F.C.I. - Federation Cynologique Internationale
Publication of Original Valid Akita Breed Standard
March 13, 2001 Companion Dog
Group 5 Spitz & primitive type, Section 5 Asian Spitz & related breeds
- Without working trial
ORIGIN : Japan
Historical Summary: Originally Japanese dogs were
small to medium in size and no large breeds
existed. Since 1603 in the Akita region, Akita
Matagis (medium-sized bear-hunting dogs) were
used as fighting dogs. From 1868 Akita Matagis
were crossed with Tosas and Mastiffs.
Consequently, the size of this breed increased
but characteristics associated with Spitz type
were lost.
In 1908 dog fighting was prohibited, but this
breed was nevertheless preserved and improved as
a large Japanese breed. As a result, nine
superior examples of this breed were designated
as ? Natural Monuments ? in 1931.
During World War II (1939-1945), it was common
to use dogs as a source of fur for military
garments. The police ordered the capture and
confiscation of all dogs other than German
Shepherd Dogs used for military purposes. Some
fanciers tried to circumvent the order by
crossbreeding their dogs with Akita
Dogs.
When World War II ended, Akitas had been
drastically reduced in number and existed as
three distinct types;
1) Matagi Akitas, 2)
fighting Akitas, and 3) Shepherd Akitas. This
created a very confusing situation in the breed.
During the restoration process of the pure breed
after the war., Kongo-go, a dog of the Dewa
line, which exhibited characteristics of the
Mastiff and Akita
However, sensible learned fanciers did not
approve of this type as a proper Japanese breed,
so they made efforts to eliminate the strain old
foreign breeds by crossbreeding with Matagi
Akitas for the purpose of restoring the original
pure breed. They succeeded in stabilizing the
pure strain of large sized breed as known today.
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 & Temperament: The temperament
is composed, faithful, docile and receptive.
HEAD - Cranial Region: Skull : The size is
in proportion to the body. The forehead is
broad, with distinct furrow. No wrinkle.
Stop : Defined.
Facial Region: 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 - Back: 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.
Colour: Red fawn, sesame (red fawn hairs
with black tips), brindle and white. All the
above mentioned colours except white must have
*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.
• Bitchy dogs / doggy bitches
• Undershot or overshot mouth
• Missing teeth
• Blue or black spotted tongue
• Iris light in colour
• Short tail
• Shyness
Eliminating Faults:
Any dog clearly showing physical or behavioural
abnormalities shall be disqualified.
• Aggresive or overly shy • Ears not pricked •
Hanging tail • Long hair (shaggy) • Black Mask •
Markings on white ground - N.B. Male animals should have two apparently
normal testicles fully descended into the
scrotum.
