Akita Information

BACKGROUND ON FCI AND AKITA NAME CHANGE

by Sophia Kaluzniaki, D.V.M. - July 2005

When the FCI, a few years ago, at the urging of some of its member countries in South and Central America, requested the JKC do something about the diversification of the Akita breed, the JKC responded by organizing the first World Akita Congress. It was then decided that the breed would be divided in the FCI countries into two breeds known as the Japanese Akita and the Great Japanese Dog (American Akita) JKC acknowledged that Japan was the country of origin for the GJD and that the United States was the country of development.

Most countries, including the FCI did not like the name Great Japanese Dog as they had been generally referred to as American Akitas. The FCI also did not like the designation of group 2 for the breed. However, in order to get the job done they agreed to both the name and the group designation. The issue of the name and group designation was so hotly contested that it resulted in Dr.Raymond Triquet's resignation from the FCI's standards committee in protest. The Americans, of course, disliked the name intensely and it was a hotly debated topic at the second Akita World Congress in Germany.

Without going into details, let it be said that there was some friction between individuals in the American delegation and the then president of JKC, Mr.Toyosaku Kariyabu and the name Great Japanese Dog stuck. However, at that time Mr. Kariyabu, whom I had been friends with for some time, promised me personally, that the issue of the name would be revisited in five years. He never mentioned it again until about two years ago when he told me again that he remembered that he had made that promise. Then a little over a year ago at the meeting of the World Union of Akita Clubs, Mr.Kariyabu announced to the membership that JKC would be petitioning FCI for a name change to American Akita.

Earlier this month I receive a fax from Japan confirming the fact that FCI had accepted the name change as well as the group change and that the name would now be American Akita, effective in January 2006.

Sophia Kaluzniacki, DVM http://www.tamarlane.com/akita.asp

Editor’s Note: “Doctor Sophia” has been involved with Akitas since 1967 as a very successful breeder-exhibitor and ACA Board member. She is currently a popular AKC judge and serves as the AKC Delegate from the Akita Club Of America.

More Information:

Background On FCI and Akita Name Change Sophia Kaluzniaki, D.V.M. July 2005

FCI Changes Akita Breed Name what that means & why AKC and ACA stubbornly resist!  August 2005

Dilemma - One Breed Or Two? a historical perspective - Sophia Kaluzniaki, D.V.M. Sept. 2005

UPDATE From The Akita World On The Akita Name Change - Sophia Kaluzniaki, D.V.M. June 2006