Japanese Akita
General Information - Japanese Akita
Group:
Utility
Size:
large
Lifespan:
10-12 years
Exercise:
medium
Grooming:
low
Trainability:
medium
Watchdog ability:
very high
Protection ability:
high
Area of Origin:
Japan
Date of Origin:
1600s
Other Names:
Akita, Akita Inu
Original Function:
Large game hunting,
dog fighting
History
This breed derives its name from an island north of Japan, known as the Prefecture of Akita. The Akita, dating back some 300 years, descends from the Spitz family of dogs. It was originally used as a hunting dog, tracking black bears, wild boar and deer. So admired were they, that only the Japanese royalty and nobility were permitted to own them. Later on, the Akita also served as a police and guard dog, and finally as highly-esteemed house pet and family protector. The breed's popularity increased in the United States after WWII when servicemen returning from Japan brought the Akitas home with them. These dogs and a few imports formed the basis for the breeding lines in America. The Japanese Akita and the Akita are basically the same dog. It comes down to where the breeding lines of the dogs originate from. The "Japanese Akita" is comprised of dogs imported from Japan or dogs from stock that was recently imported. Stock that descends from earlier exports primarily to the US and Canada is known as the Akita.
Temperament
The Japanese Akita's character has several admired qualities: he is alert, courageous, and friendly with people, although occasionally aggressive with other dogs. Early obedience and wide socialisation is required to be assured that it will be well behaved with children and other dogs.
Upkeep
The Japanese Akita appreciates mental and physical exercise every day. It needs the chance to run in a safe area or on leash for a long jog. Given ample exercise and training, it can be a quiet and well-mannered house dog. The Japanese Akita is able to live outdoors in temperate or cool climates, but it is happiest if it can spend most of its time with its family. The coat needs brushing about once a week to remove dead hair, more often when shedding. Japanese Akitas tend to be somewhat messy drinkers!
Japanese Akita
A breed standard is the guideline which describes the ideal characteristics, temperament, and appearance of a breed and ensures that the breed is fit for function with soundness essential. Breeders and judges should at all times be careful to avoid obvious conditions and exaggerations, as well as being mindful of features which could be detrimental in any way to the health, welfare or soundness of this breed.
Breed Standard - Japanese Akita
Origin: Japan
Brief Historical Summary: Originally Japanese dogs were small to medium in size and no large breeds existed. Since 1603 in the Akita region, Akita Matagis (medium-sized bear-hunting dogs) were used as fighting dogs. From 1868 Akita Matagis were crossed with Tosas and Mastiffs. consequently, the size of this breed increased but characteristics associated with Spitz type were lost.
In 1908 dog fighting was prohibited, but this breed was nevertheless preserved and improved as a large Japanese breed. As a result, nine superior examples of this breed were designated as Natural Monuments in 1931.
During World War II (1939-1945), it was common to use dogs as a source of fur for military garments. The police ordered the capture and confiscation of all dogs other than German Shepherd Dogs used for military purposes. Some fanciers tried to circumvent the order by crossbreeding their dogs with German Shepherd Dogs.
When World War II ended, Akitas had been drastically reduced in number and existed as three distinct types; 1) Matagi Akitas, 2) fighting Akitas, and 3) Shepherd Akitas. This created a very confusing situation in the breed.
During the restoration process of the pure bred after the war, Kongo-go, a dog of the Dewa line, which exhibited characteristics of the Mastiff and German Shepherd Dog influence, enjoyed a temporary but tremendous popularity. However, sensible learned fanciers did not approve of this type as a proper Japanese breed, so they made efforts to eliminate the strain of old foreign breeds by crossbreeding with Matagi Akitas for the purpose of restoring the original pure breed. They succeeded in stabilizing the pure strain of large sized breed as known today.
General Appearance: Large-sized dog, sturdily built, well balanced and with much substance; secondary sex characteristics strongly marked, with high nobility and dignity in modesty; constitution tough.
Important Proportions: The ratio of height at withers to length of body (from the point of the shoulders to the point of the buttock) is 10: 11, but the body is slightly longer in bitches than in dogs.
Behaviour/Temperament: The temperament is composed, faithful, docile and receptive.
Cranial Region
Skull: The size is in proportion to the body. The forehead is broad, with distinct furrow. No wrinkle.
Stop: Defined.
Facial Region
Nose: Large and black. Slight and diffuse lack of pigment accepted in white dogs only, but black is always preferred.
Muzzle: Moderately long and strong with broad base, tapering but not pointed. Nasal bridge straight.
Jaws/Teeth: Teeth strong with scissor bite.
Lips: Tight
Cheeks: Moderately developed.
Eyes: Relatively small, almost triangular in shape due to the rising of the outer eye corner, set moderately apart, dark brown: the darker, the better.
Ears: Relatively small, thick, triangular, slightly rounded at tips, set moderately apart, pricked and inclining forward.
Neck: Thick and muscular, without dewlap, in balance with head.
Body:
Back - Straight and Strong
Loin - Broad and muscular
Chest: Deep, forechest well developed, ribs moderately well sprung.
Belly: Well drawn up.
Tail: Set on high, thick, carried vigorously curled over back; the tip nearly reaching hocks when let down.
Limbs
Forequarters:
Shoulders - Moderately sloping and developed.
Elbows - Tight
Forearms - Straight and heavy:boned.
Hindquarters: Well developed, strong and moderately angulated.
Feet: Thick, round, arched and tight.
Gait: Resilient and powerful movement.
Coat
Hair: Outer coat harsh and straight, undercoat soft and dense; the wither and the rump are covered with slightly longer hair; the hair on tail is longer than on the rest of the body.
Colour: Red fawn, sesame (red fawn hairs with black tips), brindle and white. All the above mentioned colours except white must have (Urajiro). (Urajiro + whitish coat on the sides of the muzzle, on the cheeks, on the underside of jaw, neck, chest, body and tail and on the inside of the legs.
Size: Height at the withers - Dogs
67 cm (26.5 in), Bitches 61 cm (24 in). There is a tolerance of 3 cm (1.25 in) more or less.
Faults: Any departure from the foregoing points should be considered a fault and the seriousness with which the fault should be regarded should be in exact proportion to its degree.
- Bitchy dogs/ doggy bitches.
- Undershot or overshot mouth.
- Missing teeth.
- Blue or black spotted tongue.
- Iris light in colour.
- Short tail.
- Shyness.
Very Serious Faults:
- Ears not pricked
- Hanging tail
- Long hair (shaggy)
- Black mask
- Markings on white ground
Notes: Male animals should have two apparently normal testicles fully descended into the scrotum.
DNZ No 601
Copyright Dogs New Zealand
01 Jan 2002
Any departure from the foregoing points should be considered a fault and the seriousness with which the fault should be regarded should be in exact proportion to its degree and its effect upon the health and welfare of the dog and on the dog’s ability to perform its traditional work.
