Post by charmingnancy on Mar 10, 2009 17:05:21 GMT -5
Akita
Group: 3- Working Dogs
Origin: Northern Japan
Purpose: Hunting bear, wild boar and sled work; a companion and protector of children and home
Other Names: Akita Inu, Akita-ken, Great Japanese Dog (Obsolete), Matagi dog, and Japanese Akita
Description:
The Akita's history dates back nearly 400 years and derives its name from the prefecture of Akita in Northern Japan. In 1931 the breed was proclaimed a natural monument by the Japanese Ministry of Education. The government more recently took steps to preserve the breed which is now regarded as a National Treasure.
Appearance- Breed Standards:
Coat and Colour:
Double coated: undercoat is soft and dense - shorter than outer coat. Outer coat is straight, harsh, slightly standing off body. Hair on head, legs and ears is short. Length of hair at withers and rump, approximately two inches; except tail, where coat is longest and most profuse.
Any colour, white, brindle or pinto. Colours well defined. Markings well balanced. Whites have no mask. Pintos have white background with large evenly placed patches covering head and more than one-third of body. Brindles with or without mask. If the face has stripes rather than a black mask, they should be uniform. Undercoat may be different colour from outercoat.
Head:
(a) Skull - Massive but in balance with body, tending to be flat on top with the rest of the head forming a blunt triangle when viewed from top. Free from wrinkles when at ease. Median fissure clearly visible and stop well defined. Cheeks moderately developed.
(b) Muzzle - Broad, full. Distance from nose to stop is the distance from stop to occiput as two is to three.
(c) Nose - Broad and black. Liver nose permitted on white Akitas only, but black preferred.
(d) Mouth - Clean, powerful jaws. Tongue pink. Teeth strong with scissors bite - but level bite acceptable. No black spots on tongue. Lips black and heavy, but not pendulous.
(e) Eyes - Dark brown: Small, deep set and triangular in shape. Eye rims black and tight.
(f) Ears - of the Akita are characteristic of the breed. They are strongly erect and small in relation to the size of the head. 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.
(g) Neck - The neck is thick and muscular; comparatively short, widening gradually towards shoulders. A pronounced crest blends in with base of skull.
Forequarters:
(a) Shoulders - Strong and powerful with moderate layback.
(b) Upper Arm - Heavy-boned and straight as viewed from front. Elbows turning neither in nor out.
(c) Lower Arm - Heavy-boned and straight as viewed from front. Dewclaws optional.
(d) Pasterns - Angle of pastern 15 degrees from vertical.
(e) Feet -Thick, round and very tight with arched toes (cat feet) straight ahead, pads thick.
Body:
(a) Topline - Level back.
(b) Chest - Is wide and deep. Depth of chest is one-half height of dog at shoulder. Ribs well-sprung, brisket will-developed.
(c) Loin - Firmly muscled and moderate tuck up.
(d) Abdomen - Is drawn up and tucked up.
(e) Croup - Is slightly rounded.
Hindquarters:
(a) Hip bone - Width, muscular development and bone comparable to front.
(b) Upper thigh - Well developed and powerful, stifle moderately angled.
(c) Lower thigh Should be comparable to forequarters, dewclaws optional.
(d) Hocks - Strong hocks, less angular than many breeds (145-160 degrees) turning neither in nor out.
(e) Feet - Same as front.
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 thick and strong. Tail reaches hock when let down. Hair coarse, straight and full, with no appearance of a plume.
Gait:
Brisk and powerful. Vigorous. Back remains firm and level. Rear legs move in line with front legs.
Faults:
1. Over-refinement in males;
2. coarseness in bitches;
3. lack of chest;
4. elbows in or out;
5. light bone, rangy body;
6. straight hocks;
7. excessive dewlap;
8. indication of ruff or feathering;
9. 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.
Note:
A male animal MUST have two apparently normal testicles full descended into the scrotum.
Disqualifications:
1. Monorchids or cryptorchids;
2. Viciousness, instability;
3. Excessively over/undershot;
4. Uncurled or sickle tail;
5. Albinos:
6. Butterfly nose;
7. Drop or broken ears;
8. Entropion or ectropion;
9. Long coats;
10. Males under twenty-five (25) inches; bitches under twenty-three (23) inches;
Altering of coat or general appearance by scissoring or clipping.
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.
Temperament:
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.
Health:
Some of the health conditions known to affect this breed include:
-Canine herpesvirus, a strain of the Herpes virus that happens to affect canines
-Gastric dilatation volvulus (GDV), a condition associated with bloat
-Pemphigus, which causes the autoimmune system to attack the dog's skin (leading to pustules)
-Progressive retinal atrophy (PRA), an adult-onset condition which gradual degeneration in the eye cells (i.e. rods & cones)
-UveoDermatological Syndrome (UDS)
-Sebaceous adenitis, an autoimmune condition which attacks and destroys the dog's sebaceous glands
-Canine hip dysplasia
-Hypothyroidism
-Hyperkalaemia- As a breed, Akitas have abnormally high blood potassium concentrations compared to other breeds
-Heart size: as a breed, Akitas have an unusually small heart for their size. A number of Akitas have died while being operated on under the normal dose of general anaesthetic for a canine of that size, a dose which ultimately proved excessive and fatal to the Akita
Average Lifespan:
Akitas in UK and USA/Canada surveys had a median lifespan of about 10 years, which is similar to other breeds of their size.
History:
Japanese history, both verbal and written, describe the ancestors of the Akita Inu, the Matagi dog, as one of the oldest of the native dogs. The Akita Inu of today developed primarily from these dogs in the northernmost region of the island of Honshū in the Akita prefecture, thus providing the breed's name. The Matagi's quarry included elk, antelope, boar, and the 120-stone Yezo bear. This swift, agile, unswervingly tenacious precursor dog tracked large game and held it at bay until the hunters arrived to make the kill.
Recent DNA analysis found that the Akita was among the most ancient dog breeds.
During World War II, the number of Akita dogs greatly diminished because of the lack of food. There were also orders to capture all dogs except German Shepherds in order to use their fur for warm army uniforms.
During the occupation years following the war, the breed began to thrive again through the efforts of Sawataishi and others. For the first time, Akitas were bred for a standardized appearance. Akita fanciers in Japan began gathering and exhibiting the remaining Akitas and producing litters in order to restore the breed to sustainable numbers and to accentuate the original characteristics of the breed muddied by crosses to other breeds. US servicemen fell in love with the Akita and imported many of them into the US upon and after their return.
The Japanese Akita and American Akita began to diverge in type through the middle and later part of the 20th century with the Japanese Akita fanciers focusing on restoring the breed as an work of Japanese art and American Akita fanciers selecting for the larger, heavier-boned dogs that emerged from the post-war times. Both types derive from a common ancestry, but marked differences can be observed between the two. First, while American Akitas are acceptable in all colors, Japanese Akitas are only permitted to be red, fawn, sesame, white, or brindle. Additionally, American Akitas may be pinto and/or have black masks, unlike Japanese Akitas.
Much debate occurs among Akita fanciers of both types whether there are or should be two breeds of Akita. To date, The AKC and CKC, guided by their national breed clubs, consider American and Japanese Akitas to be two types of the same breed, allowing free breeding between the two. The FCI and Kennel Clubs most other nations consider Japanese and American Akitas as separate breeds.
Sources:
Akita Club of Canada
Wikipedia
Pictures:
Photobucket
Group: 3- Working Dogs
Origin: Northern Japan
Purpose: Hunting bear, wild boar and sled work; a companion and protector of children and home
Other Names: Akita Inu, Akita-ken, Great Japanese Dog (Obsolete), Matagi dog, and Japanese Akita
Description:
The Akita's history dates back nearly 400 years and derives its name from the prefecture of Akita in Northern Japan. In 1931 the breed was proclaimed a natural monument by the Japanese Ministry of Education. The government more recently took steps to preserve the breed which is now regarded as a National Treasure.
Appearance- Breed Standards:
Coat and Colour:
Double coated: undercoat is soft and dense - shorter than outer coat. Outer coat is straight, harsh, slightly standing off body. Hair on head, legs and ears is short. Length of hair at withers and rump, approximately two inches; except tail, where coat is longest and most profuse.
Any colour, white, brindle or pinto. Colours well defined. Markings well balanced. Whites have no mask. Pintos have white background with large evenly placed patches covering head and more than one-third of body. Brindles with or without mask. If the face has stripes rather than a black mask, they should be uniform. Undercoat may be different colour from outercoat.
Head:
(a) Skull - Massive but in balance with body, tending to be flat on top with the rest of the head forming a blunt triangle when viewed from top. Free from wrinkles when at ease. Median fissure clearly visible and stop well defined. Cheeks moderately developed.
(b) Muzzle - Broad, full. Distance from nose to stop is the distance from stop to occiput as two is to three.
(c) Nose - Broad and black. Liver nose permitted on white Akitas only, but black preferred.
(d) Mouth - Clean, powerful jaws. Tongue pink. Teeth strong with scissors bite - but level bite acceptable. No black spots on tongue. Lips black and heavy, but not pendulous.
(e) Eyes - Dark brown: Small, deep set and triangular in shape. Eye rims black and tight.
(f) Ears - of the Akita are characteristic of the breed. They are strongly erect and small in relation to the size of the head. 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.
(g) Neck - The neck is thick and muscular; comparatively short, widening gradually towards shoulders. A pronounced crest blends in with base of skull.
Forequarters:
(a) Shoulders - Strong and powerful with moderate layback.
(b) Upper Arm - Heavy-boned and straight as viewed from front. Elbows turning neither in nor out.
(c) Lower Arm - Heavy-boned and straight as viewed from front. Dewclaws optional.
(d) Pasterns - Angle of pastern 15 degrees from vertical.
(e) Feet -Thick, round and very tight with arched toes (cat feet) straight ahead, pads thick.
Body:
(a) Topline - Level back.
(b) Chest - Is wide and deep. Depth of chest is one-half height of dog at shoulder. Ribs well-sprung, brisket will-developed.
(c) Loin - Firmly muscled and moderate tuck up.
(d) Abdomen - Is drawn up and tucked up.
(e) Croup - Is slightly rounded.
Hindquarters:
(a) Hip bone - Width, muscular development and bone comparable to front.
(b) Upper thigh - Well developed and powerful, stifle moderately angled.
(c) Lower thigh Should be comparable to forequarters, dewclaws optional.
(d) Hocks - Strong hocks, less angular than many breeds (145-160 degrees) turning neither in nor out.
(e) Feet - Same as front.
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 thick and strong. Tail reaches hock when let down. Hair coarse, straight and full, with no appearance of a plume.
Gait:
Brisk and powerful. Vigorous. Back remains firm and level. Rear legs move in line with front legs.
Faults:
1. Over-refinement in males;
2. coarseness in bitches;
3. lack of chest;
4. elbows in or out;
5. light bone, rangy body;
6. straight hocks;
7. excessive dewlap;
8. indication of ruff or feathering;
9. 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.
Note:
A male animal MUST have two apparently normal testicles full descended into the scrotum.
Disqualifications:
1. Monorchids or cryptorchids;
2. Viciousness, instability;
3. Excessively over/undershot;
4. Uncurled or sickle tail;
5. Albinos:
6. Butterfly nose;
7. Drop or broken ears;
8. Entropion or ectropion;
9. Long coats;
10. Males under twenty-five (25) inches; bitches under twenty-three (23) inches;
Altering of coat or general appearance by scissoring or clipping.
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.
Temperament:
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.
Health:
Some of the health conditions known to affect this breed include:
-Canine herpesvirus, a strain of the Herpes virus that happens to affect canines
-Gastric dilatation volvulus (GDV), a condition associated with bloat
-Pemphigus, which causes the autoimmune system to attack the dog's skin (leading to pustules)
-Progressive retinal atrophy (PRA), an adult-onset condition which gradual degeneration in the eye cells (i.e. rods & cones)
-UveoDermatological Syndrome (UDS)
-Sebaceous adenitis, an autoimmune condition which attacks and destroys the dog's sebaceous glands
-Canine hip dysplasia
-Hypothyroidism
-Hyperkalaemia- As a breed, Akitas have abnormally high blood potassium concentrations compared to other breeds
-Heart size: as a breed, Akitas have an unusually small heart for their size. A number of Akitas have died while being operated on under the normal dose of general anaesthetic for a canine of that size, a dose which ultimately proved excessive and fatal to the Akita
Average Lifespan:
Akitas in UK and USA/Canada surveys had a median lifespan of about 10 years, which is similar to other breeds of their size.
History:
Japanese history, both verbal and written, describe the ancestors of the Akita Inu, the Matagi dog, as one of the oldest of the native dogs. The Akita Inu of today developed primarily from these dogs in the northernmost region of the island of Honshū in the Akita prefecture, thus providing the breed's name. The Matagi's quarry included elk, antelope, boar, and the 120-stone Yezo bear. This swift, agile, unswervingly tenacious precursor dog tracked large game and held it at bay until the hunters arrived to make the kill.
Recent DNA analysis found that the Akita was among the most ancient dog breeds.
During World War II, the number of Akita dogs greatly diminished because of the lack of food. There were also orders to capture all dogs except German Shepherds in order to use their fur for warm army uniforms.
During the occupation years following the war, the breed began to thrive again through the efforts of Sawataishi and others. For the first time, Akitas were bred for a standardized appearance. Akita fanciers in Japan began gathering and exhibiting the remaining Akitas and producing litters in order to restore the breed to sustainable numbers and to accentuate the original characteristics of the breed muddied by crosses to other breeds. US servicemen fell in love with the Akita and imported many of them into the US upon and after their return.
The Japanese Akita and American Akita began to diverge in type through the middle and later part of the 20th century with the Japanese Akita fanciers focusing on restoring the breed as an work of Japanese art and American Akita fanciers selecting for the larger, heavier-boned dogs that emerged from the post-war times. Both types derive from a common ancestry, but marked differences can be observed between the two. First, while American Akitas are acceptable in all colors, Japanese Akitas are only permitted to be red, fawn, sesame, white, or brindle. Additionally, American Akitas may be pinto and/or have black masks, unlike Japanese Akitas.
Much debate occurs among Akita fanciers of both types whether there are or should be two breeds of Akita. To date, The AKC and CKC, guided by their national breed clubs, consider American and Japanese Akitas to be two types of the same breed, allowing free breeding between the two. The FCI and Kennel Clubs most other nations consider Japanese and American Akitas as separate breeds.
Sources:
Akita Club of Canada
Wikipedia
Pictures:
Photobucket