Chow Chow vs Akita

Not ones for being overly affectionate, these aren’t your average people-pleasing, one-of-the-pack dogs. Chows are generally quiet and naturally well-behaved, though they can bet stubborn at times.

Chow Chows are super clean, easy to potty train and won’t fill your place up with a strong dog smell—traits admired by everyone. Not only that, they’re low maintenance when it comes to exercise, which balances out their need for grooming. Also, these pups are ready to protect your space.

Because of their protective nature, Chow Chows can take time to warm up to strangers. (They are often considered the cats of the dog world.) While their personality is not inherently aggressive, their protective, reserved natures and natural scowling expressions can sometimes be mistaken for signs of aggression. Things will go a lot smoother when introducing your pet to new people if you signal everything’s OK by making the first move and initiating the greetings, letting your dog follow your lead. If you start socializing and training your Chow Chow puppy early, they can make great family dogs and can even get along with other dogs in the home. That said, if you have cats, it’s best to find a dog more accepting of felines than the Chow Chow.

Wondering if Chows are a good fit for homes with kids and babies? This independent breed usually does best with older family members who understand that Chow Chows typically don’t enjoy being held or cuddled.

Quiet and dignified, Akitas are loyal dogs who love spending time with their families. They’re intelligent and fairly energetic, so they’d enjoy both mental and physical activities like going on long walks together or solving doggy puzzles.

Social butterflies they are not. Akitas often feel cautious around strangers. Because of their more aloof personality, they’ll benefit from extra socialization and training while growing up. Still, it’s best to supervise them closely around other pets or young children, especially once your pup is fully grown. Thanks to their protective instincts, they may misinterpret play as an attack and try to intervene, thinking they’re being helpful. They may actually do best as the only pet in a home without small children or babies around.

Speaking of being protective, the Akita is known for their guarding ability—it’s one of the jobs they were bred to do. And their strong bite force is one of the tools they have to protect their family. While not every Akita may ace guard dog school, they all naturally be protective of you and your home and will monitor what’s going on while they’re spending time with you. A good pup parent will provide proper training and socialization to ensure their dog knows the difference between a foe and friend, and will recognize the need to keep their pup out of situations where they might mistakenly feel the need to be aggressive.