Nieuwe pagina 2

American Akita

History

The Akita Inu is the largest of the Japanese breeds of dog, and one who’s true origins have no comprehensive documentation. It is a dog that evolved in the mountainous regions of Akita Prefecture, but that later on, at various points in time prior to the 20th century, had other breeds intentionally - and unintentionally - added to the gene pool in Japan, including the Mastiff and the Tosa Fighting Dog. The reason for these particular additions is that the Akita was a popular choice for dog fighting while that 'sport' was in favor in Japan . And while the Akita Inu has been attributed other more palatable tasks throughout its history, including guardian to nobility, dog aggression is an unfortunate legacy of its fighting past that cannot be denied or ignored. Because of the various breeds being mixed with the Akita in Japan , the dogs have looked very different from one period to another. All those influences have played a significant role in shaping the Akitas of today, both physically and emotionally Today, the Akitas in or from Japan reflect the intense effort the Japanese made in the second half of the 20th century to recreate the original Akita, a dog uninfluenced by western breeds. Other Japanese breeds were used, all smaller than the Akita but all exhibiting similar type, coat and overall structure. The American Akita, on the other hand, evolved from the gene pool that was imported from Japan in the late 1940's and 50s, and that gene pool was heavily influenced by western breeds that contributed the size, the heavy bone and the 'big bear head' we love and desire today. Whether you prefer the more 'fox-like' Japanese Akita or the big 'bear-type' American Akita depends on your personal taste; both have some similarities but have been deemed two different breeds by Japan , the country of origin. Interbreeding, or mixing, is strictly prohibited. There are differences in personality as well as size, type and structure. However, both breeds are stunningly beautiful, a challenge to own and train, and loyal and devoted companions. We have American Akitas, and therefore strive to produce according to the AKC Standard, which demands a "large, powerful appearance, with much substance and heavy bone", a "broad head forming a blunt triangle with deep muzzle, small triangular eyes" and a "well defined stop". Japanese Akitas are smaller and slighter than American Akitas, with different body structure, a different head type, and only white, red, and selected brindle colors are allowed. In ALL FCI countries, the two Akitas are completely different breeds. Unfortunately the U.S. has been slow to embrace the concept, and a majority of the Akita Club of America voted against any further information on the subject. Nothing like a closed mind in the face of progress! As a result, here in the U.S. , the two breeds continue to be mixed by some. There have been unsuccessful attempts to ‘modify’ the AKC standard so that a smaller, finer-boned Akita is acceptable, even preferred. But Japan, being the country of origin, owns the breed standard, and eventually the Akita will be two breeds in the entire world. Changes are taking place at an alarming rate around the world and only time will tell when the Japanese and American Akitas will be split in the United States . One thing for sure... Hoka-Hey will not compromise the size and substance, the big bear heads, and the wide range of colors that attracted us in the first place. And of course, we would not want to tamper with what the Japanese have struggled so hard to recreate in their breed either.We are very gratified with the success of our breeding program which started in 1987, both as far as our personal goals and our success in show rings here and around the world. We make our decisions with a look to the future of our breed, but are always mindful of their colorful and significant past.

General Appearance Large, powerful, alert and much substance and heavy bone. The broad head, forming a blunt triangle with deep muzzle. Small eyes and small erect ears carried forward in line with the neck are characteristic of the breed. The large curled tail, balancing the broad head, is also characteristic of the breed. Large-sized dog, sturdily built, well balanced, with much substance and heavy bone. The broad head, forming a blut triangle, with deep muzzle, relatively small eyes and erect ears carried forward almost in line with back of neck, is characteristic of the breed.

Temperament * Characteristics Alert, responsive, dignified, reserved with strangers. An Akita’s nature is to be intensely loyal to its master. The Akita barks infrequently and then only as a warning signal. Fearless when challenged, often dominant over other dogs. The Akita’s demeanor suggests activity and agility.Often aggressive toward other dogs and will defend its territory against animals and humans. He is a good companion and guardian. Robust, needing firm discipline. He can be obstinate. Once he understands, he is quite cooperative. Hardy, can withstand extremes in climates.Friendly, alert, responsive, dignified, docile and courageous.The temperament is composed, faithful, docile and receptive.

Size Height at shoulders: 26 inches to 28 inches for dogs; 24 inches to 26 inches for bitches. The male dogs length to height is approximately 10:9: females 11:9.

Males 26 to 28 inches at the withers; bitches 24 to 26 inches. Disqualification: dogs under 25 inches; bitches under 23 inches.

Height at withers: dogs: 66-71 cms (26-28 ins); bitches: 61-66 cms (24-26 ins) Important Proportions:The ratio of height at withers to length of body is 9 to 10 in males and 9 to 11 in bitches.
The depth of the chest measures one-half of the height of the dog at withers.
The distance from tip of nose to stop corresponds to the distance from stop to occiput as 2 does to 3.Dogs 67 cm, Bitches 61 cm. There is a tolerance of 3 cm more or less.

Coat and Colour 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. 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.

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 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.

Forequarters Shoulders - Strong and powerful with moderate layback. Upper Arm - Heavy-boned and straight as viewed from front. Elbows turning neither in nor out. Lower Arm - Heavy-boned and straight as viewed from front. Dew claws optional. Pasterns - Angle of pastern 15 degrees from vertical. Feet - Thick, round and very tight with arched toes (cat feet) straight ahead, pads thick.

Hindquarters:Hip bone - width, muscular development and bone comparable to front. Upper thigh - well developed and powerful, stifle moderately angled. Lower thigh - should be comparable to forequarters, dew claws optional. Hocks - strong hocks, less angular than many breeds (146-160) turning neither in nor out. Feet - same as front.

TailL 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.

Gait:Resilient and vigorous with strides of moderate length. Back remains firm and level. Hindlegs move in line with front legs, whilst gaiting will single track.

Faults

Over refinement in males;
Coarseness in bitches;
Lack of chest;
Elbows in or out;
Light bone, rangy body;
Straight hocks;
Excessive dewlap;
Indication of ruff or feathering;
Round or light eye. The foregoing description is that of the ideal Akita. Any deviation from the above-described dog must be penalized to the extent of the deviation, keeping in mind the original purpose of the breed.

Disqualifications Monorchids or cryptorchids;
Viciousness, instability;
Excessively over/undershot;
Uncurled or sickle tail;
Albinos; Butterfly nose;
Drop or broken ears;
Entropion or ectropion;
Long coats;
Males under twenty-five (25) inches;
Bitches under twenty-three (23) inches.

Altering of coat or general appearance by scissoring or clipping.Unilateral or bilateral cryptorchid. Viciousness or extreme shyness. Excessive overshot or undershot bite. Pink noses, eyelids, or rims, butterfly nose. Excessive entropion or ectropion. Drop or broken ears. Uncurled or sickle tail. Altering of coat or general appearance by clipping or scissoring. Albinism. Adult males under 25 inches or females under 23 inches. Deafness.

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.

NOTE *** Male animals should have two apparently normal testicles fully descended into the scrotum.