THE AKITA ILLUSTRATED
Correct Akita Construction. Shoulder blades of equal length matching the hind angulation, Tail set high to balance the large head. The Muzzle is as 2 is to 3 (3 being from stop to Occiput) deep and with plenty of under jaw and relatively tight lipped. The hock is let down (not short) and approximately a 3rd of the height of the rear leg. The feet are tight with thick pads which give a cat like appearance. The elbows are tight to the ribs which are rounded. The dog has a broad, powerful chest which is well let down . |
The proportions and moderate angulation of the female Akita. |
This male has a short upper arm which pushes his shouder up into his neck instead of further down the vertebrae closer to his withers. This give the appearance of the top of the dogs head coming straight out of the feet of the dog. Up right pasterns, lack of underjaw and very short hocks |
The side gait of the previous Akita, showing that the lack of upper arm and length in the tibia affects the movement of the dog cuttingthe stride short and not allowing full extension on the front leg . |
This male akita is short in upper arm and tibia, his hocks are very short also. His lack of rear angulation makes his hock joint push through to the front of his leg making the joint weak when he moves. His topline also dips behind the withers which is also apparent on the move. |
Marginally short in upper arm, however.. this male is too long in the loin which affects his topline and his tail set is lower than desirable ,had his tail set been higher up it could of made his body appear shorter than it is and balanced his head better. |
Unbalanced angulation, being more upright in the rear, short in loin and having a low tail set. |
Unbalanced angulation, being more upright in the rear short in loin and having a low tail set. |
Examples of fronts often seen in the Akita. The first 2 fronts are narrow and under developed, neither drop deep enough to the elbow and the second chest lacks sternum development. The 3rd front shows width , depth down to the elbow and development of muscle in the forechest. |
Left to Right 1.2.3 |
1.Correct front on a young bitch 2. Movement when viewed from the front. No sign of the elbows sticking out or flick of the pastern, Leg is perfectly straight showing no signs of pinning in or swinging of the leg |
Desirable front movement |
"Crossing" or "pinning" of front movement can be handler caused by "Stringing" the dog up. However it is also a construction fault which can be clearly observed when the dog is moved on a loose lead. |
Elbowing out on the move, sometimes refered to as paddling. The dog throws his front legs in toward the centre line which pushes his elbow out. The Akitas elbows should be flush to the body at all times, stood and moving. |
Left to Right 1.2.3.4 From the rear the tail should appear to sit on top of the back with plenty of buttock behind, thigh and second thigh should be well developed with hocks let down but not excessively short 2nd has a lower set tail and lacks second thigh 3rd has excessively short hocks 4th is weak in muscle lacking development or exercise, the hocks are also turned out creating a weak appearance |
Desirable rear movement |
|
1.2.3.4.5.Twisting hocks, weak hocks, cow hocks, the joint can twist both ways whilst gaiting and the knee or stifle appears "out" also in the No.5 |
Snatching hocks, a quick outward snatch of the hock, as the hock passes the supporting leg it twists in under the body. This can also be a sign of patella weakness |
Moving too close behind - the hocks practically brush past each other , this can also throw the stifle out of line and cause strain on muscles |
Moderate movement - covering ground without wasted effort |
Crabbing , or over reaching, a common fault and can caused by un balanced angulation, more angulation in the rear than the front. The rear feet are forced to step to one side of the front foot to avoid interferance |
Top left, this head lacks strength in the under jaw and makes the muzzle appear weak. Top right the ears are overly large and pointed and appear quite fine. Bottom left, the top skull lacks width and the ears are rather up right and pointed, due to the lack of width the ears are quite high set on the head. The muzzle is rather weak and appears too long and the cheek lacks muscle . Bottom right is a typical head, broad flat skull with small thick ears inclining forward, muzzle shorter than skull (as 2 is to 3), under jaw is strong which gives the appearance of a deep and broad muzzle. The cheeks are well developed |
The head of this Akita is wrinkled , Marking can make a dogs head appear wrinkled and this should not be penalised, the Akita, however should not have a wrinkled head. This particular dog has a rather narrow top skull and his ears are too high set and pointed |
The shape of the head when viewed front on. The top skull is broad and there is width between the ears. The outside base of the ear should fall almost in line with the outer edge of the eye. The muzzle should be broad and deep. The eyes are moderatly set apart.
|
|
Correct head shape.when.viewed from.above. The head should appear as a blunt triangle with width of top skull, well developed cheeks. Fill or padding under the eye. The head proportion should be as 2 is to 3. 2 being from nose to stop. 3 being from stop to occiput |
Often described as being feminine, this head is narrow, lacking in width of skull, good cheek developement, and is too long in muzzle. There is no definition in the breed standard between a male and a female head. |
Tails : 1. 2 . 3 . 4 . 5 . 6Double curled tail 2 and 3 single curl falling on either side 5 and 6 are incorrect and sickle tailed. The tail should sit on the back or fall down the side . |
1: correct tail set sitting infront of the plumb line from pelvis to front of foot. 2 and three are positioned too low. Notice how they affect the appearance of rear angulation when not positioned high enough. |
1st eye is Almond shape and is correct for the Akita by KC/UK standard . 2nd is Oval , 3rd is round 4th is triangular. These are incorrect ( AKC/USA standard small, deep-set and triangular in shape)
|
|
I have been honored by the artist Andi Horwood to be able to use her images & description on my website for educational purposes DO NOT copy nor display without direct written permission from the artist. I hope to to be adding more images as they become available.