Kennel Caccia

Akita Inu - standards - 8

Akita
Akita Inu


The Akita Dog
Standard
Akita-Inu
Preservation Society Inc.
Copyright © AKIHO 1996
 


Akiho Akita Breed
Standard
Akita Inu Standard
Japanese Akita Standard
Adopted September 18, 1955
 


Characteritics

Possesses composure, strong courageous character, loyalty, obedient, dignity, keen senses and agility.

Appearance

The balanced body is solid. The muscles and tendons are well developed. The skin is tight. The male and female are clearly distinguishable. The height: body length ratio in the male is 100:110; in the female, the body length is slightly longer in proportion than the male. The height of the male is 66.7 cm (2 shaku 2 sun, 26.3"), the female, 60.6 cm (2 shaku, 23.9"), with a variation of 3.03 cm (1 sun, 1.2") either way as acceptable. The height: chest depth ratio is 2:1.

Head

The head is large and the top of the head is somewhat flat. The forehead is wide without wrinkles. The groove is distinct with the proper amount of stop. The cheeks are well developed.

Neck

The neck is thick and sturdy with tight skin and has the proper angle.

Ears

The erect ears are rather small, thick, triangular, and slants forward at a proper angle with adequate space between the ears.

Eyes

The eyes are somewhat triangular, deeply set and properly spaced from each other. The outer corners of the eyes are somewhat raised, the iris are yellowish dark brown.

Muzzle and Nose

The bridge of the nose is straight, the muzzle is full. The base of the mouth is wide. The tip is not pointed sharply. The nose appears firm, and the lips are tightly drawn.

Teeth

The teeth are powerful and have the proper bite.

Chest

The chest is deep. The ribs are full. The forechest is well developed. The abdomen is drawn up properly (moderately).

Shoulder and Hip

The back is straight and the hips are powerful.

Forelegs

The shoulder have proper angulation in relation to the forelegs which are well developed.

Hindlegs

The hind legs are thick and well developed with a powerful grip, thrust and stance. The hocks have the proper angulation.

Tail

The tail is thick and well curled. The tip of the tail almost reaches the hock joint. The type of the tail curls are left, right, single and double curls.

Coat

The outercoat is coarse and straight. The undercoat is soft like cotton and thick. The coat at the withers and the hip are slightly longer. The tail has longest coat.

Coat Color

White, black, red, goma, brindle, and pinto.

Minor Faults

1. Acquired injuries and obvious effects of dietary deficiency.
2. Coat color unbecoming of an Akita dog.
3. Undesirable combinations of coat color and light iris of the eye.
4. Missing tooth or teeth, irregular teeth and even bite.
5. Spotted tongue.
6. Timid or violent.
7. Lack of other distinguishing features of an Akita dog.

Major Faults

1. Drop ears.
2. Uncurled tail.
3. Excessive long or short coat.
4. Undershot and overshot jaws.
5. Nose color not matching coat color (red nose permitted in white dogs).
6. Cryptorchism (undescended testicles).
7. Other features lacking distinguishing features of an Akita dog.

 




 


Characteritics

An Akita is quiet, strong, dignified and courageous. He is also loyal and respectful, reserved and noble. He is sensitive and deliberate yet possesses quickness.


Overall body structure

The body is well balanced with a sturdy bone structure and well-developed tendons and ligaments, while the skin is free of wrinkles. Differences in sex should be readily apparent through general appearance. In the dog (male) the ratio of height to body length is 100 to 110. The bitch is slightly longer in length. The height of the dog is 26 1/4 inches while the height of the bitch is 23 7/8 inches, plus or minus 1 1/8 inches. The ratio of the height of the depth of the chest is 2 to 1.

Head

The skull is large and a little flat at the top. Its forehead is wide without wrinkles but has a definite longitudinal crease. There is a well-proportioned stop (depression between the cranial and nasal bones) between the forehead and the muzzle. The cheeks are full.

Neck

The neck is thick and powerful. The skin around the neck is free of wrinkles and the coat appropriately bristled.

Ears

The ears are thick, rather small, triangular in shape, and tilt slightly forward. The lines are straight and the ears stand erect. The distance between the ears is not narrow but not too wide.

Eyes

The shape of the eye is approximately triangular. They are deep-set and slightly slanted. The eye rims are dark brownish in color. The distance between the eyes is proportionate.

Muzzle (Mouth and Nose)

The nose (black portion) is full and the ridge straight. The base of the mouth is wide, the frontal portion not pointed and the lips drawn. The whiskered region is full.

Teeth

The teeth are strong and have a scissor bite.

Chest and Stomach

The chest is broad. The rib cage is full. The forechest is well developed and defined. The stomach is drawn without flabbiness (tucked up).

Back and Hip

The back is straight and the hip is powerful.

Forelegs (Arms)

The shoulders are well developed with proper shoulder angulation. The elbows (joint) are strong. The upper forelegs are straight, strong and thick. The pasterns (portion directly above paws) are slightly slanted. The paws are round, large, and thick, and have a firm grip.

Hindlegs

The hind legs are well developed, springy, powerful and sturdy. The rear pasterns have proper angles and possess a strong kick or thrust. The paws are thick with a strong grip.

Tail

The tail is thick and tightly wound. The length of the tail when extended must reach the hock joint. The types of curls are called right curl, left curl, single straight and double curl.

Coat

The outercoat is coarse and straight, while the undercoat is fine and thick. The coat at the withers (shoulder region) and rump is slightly longer than the rest of the body. The tail has the longest coat.

Colour of Coat

White, black, red, silver-tipped, brindle and pinto.

Minor Faults

1. Permanent injury and dietary deficiency.
2. Color of coat unbecoming to an Akita.
3. Undesirable color combination of coat and eye rim.
4. Loss of tooth or teeth. Undershot and overshot jaws.
5. Black spotting on tongue.
6. Lacking in courage, being timid or displaying ferociousness (ferocity), or otherwise lacking the qualities suitable for Akitas.

Major Faults

1. Floppy ears by birth (ears failing to stand).
2. Straight tail by birth.
3. Excessively long or short coat.
4. Color of nose not matching the color of coat. (Reddish or pink nose acceptable with white coat.)
5. Bilateral or unilateral cryptorchidism.
6. Other defects detracting from the qualities of Akitas.
 

Compiled by Katja Sjöberg 2003-2007

 

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