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.
|
|
| Breed Name |
Akita |
| Country Of
Origin |
Japan |
| Group |
Working |
|
Coat: |
Coarse, Straight |
| Height |
24" to 28" |
| Weight |
77 to 143 lbs |
| Temperament |
Active, Independent |
| Activity Level |
Low |
| Learning Rate |
High |
|
Litter Size |
5 to 7 |
| Life Span |
9 to 11 Years |
|
|
Other Names |
Akita Ken, Akita Inu |
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Akita puppy:
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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.
If you are interested in a
Akita
Puppy:
See our
PUPPIES FOR SALE
or use our
FREE PUPPY FINDER program. |
