Multiple dog breeds look the same, but have you ever thought about what makes Akita and Staffordshire Bull Terrier similar? Or which characteristics separate them?
Since I am curious about knowing different dog breeds, I did a quick research. Here’s what I found.
What Does an Akita and Staffordshire Bull Terrier Look Like?
Akita is a Japanese dog breed that has a heavy-bone structure and massive head. Also, this breed is covered with fur. On the other hand, the Staffordshire Bull Terrier has a short and smooth coat.

Staffordshire Bull Terrier and Akita Appearance
When it comes to appearance, the male Akita stands tall to 26 to 28 inches. With this height, they weigh around 85 to 130 pounds. On the other hand, female Akita grow around 24 to 26 inches. Also, they weigh between 70 to 110 pounds.
Moving to Staffordshire Bull Terrier, its female can grow up to 13 to 15 inches with 22 to 35 lbs. Similarly, male Staffordshire Bull Terrier weighs around 24 to 37 lbs and can grow up to 14 to 16 inches.
It’s normal for the dog breeds to be a few inches and pounds less than the given value. That’s because sometimes, height and weight change due to differences in:
- diet
- environment
- exercise
- training
- other factors
General Appearance Comparison
Dog Breed | Origin | Group | Popularity rank | Other names | AKC group | Price |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Akita | Japan | Working dog | 47 | Great Japanese Dog, American Akita, and Japanese Akita | Recognized by the American Kennel Club in 1972 as a Working breed | $800 to $1200 |
Staffordshire Bull Terrier | England | Hunting dog | 82 | Staffy, STB, Staffy Bull, and Staff | Recognized by FCI in the Terriers group, in the Bull type Terriers section. | $1500 to $2000 |
Hair and Care Comparison Chart
This chart shows how both these dog breeds have different hair types and what their grooming needs are.
Dog Breed | Coat | Color | Grooming | Shedding Level |
---|---|---|---|---|
Staffordshire Bull Terrier | smooth | brindle, blue, fawn, white, red, and black | requires minimal grooming | none to minimal |
Akita | fluffy, dense, straight, and waterproof | red, fawn, white, black, brown | requires minimal grooming | heavy shedders |

Akita and Staffordshire Bull Terrier Personality
Staffordshire Bull Terrier is a friendly dog with a robust body. This breed is full of energy and always remains on alert. That’s because originally, this dog breed was used for hunting.
As far as temperament is concerned, Staffordshire Bull Terrier is courageous, curious, and sometimes stubborn. They love being around people and are always playful. Also, they can be easily trained.
On the other hand, Akita is a willful and bold dog. It has a heavy-bone structure, which makes it look intimidating. You will like this breed because it’s incredibly loyal to its family, but it does not go well with other dogs.
When compared, Akita is more dominant and is not a perfect choice for first-time pet parents. Also, it’s not recommended to keep Akita with other pets. But Staffordshire Bull Terrier gets submissive when it comes to humans. Also, they get along with other pets.
Here are a few categories that clearly shows the difference between these two dog breeds.
Exercise
When it comes to exercise, Akita needs a minimum of two hours of exercise per day as Akita is an active dog. Since this breed loves to chase, you can easily make it involve in any kind of running exercise.
But during hot weather, you can reduce the training and exercise hours because this breed has a thick coat, making it prone to overheat.
On the other hand, playful and energetic Staffordshire Bull Terrier needs an hour of exercise each day. This dog breed has excellent stamina and can stay quite active during training and exercise sessions.
Health Issues
In Staffordshire Bull Terrier, hip dysplasia, certain skin conditions, and cancer are common.
On the other hand, Akita are healthy, but they are also prone to specific health conditions. The issues include hip dysplasia, hypothyroidism, and eye problem.

Related Questions
Do Akita Bite Their Owners?
It’s general for Akitas to bite and nip when they are still puppies. But it is the responsibility of pet parents to break this habit. Otherwise, Akita might grow up and cause serious injuries.
Is Staffordshire Bull Terrier an Aggressive Breed?
People usually think that Staffordshire Bull Terrier is an aggressive dog breed, but it’s not true. Staffy is a friendly breed, and if given proper training, it can become friendly and obedient.
How Does Akita Show Affection?
If Akita leans on you, that means it is showing affection. Whether you are sitting or standing, Akita will lean on you to show that they trust you.
Conclusion
Akita and Staffordshire Bull Terrier are different dog breeds, but both are strong and can be easily trained. So, whichever dog breed you want to get, you should give it enough time for training and exercise.