Akita Female, Best of Breed, 2006 National Specialty
(click photo to enlarge) |
Akita Male, Best of Opposite Sex to Best of Breed, 2006 National
Specialty (click photo to enlarge) |
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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