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Standard
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
3) Shepherd Akitas
This created a very confusing situation in the breed.
During the restoration process of the pure breed 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 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 AND TEMPERAMENT
The temperament is composed, faithful, docile and receptive.
HEAD - 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 withers 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, bitches: 61 cm.
There is a tolerance of 3 cm 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.
ELIMINATING FAULTS
Ears not pricked.
Hanging tail.
Long hair (shaggy).
Black mask.
Markings on white ground.
N.B. : Male animals should have two apparently normal testicles fully descended into the scrotum.