Utilization Companion dog
Classification FCI

Group 5, Spitz and primitive type.

Section 5, Asian Spitz and related breeds. Without working trial.

Brief historical summary The Akita is one of the oldest breeds in the world. Evidence of breeding can be traced back to the 15th century and skeletal remains, lead to the belief that very similar dogs existed 5000 years ago. The origin of the breed is in Akita a prefecture in the northern part of Japan's main island Honshu. In 1931 The Akita along with 6 other breeds was declared a National treasure.
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.
Important Proportions The ratio of height at withers to length of body (from the point of the shoulders to the point of the buttock) is 10 : 11, but the body is slightly longer in bitches than in dogs.
 Behaviour and temperament The temperament is composed, faithful, docile and receptive.
Head
  Skull The size is in proportion to the body. The forehead is broad, with distinct furrow. No wrinkle.
  Stop Defined.
  Nose  Large and black. Slight and diffuse lack of pigment accepted in white dogs only, but black is always preferred.
  Muzzle Moderately long and strong with broad base, tapering but not pointed. Nasal bridge straight.
  Jaws/Teeth Teeth strong with scissor bite.
  Lips Tight.
  Cheeks Moderately developed.
  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 Relatively small, thick, triangular, slightly rounded at tips, set moderately apart, pricked and inclining forward.
  Neck Thick and muscular, without dewlap, in balance with head.
Body
  Nack Straight and strong.
  Loin Broad and muscular.
  Chest Deep, forechest well developed, ribs moderately well sprung.
  Belly Well drawn up.
Tail Set on high, thick, carried vigorously curled over back ; the tip nearly reaching hocks when let down.
Limbs
  Forequarters  
  Shoulders Moderately sloping and developed
  Elbows Tight
  Forearms Straight and heavy-boned.
  Hindquarters Well developed, strong and moderately angulated.
Feet Thick, round, arched and tight.
Gait Resilient and powerful movement.
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 the body.
  Color

Red fawn, sesame (red fawn hairs with black tips), brindle and white. All the above mentioned colours 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 Height at the withers: dogs 67 cm, bitches 61 cm. There is a tolerance of 3 cm more or less.
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 and its effect upon the health and welfare of the dog.

  • bitchy dogs
  • doggy bitches
  • undershot or overshot mouth
  • missing teeth
  • blue or black spotted tongue
  • iris light in colour
  • short tail
  • shyness
Elimination Faults
  • aggresive or overly shy
  • ears not pricked
  • hanging tail
  • long hair (shaggy)
  • black mask
  • markings on white ground
  • Any dog clearly showing physical or behavioural abnormalities shall be disqualified.
N.B. Male animals should have two apparently normal testicles fully descended into the scrotum.