OFFICIAL ACA/AKC STANDARD for the AKITA
as approved by
THE AMERICAN KENNEL CLUB
December 12, 1972

Great Japanese Dog (American Akita)
Origin: Japan
Development: USA
Utilization: Companion Dog
Classification FCI: Group 2 Pinscher and Schnauzer - Molossians - Swiss Mountain and Cattledogs and related breeds.

Akita
Origin: Japan
Utilization: Companion Dog
Classification FCI: Group 5 (Spitz and primitive type)

BRIEF HISTORICAL SUMMARY:
In the beginning, the history of the Great Japanese Dog (formerly American Akita) is identical with the development of the Japanese Akita. Since 1603 in the Akita region, Akita Matagis (medium sized hunting dogs) were used as fighting dogs. From 1868, the breed was crossbred with Tosa (a mixture of Shikoku with German Pointing Dogs, St. Bernard Dogs or Great Danes) and Mastiffs. The size of this breed increased, but characteristics such as erect ears or curled tail, which are associated with the Akita (Spitz type) were lost. As in 1908 dog fighting was prohibited, the breed were nevertheless preserved as a large Japanese breed and in 1931 was designated as Natural Monument.

BRIEF HISTORICAL SUMMARY:
Originally Japanese dogs were small to medium in size and no large breeds existed. Since 1603 in the Akita region, Akita Matagis (medium-sized bearhunting dogs) were used as fighting dogs. From 1868 Akita Matagis were crossed with Tosas and Mastiffs. Consequently, the size of this breed increased but characteristics associated with Spitz Type were lost.

In 1908 dog fighting was prohibited, but this breed was nevertheless preserved and improved as a large Japanese breed. As a result, nine superior examples of this breed were designated as Natural Monuments in 1931.

During World War II (1939-1945), it was common to use dogs as a source of fur for military garments. The police ordered the capture and confiscation of all dogs other than German Shepherd Dogs used for military purposes. Some fanciers tried to circumvent the order by crossbreeding their dogs with German Shepherd Dogs



When World War II ended, Akitas had been drastically reduced in number and existed as three distinct types: 1) Matagi Akitas 2) Fighting Akitas and 3) Shepherd Akitas. This created a very confusing situation in the breed.



During the restoration process of the pure breed after the war, Kongo-go of the Dewa line enjoyed a temporary, but tremendous popularity. Many Akitas of the Dewa line, which exhibited characteristics of the Mastiff and German Shepherd influence, were brought back to the United States by members of the military forces. The Akitas from the Dewa line, intelligent and capable of adapting to different environments, fascinated breeders in the United States and the line was developed with increasing number of breeders and a great rise in popularity.

During World War II (1939-1945), it was common to use dogs as a source of fur for military garments. The police ordered the capture and confiscation of all dogs other than German Shepherd Dogs used for military purposes. Some fanciers tried to circumvent the order by crossbreeding their dogs with German Shepherd Dogs.

When World War II ended, Akitas had been drastically reduced in number and existed as three distinct types: 1) Matagi Akitas 2) Fighting Akitas and 3) Shepherd Akitas. This created a very confusing situation in the breed.

During the restoration process of the pure breed after the war, Kongo-go of the Dewa line, which exhibited characteristics of the Mastiff and German Shepherd Dog influence, enjoyed a temporary but tremendous popularity. The Akitas developed with increasing number of breeders and a great rise in popularity.

The Akita Club of America was established in 1956 and the American Kennel Club (AKC) accepted the breed (inscription into the stud book and regular show status) in October 1972. However, at this time, the AKC and the JKC (Japan Kennel Club) did not have reciprocal agreements for recognizing each other’s pedigrees and therefore the door was closed for the introduction of the new bloodlines from Japan. Consequently, Akitas in the United States became considerably different from those in Japan, the country of origin. They developed as a type unique in the United States, with characteristics and type unchanged since 1955. This is in sharp contrast with the Japanese type that was crossbred with Matagi Akitas for the purpose of restoring the original pure breed.

However, sensible learned fanciers did not approve of this type as a proper Japanese breed, so they made efforts to eliminate the strain of foreign breeds by crossbreeding with the Matagi Akitas for the purpose of restoring the original pure breed and succeeded in stabilizing the pure strain of large sized breed as known today.

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.

GENERAL APPEARANCE:
Large-sized dog, sturdily built, well balanced, with much substance and heavy bone. The broad head, forming a blunt triangle, with deep muzzle, relatively small eyes and erect ears carried forward almost in line with back of neck, is characteristic of the breed.

GENERAL APPEARANCE:
Large-sized dog, sturdily built, well balanced and with much substance; secondary sex characteristics strongly marked, with high nobility and dignity in modesty; constitution tough.

*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

*Distance from nose to stop is to distance from stop to occiput as 2 is to 3.

IMPORTANT PROPORTIONS:
The ratio of height at withers to length of body is 9 to 10 in males and 9 to 11 in bitches.
The depth of the chest measures one-half of the height of the dog at withers.
The distance from tip of nose to stop corresponds to the distance from stop to occiput as 2 does to 3.

IMPORTANT PROPORTIONS:
The ratio of height at withers to length of body is 10:11, but the body is slightly longer in bitches than in dogs.

*Temperament - Alert and responsive, dignified and courageous. Aggressive toward other dogs.

BEHAVIOR/TEMPERAMENT:
Friendly, alert, responsive, dignified, docile, and courageous.

BEHAVIOUR AND TEMPERAMENT:
The temperament is composed, faithful, docile and receptive.

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.

HEAD: Massive, but in balance with the body, free of wrinkles when at ease.. Head forms a blunt triangle when viewed from above.

HEAD:

*. Skull flat between ears and broad;
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.

CRANIAL REGION:
Skull: Flat and broad between ears. A shallow furrow extends well up on forehead.
Stop: Well defined, but not too abrupt.

CRANIAL REGION:
Skull: The size is in proportion to the body. The forehead is broad, with distinct furrow. No wrinkle.
Stop: Defined

Nose - Broad and black. Liver permitted on white Akitas, but black always preferred.
Disqualification - Butterfly nose or total lack of pigmentation on nose.
*Muzzle - Broad and full.

FACIAL REGION:
Nose: Broad and black. Flesh colour permitted on white dogs only, but black always preferred.

Muzzle: Broad, deep and full.

FACIAL REGION:
Nose: Large and black. In case of white coat, flesh colour permitted.


Muzzle: Moderately long and strong with broad base, tapering but not pointed. Nasal bridge straight.

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.

Lips: Black and not pendulous; tongue pink. Flesh coloured lips permitted in white dogs only.

Jaws/teeth: Jaws not rounded, but blunt, strong and powerful. Teeth strong with regular and full dentition; scissor bite preferred, but level bite acceptable.

Lips: Tight



Jaws/teeth: Teeth strong with scissor bite

Cheeks: Moderately developed

*Eyes - Dark brown, small, deep-set and triangular in shape. Eye rims black and tight.

Eyes: Dark brown, relatively small, not pronounced, almost triangular in shape. Eye rims black and tight; flesh-coloured eye rims permitted in white dogs only.

Eyes: Relatively small, almost triangular in shape due to the rising of the outer eye corner, set moderately apart, dark brown: the darker, the better.

*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.

Ears: Strongly erect and small in relation to the rest of the head. If the ear is folded forward for measuring length, tip will touch upper eye rim. Ears are triangular, slightly rounded at tip, wide at base, not set too low. Viewed from the side, the ears are angled forward over the eyes following the line of the neck.

Ears: Relatively small, thick, triangular, slightly rounded at tips, set moderately apart, pricked and inclining forward.

Neck and Body
Neck - Thick and muscular; comparatively short, widening gradually toward the shoulder. A pronounced crest blends in with base of skull.

NECK: Thick and muscular with minimal dewlap, comparatively short, widening gradually toward the shoulders. A pronounced crest blends harmoniously into the base of the skull.

NECK: Thick and muscular, without dewlap, in balance with head

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.

BODY:
Longer than high. Skin not too thin, neither too tight nor too loose.
Back: Level
Loin: Firmly muscled
Chest: Wide and deep. Ribs well sprung with well developed brisket.
Underline and Belly: Moderate tuck-up.

BODY:


Back: Straight and strong
Loin: Broad and muscular
Chest: Deep, forechest well developed, ribs moderately well sprung.
Belly: Well drawn up

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.

TAIL:
Large and well furnished with hair, 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 on flank. Root large and strong. The terminal bone of tail reaches hock when let or pulled down. Hair coarse, straight and dense, with no appearance of a plume.

TAIL:
Set on high, thick, carried vigorously curled over back; the tip nearly reaching hocks when let down.

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.

LIMBS:
Forequarters: Forelegs heavy-boned and straight as viewed from front.
Shoulders: Strong and powerful with moderate layback
Pasterns: Slightly sloping forward in an angle of approximately 15 degrees to the vertical.

Hindquarters: Strongly muscled, width and bone comparable to forequarters.

LIMBS:
Forequarters:
Shoulders: Moderately sloping and developed
Elbows: Tight
Forearms: Straight and heavy boned



Hindquarters: Hindlegs well developed, strong and moderately angulated.

Dewclaws - On front legs generally not removed; dewclaws on hind legs generally removed.




*Stifle moderately bent and hocks well let down, turning neither in nor out

Dewclaws on hind legs customarily removed.


Upper thigh: Strong, well developed, parallel when viewed from behind.
Stifles: Moderately bent
Hocks: Well let down, turning neither in nor out.

Feet - Cat feet, well knuckled up with thick pads. Feet straight ahead.

Feet: Straight, cat feet, well knucked up with thick pads.

Feet: Thick, round, arched and tight.

Gait -
Brisk and powerful with strides of moderate length. Back remains strong, firm and level. Rear legs move in line with front legs.

GAIT/MOVEMENT:
Powerful, covering ground with moderate reach and drive. Movement parallel when viewed from front and behind, back remaining strong, firm, and level.

GAIT:
Resilient and powerful movement

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.

COAT:
Hair: Double-coat. Undercoat thick, soft, dense and shorter than outer coat. Outer coat straight, harsh/stiff and standing somewhat off body. Hair on head, lower legs and ears short. Length of hair at withers and rump approximately 5 cm, which is slightly longer than on rest of body, except tail, where coat is longest and most profuse.

COAT:
Hair: Outer coat harsh and straight, undercoat soft and dense; the withers and the rump are covered with slightly longer hair; the hair on tail is longer than on the rest of body.

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.

COLOUR:
Any colour like red, fawn, white, etc; or even pinto and brindle. Colours are brilliant and clear, and marking are well balanced, with or without mask or blaze. White dogs (solid in colour) have no mask. Pinto have a white ground colour with large, evenly placed patches covering head and more than one-third body. Undercoat may have a different colour from the outer coat.

COLOR:
Red fawn, sesame (red fawn hairs with black tips), brindle and white. All the above-mentioned colors except white must have "urajiro". (Urajiro - whitish coat on the sides of the muzzle, on the cheeks, on the underside of jaw, neck, chest, body and tail and on the inside of the legs.)

Size -
Males 26 to 28 inches at the withers; bitches 24 to 26 inches.

Disqualification - Dogs under 25 inches; bitches under 23 inches.

SIZE:
Height at withers: For males: 66-71 cm (26-28 inches)
For bitches: 61-66 cm (24-26 inches)

SIZE:
Height at the withers: Dogs - 67 cm
Bitches - 61 cm
There is a tolerance of 3 cm more or less

Temperament - Alert and responsive, dignified and courageous. Aggressive toward other dogs.

Faults - Elbows in or out, loose shoulders.
Fault - Any indication of ruff or feathering.

Fault - Narrow or snipey head.

FAULTS:
Any departure from the foregoing points should be considered a fault and the seriousness with which the fault should be regarded should be in exact proportion to its degree.
Feminine dogs, masculine bitches
Narrow or snipey head
Any missing tooth (except 2 of the PM1 and/or M3)
Spotted tongue
Light eyes
Short tail
In or out at elbows

Any indication of ruff or feathering


Shyness or viciousness

FAULTS:
Any departure from the foregoing points should be considered a fault and the seriousness with which the fault should be regarded should be in exact proportion to its degree.
Bitchy dogs/doggy bitches
Undershot or overshot mouth
Missing teeth

Spotted tongue
Iris light in colour
Short tail




Shyness

Serious Faults -
Light bone, rangy body.

SERIOUS FAULTS
Light in substance
Light bone

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.

ELIMINATING FAULTS:
Butterfly nose or total lack of pigmentation on nose on dogs other than white.
Drop, hanging, or folded ears
Under or overshot bite
Sickle or uncurled tail
Dogs under 63.5 cm (25 inches), bitches under 58.5 cm (23 inches)

DISQUALIFYING FAULTS:
Ears not pricked
Hanging tail
Long hair (shaggy)
Black mask
Markings on white background

N.B.: Male animals should have two apparently normal testicles fully descended into the scrotum.

N.B. Male animals should have two apparently normal testicles fully descended into the scrotum.