around $500 to $1,000, though prices vary. If you buy, look for a breeder who:

• Shows hip and elbow results for both parents
• Has eye and thyroid testing on the Akita
• Lets you meet both parents, or at least the mother, and see their temperament
• Raises puppies in the home with early socialization
• Takes dogs back at any age

A breeder who can’t show you a calm, friendly Akita parent is a red flag for me.

FAQ

My final word

A Labrakita is a serious dog with a soft heart for its own people. In the right home, with an owner who socializes early and stays consistent, it’s a loyal, calm companion that would follow you anywhere. Just keep a good brush and a lint roller by the door.