How Much Do Akitas Cost? [Owners Complete Finance Guide]

If you have looked into information on Akitas and feel one would be a good fit for your family, you are likely looking into what to expect for financial investment. Not just upfront, but going forward. What will follow are all the costs you will need to consider.

So, how much do Akita dogs cost? Akita dogs typically cost between $1,500 and $3,000, with prices being higher for show-quality dogs. Other upfront costs usually reach around $500 after first vet visits and basic supply purchases. After the initial costs, you can expect ongoing monthly costs of $100-$150 dollars with occasional increases due to grooming appointments or unexpected vet visits.

Akita dogs are beautiful, big, and loyal family dogs.

An intelligent and composed dog, there is a reason that they rank high in pet dog popularity.

Besides, you’re likely already aware of this – it may even be why you are here and looking to get one.

But financing the purchase of any dog and its ultimate care is certainly daunting.

So, I decided to pull together this finance guide which looks at all the expected costs – not just of the puppy but of other things you will likely need to pay for.

This will help you to plan, and save, accordingly.

At least I hope.

Nevertheless and without further ado, let’s get started.

How Much Does It Cost To Buy A Akita Puppy?

The average cost of an Akita puppy in the United States is currently around $1,500. This does not mean you cannot purchase a puppy for less than this or that you won’t be asked to pay more. 

When setting a price for their puppies, Akita breeders must consider the cost of raising and caring for the puppy from birth until it is old enough to go home with its new owner. 

This is why you typically have a range.

And it is also why more expensive dogs are not always better.

That being said, overly cheap Akita puppies are usually a red flag.

Either way, you need to do your research any due diligence into any breeder and try to get an understanding of how and why they have come to the price in which they have.

For instance, you can understand why a puppy may be more expensive if the litter was small, the breeder is highly respected and there is a lot of demand at the time of purchase.

And the thing is – a dog’s breed and birthing cost is not the only thing that determines its purchase price.

Several factors play into the overall purchase price for a puppy, as we will soon look at in the next section. 

But before then, do head over to the AKC Akita puppy finder page.

This will help to give you a better understanding of what is available and give you contact information where you can enquire about prices at the time of your search.

Besides, it does differ depending on when you look and what’s available.

And being listed on the American Kernal Clubs website at least guarantees you that these are reputable breeders.

They wouldn’t be listed otherwise.

Perhaps this is even the place to begin your search for your potential dog!

What Factors Impact The Cost of An Akita Dog?

Several factors impact the cost of a Akita puppy. These factors include costs experienced by the breeder, the breeder’s reputation and breeding history, the genetic quality of the parents and puppy, and where you live.

Costs Experienced By The Breeder

As mentioned before, breeders need to make sure they are selling their puppies for a price that allows them to make a profit and be able to continue breeding dogs.

A reputable breeder keeps careful veterinary and expense records. They know how much dollar value they have put into each puppy they plan to sell. 

If a breeder pays for extensive genetic testing, specialty puppy foods, and other medical procedures before you take your puppy home, you can expect to pay more for your puppy.

A Breeder’s History and Reputation

Related to a breeder’s puppy raising costs is the breeder’s reputation. 

A breeder who has been in business a long time has had many successful sales and placements or who has a history of producing show-quality dogs will charge more for their puppies.

Even though the cost of a puppy from a reputable breeder is likely to be somewhat higher than the average Akita Dog costs, it is often worth the extra money to know your pet comes from a quality and experienced puppy-raising home.

A reputable breeder should be able to provide references that can demonstrate the quality of their dogs in both health and temperament.

They should also have health papers for not just the puppies they are selling but also the parents.

Be wary if a breeder has their puppies priced far over the national average but cannot show proof of a dog’s lineage, a history of producing show-quality dogs, or references for their work.

If an asking price seems unreasonable, don’t hesitate to ask questions to clarify your puppy’s pricing.

Genetic Quality of the Parent Dogs and Puppies

Many breeders pride themselves on knowing and following the lineage and genetic line of their Akitas. 

These breeders are often working carefully to breed dogs that match very closely to the national breed standard for Akita dogs.

They also may be more selective about breeding for specific temperaments and personality traits.

While all breeders should guarantee basic veterinary care for their newborn puppies, some breeders take time to have their puppies receive more specialized genetic testing than others. 

A breeder who has taken time to test and guarantee that their puppies are not carrying specific genetic weaknesses often charge more for their puppies.

Location, Location, Location

As unfair as it may seem, location certainly plays a part in the cost of your puppy.

If your Akita breeder is the only one for many miles, you can expect an increase in price as the demand for their puppies may be higher.

If you live in an area with a high cost of living, then veterinary care and food costs are likely higher for your breeder than those in less expensive areas.

This means you can also expect an increase in the price of your puppy.

As you can see, several factors play into the cost of your puppy.

When selecting a puppy, it is okay to shop around and speak with several breeders within your comfortable purchasing distance. 

Taking time to choose a breeder who can show full health papers, provide references of their past breeding success, and who loves Akita dogs is often worth any added purchase expense.

Other Upfront Cost Of Akita Dog Ownership

The upfront costs of Akita dog ownership include preliminary vet care, new puppy shots, and pet supplies. You can expect the upfront cost after purchase of an Akita puppy to be around $500, depending mostly on where you live.

Supplies

You should expect to spend around $200 – $250 on the basic equipment needed to care for your puppy.

This includes at least $50 for a properly sized crate and then the expense of food and water bowls, a collar, leash, and the first bag of puppy food.

Your puppy will need food specially formulated for puppies for the first year of life and then can transition to regular adult dog food.

Puppy food is often slightly ($2-$3 per bag) more expensive than adult dog food.

You will also want to purchase plenty of strong chew toys for your puppy. Anyone who has ever had a puppy knows that they chew – a lot!

Durable toys often have a higher price tag than their lower quality counterparts but are worth the cost in their ability to last through sharp-toothed puppy play.

Another important piece of startup items is a name tag for your dog’s collar. These can usually be purchased and engraved in a pet store for $10-15, depending on the design.

The tag should include your dog’s name and your contact information to help get your puppy home in the off chance he gets lost.

Initial Vet Visit and Puppy Shots

Another $200 – $250 will be spent on your puppy’s first visit to the vet. This should occur as close to when you bring your puppy home as possible. 

Getting your puppy into the vet right away gives you peace of mind that you have brought home a healthy puppy.

It allows your puppy to start becoming used to visiting the vet and gets them started on necessary shots to maintain their health.

By now, your head might be spinning in number crunching and figures. It can be overwhelming at first which is why purchasing a puppy is a decision to make carefully.

That being said, all pets come with cost, and most owners would quickly tell you they are worth it.

Especially when those brown Akita Dog eyes tug right on the heart.

How Much Do Akitas Cost Per Month?

After the initial purchase and upfront costs of obtaining a puppy are met, an owner can expect to spend $100 – $150 a month on keeping their dog healthy and happy. 

This does not include coverage for emergency expenses.

To help with unexpected expenses, it is wise to set aside $25-$50 a month into savings designated specifically for the care of your dog.

Regular recurring costs throughout an Akita’s life include food, vet care, grooming, and training. 

Food

Food is one cost you will experience on a routine basis. The type of food you choose to feed your Akita will affect the overall price.

Talk with your veterinarian about the best food option for your dog, and then expect to pay at least $50 a month for food.

Akitas eat a lot!

How often you need to purchase food will depend on the amount of food you buy and store at one time.

Grooming

Many people think only certain breeds such as Poodles need regular grooming.

An Akita has a thick coat and tons of hair.

Even if you do most of the grooming on your own, a trip to a professional groomer a few times a year is a great idea. 

Depending on the frequency of visits the grooming cost of an Akita will not likely be a monthly demand.

However, splitting the cost up so that you put a little each month towards the expense of grooming can lessen the blow come puppy spa day. 

Grooming a large dog such as an Akita can easily cost between $100-$150 each visit.

Vet Visits

Vet visit frequency depends on your dog’s overall health and the care it receives at home.

The cost of veterinary care also fluctuates based on where you live and the level of experience and specialization your chosen veterinarian has.

Similar to grooming, setting money aside each month towards both routine visits – and especially towards emergency visits guarantees you’ll have enough money to keep your pet at its healthiest throughout its life.

Training

One other often overlooked expense is training. Training is a vital part of dog ownership, and Akita dogs are no exception.

While they are friendly family dogs, Akitas are large, rambunctious and stubborn! 

A large dog that jumps on guests or drags its owner around on a leash can quickly go from fun friend to needy nuisance.

Setting aside money for training through the dog’s first year or two of life is a smart monthly investment.

You should plan on training classes costing $100-$200 over the first years of life.

Cost Of An Akita Puppy vs Other Breeds

Dog Breed	Approximate Cost as Puppy (USD)
Beagle	$400 – $1,200
Dachshund	$400 – $1,500
Golden Retriever	$500 – $3,000
Shih Tzu	$500 – $1,500
Siberian Husky	$600 – $1,500
Boxer	$700 – $2,000
Labrador Retriever	$800 – $2,000
Rottweiler	$1,000 – $3,000
English Bulldog	$1,500 – $4,000
Akita	$1,500- $3,000

Please keep in mind that these are average figures, and actual prices can vary widely based on factors like lineage, location, and demand.

Always do thorough research and consider all costs associated with dog ownership beyond just the purchase price.

Finally

Lastly, one other thing you need to consider with any breed is lifespan.

Besides, longer living dogs cost more over the course of their lives.

This breed typically reaches between 10-12 years on average.

So it does mean you need to factor in the monthly costs for this kind of lifespan.

It can actually make them a little cheaper over the course of their lives than dogs that reach the 15-year mark, for instance.

Perhaps not in the forefront of your mind, but certainly something to consider here.

And now that you know the costs of purchasing and keeping an Akita, you may be feeling intimidated.

It’s a lot of money, at least when viewed all together.

The good news is that with knowledge on your side, you can start the planning process for owning this particular dog and what it will take.

Ther hopefully will be no more shocks down the line.

And the thing is, saving up before purchasing your puppy will help make the process of selecting and bringing home your dog smooth and enjoyable. 

Owning an Akita is certainly an investment of money, time, and energy but it will be very well worth it with a return of love, companionship, and plenty of fluffy cuddles. 

But do ensure you know what you are getting yourself into. They are very large stubborn dogs by nature, after all.