American Akita

Utility

Coat

Solid:
Grizzle: Grey or Red grizzle (regular or sooty).
Sable: Red sable in any pattern is accepted.
Brindle: with striping
Urajiro: All of the above may have urajiro.
Masking: Any of the above colours may be masked with (standard or extended mask - mask may include whole head).
Masked dogz may have 'etching' which is a thin line of as tipping or solid as trim between the white and coloured areas.
White Markings: White is allowed on the above colours in any amount, the head must be mainly coloured in all patterns. Symmetrical markings preferred. Ticking allowed.
Solid is also allowed, these dogz may have ears.

Eyes

Nose

. White dogz may have but black is preferred.

Faults

None

Disqualifications

Flesh nose in a dog that is not white. Solid white head in a patched dog.

Blue-striped brindles were removed in December 2015. These dogs are being gradually phased out and will be DQ by June 2016.

Varieties

None

Notes

The akita originates from the northern parts of the japanese island Honshu, and has been close to extinction several times. It was originally a medium-sized hunting dog ('akita matagi' - 'good hunter') that was also kept as a fighting dog. Around 1868 it was crossed with tosa inus and similar breeds, which made the breed larger and heavier and therefore better adapted to fighting. The dogs were so highly valued that it was illegal to not bow when one passed by!
When dog fighting was made illegal in 1908 the akita gradually became mixed up with other breeds, and in 1931 the breed was proclaimed a national symbol to ensure that it was preserved for the afterworld. However, during the second World War only german shepherds used by the military were allowed to be kept in the country, and as a result many akita owners crossed their dogs with this breed. The few surviving akitas after the war had been divided into three distinctive types; akita matagi, fighting dog akita and german shepherd akita. The heavier german shepherd-type is the one that was exported to the USA and is found there today, while the lighter and more shiba-like akita matagi is preferred in Japan.

The akita should be a large proportionate dog, somewhat rectangular with a lot of substance, elegant and majestic. he head is broad with a powerful muzzle. The ears are small and rounded. The body is strong with a deep chest and straight back. The tail is set high and carried in a curl over the back.

Breed Files

Filename: Japanese Akita
Offset: 63BA
Base: Great Dane
SCP: Great Dane
Accepted: December 22, 2011
Notes: 4 tail variations, 3 tuck-up variations

Filename: American Akita
Offset: 1521
Base: Great Dane
SCP: Dalmatian
Accepted: May 19, 2011
Notes: 2 tail variations, optional nails and liplines.

Filename: Japanese Akita
Offset: 63BA
Base: Great Dane
SCP: Great Dane
Accepted: January 23, 2010
Notes: Joint project with Lotus of Abnormality. Includes four tail variations, two hind leg angulation variations and optional liplines.

Filename: Japanese Akita
Offset: 63BA
Base: Dalmatian
SCP: Dalmatian
Accepted: April 1, 2006
Notes: No comments.

Filename: Japanese Akita
Offset: 63BA
Base: Dalmatian
SCP: Dalmatian
Accepted: April 1, 2006
Notes: Version 2 of the Abnormality file. Angled legs, addball tail. May be unsuitable for obedience.

Filename: RDK Akita
Offset: A297
Base: Great Dane
SCP: Great Dane
Accepted: January 4, 2006
Notes:

Filename: Akita
Offset: C303
Base: Great Dane
SCP: Great Dane
Accepted: February 11, 2005
Notes: Addball tail and slightly angled legs. Tail may fall on either side of the body and white tail tip may be obscured in pose.