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General Impression
Large, powerful, alert, with much substance and heavy bone. The
broad head, forming a blunt triangle, with deep muzzle, small eyes and
erect ears carried forward in line with back of neck, is
characteristic of the breed. The large, curled tail, balancing the
broad head, is also characteristic of the breed.
Head
Massive but in balance with body; free of wrinkle when at ease. Skull
flat between ears and broad; jaws square and powerful with minimal
dewlap. Head forms a blunt triangle when viewed from above.
Fault-Narrow or snipey head. Muzzle-Broad and full. Distance from nose
to stop is to distance from stop to occiput as 2 is to 3. Stop-Well
defined, but not too abrupt. A shallow furrow extends well up forehead.
Nose-Broad and black. Liver permitted on white Akitas, but black
always preferred. Disqualification-Butterfly nose or total lack of
pigmentation on nose. Ears-The ears of the Akita are characteristic of
the breed. They are strongly erect and small in relation to rest of
head. If ear is folded forward for measuring length, tip will touch
upper eye rim. Ears are triangular, slightly rounded at tip, wide at
base, set wide on head but not too low, and carried slightly forward
over eyes in line with back of neck. Disqualification-Drop or broken
ears. Eyes-Dark brown, small, deep-set and triangular in shape. Eye
rims black and tight. Lips- and Tongue-Lips black and not pendulous;
tongue pink. Teeth-Strong with scissors bite preferred, but level bite
acceptable. Disqualification-Noticeably undershot or overshot.
Neck and Body
Neck-Thick and muscular; comparatively short, widening gradually
toward shoulders. A pronounced crest blends in with base of skull.
Body-Longer than high, as 10 is to 9 in males; 11 to 9 in bitches.
Chest wide and deep; depth of chest is one-half height of dog at
shoulder. Ribs well sprung, brisket well developed. Level back with
firmly-muscled loin and moderate tuck-up. Skin pliant but not loose.
Serious Faults-Light bone, rangy body.
Tail
Large and full, set high and carried over back or against flank in a
three-quarter, full, or double curl, always dipping to or below level
of back. On a three-quarter curl, tip drops well down flank. Root
large and strong. Tail bone reaches hock when let down. Hair coarse,
straight and full, with no appearance of a plume.
Disqualification-Sickle or uncurled tail.
Forequarters and
Hindquarters
Forequarters-Shoulders strong and powerful with moderate layback.
Forelegs heavy-boned and straight as viewed from front. Angle of
pastern 15 degrees forward from vertical. Faults-Elbows in or out,
loose shoulders. Hindquarters-Width, muscular development and bone
comparable to forequarters. Upper thighs well developed. Stifle
moderately bent and hocks well let down, turning neither in nor out.
Dewclaws-On front legs generally not removed; dewclaws on hind legs
generally removed. Feet-Cat feet, well knuckled up with thick pads.
Feet straight ahead.
Coat
Double-coated. Undercoat thick, soft, dense and shorter than outer
coat. Outer coat straight, harsh and standing somewhat off body. Hair
on head, legs and ears short. Length of hair at withers and rump
approximately two inches, which is slightly longer than on rest of
body, except tail, where coat is longest and most profuse. Fault-Any
indication of ruff or feathering.
Color
Any color including white; brindle; or pinto. Colors are brilliant and
clear and markings are well balanced, with or without mask or blaze.
White Akitas have no mask. Pinto has a white background with large,
evenly placed patches covering head and more than one-third of body.
Undercoat may be a different color from outer coat.
Gait
Brisk and powerful with strides of moderate length. Back remains
strong, firm and level. Rear legs move in line with front legs.
Size
Males 26 to 28 inches at the withers; bitches 24 to 26 inches.
Disqualification-dogs under 25 inches; bitches under 23 inches.
Temperament
Alert and responsive, dignified and courageous. Aggressive toward
other dogs.
DISQUALIFICATIONS
Butterfly nose or total lack of pigmentation on nose.
Drop or broken ears.
Noticeably undershot or overshot.
Sickle or uncurled tail.
Dogs under 25 inches; bitches under 23 inches.
Approved
December 12, 1972
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