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Japanese Akita

FCI Classification of the Akita Dog Breed

by kensho-go

The Akita belongs to group 5 ‘Spitz and primitive types’ according to the FCI classification of dog breeds.

Physically spitz breeds are very close to the wolf ancestors of dogs. Take a wolf and curl its tail and you have a grey Malamute or a Siberian Husky. Paint it red like a fox and you get an Akita. However behaviorally they are dogs and although they can be challenging to own they lack the full repertoire of mature wolf behaviors. With training they will usually learn to respect their owners and are not unexpectedly attempting dangerous challenges to move up in the pecking order at every opportunity.

Spitz breeds are square proportioned dogs with prick ears and a curled tail. The northern and oriental spitzs generally have a primitive type coat with guard hairs around 2 inches long and an undercoat which thickens in winter. The equatorial spitz have short coats.

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Breed Standard for the Japanese Akita

by kensho-go

General Appearance
Large, well-balanced, sturdily built dog of Spitz type. Very slightly longer than high.

Characteristics
Dignified. Broad head with relatively small eyes. Thick, triangular ears pricked and inclined forward. Distinctive tightly curled tail and markings.

Temperament
Aloof, docile and faithful.

Head and Skull
Head appears as a blunt triangle when viewed from above. Broad skull, free from wrinkle, with cheeks moderately developed. Defined stop with a distinct furrow. Muzzle straight, of good depth, tapering gradually. Lips tight. Nose large and black, except in white dogs where flesh coloured nose is acceptable.

Eyes
Relatively small, almond-shaped, moderately set apart and dark brown. Eye rims dark and tight.

Ears
Relatively small, thick, triangular, slightly rounded at tips. Set moderately well apart, pricked and inclining forward.

Mouth
Jaws strong, with a perfect, regular and complete scissor bite, i.e. upper teeth closely overlapping lower teeth and set square to the jaws.

Neck
Thick and muscular, of moderate length, without dewlap. Pronounced crest blending with back of skull.

Forequarters
Shoulders well developed, moderately laid back. Elbows close to chest. Well boned. Forelegs straight when viewed from the front.

Body
Length from point of shoulder to point of buttock slightly greater than height at withers. Level back. Chest deep, forechest well developed, ribs moderately sprung. Well tucked up. Loin broad and muscular.

Hindquarters
Strong, muscular with moderate angulation. Well developed thighs. Moderate turn of stifle. Strong hocks, well let down, turning neither in nor out.

Feet
Round, arched and tight with thick pads. Turning neither in nor out. Dewclaws on hindlegs customarily removed.

Tail
Set high. Thick, full and of good length. Tightly curled over the back. Uncurled tail highly undesirable.

Gait/Movement
Vigorous and powerful with moderate length of stride.

Coat
Outer coat coarse, stand-off and straight. Slightly longer at withers and rump. More profuse on tail. Undercoat soft and dense. No indication of ruff or feathering.

Colour
Red-fawn; sesame; brindle; white. All the foregoing colours except white must have whitish coat on the cheeks, the sides of the muzzle, the inside of the legs and also the undersides of the jaw, neck, chest, body and tail (Urajiro).

Size
Height at withers: dogs 64-70cms (25 ¼-27 ½ ins); bitches 58-64 cms (22 ¾-25 ¼ ins).

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.

Note
Male animals should have two apparently normal testicles fully descended into the scrotum.

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