Akita vs Norwegian Elkhound

An Akita
Photo: E L from Western-Finland
A Norwegian Elkhound
Photo: Canarian

Side by side

Akita
Norwegian Elkhound
Adult weight
Males 45–59 kg (100–130 lb); females 32–45 kg (70–100 lb) (breed club figure)1
Males 21–25 kg (46–56 lb); females 18–22 kg (40–49 lb) (estimated: ±10% around the Royal Kennel Club's approximate ideal weights of 23 kg for dogs and 20 kg for bitches)
Height
Males 66–71.1 cm; females 61–66 cm (breed club figure)1
No sourced figure
Lifespan
Median 11.4 years2
Median 12.9 years2
Fully grown
13 months, both sexes3
11 months, both sexes3
Group
Spitz & primitive4
Spitz & primitive5
Coat
Double coat4
Coat of medium length5
Shedding
Moults most as the seasons change
Grooming
A brush once a week
Brushing a few times a week
Exercise
A moderate amount
Plenty
Class
Watchdog
Field

Which suits you

Size
The Akita is much larger: about 45 kg (100 lb) as an adult, against 22 kg (47 lb) for the Norwegian Elkhound.
Lifespan
In UK vet records the Norwegian Elkhound lives longer: a median of 12.9 years, against 11.4 for the Akita.
Grooming
The Norwegian Elkhound needs more grooming, brushing a few times a week, where the Akita needs a brush once a week.
Exercise
Plan for plenty of exercise with the Norwegian Elkhound, and a moderate amount with the Akita.
Temperament
They differ most on voice (Akita: quiet; Norwegian Elkhound: very vocal) and on affection (Akita: likes its own space; Norwegian Elkhound: affectionate on its own terms).
Alike
Both are rated the same on independence: decides for itself.
Neither is the better dog in general. Which suits you depends on your home, your days and the care you can give.
Take the breed matcher

What they're like

Akita
Spitz & primitive · Large

In temperament the Akita is dignified, quiet and reserved with strangers, and closely attached to its own household.

Norwegian Elkhound
Spitz & primitive · Medium

Friendly, bold and dependable, the Elkhound is confident with people and independent at work, where it was expected to make its own decisions out of the hunter's sight.

The Akita page →The Norwegian Elkhound page →

Breed traits

Day to day
Akita
Norwegian Elkhound
Activity
Differs
A good daily walk and play
Needs lots of exercise
Intelligence
Learns readily, likes games
Learns readily, likes games
Handler demand
Needs an experienced owner
Needs an experienced owner
With people
Akita
Norwegian Elkhound
Affection
Differs
Likes its own space
Affectionate on its own terms
Loyalty
Differs
Sticks close to its people
Bonded to its family
Independence
Decides for itself
Decides for itself
Around the home
Akita
Norwegian Elkhound
Sensitivity
Hardy, takes a busy home in its stride
Hardy, takes a busy home in its stride
Voice
Differs
Quiet
Very vocal
Prey drive
Likely to chase small pets
Likely to chase small pets
Breed explains only about 9% of how individual dogs differ in behaviour6. Meet the dog. A good breeder breeds for temperament as well as health, and matches each puppy's personality to the right home7,8.

Puppy growth

Reference curves · both sexes
The Akita grows to the heavier adult, about 45 kg against the Norwegian Elkhound's 22 kg. The Norwegian Elkhound's weight is not a published figure.
Akita
Norwegian Elkhound
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More comparisons

Compare the Akita with
Akita vs Shiba InuAkita vs Karelian Bear DogNorwegian Elkhound vs Siberian HuskyKeeshond vs Norwegian ElkhoundNorwegian Elkhound vs Swedish VallhundAkita vs Norwegian BuhundAll breed comparisons →

Sources

Parts of this page were written by AI ·