Standard of breed n° 255 - AKITA -

Country of origin: Japan

CHARACTERISTIC:
Possesses composure, strong courageous character, loyalty, obedient, dignity, keen senses and agility.

APPEARANCE:
The balanced body is solid. The muscles and tendons are well developed. The skin is tight. The male and female are clearly distinguishable. The height: body length ratio in the male is 100:110; in the female, the body length is slightly longer in proportion than the male. The height of the male is 66.7 cm (2 shaku 2 sun, 26.3"), the female, 60.6 cm (2 shaku, 23.9"), with a variation of 3.03 cm (1 sun, 1.2") either way as acceptable. The height: chest depth ratio is 2:1.

HEAD:
The head is large and the top of the head is somewhat flat. The forehead is wide without wrinkles. The groove is distinct with the proper amount of stop. The cheeks are well developed.

NECK:
The neck is thick and sturdy with tight skin and has the proper angle.

EARS:
The erect ears are rather small, thick, triangular, and slants forward at a proper angle with adequate space between the ears.

EYES:
The eyes are somewhat triangular, deeply set and properly spaced from each other. The outer corners of the eyes are somewhat raised, the iris are yellowish dark brown.

MUZZLE AND NOSE:
The bridge of the nose is straight, the muzzle is full. The base of the mouth is wide. The tip is not pointed sharply. The nose appears firm, and the lips are tightly drawn.

TEETH:
The teeth are powerful and have the proper bite.

CHEST:
The chest is deep. The ribs are full. The forechest is well developed. The abdomen is drawn up properly (moderately).

SHOULDER AND HIP:
The back is straight and the hips are powerful.

FORELEGS:
The shoulder have proper angulation in relation to the forelegs which are well developed.

HINDLEGS:
The hind legs are thick and well developed with a powerful grip, thrust and stance. The hocks have the proper angulation.

TAIL:
The tail is thick and well curled. The tip of the tail almost reaches the hock joint. The type of the tail curls are left, right, single and double curls.

COAT:
The outercoat is coarse and straight. The undercoat is soft like cotton and thick. The coat at the withers and the hip are slightly longer. The tail has longest coat.

COAT COLOUR:
White, red, brindle.

MINOR FAULTS:
1. Acquired injuries and obvious effects of dietary deficiency.
2. Coat color unbecoming of an Akita dog.
3. Undesirable combinations of coat color and light iris of the eye.
4. Missing tooth or teeth, irregular teeth and even bite.
5. Spotted tongue.
6. Timid or violent.
7. Lack of other distinguishing features of an Akita dog.

MAJOR FAULTS:
1. Drop ears.
2. Uncurled tail.
3. Excessive long or short coat.
4. Undershot and overshot jaws.
5. Nose color not matching coat color (red nose permitted in white dogs).
6. Cryptorchism (undescended testicles).
7. Other features lacking distinguishing features of an Akita dog.