Japan Kennel Club (JKC) STANDARD
about 1955

General Appearance and Characteristics:
Large-sized dog, sturdy build, well-balanced with much substance. The dog has stately manner and robust conformation.

Size:
Height:
Male, 67.0 cm. (26.4)
Bitches 60.6 cm. (24)
There is a tolerance of 3 cm. (1.2) shorter or taller.
The ratio of height at withers to length of body is 10:11

Temperament:
The temperament is docile and intelligent with nobility and dignity in a naive feeling.

Head:
The skull large and flat and forehead broad, with defined stop and clear furrow run over forehead.
The cheeks moderately developed.

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

Eyes:
Relatively small, slightly triangular, set well apart and dark brown in color. A darker color desirable.

Muzzle:
The muzzle moderately long and strong. The nasal bridge straight, with large and black nose. In case of white coat, flesh color permitted.
The lips tight.

Teeth:
The teeth strong with scissors bite.

Neck:
Thick and muscular in balance with head.

Chest:
The chest deep and forechest well developed. The ribs moderately sprung, and belly well drawn up.

Body:
The withers high, back straight and short. The loins broad and muscular.

Forequarters:
The shoulders moderately sloping and developed. The forearms straight and heavy boned. The elbows set close to the body and pasterns slightly inclining.

Hindquarters:
The upper thighs long and lower thighs short. The hocks must be strong and tough.

Feet:
Thick, round and tightly closed. The pads tough and elastic. The nails hard and darker color desirable.

Tail:
Set on high, thick and carried vigorously curled over back. The tip nearly reaching hock when let down. The curl right, left or double curl. The tail must be curled.

Coat:
The outer coat harsh and straight and undercoat soft and dense. The hair on tail slightly long.

Color:
Brindle (black, red, white, etc.) black, red, white and markings.

Gait:
Resilient and powerful gait desirable.

Minor Faults:
Level bite
Irregular teeth
Slight overshot or undershot
Unsuitable nose color for coat
Black spotted tongue
Round eyes
Light color
Short hair

Major Faults:
Shyness
Extreme overshot or undershot
Long tail
Long hair (shaggy)

Disqualifications:
Monorchid
Cryptorchid
Not pricked ears
Hanging tail
Short tail