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Border Collies are one of the smartest and most focused breeds around. These sweet dogs are happiest when they have an activity to do or job to work on, whether it’s playing fetch, digging a hole, or keeping an eye on you. Full-grown, they typically weigh 30-55 pounds and stand 18-22 inches tall.

Border Collies are generally okay with older children who know how to handle dogs. The Border Collie gets along well with other pets and children, but it may try to dominate dogs of the same sex. They should be socialized as puppies with small, non-canine pets so they can overcome their natural prey instincts. They're fairly vocal dogs that bark regularly.

Border Collies need high-energy owners to satisfy their appetite for exercise and activity. If they get bored or restless, they’re known to act out. The best way to keep Border Collies active is to give them work to do, whether it’s an exercise like running or a game like Frisbee. Overall, their exercise needs are very high.

Border Collies have thick, shiny undercoats and colorful outer coats that come in several colors, including solid, bicolor, tricolor, merle (lighter coat with speckled patches), or sable (light undercoat with black-tipped hairs). These dogs are average shedders that don’t need much grooming. Brush them once or twice a week to keep their coats clean, and only bathe them when needed. Grooming-wise, this breed is moderate.

Border Collies are best suited for a home with a yard, though they can adapt to apartment life with enough exercise. They’re adaptable to just about any living setting, so as long as they get enough exercise and attention, they will be happy spending time indoors, outdoors, in warm climates, or cooler places. They are highly trainable and eager to learn.

Although smaller in size and possessing less variation in color, Japanese Akitas are smart, strong, and protective like their so-called “American” relatives. These noble dogs play an important role as police partners, guard dogs, and bear hunters in their native Japan. Japanese Akitas love their family deeply but can show aggression toward those they don’t know. You will always know how they’re feeling, though, by their goofy grumbles! Full-grown, they typically weigh 55-75 pounds and stand 22-28 inches tall.

Japanese Akitas are generally okay with older children who know how to handle dogs. Like most dogs, the more exercise they get, the more well-behaved they become. These dogs can adapt to a smaller indoor setting, but they appreciate space to play. They're moderate barkers — they'll alert you when something's up but aren't excessive.

Japanese Akitas were working dogs for hundreds of years. So, these smart dogs like to be kept mentally and physically fit. They also love being with their families, so activities you can do together will make them happy. Overall, their exercise needs are high.

Japanese Akitas are smaller in size than their “American” cousins and lack the black face mask, but their coat type and care needs are similar to their relatives. The thickness of their coat changes seasonally, and that fur has to go somewhere. Regular brushing of their coarse, dense coat will help reduce excessive shedding. Grooming-wise, this breed is moderate.

Japanese Akitas are best suited for a home with a yard, though they can adapt to apartment life with enough exercise. The happiest Japanese Akitas have a fenced-in yard to run around in. These dogs can adapt to a smaller indoor setting, but they appreciate space to play. They are can be stubborn and challenging to train.