^6-99

^{Letter from AKC Secretary
Jim Crowley}

^{Dear Rita,}

^{This concerns the status of the Akita with FCI.}

^{I was part of an AKC committee that met with the officers of FCI at the recent Crufts show. I also briefly spoke with Mr. Awashime at the show concerning the status of the breed.}

^{Hans Mueller, FCI President, indicated that there was a proposal to be voted on by the General Committee of FCI at the World Show in Mexico this June. The proposal was to split the breed into the Japanese Akita, which would remain in FCI Group 5 (Spitz and Primitive Types) and the Great Japanese Dog (formerly the American Akita), which would be moved to Group 2 (Working Dogs divided into 3 categories: Pinscher and Schnauzer type; Molossian type [Mastiff], Swiss Cattle Dogs).  According to Mr. Awashima, the Great Japanese Dog would be a new 4th category in Group 2.}

^{Mr. Mueller indicated that the Group move was designed to avoid confusion between the two breeds and the parenthesis would be kept for an undetermined period of time so people would know the breed was formerly the American Akita. The Group situation is to be reviewed in about five years.}

^{The breed standard for the Great Japanese Dog (formerly American Akita) would be in the hands of JKC, as Japan is the country of origin. Mr. Awashima indicated that at this time it would basically be the AKC standard with some minor changes to comply with FCI requirements.}

^{The Great Japanese Dog (formerly American Akita) will immediately have full registration and show privileges with FCI. Apparently the dogs will be divided into the two breeds by phenotype. I was not able to get too much in the way of detail or actual procedures, e.g. whether this will be by photograph or by physical examination.  Presumably, full details will be forthcoming after the June vote, which appears to be a mere formality and this looks like a fait accompli. At that time, I can get full details from FCI on how this will affect exports from the U.S. and American dogs being shown in FCI countries.}

^{By the ACA National in September, all of these details should be available. As this change will be ratified in June, however, I did want to make the ACA aware of it.}

^{Sincerely,
James P. Crowley.}