AKIHO
THE AKITA DOG PRESERVATION SOCIETY
OF JAPAN
THE STANDARD OF THE AKITA DOG
(Revised September 18, 1955 )

THE FIRST AKITA DOG STANDARD
THE STANDARD POINTS of THE "NIPPON-INU"
ADOPTED BY THE NIPPON-INU HOZONKAI  1934
LARGE SIZE (Akita Dog)

General Appearance
The Akita is a well-balanced dog, extremely sturdy and muscular with plenty bone. The skin tight, not loose. The sex characteristics clearly marked.
Height, at shoulders, males 25 to 27.5 inches, bitches 22.5 to 25 inches. The Akita males' body properly longer than height, with the most desirable proportion as 11 is to 10, bitches slightly longer than males. The proportion of height to the chest depth about as 2 is to 1.

General Appearance -
Sex features distinctive Well-balance body. Frame firm and sturdy. Muscles well-distributed.

Shoulder height in males 62 - 73cm; in females 57.5 - 65cm. The proportion of shoulder height to length of body is 100 - 110; in females the latter gains slightly.

Temperament
The Akita combines serenity and dignity, with not gaudy in overall appearance, but possessing loyalty, nobility, and keenness. Although the heavily flame, his demeanor indicates active and agile.

Nature and Expression -
Sharp and fierce, with good-natured simplicity. The whole behavior should be preferable grave.

Head
Massive in appearance, top of the skull slightly flat, and the forehead showing broad, free from wrinkles. The stop well amount, and definite furrow running alone the center of the forehead. The cheeks fairly developed and fullness.

Head and Neck -
High browed. Cheeks well-developed.

Powerful neck.

Neck
Thick and muscular, well arched, without loose skin.

*Powerful neck.

Ears
Erect rather small, triangular in shape, thick and firm with carried slightly forward, and well broad between the ears.

Ears -
Small and triangular. Stand erect, tapering, bending forward slightly.

Eyes
Deeply set, rather triangular in shape, dark brown in color, and well apart between the eyes

Eyes -
Rather triangular. The outer canthus higher. Iris dark brown.

Muzzle and Nose
The muzzle fully developed, the bridge of the nose straight, and thickest at the base, with not snipiness toward the nose. The nose black in color, and the lips tightly closed.

Muzzle -
Bridge of nose straight, and peak pointed. Muzzle stout and firm. Lips compressed and thin.

Teeth
Strong and healthy, with correct scissors bite.

Chest and Abdomen -
The chest fairly deep, and the brisket well developed. The ribs well sprung, and the abdomen moderately tucked up.

Chest -
Deep. Ribs moderately sprung. Breast well-developed.

Forequarters
The forelegs well developed, with the shoulder blades and the upper arms moderately angulated. The elbows close to body, not loose. The forearms straight, heavy-boned and strong. The pasterns slightly slanting. The feet large, round and thick, compact with arched toes.

Forelegs -
Shoulder blades well-developed. Hocks straight and toes slightly closed.

Hindlegs -
Muscular and straight, with strong hock joint.

Back -
Straight.

Loins -
Strong.

Tail -
Massive and powerful; straight or curled, long enough to reach hock.
Deduction: Tail which is not curled.

Coat -
Upper coat stiff and straight. Undercoat soft and thick. The hair on the tail long and bushy.

Color
The color may be either fawn, white, wheaten, black, brindle, brownish-grey, cinder-grey, iron-grey, silver-grey, or black and tan.

Faults -
1. Posteriority injury, too malnutrition and negligent care.
2. Objectionable color.
3. Too light eyes.
4. Level bite, missing or irregular teeth.
5. Dark spot on tongue.
6. Shyness, instability, ferocity.
7. Poor characteristic substance of the Akita.

Disqualifications -
1. Congenital drop ear and ears.
2. Congenital uncurled tail.
3. Congenital excessive short or long hair.
4. Much overshot or undershot.
5. Any other color than black nose, liver nose acceptable only white dog.
6. Lack of testicle and testicles.
7. Lack of characteristic substance of the Akita.

Translated by Akiho
COPYRIGHT ALL RIGHTS RESERVED
FOR RESEARCH STUDY ONLY
DO NOT DUPLICATE - MBS1999©

Translated by Nippo
COPYRIGHT ALL RIGHTS RESERVED
FOR RESEARCH STUDY ONLY
DO NOT DUPLICATE  - MBS1999©