akita
GENERAL APPEARANCE : Large dog, robust build, well balanced and with a lot of substance; sharply defined secondary sexual characters, with great nobility and dignity in their simplicity; robust constitution.
Personality: Docile, faithful and loyal.
Energy Level : Very Active. This dog is active and energetic, and needs daily exercise.
Good with children: Yes.
Good with other dogs: With supervision.
Grooming: Seasonal.
Life expectancy : 10-15 years old.
Bark level: Moderate.
HISTORICAL SUMMARY
Originally all Japanese dog breeds were small and medium sized and there were no large breeds. Since 1603, coming from the Akita region, dogs called “Akitas Matagis” (medium-sized bear hunting dogs) have been used as fighting dogs. From 1868 Akitas Matagis were crossed with Tosa and Mastiffs. Consequently, the breed's stature increased, but the traits associated with the "Spitz type" were lost. In 1908 dog fights were banned, however, this breed was preserved and perfected as a great Japanese breed. As a result, in 1931, nine exceptional specimens of this breed were designated as “Historical Monuments”. During World War II (1939 - 1945) it was common to use dogs as a source of fur for military clothing. The police ordered the capture and confiscation of all other dogs except the German Shepherd, which was used for military purposes. Many aficionado breeders have tried to circumvent the law by crossing their dogs with the German Shepherd. When World War II ended, the number of Akitas was drastically reduced and they existed in three distinct types:
1. Akitas Matagis.
2. Combat Akitas.
3. Akitas / Shepherds.
This created a very confusing situation in the race. After the war, during the purebred restoration process, Kongo-Go, a dog with a “Dewa” bloodline, which exhibited Mastiff and German Shepherd characteristics, enjoyed a fleeting but tremendous popularity. The number of Akita breeders increases and gains a lot of popularity. However, enlightened breeders refused to accept this type of dog as the true Japanese breed and endeavored to eliminate the characteristics of foreign breeds by crossing them with the Akitas Matagis, with the purpose of re-establishing the original type of the breed. They were successful in stabilizing the large inbred bloodline as it is known today.
Country of Origin: Japan.
BEHAVIOR AND TEMPERAMENT: The temperament is calm, faithful, docile and receptive.
HEAD:
CRANIAL REGION
Skull: Size is in proportion to the body. The forehead is broad, with a clear frontal furrow. No wrinkles.
Stop: Defined.
FACIAL REGION
Nose: Broad and black. Mild and diffuse lack of pigmentation is only accepted in white dogs, but black is always preferred.
Muzzle: Moderately long and strong, with a broad base, tapering (to the tip) but not pointed. Straight nose bridge.
Jaws and Teeth: Strong teeth with a scissor bite.
Lips: Fair.
Cheeks: Moderately developed.
Eyes: Relatively small, almost triangular in shape due to the elevation of the outer corner of the eye, set moderately apart, dark brown color: the darker the better.
Ears: Relatively small, thick, triangular, slightly rounded at the ends, set moderately apart, erect and sloping forward.
NECK: Thick and muscular, without throatiness, in harmony with the head.
TRUNK
Back: Straight and strong.
Loin: Broad and muscular.
Chest: Deep, with well-developed forechest, ribs moderately sprung. Belly: Well tucked up.
TAIL: Set on high, thick, carried vigorously, curled over the back; the end almost reaching the hocks when lowered (stretched).
MEMBERS
PREVIOUS
Shoulders: Moderately sloping and developed.
Elbows: Adjusted (to the torso). Forearms: Straight and strongly boned.
HINDQUARTERS: Well developed, strong and moderately angulated.
Feet: Thick, round, arched and compact.
GAIT/MOVEMENT: Elastic and powerful movement.
COAT
Coat: Hard and straight outer coat, soft and dense undercoat; the withers and croup are covered with slightly longer hair; the tail hair is longer than the rest of the body.
COLOR: Red fawn, sesame (red fawn hair with black tips), brindle and white. All colors mentioned above, except white, must feature the “urajiro”. (Urajiro: whitish fur on the sides of the muzzle, on the cheeks, on the ventral side of the jaw, neck, chest, trunk and tail and on the inner side of the limbs).
SIZE
Height at the withers: Males: 67 cm Females: 61 cm There is a tolerance of 3 cm plus or minus
FAULTS
Any deviation from this standard should be considered a fault and penalized in exact proportion to its severity and its effects on the health and well-being of the dog.
DISQUALIFYING FAULTS
• Aggressiveness or excessive shyness.
• Any dog that shows any sign of physical or behavioral anomaly must be disqualified.
• Atypical dogs.