From
The American Kennel ClubFrom
The American Kennel Club
General
Appearance
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 snipy 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