Akita
Dog Standard for the
ACA/AKC Akita
Approved December 12, 1972
General
Appearance - 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 the shoulder. 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 plume.
Disqualification - Sickle or uncurled tail.
Forequarters and Hindquarters
Forequarters - Shoulder 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 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.