The breed’s thick double coat can be any color including white, brindle or pinto. An Akita trademark is the plush tail that curls over his back. Large, powerful, alert, with much substance and heavy bone. The broad head, forming a blunt triangle, with deep muzzle, small eyes and erect ears carried forward in line with back of neck, is characteristic of the breed.

The Akita Inu is handsome, calm, dignified, clean (easy to housebreak), and quiet (seldom barks), so it's understandable that he might be viewed as a desirable pet. However . . . the Akita Inu has a dominant, complex personality that makes him very challenging to raise.

The Akita was never bred to live or work in groups like many hound and sporting breeds. Caution must be used in situations when Akitas are likely to be around other dogs, especially unfamiliar ones. In particular, Akitas tend to be less tolerant of dogs of the same sex. Akitas, unless highly socialized, are not generally well-suited for off-leash dog parks.The Akita is docile, intelligent, courageous and fearless, careful and very affectionate with its family. It needs a firm, confident, consistent pack leader.

Japanese history, both verbal and written, describe the ancestors of the Akita, the Matagi dog （Japanese:マタギ犬）（hunting dog, Bear hunting dog, Deer hunting dog, as one of the oldest of the native dogs. Japanese style Akitas tend to be lighter and more finely featured with a fox-like head. Japanese style Akitas are only permitted to be red, fawn, sesame, white, or brindle.

The Japanese style Akita and American style Akita began to diverge in type through the middle and later part of the 20th century. American style Akita fanciers bred larger, heavier-boned dogs. The American Akita tends to have a boxier look and a larger, more square head. American style Akitas are acceptable in all colors and may be pinto and/or have black masks.