THE OLD AKIKYO DOG (Akita) STANDARD
(Adopted March 20, 1949)
"Akitainu
Hyojun Seitei to Genzai made no Keika, Akitainu Kyokai
(Akikyo)" ("The Establishment of the Akita
Dog
Standard and Its
Update, Akikyo"
Translation by Tatsuo Kimura |
REVISED AKIKYO AKITA DOG STANDARD
(ADOPTED DECEMBER 10, 1954)
Akitainu
Kyokai Shokiteishu (Akikyo Bylaws) & "Akitainu
Hyojun Seitei to Genzai made no Keika, Akitainu Kyokai
(Akikyo)" *
Translation by Tatsuo Kimura
|
REVISED AKIKYO AKITA DOG STANDARD
(Adopted June 1, 1989)
"Revised Akikyo Akita Dog Standard", Kokken
Akitainu (Akikyo Bulletin)
Translation by Tatsuo Kimura |
|
* "The old Akikyo Akita Dog Standard and Akita dog
standards of other organizations were brief, and the tendency
was to produce undesirable dogs resembling dogs of other breeds.
The present standard was the result of having as our goal, the
reappearance of the old classical Akita dog by continuous
intensive studies from which one should not wander. We earnestly
hope that others will also heed to this earnest appeal of the
Akikyo dog organization to produce the Akita dog-like Akita dogs
which are the living cultural assets rich in classically simple
features."2
Katsusuke Ishihara, Managing Director, Akitainu Kyokai
(Akikyo) |
ESSENTIAL QUALITIES
Strength and calmness with much kan-i (much spirit, great
will, strong character, courage and composure) and pristinely
features should be clearly apparent. |
ESSENTIAL QUALITIES
Strength, calmness, dignity, with much kan-i (much
spirit, great will, strong character, courage and composure) ,
with clear pristinely features. Keen, discriminatory,
affectionate, friendly and yet domineering at times. |
ESSENTIAL QUALITIES
Strength, calmness, endowed with dignity with pristine features,
benign character, admirable keen senses, discriminatory,
affectionate, obedient loyal, and overpowering characteristics. |
GENERAL APPEARANCE
Much bone with correct structure; very muscular with resiliency.
Desirable balance of structure with proper coat, composure and
dignity. In the male, height: body length ratio of 100:110.
Shoulder height is 2 shaku 1 sun (63.6 cm, approximately 25.1
inches) or greater. In the female, height is 1 shaku 9 sun (57.6
cm, approximately 22.7 inches) or greater. Somewhat longer
female body length. |
GENERAL APPEARANCE AND STRUCTURE
Distinct sexual features of male and female. Balance of
structure with abundant bone, firm muscles tendon and ligaments
abounding in resilience, covered by skin, with distinctive
features of the breed. Composure, dignity, agility, nimbleness
rapid adaptability to changes to stand firm on the ground to
manifest power when necessary.
Height for male: 2 shaku 1 sun (63.6 cm, approximately 25.05
inches) or greater; height: body length ratio - 100:110. Height
of female: 2 shaku (60.6 cm, approximately 23.9 inches); body
length is slightly longer, allowable to 100:120, for pregnancy.
Ideal height: chest depth ratio = 2:1. |
Male and female are clearly distinguishable. Balance of
structure with excellent bone and volume, revealing distinctive
features of the dog breed. Well-developed tightly built frame
with the proper amount of muscle volume and no loose skin. Much
resilience. Conduct of composure and dignity, shrewdness,
nimbleness, freely demonstrating this ability to rapid changes
to stand firm on all four legs when necessary. The male height
is 63.5 cm, (approximately 25 inches). The female height is 57.5
cm (approximately 22.6 inches). The height: body length ratio in
the male is 100:110, while that of the female is up to 100:120.
The ideal height: chest depth ratio is 2:1. |
HEAD
Magnificent wide forehead. Properly attached and well-developed
skull and jaw. |
HEAD AND CHEEKS
Magnificent head with much bone and muscles areas covered by
tight skin with a slight longitudinal crease and stop.
Well developed cheeks, skull and lower jaw bones with much
muscle. Full cheeks. |
HEAD AND CREEKS
Abundant bone in the head region is in balance with the body
covered by skin with no looseness. The large head has a slight
longitudinal crease in the forehead with the proper amount of
stop. The cheeks are moderately full. The ratio of the distance
between the occiput and the stop is 6, while the distance from
the stop to the tip of the nose is 4. Imaginary lines of the
forehead and the bridge of the nose should be parallel. |
EARS
Triangular, sloped somewhat forward and erect. |
EARS
Triangular from frontal view. Slightly blunt ear tips with no
curled appearance. Slightly inclined forward when viewed from
the side and erect. Properly short and thick appearance. Wide
space between left and right ear bases at top of head. |
EARS
Triangular from the frontal view. Thick appearance with slightly
blunted ear tips. Ear lines should not be disturbed. Erect with
slight forward incline with proper width between the ears
located on the top of the head. |
EYES
Deeply set eyeballs. Somewhat triangular and thick eyelids. Dark
brown iris. |
EYES
Proper distance between eyes which are somewhat triangular with
deeply set eyeballs in eye sockets. Upper and lower eyelids
appear thick. Straight lower eyelid. Dark brown iris with black
tinge. |
EYES
Proper distance between the eyes which are somewhat triangular
with deeply set eyeballs in eye sockets. The upper and lower
eyelids appear thick, while the lower eyelid is straight. Outer
corner of the eye is slight elevated. Dark brown iris with black
tinge. |
MUZZLE AND NOSE
Proper width. Straight bridge of nose. Tapered muzzle. Black,
glossy and moist nose. Lips of proper thickness with no
looseness. |
MUZZLE AND NOSE
Muzzle and cheek taper toward the tip of nose, when viewed from
above. From the side view, the bridge of the nose is straight
and the muzzle gradually tapers off. The nose is firm, black,
glossy and moist. The thick appearing lips are not loose and
tightly drawn. |
MUZZLE AND NOSE
The bridge of the nose is straight. The muzzle tapers to a blunt
tip. The nose is full, black glossy and moist. The tip of the
muzzle has moderate thickness. Lips are without looseness and
drawn tight. |
ORAL CAVITY AND TEETH
Proper amount of area in oral cavity.
Proper occlusion, normal occlusion (level bite), in robust
health. |
ORAL CAVITY AND TEETH
The oral cavity has the proper amount of area. In robust health,
the teeth have proper occlusion, normal occlusion (level bite). |
ORAL CAVITY AND TEETH
The oral cavity has the proper amount of area. Correct number of
teeth with proper occlusion, normal occlusion (level bite). |
NECK
Strong and muscular with proper angle. in balance with body.
Length of robust neck in balance with body. |
NECK
Firm, strong and moderately thick with proper union of frame as
the center, abounding in muscles covered by skin that is not
loose, with increasing sturdiness and thickness from the head to
the upper arm with proper joints and angle. |
NECK
Moderately thick with proper union of frame with firm abundant
muscles, no loose skin. Sturdy and robust standing neck. A 45 to
50 degree angle from the side view is suitable. |
BACK AND HIPS
Strong appearing back. Strong hips desirable. |
BACK AND HIPS
The withers has a slight protuberance. Proper union of the
thoracic vertebrae, lumbar vertebrae and sacrum as the center of
the back bones covered by muscles, tendons and ligaments keep
the back straight and powerful. The lumbar vertebrae are joined
properly to the pelvic bone covered by powerful muscles and
tendons, giving rise to powerful hips. The anus is drawn in
deeply and contracted with a large oval outer circumference with
no fur. |
BACK AND HIPS
The withers have a slight protuberance. Straight and powerful
back with proper union of the bones with muscles, tendons and
ligaments. The oval shaped anus is contracted and drawn in
deeply and has an outer hairless circumference. |
CHEST AND ABDOMEN
Well-developed chest with proper width and expansion. Properly
tucked up abdomen. Boat bottom shaped lower chest and abdomen. |
CHEST AND ABDOMEN
Deep and wide front chest with wedge and oval shaped properly
expanded ribs. Lower chest extends to the rear. Properly tucked
up abdomen. Boat bottom shaped from lower chest to abdomen. |
CHEST AND ABDOMEN
Deep and widely developed forechest. The ribs are wedge and oval
shaped to the proper degree. Boat bottom shape from the lower
chest to abdomen when viewed from the side. |
FORELEGS
Correct shoulder blade angulation and upper arm joint with
abundance of muscles. Pliability extends from forearm to
pastern. Tight grip on paw. |
FORELEGS
Proper angulation of shoulder blade and upper arms. Elbows and
forearms attached to abundant muscles and sinews with resilience
and tenacity. The upper arm width decreases as the pastern is
approached and is vertical to the ground. The pastern protrudes
slightly forward of the vertical line when standing. The paws
are thick and tightly gripped. |
FORELEGS
Abundant muscles with resilience and tenacity. The shoulder
blade and upper arm have proper angulation. The elbow is well
attached. The straight upper arm width decreases as the pastern
is approached. The pastern is slightly forward of the vertical
line. The paws are thick and tightly gripped. |
HIND LEGS
Very muscular thigh. Properly angulated tibia perpendicular
below hocks when standing. Tread between hind legs slightly
wider than tread of forelegs. Thick paw with tight grip. |
HIND LEGS
The hip bone (innominate bone) is connected to the thigh bone
(femur) with abundant resilient muscles and sinews. The femur is
connected to the shinbone (tibia) at the proper angle. The tibia
with adequate muscles is drawn slightly rearward and is springy.
The hocks have a distinct angle. The area from the hocks to
pasterns are also muscular and perpendicular to the ground in
standing position. Proper spacing between the left and right
powerful hocks is slightly wider than the space between the
forelegs. The paw is thick with a tight grip. |
HIND LEGS
The bones are properly connected at the joints, covered by
abundant firm muscles, and possessing resiliency. The hocks have
a distinct angle. The leg below the hock is vertical to the
ground. The rear tread is slightly wider than those of the
foreleg. The paw is thick with a tight grip. |
TAIL
Thick and curled. Tip reaches hock. Left curl, right curl, curl
over back, and loose curl are acceptable. |
TAIL
Thick and powerfully curled. Tip of tail touches the hock. Type
of curl include left, right, curl above back and loose curl. |
TAIL
Thick powerful curl. The tail length does not exceed the hock.
Types of curl are left, right and curl over the back. |
COAT
Straight and coarse outer coat. Fluffy undercoat. Distinct two
coats seen as stiff coat stands amidst soft luxuriant coat. Neck
coat somewhat longer than body coat. Tail coat, with round mold
and less stiffness, somewhat longer, more luxuriant than neck
coat. |
COAT
Coarse and straight outer coat. Fluffy, soft, luxuriant and
distinct undercoat. Neck coat slightly longer than body coat.
Tail coat much longer than neck coat, luxuriant and in a round
mold. |
COAT
Coarse straight outer coat and the soft coat (cotton coat) are
blended so that the stiff outer coat clearly stands out amidst
the soft undercoat. The neck coat is slightly longer than the
body coat. The tail coat is somewhat longer than the neck coat
and has a round mold with minimum unfolding of the fur. |
COLORS
Black, fox red, sesame (goma), black brindle, fox (yellow red)
and white. |
COLORS
Black, fox red, sesame (goma) , black brindle, fox (yellow red)
and white. |
COAT COLOR
Red, white, black, goma (sesame) and brindle of five colors. |
MOVEMENT
Correct, impressive gait with proper center of gravity,
stability and minimum pitching of body. Much composure, dignity,
agility and adaptability. |
MOVEMENT
Correct impressive gait with proper center of gravity and
stability with minimum pitching of the body. Abundance of
composure, dignity, agility and adaptability to changes. |
MOVEMENT
Correct impressive gait with proper center of gravity and
stability with minimum pitching of body. Abundance of composure,
dignity, agility and adaptability to changes. |
|
MINOR FAULTS
1. Acquired injuries, malnutrition, and poor care.
2. Weak back and hips with concave (swayed) or convex (roach)
3. Colors unbecoming of an Akita dog and resembling other
breeds. e.g. light red, pinto, yellow brindle are acceptable,
but (not) red brindle, dark brown, dark brown goma (wheat red,
chestnut red). Black coat on back interpreted as a color of
another dog breed.
6. Lack of balance between tail coat and body. Tail with more
than double curl or with lack of curl.
7. Underdeveloped or one undescended testicle.
8. Frivolous, ferocious or frightened dogs. |
MINOR FAULTS
1. Acquired injuries, malnutrition and poor care.
2. Weak back and hips with convex and sway back.
3. Colors unbecoming of an Akita dog and resembling other
breeds.
4. Very light eye color not suitable to body color. Round eyes.
5. Irregular teeth with undershot or overshot jaws. Missing
teeth.
6. Loose curl. Lack of balance between tail coat and body. Tail
with more than double curl or lack of curl since birth.
7. Underdeveloped or undescended testicle(s).
8. Frivolous, ferocious or frightened dogs. |
|
DISQUALIFICATIONS
1. Lacking distinctive features of an Akita dog.
2. Pronounced overshot or undershot jaw with missing upper and
(or) lower front teeth.
3. Very short coat since birth. Absence of undercoat.
4. Ears unbecoming of Japanese dog breed.
5. Coat unbecoming of a Japanese dog breed. Long coat or moku
coat.
6. Coat not distinctive color of a Japanese dog.
7. Nose color not accompanying body, color (tolerated only in
white dogs).
8. Uncurled tail since birth. Sickle and short tail.
9. Underdeveloped and undescended testicle(s). |
DISQUALIFICATIONS
1. Lacking distinctive features of an Akita dog.
2. Pronounced overshot or undershot jaw with missing upper and
lower front teeth.
3. Very short coat since birth. Absence of undercoat.
4. Ears unbecoming as a distinctive feature of Japanese dog
breed.
5. Coat not distinctive of Japanese dog breed. Long (moku) coat.
6. Coat color not distinctive color of Japanese dog breed.
7. Nose color not accompanying body color.
8. Uncurled tail since birth.
9. Underdeveloped or undescended testicles(s). |
REFERENCE:
"Akitainu Hyojun Seitei to Genzai made no Keika, Akitainu
Kyokai (Akikyo)" ("The Establishment of the Akita Dog
Standard and Its
Update, Akikyo"), Akitainu Tokuhon pp. 91-93, 1963,
Seibundo Shinkosha Publishing Co., Ltd., Tokyo, Japan. |
REFERENCES
1. Akitainu Kyokai Shokiteishu (Akikyo Bylaws) pp.14-17,
1964, Third Printing, Katusuke Ishihara, Akikyo Headquarters,
Setagaya, Tokyo, Japan.
2. "Akitainu Hyojun Seitei to Genzai made no Keika,
Akitainu Kyokai (Akikyo)" ("The Establishment of The
Akita Dog Standard and Its Update, Akikyo") , Akitainu
Tokuhon p. 98, 1963, Seibundo Shinkosha Publishing Co.,
Ltd., Tokyo, Japan. |
REFERENCE:
"Revised Akikyo Akita Dog Standard", Kokken
Akitainu (Akikyo Bulletin) No. 78:67-69, 1990. |
Reedited 11/92 Tatsuo Kimura
COPYRIGHT -ALL RIGHTS
RESERVED
FOR RESEARCH & STUDY ONLY
DO NOT DUPLICATE - MBS |
12/92 Tatsuo Kimura - akikyos2
COPYRIGHT -ALL RIGHTS RESERVED
FOR RESEARCH & STUDY ONLY
DO NOT DUPLICATE - MBS |
Translator Tatsuo Kimura
COPYRIGHT -ALL RIGHTS RESERVED
FOR RESEARCH & STUDY ONLY
DO NOT DUPLICATE - MBS |