Meet the Akita

INTRODUCTION 
      If it were necessary to describe the Akita in one word, "dignity" would suffice. For it is this concept the breed embodies. Whether in proud stance or no-nonsense movement, the breed's dignified presence is it's most distinct quality. Each element described in the Standard is designed to contribute to this impression.
     There is an emphasis in Akita Standards on the head. The overall broad and triangular head shape is brought to extra-ordinary impressiveness by the harmonizing triangular shape of the eyes and ears. The product is an alert and fearless expression.
     As a balancing agent, there is a large, full tail. It cannot trail behind or up in the air but must curl around to meet the dog's back or rest against his flank.
     The Akita is in the bottom range of  the large-size breed category. His size and obvious strength leaves a lasting impression on all who see him. At the same time, there is no harshness in his appearance, for the short, thick and lustrous double coat softens the rugged outline of muscle and bone.
     In his driving movement, the Akita combines great power with a precision and smoothness which makes it seem as natural to be moving as to be standing still. Every step is purposeful expression of the dog's own will.
     The breed character is reserved, silent and dominant over other canines. Although the Akita is unruffled by minor irritations, he is alert towards other dogs, and any serious challenge is met with swift retaliation.
     With man, the Akita is a delightful companion. He gives devotion and protection more than he could ever take in food and shelter. Friendly strangers are treated with respect, but trespassers find the door barred by an awesome figure.
 


              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: Thick and muscular; comparatively short, widening
                  gradually toward shoulders. 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 a
                  plume. Disqualification: Sickle or uncurled tail. 

               FOREQUARTERS: Shoulders 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. 

Approved December 12, 1972
 
 

POINTS TO REMEMBER

1.) The Akita is broad and powerful. This quality is more evident in dogs than bitches.

2.) Reflecting the moderate degree of angulation in shoulder and stifle, the Akita's brisk and powerful gait is characterized by strides of moderate length.

3.) Akita ears are different than those of ANY OTHER BREED. They are small, set well apart on the broad head, and angled forward at about 45 degrees from vertical. Ears are strongly erect.

4.) Most Akitas have no loose skin on their heads at any time. Under conditions of excitement, a slight wrinkle on the forehead is acceptable but not desirable. Characteristic of the breed is a furrow down the center of the forehead. Loose and sagging lips are incorrect.

5.) The Akita eye is small, dark in color, and triangluar in shape.

6.) The Akita's impressive tail is a vital element in the total picture he presents. It is large and full to balance his imposing head. When his tail is brought down it reaches the hock joint.

7.) The Akita's topline is perfectly level, whether standing or moving.

8.) Rich, clear colors are preferable. Especially with pintos, well balanced markings are vital to the overall apperance.

9.) The neck is strong, with a pronounced crest.

10.) Splayed feet or long toes are incorrect.

11.) The Akita's double coat is thick and dense. The outer coat is harsh but not wiry. The undercoat is soft.

12.) The only acceptable bites are scissors (upper teeth barely overlap lower teeth in front) and level (upper teeth meet lower teeth exactly)
TAKEN FROM THE 1974 ACA BREEDERS GUIDE.