Akita Bernard
Hybrid Breed Description
The Akita Bernard is a cross between the Akita and the Saint Bernard. Because each hybrid inherits a unique combination of traits from both parents, we recommend thoroughly researching both breeds before choosing an Akita Bernard. Pay special attention to temperament, health issues, and care requirements, as your dog may express characteristics from either parent breed.
Akita
The Akita presents as a substantial and powerful canine with remarkable physical presence. Males typically stand between twenty-six and twenty-eight inches at the shoulder and weigh approximately one hundred to one hundred thirty pounds, while females measure twenty-four to twenty-six inches and weigh seventy to one hundred pounds. This large-boned breed exhibits a well-balanced appearance, being only slightly longer than tall. The broad chest and muscular neck provide a sturdy foundation for the breed's most distinctive feature: a large, bear-like head with a broad skull and short muzzle that forms a blunt triangle when viewed from above. Small, triangular ears stand erect, and small, deep-set, triangular eyes contribute to the breed's dignified and alert expression. The Akita's thick double coat serves as excellent protection against harsh weather conditions. The dense, soft undercoat lies beneath a slightly longer and coarser outer coat, creating a plush appearance that thins considerably during warmer months. The breed displays a full, curved tail that arches gracefully over the back or curls against the flank. Coat colors vary widely and include white, brindle, pinto, black, red, and fawn, with rich and brilliant coloration being characteristic. American Akitas commonly feature a black mask across the face, while white specimens lack this marking. Physical development in Akitas occurs gradually, with most individuals not reaching full maturity until age two or three. The breed's cat-like feet feature hard pads with well-knuckled toes, and some individuals display slightly webbed toes that assist with snow navigation. These structural adaptations reflect the breed's heritage as a working dog in mountainous, snow-covered terrain. Despite their imposing size and powerful build, Akitas move with surprising grace and agility, demonstrating both strength and elegance in their bearing.
Key Characteristics
Akitas embody unwavering loyalty and profound devotion to their family members, often following their owners from room to room and maintaining close proximity throughout the day. This intense bonding creates exceptionally protective behaviors, making them naturally suspicious and aloof toward strangers. The breed demonstrates remarkable courage and fearlessness, traits developed through centuries of breeding for hunting large game and guarding duties. However, this same boldness requires careful management, as Akitas possess strong territorial instincts and will defend their home and family without hesitation. Early socialization proves essential for developing appropriate responses to unfamiliar people and situations. The Akita temperament includes notable independence and intelligence, characteristics that can manifest as stubbornness during training. These dogs think before reacting and often prefer making their own decisions rather than blindly following commands. This independent nature, combined with a dignified bearing, means Akitas require owners who can establish firm, consistent leadership without harsh methods. The breed typically bonds most strongly with one person while remaining loyal to the entire family. Akitas generally prefer being the only pet in the household, as they were historically bred to work alone or in pairs rather than in packs. Same-sex aggression can be particularly pronounced, and careful introduction is necessary when multiple dogs share a home. Despite their serious demeanor, Akitas display playful and affectionate sides with their trusted family members. They exhibit remarkable sensitivity to their owner's emotional states and can become depressed if ignored or treated improperly. The breed maintains relatively quiet behavior, barking only when genuinely necessary, which makes their alerts particularly meaningful. Akitas demonstrate patience with familiar children and can be gentle companions when properly socialized from puppyhood. However, their large size and protective nature require supervision during interactions with young children and continuous training to ensure appropriate behavior in all situations.
Akitas face several significant health challenges that prospective owners should understand. Hip dysplasia ranks among the most common concerns, occurring when the hip joint develops abnormally and causes instability, pain, and eventual arthritis. This genetic condition can affect dogs from young ages, though symptoms often become more pronounced as the animal matures. Elbow dysplasia similarly affects joint development and function. Responsible breeders screen parent dogs through Orthopedic Foundation for Animals or PennHIP evaluations to minimize these risks in offspring. Autoimmune disorders appear with notable frequency in Akitas, affecting various body systems. Hypothyroidism occurs when the thyroid gland produces insufficient hormones, leading to weight gain, lethargy, coat problems, and behavioral changes. This condition affects over fifty percent of Akitas as either carriers or affected individuals. Sebaceous adenitis causes inflammation of the sebaceous glands, resulting in dry, scaly skin and progressive hair loss along the back, head, and neck. Uveodermatologic syndrome represents a serious autoimmune condition affecting both eyes and skin, potentially causing blindness if untreated. Progressive retinal atrophy leads to gradual vision loss and eventual blindness, typically appearing in middle-aged to senior dogs. Pemphigus foliaceous and other immune-mediated skin disorders can also develop. Gastric dilatation-volvulus, commonly called bloat, poses a life-threatening emergency particularly dangerous for large, deep-chested breeds like the Akita. The stomach fills with gas and twists, cutting off blood flow to vital organs and requiring immediate veterinary intervention. Additional concerns include Von Willebrand's disease, a bleeding disorder that impairs blood clotting; various cancers including lymphoma and osteosarcoma; and myasthenia gravis, which causes muscle weakness. Akitas also show sensitivity to certain medications, particularly sedatives and anesthetics, requiring veterinarians to exercise special caution during medical procedures. With proper health screening, preventive care, and prompt attention to emerging issues, Akitas typically live ten to thirteen years. Regular veterinary examinations, maintaining appropriate weight, and genetic testing help maximize both lifespan and quality of life.
Saint Bernard
The Saint Bernard stands among the largest and most massive dog breeds, commanding attention through sheer physical presence. Males typically measure twenty-eight to thirty inches at the shoulder and weigh between one hundred forty and one hundred eighty pounds, while females stand twenty-six to twenty-eight inches and weigh one hundred twenty to one hundred forty pounds. The breed presents a powerful, muscular build featuring a broad, deep chest, strong shoulders, and substantial bone structure throughout. The massive head represents the breed's most striking characteristic, featuring a broad skull, square muzzle, and pronounced stop between forehead and nose. Dark, deep-set eyes often appear slightly droopy, contributing to the breed's gentle expression, while some individuals display darker coloring around the eyes resembling a mask. Saint Bernards appear in two coat varieties: smooth and rough, both featuring dense double coats that provide excellent insulation against cold weather. The rough-coated variety displays medium-length fur with feathering on the legs, tail, and ears, while smooth-coated specimens have shorter hair lying close to the body. Both types shed considerably, particularly during seasonal coat changes. Coloration follows consistent patterns with white serving as the base color marked with red, brown, brindle, or orange patches. White typically appears on the chest, feet, tail tip, muzzle, and as a blaze on the face. The breed's floppy ears hang close to the head, framing the face, while loose jowls and facial skin create the characteristic drooping appearance that leads to substantial drooling. Physical development proceeds slowly in Saint Bernards, with most individuals not reaching full maturity until age two or three. The breed's substantial size requires careful management during growth to prevent developmental orthopedic problems. Large, round feet with well-arched toes support the considerable weight, while the long, bushy tail hangs low in a gentle curve. Despite their imposing size and weight, Saint Bernards move with surprising grace and deliberation. Their physical presence alone serves as a deterrent to potential threats, even though the breed typically lacks aggressive tendencies. The overall impression combines massive strength with gentle dignity, creating one of the most recognizable and beloved giant breed profiles.
Key Characteristics
Saint Bernards exemplify the gentle giant archetype, displaying calm, patient, and remarkably sweet dispositions despite their imposing size. The breed demonstrates exceptional patience and kindness with children, tolerating considerable activity and commotion without becoming irritated or defensive. Their steady, benevolent temperament makes them naturally careful around small family members, often instinctively moderating their size and strength during interactions. Saint Bernards form deep bonds with their families and thrive on companionship, preferring to remain close to their people throughout the day. This devotion creates dogs that genuinely suffer when left alone for extended periods, potentially developing separation anxiety and destructive behaviors without adequate social interaction. The breed displays remarkable intelligence combined with an eager-to-please attitude that facilitates training, though their substantial size makes early obedience work absolutely essential. Saint Bernards respond best to positive reinforcement methods and can become stubborn or sensitive when handled harshly. They mature slowly both physically and mentally, often retaining puppyish exuberance well into their second or third year despite their massive size. This extended puppyhood means owners must manage an extremely large dog that still thinks and acts like a puppy, requiring patience and consistent training. While not naturally protective in an aggressive sense, their imposing appearance and deep bark serve as effective deterrents, and they will defend family members if genuinely threatened. Saint Bernards generally display friendly attitudes toward strangers, other dogs, and household pets, making them poor guard dogs but excellent family companions. They tend toward relatively low activity levels for their size, content with moderate daily walks and playtime rather than demanding intensive exercise. However, they do require purposeful movement to maintain healthy weight and joint function. The breed adapts well to calm, stable households and mirrors the energy levels of their environment. Saints prefer cooler temperatures due to their heavy coats and can suffer in hot weather, requiring access to air conditioning or cool resting areas during summer months. Their easygoing nature, combined with moderate exercise needs and intense family devotion, creates ideal companions for owners who can accommodate their size, accept their relatively short lifespan, and provide the companionship these gentle giants require.
Saint Bernards face significant health challenges that prospective owners must understand and prepare to manage. Hip dysplasia and elbow dysplasia occur with alarming frequency in the breed, causing joint instability, pain, and progressive arthritis that often limits mobility in later years. The breed's rapid growth and extreme size place tremendous stress on developing joints, making proper nutrition during puppyhood absolutely critical. Responsible breeders screen breeding stock through Orthopedic Foundation for Animals or PennHIP evaluations, though even careful breeding cannot eliminate these conditions entirely. Maintaining lean body condition throughout life helps minimize joint stress and slow arthritis progression. Gastric dilatation-volvulus represents one of the most serious and life-threatening conditions affecting Saint Bernards. The breed shows extremely high predisposition to bloat, where the stomach fills with gas and twists, cutting off blood flow and creating a medical emergency requiring immediate surgical intervention. Even with prompt treatment, mortality rates remain significant. Prevention strategies include feeding multiple small meals daily, avoiding exercise immediately before and after eating, using slow-feed bowls, and considering prophylactic gastropexy surgery. Osteosarcoma, a particularly aggressive bone cancer, appears more frequently in Saint Bernards than most breeds, typically affecting the limbs and carrying a poor prognosis despite aggressive treatment. Dilated cardiomyopathy affects Saint Bernards with concerning frequency, causing the heart muscle to weaken and the chambers to enlarge, eventually leading to congestive heart failure. Regular cardiac screening helps detect this progressive condition early, though treatment options remain limited. Eye problems including entropion, where eyelids roll inward causing corneal damage, and ectropion, where lids droop outward exposing sensitive tissues, commonly require surgical correction. Cherry eye, prolapsed glands, and various other ocular issues also occur. The breed's loose skin creates skin fold dermatitis and other dermatological problems requiring regular cleaning and monitoring. Various neurological conditions, immune disorders, and epilepsy appear with notable frequency. Perhaps most significantly, Saint Bernards suffer from tragically short lifespans averaging only eight to ten years, with many individuals succumbing to cancer or heart disease before reaching double digits. This brief lifespan, combined with the expensive health management often required, represents perhaps the greatest challenge of Saint Bernard ownership.
Important to Remember
Each hybrid dog is unique and may inherit any combination of traits from either parent breed. The information above represents the characteristics of the purebred parent breeds. Your Akita Bernard may favor one parent over the other or display a blend of both. We strongly encourage you to read the complete breed profiles for both the Akita and Saint Bernard to fully understand the range of possible temperaments, health concerns, and care requirements.