At Starfield Akitas our goal is the promotion and improvement of the Japanese type Akita in America. We breed dogs to the American standard yet adhere to the more restrictive Akiho interpretation as it relates to color and expression.

In America there have been very few of the Japanese type that are of the structural quality to be accepted in the very competitive AKC show environment. At Starfield Akitas it is our goal to raise Akitas of the most correct Japanese type that are able to meet the challenge of physical excellence demanded in American competition.

It is our hope and desire that the Japanese type gains more exposure in this country. This should encourage the distinction that the type so well deserves.

An excellent article offers insights into how the Akita breed, in recent times, took two different directions.

The following is quoted from Donald Lusk in the Akita Journal, 1980 Special Annual Yearbook Issue.

At the moment of its recognition by A.K.C. in 1973, the Akita in America was represented by two rather distinct types: (a) the "old style" Akita descendant of the "Dewa" line, which traced its ancestry back to the famous Japan Grand Champion Kongo-Go. Foundation stock behind most of these early dogs were imported to America during the 1950's and early 1960's. They were generally characterized by large size (often 27" to 29" height in the male), heavy bone, black or dark mask, kurogoma coloring, sometimes loose facial skin and dewlap, larger ears than called for in Japanese standards, and generally heavy coats (there are three accepted standards for the Akita in Japan - (1) Nippo, (2) Akiho, (3) Akikyo); (b) the "Import" type was in general a more stylized Akita, smaller in bone structure, with refined head and face, good tail set and curl, a more proper shape and color of eye, tight facial skin, and often of Brindle, White, or Akagoma color. Many of this type of Akita could be traced back to the Ichinoseki or derivative lines in Japan.

The following published standards show the few differences and many similarities between the Japanese and American Standards.

AKITA CLUB OF AMERICA (ACA) STANDARD

Impression
Large, powerful, alert, with much substance and heavy bone. The broad head, forming a blunt triangle, with deep muzzle, small eyes and erect ears carried forward in line with back of neck, is characteristic of the breed. The large, curled tail, balancing the broad head, is also characteristic of the breed.

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 snipey 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 and Body
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.

Tail
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.

Forequarters and Hindquarters
Forequarters-Shoulders strong and powerful with moderate layback. Forelegs heavy-boned and straight as viewed from front. Angle of pastern 15 degrees forward from vertical. Faults-Elbows in or out, loose shoulders. Hindquarters-Width, muscular development and bone comparable to forequarters. Upper thighs well developed. Stifle moderately bent and hocks well let down, turning neither in nor out. Dewclaws-On front legs generally not removed; dewclaws on hind legs generally removed. Feet-Cat feet, well knuckled up with thick pads. Feet straight ahead.

Coat
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.

Color
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.

Gait
Brisk and powerful with strides of moderate length. Back remains strong, firm and level. Rear legs move in line with front legs.

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

Temperament
Alert and responsive, dignified and courageous. Aggressive toward other dogs.

DISQUALIFICATIONS
Bu tterfly nose or total lack of pigmentation on nose.
Drop or broken ears.
Noticeably undershot or overshot.
Sickle or uncurled tail.
Dogs under 25 inches; bitches under 23 inches.

Approved December 12, 1972

AKITA-INU PRESERVATION SOCIETY INC. STANDARD

Characteritics
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.

Tails
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.

CoatB 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 Color
White, black, red, goma, brindle, and pinto.

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.

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