Loyal, Courageous, Dignified "One History, One Future, One Akita"
The continuing discussions on several
Akita email lists regarding the SPLIT
cite various documents that were made available to ACA members.
To get the straight facts from former
ACA President Rita Biddle, AKC Representative Jim Crowley and highlights of the JKC Forum at the 1998 National,
| Thank you for visiting our site and for
taking the time to review the material we have assembled here.
We have three sections with information about keeping one
Akita.
I. You can access the most comprehensive by continuing on this page and following the links. This in-depth presentation is graphics intensive and may take a long time to load. You will be rewarded for your patience, however, by a thorough and logical treatment of the issues and many fine examples of the breed.II. An article, originally published in Dog News, which is a shorter, more recent summary of the issues. III. Andrew Brace gives his
view of the issues from the perspective of a British
judge. |
Official Standard for the Akita
General Impression
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 large, curled tail, balancing
the broad head, is also characteristic of the breed.
Head
Massive but in balance with body; free of wrinkle
when at ease. Skull flat between ears and broad; jaws square and powerful
with minimal dewlap. Head forms a blunt triangle when viewed from above.
Fault-Narrow or snipy head. Muzzle-Broad and full. Distance from nose to
stop is to distance from stop to occiput as 2 is to 3. Stop-Well defined,
but not too abrupt. A shallow furrow extends well up forehead. Nose-Broad
and black. Liver permitted on white Akitas, but black always preferred.
Disqualification-Butterfly nose or total lack of pigmentation on nose.
Ears-The ears of the Akita are characteristic of the breed. They are
strongly erect and small in relation to rest of head. If ear is folded
forward for measuring length, tip will touch upper eye rim. Ears are
triangular, slightly rounded at tip, wide at base, set wide on head but
not too low, and carried slightly forward over eyes in line with back of
neck. Disqualification-Drop or broken ears. Eyes-Dark brown, small,
deep-set and triangular in shape. Eye rims black and tight. Lips- and
Tongue-Lips black and not pendulous; tongue pink. Teeth-Strong with
scissors bite preferred, but level bite acceptable.
Disqualification-Noticeably undershot or overshot.
Neck and Body
Neck-Thick and muscular; comparatively
short, widening gradually toward shoulders. A pronounced crest blends in
with base of skull. Body-Longer than high, as 10 is to 9 in males; 11 to 9
in bitches. Chest wide and deep; depth of chest is one-half height of dog
at shoulder. Ribs well sprung, brisket well developed. Level back with
firmly-muscled loin and moderate tuck-up. Skin pliant but not loose.
Serious Faults-Light bone, rangy body.
Tail
Large and full, set high and carried over back or
against flank in a three-quarter, full, or double curl, always dipping to
or below level of back. On a three-quarter curl, tip drops well down
flank. Root large and strong. Tail bone reaches hock when let down. Hair
coarse, straight and full, with no appearance of a plume.
Disqualification-Sickle or uncurled tail.
Forequarters and Hindquarters
Forequarters-Shoulders
strong and powerful with moderate layback. Forelegs heavy-boned and
straight as viewed from front. Angle of pastern 15 degrees forward from
vertical. Faults-Elbows in or out, loose shoulders. Hindquarters-Width,
muscular development and bone comparable to forequarters. Upper thighs
well developed. Stifle moderately bent and hocks well let down, turning
neither in nor out. Dewclaws-On front legs generally not removed; dewclaws
on hind legs generally removed. Feet-Cat feet, well knuckled up with thick
pads. Feet straight ahead.
Coat
Double-coated. Undercoat thick, soft, dense and
shorter than outer coat. Outer coat straight, harsh and standing somewhat
off body. Hair on head, legs and ears short. Length of hair at withers and
rump approximately two inches, which is slightly longer than on rest of
body, except tail, where coat is longest and most profuse. Fault-Any
indication of ruff or feathering.
Color
Any color including white; brindle; or pinto.
Colors are brilliant and clear and markings are well balanced, with or
without mask or blaze. White Akitas have no mask. Pinto has a white
background with large, evenly placed patches covering head and more than
one-third of body. Undercoat may be a different color from outer coat.
Gait
Brisk and powerful with strides of moderate length.
Back remains strong, firm and level. Rear legs move in line with front
legs.
Size
Males 26 to 28 inches at the withers; bitches 24 to
26 inches. Disqualification-dogs under 25 inches; bitches under 23
inches.
Temperament
Alert and responsive, dignified and
courageous. Aggressive toward other dogs.
DISQUALIFICATIONS
Butterfly nose or total lack of
pigmentation on nose.
Drop or broken ears.
Noticeably undershot or overshot.
Sickle or uncurled
tail.
Dogs under 25 inches; bitches under 23 inches.
Approved December 12, 1972
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